Food is an important element of Mexican culture and one that certainly doesn’t go overlooked. Take one step into an authentic Mexican restaurant and you’ll be bombarded with an array of scents to wet your appetite.
Not to be confused with Tex-Mex, Mexican food offers a rich blend of flavors. Dishes vary based on the situation. A dish served in a person’s home may be very different from the options found at a festival or while walking down a street in town. But no matter the occasion, Mexican cuisine is rooted in tradition and aims to please.
Signature Mexican Food Ingredients and Flavors
Mexican culture brings a unique blend of Mesoamerican foods with dishes introduced by the early Spanish settlers. Try as they might, the Spanish settlers couldn’t get the natives to give up their traditional foods, with modern foods resulting in a blend of the two.
Most prolific in the culture is the use of corn. It is served in a variety of ways, from tortillas to tamales to elote, a dish consisting of corn, butter, mayonnaise, lime, and chili powder. It is also common to see beans incorporated into many of the dishes, whether contained in the dish or served on the side.
Each dish is dressed with a different salsa, or sauce, and typically made with one of the many varieties of chilies. The chili is a staple of Mexican cuisine, dating back to the Mesoamerican roots. The salsa is typically what gives a dish the unique flavor.
Mexican food does not shy away from spices either. The Spanish introduced the region to onion, garlic, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and oregano. These spices are blended into the dishes or used in the sauces to dress the dish.
Popular Mexican Food Dishes
Dishes in Mexico vary by region but are steadfast in their corn, bean, and chili roots. Dishes vary regionally and offer variety based on the original native tribes in the area and the Spanish foods that were introduced to the region.
Huevos Rancheros: Huevos rancheros include a fried egg served on a corn tortilla and topped with salsa. The dish is served with refried beans and Mexican-style rice.
Pozole: Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy and a meat, usually pork or chicken, and combined with chili peppers and other seasonings. It’s garnished with salsa, cabbage, lime, and sometimes avocado.
Enchiladas: Enchiladas are made of a variety of fillings wrapped in a corn tortilla and covered in a rich sauce, usually made of chili pepper or mole.
Barbacoa: A flavorful and traditional dish, barbacoa is a meat slow-cooked in an fire dug in the ground and covered with maguey leaves. The dish is served with cilantro, onions, and a side of tortillas.
Tacos: The most diverse of foods, tacos are considered a street food and are served on wheat or corn flour tortillas. Meats and salsas vary regionally.
Burritos: Burritos consist of a filling wrapped in a flour tortilla. The filling typically includes a meat, Mexican-style rice, beans, and sometimes lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
Birria: Birria is a rich and spicy stew of beef or goat marinated in adobo spices. It’s often served in celebratory situations and is reputed as a hangover remedy.
Aguas Frescas: A non-alcoholic beverage, aguas frescas are made of fruit, flowers, or cereals to create a cool and refreshing drink. The most popular options are Horchata, Jamaica, and Tamarindo.
Notable Mexican Food Chefs
Mexican food is enjoyed throughout the region with a large influence on cuisine in the United States. Renowned chef Rick Bayless has produced several books on Mexican cuisine and is a fourth generation restaurateur. Aarón Sanchez is well established in Mexican cuisine, having started his professional career at only 16 years old.
Mexican cuisine offers a rich simplicity with a blend of regional and imported Spanish ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a meal with friends, Mexican food offers a variety of options everyone is sure to love.
