The cuisine of Mexico reflects its complex history. It comes from the mix of the Aztec foods from Nahuatl and their descendants with the Spanish cuisine, which began with the conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortes.
The Spanish brought with them a few animals which they had domesticated in Europe, such as sheep, chicken, pigs, cows, goats, and horses. Spanish also revolutionized agriculture with the introduction of chinampas, artificial islands that allowed the indigenous people to grow crops that they could never grow on the mainland.
So, the diversity in Mexican food is immensely diverse like the Indian cuisine. From simple and healthy dishes to more complex ones, the choices are literally endless.
You are hungrier than a wild beast and you can’t wait to dig into a plate of enchiladas. You wonder what to order. Just as you are about to make your decision, you notice a nearby table has a different kind of mouthwatering dish.
1. Chilaquiles
An unusual dish that originated in Mexico City, chilaquiles are tortillas cut into strips and cooked in salsa. The tortillas are then placed on a plate with either chicken or pork and garnishes of onion, chile, and avocado. The name comes from the Mexican words ‘Chila’ (meaning sauce) and ‘Quillas’ (meaning tortilla strips).
2. Pozole
Pozole is a soup made with hominy. It is usually eaten during festivities such as the Day of the Dead and is served with pork, cabbage, onion, avocado, and oregano. It can also be served with fresh fish.
3. Tacos al pastor: Tacos al pastor are a type of taco served from street vendors, often from a trailer. They are made from pork, which is cooked on a vertical spit. When it is cooked, the meat is chopped and placed into a tortilla with onion, cilantro, pineapple, and salsa.
3. Tostadas
A tostada is a crispy tortilla served with toppings such as refried beans, cheese, guacamole, salsa, and meat. It is often served alongside soup.
4. Chiles en Nogada
Chiles en Nogada is a classic Mexican dish originating from Puebla state. It is made up of poblano chiles stuffed with meat and nuts, covered in a walnut-based sauce, and topped with pomegranate seeds. It is a particularly festive dish that is traditionally served during Independence Day celebrations.
A festive dish of poblano chilies, stuffed with meat, covered in a walnut sauce, and topped with pomegranate seeds.
5. Enchiladas
This traditional dish is made up of corn or wheat tortillas covered in a sauce or mole and stuffed with cheese, beans, meat, and vegetables. The tortilla is then fried or baked until crispy.
2. Molcajete: Of all the Mexican dishes to choose from, the molcajete is certainly one of the most popular ones. It is also one of the simplest Mexican dishes to make and is incredibly healthy too. Molcajete is basically a salsa that is made from a mixture of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and chilies which are then blended together to create a salsa that can be served with just about anything.
6. Carnitas
Carnitas is a Mexican dish that is made from the meat of a pig that has been roasted until it is tender. It is then chopped into small pieces and then fried until it is crispy. Carnitas is eaten with tortillas and the meat is served with a variety of sauces that are made from chilies.
7. Tamales
Enveloped in a corn husk, tamales are one of the most popular Mexican dishes and are also considered to be one of the most traditional dishes in the country. Tamales are delicious when served with some cheese and are very popular and a must-have when you are traveling to Mexico.
8. Guacamole
There can never be enough guacamole in a Mexican restaurant because it is such a simple but delicious Mexican dish. Guacamole is essentially just mashed avocados that have been mashed with chilies, onions, and tomatoes. It is served in a molcajete and is great when served with corn chips.
9. Elote
Elote is a Mexican dish that is made from corn that is roasted, boiled, or grilled. It is then served on a stick and can be eaten as an accompaniment to many other Mexican dishes such as tacos or enchiladas.
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10. Carnitas
Although this is not really a traditional Mexican dish, it is one that is commonly served in many of the Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Carnitas is basically a Mexican dish that is made from pork and it is cooked in a way to make the meat incredibly tender and juicy. The preparation of this dish takes a lot of time and effort but it is certainly worth it when you bite into the juicy strips of pork.
11. Discada
Discada is a Mexican dish that is prepared by cooking meat on a hot disc-shaped metal. The meat is usually served with a variety of vegetables and spices. This is one of the most popular Mexican dishes because it is so simple and easy to prepare. The flavor of the meat that is cooked on the Discada is enhanced by the spices that are used to season the meat. These species include oregano, cumin, and garlic.
12. Burritos
These are tortillas filled with beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, and tomato, and wrapped in a thin layer of tortilla. There are several burrito varieties. When wrapped in a blue-corn tortilla and filled with beans and cheese, it is called a “burrito de frijol”. A “burrito de Arroz” is a burrito filled with rice. “Burrito de Guiso” is a burrito filled with a stew of meat, chile, potato, and vegetables. A “burrito de machaca” contains only meat.
Although burritos are a combination of ingredients inside a tortilla, it is solidified by the tortilla´s folding. The name burrito has a Spanish origin and means “little donkey.” It is said that it was called a burrito because the ingredients are bundled up like a donkey´s load. It is a true Mexican dish, indeed.
13. Menudo
A soup made with tripe, tongue, and hominy, it is considered the “national soup” of Mexico. It is a traditional food, especially in the countryside, served on special occasions or when friends get together. It is usually eaten for breakfast.