Authentic Mexican Dishes You Need to Indulge In
Mexican cuisine is known for its bold and bright flavors. From tacos to tamales, there are a variety of dishes to choose from that will make your taste buds sing. If you’re looking for something new, try one of these authentic Mexican recipes!
This blog includes some regional favorites such as the taco al pastor, chilaquiles rojos con huevo y queso, and tres leches cake. Whether you want a quick snack or an indulgent dessert after dinner, there’s something on this list for everyone!
Aguachile
Aguachile is a Mexican dish that’s made with raw shrimp, chiles, and lime juice. It’s a popular seafood dish that’s often served as an appetizer or main course.
This dish should be made with fresh shrimp, but you can also use frozen shrimp. The shrimp is marinated in a mixture of lime juice, chiles, and onions to cure. Aguachiles is a dish that’s best eaten when it’s fresh, so be sure to make it close to the time you plan on eating it.
The best aguachile I’ve ever eaten was at the now closed Barra y Leña, made fresh with love by our chef friend Moe Ale Castellanos.
Image Source: Amanda Laine
Tacos Al Pastor
The taco al pastor, a popular dish from the Yucatan region of Mexico, is made with thin pork cuts that are marinated in adobo and cooked on a spit. They’re often served topped with chopped onions and cilantro along with pineapple slices for added sweetness. These tacos also have an element of spiciness thanks to what’s called “Chilpachole” which is a dried red chile that’s added to the mix.
This dish has roots in Lebanese cuisine and was inspired by the vertical spit roasting technique of shawarma or gyros, but with Mexican flavors such as adobo seasoning, cumin, oregano, garlic powder and cinnamon.
Image Source: Unsplash
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are a favorite in the Mexican state of Puebla. They’re made with fresh corn tortillas that have been fried and then covered in red or green salsa, cheese, cream, and chile peppers. This dish is similar to other Mexican dishes that use corn tortillas, such as enchiladas and tacos.
Chilaquiles are often served for breakfast with eggs or in a casserole dish along with beans. It can be eaten “Mexican-style” by adding avocado slices, white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, salt and lime juice.
Image Source: Unsplash
Horchata
Okay, this one technically isn’t a dish but it’s hard to separate it from the rest of the delicious Mexican dishes we love.
Horchata is a traditional drink from the highlands of central Mexico. It’s made with ground rice and white sugar, then mixed with fresh water to create a refreshing beverage.
This delicious drink is said to help regulate blood pressure because it contains cinnamon as well as being low in fat and sodium which makes it perfect for those on various types of diets.
Horchata is typically served cold and can be mixed with coffee, water or milk for added flavor. It’s also common to mix it up by blending in a fruit such as mango, strawberry, pineapple or papaya for an even sweeter taste!
A Mexican-style horchata will include almonds instead of rice, and sometimes cinnamon sticks for added flavor.
Image Source: Pexels
Tres Leches Cake
A tres leches cake is usually made with three different types of milk to balance out the sweetness. The first type of milk is combined with flour while baking which creates a light sponge-type texture that’s moist and fluffy on the inside. Then it gets soaked in a mixture of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk which gives the cake its name.
This decadent dessert originated in Southeast Mexico but has become popular throughout Latin America. It’s often served at celebrations and special occasions such as birthdays or weddings.
The tres leches cake is usually topped with whipped cream or meringue, and sometimes fruits such as strawberries or peaches. It can also be garnished with cinnamon, nuts, or chocolate shavings.
Image Source: Tastes Better from Scratch
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros, which means “ranch eggs” in Spanish, is a popular dish in Mexico that’s often served for breakfast or brunch. It consists of fried eggs on top of tortillas that are covered in salsa and beans.
This dish is said to have originated on Mexican farms where the workers would fry up some eggs to eat with tortillas and salsa. Nowadays, it’s a popular dish in restaurants and households all over Mexico.
Huevos rancheros can be made with either red or green salsa, depending on your preference. It’s also common to add avocado, cheese, and sour cream to this dish.
Image Source: Feasting at Home
Pozole de Pollo o Guajolote
Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup that’s typically made with pork, hominy, and green or red chiles. This dish has its origins in the state of Guerrero but is now popular all over Mexico.
Pozole de pollo o guajolote is a chicken pozole that’s usually made with white meat chicken. It’s a light and healthy soup that’s perfect for those cold winter days. This dish is often served with shredded cabbage, radishes, lime, and tortillas on the side.
Image Source: Que Rica Vida
Menudo
Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup that’s made with beef tripe and hominy. It’s a hearty and filling soup that’s often served for breakfast or brunch.
It’s typically made with red chiles, onions, and garlic. Menudo is often served with tortillas on the side. Menudo is popular because it’s said to be a hangover cure.
And trust me, it really works. I once had a hearty bowl of Menudo in Puerto Vallarta after a night of tequila shots and I can tell you, it really did the trick.
Image Source: My Latina Table
Chile en Nogada
Chile en nogada is a traditional Mexican dish that’s made with roasted poblano peppers, ground beef, and a creamy walnut sauce. It’s often served during the fall months because it includes seasonal ingredients such as pomegranate seeds.
The dish is drenched in its rich, creamy sauce that’s made with walnuts, milk, and cream. It’s then garnished with pomegranate seeds, parsley, and cilantro.
Chile en nogada is a dish that’s often served during special occasions such as Mexican Independence Day. Just like the Mexican flag, it’s a vibrant red, white, and green.
Image Source: Morenita Experience
Pipián
Pipián is a mole sauce that’s made with roasted poblano peppers, tomatillos, and pumpkin seeds. It’s a popular sauce in the state of Oaxaca but can be found all over Mexico.
This mole sauce is typically served with chicken or pork. It has a unique flavor that’s a combination of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy. The sauce is also thick and creamy, making it the perfect addition to any dish.
Pipián mole is usually made with a variety of different ingredients including tomatoes, onions, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers. It can also be made with chocolate, which gives it a deeper flavor.
Image Source: Chili Pepper Madness
Mexican Food is Just Better in Mexico
If you want to experience the best of Mexican cuisine, you need to go to Mexico. There’s just something about eating authentic Mexican food in Mexico that makes it taste better. Maybe it’s the fresh ingredients or the fact that most of these dishes are made by hand.
I hope you enjoyed learning about some of the best authentic Mexican dishes. If you ever find yourself in Mexico, be sure to try out some of these dishes.
You won’t be disappointed. ¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)
