25 Most Famous Mexican Food You Shouldn't Miss!
Mexican food has a rich and diverse history. Many of the dishes originating from Mexico are still eaten today and can be found all over the world, such as tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and mole.
Mexican cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh herbs and spices, along with fruits and vegetables that come mostly from the country’s extensive variety of climates and terrain. It is unique among regional cuisines in its special preparations for corn as well as certain types of beans; traditionally those meals would have been cooked separately, but they are now mixed together to create one dish or meal!
This article will explore the 25 most famous Mexican foods you shouldn't miss out on! Find out Mexican restaurants near me or Mexican food near me here and you can find more best restaurants near me, fast food near me, and food near me here.
1. Tacos
Tacos are typically served on flat, thin tortillas made from corn or wheat that you can also buy at many grocery stores.
2. Enchiladas
These are often filled with chicken, cheese, beef, or vegetables and then covered in sauce and baked with more sauce; sometimes they're topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream.
3. Tamales
They are wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf and steamed until the masa dough is cooked through. The filling varies from region to region and can be made from pork, chicken, vegetables, or sweet fruit.
4. Mole
Mole (pronounced MOH-lay) is a sauce that comes in red or brown color and typically contains spices, cocoa powder, unsweetened chocolate, chiles, and other ingredients such as tomatoes that depend on the region you're from; it can be served with meat or poultry.
5. Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are tortilla chips cooked in green tomato salsa (or mole) until soft, then topped with queso fresco (a fresh cheese), onions, avocado slices, or guacamole, sour cream, and pickled jalapeño peppers if you like your food to kick up a notch!
6. Pozole
Pozole is a thick stew made from pork, chicken, or other meat cooked with hominy and fresh ingredients such as cabbage, radishes, onions, oregano, and other spices. Pozole can be served plain or with additional toppings such as shredded chicken or pork, avocado slices, radishes, and tortillas.
7. Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros (literally ranch-style eggs) are fried corn tortillas covered with a red tomato sauce (salsa), along with fried eggs that you top with crema Mexicana (similar to sour cream) or crumbled queso fresco; sometimes they're served with refried pinto beans on the side.
8. Elote
Elote is street food usually sold in carts on busy intersections during hot days; they are pieces of boiled or grilled sweet corn served on sticks covered in chili powder, mayonnaise, butter, or other ingredients depending on the vendor - it's simply the best way to eat corn during summer days!
9. Enchiladas Suizas
Enchiladas suizas are chicken enchiladas topped with a creamy tomatillo sauce and melted cheese; they can be served alone or accompanied by rice and beans.
10. Carne Asada
Carne asada is grilled beef or pork typically served in tortillas, tacos, or quesadilla along with fresh tomato salsa (and sometimes onions); you'll find this dish common in Mexican restaurants around the world.
11. Quesadillas
Quesadillas are flat tortilla sandwiches filled with cheese, chopped vegetables, and sometimes meat (shredded chicken or beef) - they're one of the simplest Mexican dishes you can make at home!
12. Ceviche
Ceviche is a dish made from raw fish marinated in citrus juices for hours to overnight before it's eaten - the citric acid of lemon or lime “cooks” or changes the texture of the seafood while keeping it a fresh flavor. Its often served on tostadas (fried tortilla chips) and garnished with onion, cilantro, and avocado slices along with different hot sauces to taste.
13. Flautas
Flautas are fried rolled tacos filled with shredded chicken or beef, beans, or vegetables that are typically accompanied by salsa verde (tomato sauce), sour cream, and guacamole.
14. Chiles en Nogada
Chiles en nogada is large chilies stuffed with a mixture of minced meat (pork or beef), nuts, fruits, and spices that is then covered in a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds - its the Mexican version of German “pumpkin” stew!
15. Tacos al Pastor
Tacos al pastor are made from marinated pork cut into thin slices cooked on a vertical rotisserie called trompo which gives them their unique flavour; they can be served plain or topped with diced onions, cilantro, and pineapple along with salsa to taste depending on your preference.
16. Churros
Churros are long pieces of fried dough dusted with sugar and cinnamon that you usually eat as a snack or dessert; they are served with a thick chocolate sauce for dipping.
17. Mole Poblano
Mole poblano is the most famous Mexican dish made from a complex mix of ingredients such as chilli peppers, spices, dried fruit, and different nuts simmered in a tomato sauce - it's seldom served at home but more common in bigger cities during festive occasions!
18. Tostadas
Tostadas are flat-fried tortillas topped with refried beans or Spanish rice along with meat (often shredded chicken or beef), lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese - they're usually served cold.
19. Molcajete
Molcajete is a Mexican hot dish made of beef, chicken, or pork that's cooked in a lava stone mortar called molcajete along with vegetables, spices, and other ingredients; it can be eaten alone but also accompanied by tortillas to make tacos which is the most common way to serve this meal.
20. Chili con Carne
Chili con carne is one of the simplest yet tastiest Mexican dishes you'll ever eat consisting of cooked red beans mashed together with meat (often minced beef), onion, garlic, and tomato sauce then flavored with chilli powder for added texture - don't forget to top your bowl off with sour cream and grated cheese!
21. Tlacoyo
Tlacoyos are Mexican bean-based snacks made in the form of round flat disks (similar to pancakes) stuffed with refried beans, fried crispy chorizo sausage, or potatoes; they're one of my favorite snacks that I always order when I'm at the mall around lunchtime - you can also find them at street vendors during late nights!
22. Carne Asada Tacos
Carne asada tacos are simply tacos filled with grilled beef slices, diced onions, and cilantro along with some lime wedges to give it a little sourness; this is likely the most popular way to eat carne asada in the U.S. as well as Mexico!
23. Tlayuda
Tlayudas are thick tortillas made from cornmeal that have been cooked on a comal then topped with black beans, meat, cheese, and other ingredients such as chopped tomatoes and onions - they're a popular Mexican street food often seen outside the front of Oaxaca's bars at night!
24. Chile en Nogada
Chile en nogada is a dish made by stuffing spicy poblano chilli peppers with a mixture of minced beef, fruits, nuts, and spices then covered in a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds - its Mexicos version of German “pumpkin” stew!
25. Carne Asada
Carne asada is a Mexican dish made from thinly sliced grilled beef often served with beans, cheese, onions, and guacamole on top of a tortilla for extra flavour - check out my recipe here!
Finding the best Mexican restaurant is not an easy task. You need to find a place that not only delivers great food but also meets your expectations. Visit to find the best Mexican restaurant near me.
Wrapping it up!
The best Mexican restaurants are likely to serve fresh, flavourful food. If you want to find the best Mexican restaurant near me, visit here. One of the things that make their service great is they can be found in many areas, so you won't have a hard time looking for them.
FAQs
What is traditional Mexican cuisine?
The best Mexican food is flavourful, spicy, and frequently simple to prepare, whether it's chilaquiles or empanadas, or fajitas. Traditional Mexican cuisine usually makes use of indigenous ingredients such as beans, chilli peppers, and corn, with a decadent sauce on the side, such as mole or pico de Gallo.
What are 3 traditional Mexican foods?
Here are the best traditional Mexican foods Enmolada, Pozole, Tortas, Chiles en Nogada, Chiltomate, Tacos de Papa, Sopa de Lima, Cemita Poblana, Tlacoyo, Carne Asada Tacos, and Molcajete.
What are the four pillars of Mexican cuisine?
Mexican cuisine is built upon four pillars: Achiote, Citrus, Habaneros, and Smoke. These ingredients are combined in various ways to create the many dishes of Mexicos cuisine.
Do real Mexican burritos have rice?
Real Mexican burritos can't have rice. The traditional Mexican burrito is a simple, small tortilla wrapped around a few core ingredients such as meat and beans. Rice can be added, but not required.
What are the four pillars of Mexican cuisine?
Mexican cuisine is built upon four pillars: Achiote, Citrus, Habaneros, and Smoke. These ingredients are combined in various ways to create the many dishes of Mexicos cuisine.
Do real Mexican burritos have rice?
Real Mexican burritos can't have rice. The traditional Mexican burrito is a simple, small tortilla wrapped around a few core ingredients such as meat and beans. Rice can be added, but not required.
Are fajitas actually Mexican?
The name fajita is derived from the Spanish term for little strips of meat, which comes from the Latin word "fascicular," meaning "little strip." Its a Tex-Mex, Texan-Mexican American, or Tejano, diminutive form of fajitas.
What drinks are Mexican?
Mexican drinks are very diverse, but the most popular ones are mezcal or tequila, which is made from blue agave plants. The other popular drinks are watermelon juice, margaritas, and mole.
What is the best Mexican dish to order?
When looking for the best Mexican dishes, you can choose to go with Quesadilla, Tacos, Sopa de Fideo, Jarritos, Carne Asada, Tortas, Flan. Other popular options include quesadillas and fish tacos.
What are Mexican snacks?
Gansitos, Banderillas, Takis, Cacahuates Japones, Duvalín, Maruchan, Pelon Pelo Rico, and Vero Mango. Other Mexican snacks are cemitas, chilaquiles, empanadas, quesadillas, flautas.
What is the most famous Mexican dish?
Tacos are a popular Mexican dish that has been elevated to the level of art. The taco is recognized as the most popular Mexican meal in the world, and it has become a work of art.