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Contributed by Christine Szalay-Kudra
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Mexican Recipes
Making Authentic Dishes at Home
Some people have experimented with Mexican recipes but many more have only tried this kind of food in a restaurant. The cuisine of Mexico has a noticeable Spanish influence. It is known for its variety of spices, colorful decoration, and flavor variations. Mexican foods are not as spicy as Tex Mex ones, which use hotter peppers for spiciness.
It is well worth making your own recipes because a lot of them are very simple and, like with most foods, homemade Mexican meals are always delicious. Traditional ones include tamales, which are steamed masa with a filling, tacos, Spanish rice, guacamole, arroz con leche, cajeta and there are many more.
It is quite easy to find the necessary ingredients to make authentic dishes because as well as Mexican grocery stores being easy to find in some parts, a lot of typical ingredients are carried by stores as well.
Mexican Foods through History
Ingredients and preferences have changed through time, also because of new foods becoming available. Corn based dishes with herbs and chilies, tomatoes and beans were the mainstay of the natives when the conquistadores arrived.
The conquistadores combined their imported foods such as pork, beef, wine, garlic, onions and chicken with the indigenous foods such as maize, guava, vanilla, chocolate, avocado, chili pepper, beans, peanut, fish, turkey and tomato, which is how the cuisine of Mexico became what it is today.
Corn and rice are both popular in these recipes and local villages have their own exotic recipes, cooked in the Mayan or Aztec style, including ingredients such as deer, spider monkey, iguana, grasshoppers, ant eggs, and rattlesnake. When making south of the border recipes at home, you might want to give some of these a miss!
The Easiest Ones
If you are new to home cooking, you might like to start off with something simple such as chicken enchiladas or steak fajitas. Making your own guacamole is simple too and it is much tastier than the store-bought variety.
You can buy tortilla wraps and nachos rather than making your own, of course, and prepare the filling or topping yourself. You might also like to try some traditional desserts, such as fried banana or pumpkin empanadas to enjoy after the meal.
So, enjoy browsing our extensive collection of recipes and happy cooking!
Enjoy and watch out for the hot spots.
Mexican Recipes and Article Links
Traditional Recipes
Authentic Recipes
Easy Recipes
Mexican Food Recipe
Fajitas
Easy Casseroles
Salad
Soup - Chili Recipes
Salsa Recipes
Vegetarian Recipes
Food Articles
Traditional Recipes
The Best Traditional Mexican Recipes
If you want to experience the real taste of Mexico, you will be keen to sample some of the best traditional dishes. Traditional food includes such delights as quesadillas, enchiladas, and tacos. Mexicans enjoy using fresh produce to make these dishes and they are rightfully proud of such a delicious cuisine. Of course, Mexico is a huge country, so the traditional meals, side dishes, and desserts do vary from region to region. If you have enjoyed traditional recipes in a good quality restaurant, you might like to make your own at home, and this is much easier than you might have thought. This type of food is not only easy to make but it is also a typically healthy cuisine and full of wonderful, exciting flavors.
Popular Foods Through the Ages
Traditional foods are those, which have survived because of their popularity, so they tend to be amongst the most famous dishes in the country. If you have only experienced Tex Mex food or takeout dishes, you will be inspired by our traditional Mexican recipes because they focus on using authentic spices and flavorings, as well as typical ingredients and traditional produce. Popular ingredients such as beef, chicken, local cheese, tomatoes, cilantro, tortillas, and avocados have always been popular in this cuisine and these are just some of the exiting ingredients you can use to make your own traditional meals.
Quesadillas
If you like cheese, you are going to adore quesadillas. A quesadilla is basically cheese inside a corn or flour tortilla, fried until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese oozes out the sides. This is a great breakfast, lunch, or snack. There are many quesadilla recipes and spinach, mushrooms, tomato, chilies, beef, steak, blue cheese, and even fruit might feature in exciting quesadillas recipes. This is one of the easiest traditional food items to make and for a basic quesadilla you only need two ingredients.
Easy Cheesy Apple Chicken Quesadillas with Bacon
Crispy Shrimp Quesadillas
Spicy Skirt Steak Quesadillas
Vegetable Cheese Quesadillas
Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas with Dipping Sauces
Corn and Black Bean Quesadillas with Pepper Jack Cheese
Spicy Pork and Mushroom Mexican Quesadillas
Cooking with Kids - Easy Quesadillas Recipe
Quesadillas de Champinones - Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas
Great Mexican Quesadillas
Something Different - Blue Cheese Quesadillas
Breakfast Quesadillas with Egg and Potato
Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
Tasty Spinach Quesadilla Recipe
Marinated Grilled Portabella Quesadillas
Quick Kids' Easy Mexican Quesadillas
Black Bean Quesadilla Recipes with Mango
Best Grilled Jalapeno Quesadillas with Ocean Trout and Corn
Easy Quesadillas Recipe - 5 Minute Quesadillas
Tacos
Possibly the most famous dish of all time to hail from Mexico, tacos are well known and loved around the world for their crunch and flavor. Many people assume that the fast food-style taco is the same as an authentic one but, if you try making a few of our authentic tacos recipes yourself, you will discover that traditional recipes like tacos come in many vibrant and flavorful varieties and you can choose from tasty fillings like pork, fish, steak, vegetables and much more.
Great Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos
Spiced Pulled Pork Tacos with Cilantro
The Best Taco Pie Recipe
Authentic Mexican Chicken Tacos
Mexican Beef Tacos with Pepper Jack Cheese
Authentic Mexican Tacos with Chicken and Yellow Pico de Gallo
Tacos de Carne Asada
Oven Roasted Shredded Pork Tacos
Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos Recipe
Heart Healthy Ground Turkey Tacos
Vegan Black Bean Tacos
Crunchy Spicy Pork Tacos with Beans
Carne Asada Tacos
Tacos de Pescado - Fish Tacos
Tacos de Pollo en Mexico
Authentic Recipes
Truly Authentic Dishes to Try
The difference between authentic recipes and fast food-style ones is vast. Fast food takes a few ideas from the original cuisine, adds a lot of fillers, and turns it into something cheap and generic. Authentic recipes, on the other hand, are those recipes which Mexicans are proud to call their own. Authentic dishes are made with the best ingredients and this means top quality meat, poultry or seafood, as well as fresh seasonal produce. There are lots of herbs and spices used in these dishes and an authentic recipe will specify exactly which type of chili or seasoning you need to recreate the truly authentic flavor of the dish you are making.
Use Authentic Ingredients for the Best Results
Tortillas, burritos and empanadas are typical south of the border dishes and there are many more besides. Flavors such as garlic, cheese, cilantro, tomato, ground beef, chilies and avocado feature in many traditional recipes, although there are other famous dishes which use seafood or another ingredient you might not necessarily think of as being typically Mexican. The best way to get wonderful results from traditional recipes is to use authentic ingredients. If the recipe calls for a fresh chili pepper rather than a pinch of chili powder, use fresh chili. Choose locally grown, organic produce where necessary for the most flavorful results.
Burritos
A burrito comprises a warm tortilla, wrapped around a filling. In Mexico, burritos are quite small and tend to contain a mixture of meat, Spanish rice, and refried beans only. However, there are many different variations that you can try, if you want to make your own burritos recipes. Ingredients like chicken, pork, sweet potato, and black beans are just some of the ingredients you can use to make burritos. Salsas, sour cream, guacamole, or chili sauce is also great for adding the finishing touches.
Burrito Supreme with Beef and Refried Beans
Red Bell Pepper Burritos with Kidney Beans and Garlic
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos
Easy Breakfast Burritos
Crockpot Chipotle and Beef Burritos
Baked Chicken Burritos
Quick Pork Burritos
Chicken Burrito Recipe with Corn and Chilies
Egg and Bacon Breakfast Burrito Recipe
A Big Juicy Breakfast Burrito Recipe
Easy Chicken Burritos with a Barbecue Sauce
Mouthwatering Slow Cooker Burrito Recipes
Recipe for Stuffed Burrito with Chicken
Chicken Rice and Cheese Burrito
Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Burritos
Char Grilled Steak Burritos Reciepe
Tortillas
Tortillas can be made with corn or wheat and they are as ubiquitous in Mexican cuisine as bread is in other western cuisines. Tortillas feature in all local meals and they can be rolled up to enclose a filling, folded around hot meat, fish, vegetables or cheese, covered in a sauce and baked, chopped up as a salad or soup garnish or fried until crisp and used to make edible bowls. Tortillas are one of the main food staples of the country.
Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tortilla with Guacamole
One of the Easiest Grilled Chicken Tortilla Recipes
Hot Beef Tortilla Recipe with Bell Peppers Fajita Style
Mexican Tortilla Stack with Chicken and Beans
Aztec Pie with Homemade Salsa Verde
One of the Best Vegetarian Sandwich Wraps
How to Make Corn Tortillas
How to Make Flour Tortillas
Whole Wheat Tortillas Recipe
Tostadas
A tostada is a baked or fried, crispy tortilla, which is sometimes served by itself or else topped with delicious meat, chicken, fish, salad, cheese, or anything else you fancy. Tostadas are versatile, making great breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack food, and you can add whichever toppings you want. Try shrimp and avocado for a gourmet tostada, beef and refried beans for something satisfying, or what about layering the tostadas with different fillings between them, to make a hearty, man-sized snack?
Mexican Shrimp Tostada with Homemade Avocado Salsa and Beans
Recipe for Mexican Chunk Beef Tostada
Homemade Tostadas with Poblanos and Cheese
How to Make Tostadas - Tostadas 101
Zesty Chicken Tostadas
Easy Recipe for Beef Tostadas
Grilled Steak Tostadas
Shrimp Tostadas
Empanadas
An empanada is a tasty little pastry. These are actually famous all over South America, as well as in Spain, but they do vary from place to place. An empanada might be round, square or triangular. Savory fillings like beef, cheese, pork, or chicken are great and sweet fillings such as apple, pumpkin, or sweet potato are also delicious. Empanadas are easy to make and if you enjoy eating local dishes, you will love making these tasty little snacks.
How to Make Pumpkin Empanadas
Easy Empanada Recipes with Chicken
Fried Beef Empanada Recipe
Cheese and Corn Mexican Empanada Recipes
Around the World Recipe Ideas Chile Empanadas
Easy Recipes
Simple Meals for Everybody
Not many everyday recipes can be described as complicated because Mexicans are busy people and they know how to make the best food without standing over a hot stove for hours. The exception to this rule is their holiday food, some of which is simple and some of which is more complex and therefore saved for fiestas and holidays. In general, this cuisine is a nourishing combination of fresh produce, a flour, or corn-based grain, meat, poultry or fish and spices. There are stews that might take hours but you can leave them to cook. There are also crockpot recipes, which will cook while you are out all day.
The Easiest Foods to Make
If you are new to cooking or short on time, you will be pleased that there are dishes that are both quick and easy. You can make a quesadilla in five minutes or a layered salad in ten minutes. Meals like these are great if you want a quick lunch or dinner in a hurry. Some recipes take a little longer but are still easy to make, and these include cornbread, chimichangas, shrimp cocktail, chalupas, paella, and ceviche. Our excellent easy recipes will walk you through the process of making a delicious and authentic meal from scratch and your family will be amazed with the results.
The Best Baja Bruschetta Recipe
Cheese and Green Onions Beef Taco Skillet
The Best Recipe for Chicken Breast with Mango Salsa
Spicy Mexican Torte Recipe with Sausage and Onion
Authentic Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with Lime
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail with Avocado Salsa
Mexican Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Mexican Chicken Skewers with Chili and Lime
Pollo Frito Receta - Mexican Pan Fried Chicken with Tomatoes
Mexican Pizza Recipe with Chorizo and Tomatillos
A Mouthwateringly Good Recipe for Mexican Pizza
How to Make Crispy Deep Fried Jalapenos
A Simple Bean and Mexican Vegetables Stew
Mexican Style Bocconcini with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Tampiquena - An Easy Mexican Steak Recipe
Grilled Meat - Mexican Style
Grilled Pork Loin End
Traditional Huevos Rancheros Recipe
Authentic Mexican Breakfast Food - Huevos a la Mexicana
Refritos - Mexican Refried Beans
Poblano Pesto Macaroni and Cheese
Grilled Chicken with Quinoa and Vegetables
What Are Bolillo Rolls
Carne Asada Tortas
Mexican Style Recipes with Grilled Prawns
Spicy Fried Prawns Recipe
Spicy Grilled Salmon Enchilada Recipes
Spicy Prawns with Chili
Oaxacan-Style Hot Grilled Mexican Shrimp Recipes
Grilled Fish Recipes
Easy Huevos Rancheros Recipes
How to Make Mexican Pizza
Chicharron Recipe - Mexican Pork Rind Snacks
Chalupas
Chalupas hail from South Central Mexico. They are widely available in the Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Puebla areas and a chalupa is a shallow corn cup filled with ingredients like pork, chicken, salsa, onion, chili and more. Chalupas are named after the local word for a canoe-like boat, and they are also shaped like this in authentic chalupas recipes. They are made by pressing masa dough around a mold until the dough sets. This is an impressive-looking yet very easy recipe to make.
A Simple and Easy Chalupa Shell Recipe
Beany Pork Crockpot Chalupa Recipe
Shrimp Chalupa Recipe
Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder and Pinto Bean Chalupas
Spicy Vegetarian Black Bean Chalupas
Cheesy Shredded Chicken Chalupas
Savory Mexican Sausage Chalupas
Carne Asada Chalupas - Grilled Steak Chalupas
Chimichangas
These deep-fried burritos are one of the crunchiest and tastiest snacks ever and are popular in Mexico's Sonora and Sinaloa regions. If you are looking for easy recipe ideas, you might like to try making your own chimichangas. Typical fillings for these crispy tortillas include cheese, beans, shredded beef, carne adobada, shredded chicken, and ground beef. The filled tortilla is deep fried to perfection and served with guacamole, sour cream, grated cheese, or salsa. Refried rice and beans make a good chimichanga side dish.
Baked Spicy Beef Chimichangas
Easy Bean and Cheese Chimichangas
Hearty Beef and Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
Juicy Shrimp Chimichanga Recipe with Spinach and Tomatoes
Savory Beef Chimichanga Recipe
Baked Black Bean and Ground Beef Chimichanga Recipes
Simple Chicken Chimichangas Recipe
Chicken and Bacon Homemade Chimichangas
Black Bean Rice and Cheese Chimichangas
Ceviche Recipes
Since much of Mexico is surrounded by sea, it goes without saying that fish and seafood are staples in some areas. Ceviche, which can be mild or spicy, is one of the most delicious ways to use fish and seafood. Ceviche is a marinated seafood dish and citrus such as lemon or lime juice is used to marinate the seafood. The acid in the citrus "cooks" the fish or seafood and other ingredients are added to ceviche to add flavor and texture.
Mexican Tuna and Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Mexican Ceviche Recipe with Shrimp
Mexican Ceviche with Passion Fruit and Mango
Ceviche with Red Snapper and Serrano Chilies
Best Shrimp Ceviche Recipe with Nopales
A Great Recipe for Shrimp Ceviche
Mexican Ceviche Recipe with Seafood
Ceviche Recipe Classic
Catfish or Tilapia Ceviche Recipe
Recipe for Shrimp Ceviche with Red Snapper
Easy Tuna Ceviche Recipe
Nicaraguan Style Lobster Ceviche Recipes
Scallop Ceviche Recipe
Mixed Shellfish Seafood Ceviche
Squid Ceviche Recipe
Tilapia Ceviche with Shrimp
Basic Salmon Ceviche
Paella Recipes
Paella is a great example of a local recipe that is often made when lots of guests are expected, rather than a snack for a couple of people. A hearty paella recipe contains meat, poultry, fish, or any combination of these. It will also contain delicious vegetables and a wonderful balance of herbs and spices. This aromatic and mouthwatering, famous rice dish is just as well loved in Mexico as in Spain and paella recipes are easy to make yourself at home.
Mexican Paella with Chicken and Seafood
Gourmet Seafood Paella Recipe
Shrimp and Chorizo Paella Recipe
Spanish Recipe Paella
Easy Chicken Paella Recipe
Paella Recipes with Shrimp Chicken and Chorizo
Baked Seafood Paella with Bacon
Healthy Vegetarian Paella with Artichoke Hearts
Mixed Chorizo Paella Recipe
About Authentic Spanish Seafood Paella Recipes
Mexican Food Recipe
The Best Meal Ideas
Traditional Mexican recipes bear very little resemblance to the typical fast food fare. In fact, an original recipe is likely to be healthy and made with fresh produce and traditional ingredients, which is the opposite to most fast food dishes. South of the border food recipe can vary from mild to spicy, from aromatic to full-flavored and from light and refreshing to heavy and rich. There are lots of recipe ideas available if you are looking for menu inspiration, and most of them are simple to make and the ingredients are widely available. Some dishes can be slow-cooked in a crockpot and the flavors come out really intense then.
Choosing Which One to Make
Maybe you would like to make a classic, well-known dish such as burritos, tacos, or enchiladas, or how about something a little different like a south of the border style beef pizza, a pork sirloin roast with black beans or even char-grilled polenta with eggplant? There are ideas for any occasion and for every palate. Whether you want to please your family with a new dish or make something for a potluck supper, choose something which fits in with your level of cooking experience, and the ingredients available to you and you will not go wrong.
Mexican Style Beef Pizza
Authentic Mexican Chicken Recipes
Tasty Authentic Mexican Rice Recipe
Tasty Mexican Pork Sirloin Roast and Black Beans Recipe
Authentic Chicken Taquitos with a Guacamole Dip
Char Grilled Polenta Recipe with Eggplant
Air Dried Mexican Beef
Chili Rellanos Recipes - Stuffed Chili Peppers
Homemade Carne Cecina Recipe
Stuffed Chile Peppers - Traditional Chile en Nogada Recipe
Mexican Lamb in an Adobo Crust
Receta Chiles en Nogada with Plantain and Peach
Receta de Cortadillo al Estilo Monterrey
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos
Recipe for Mexican Steak in a Lime and Oregano Marinade
Mexican Baked Artichokes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Pescadito Frito - A Mexican Style Fried Fish Recipe
Beef Carpaccio with Lime Juice and Queso Fresco
Perfect Pork Tenderloin with Mole Sauce
Traditional Recipe for Turkey Tamales
A Delicious Chicken Mole Recipe
Verde Mole Chicken - A Traditional Chicken Mole Recipe
Authentic Beef Cecina - A Mexican Delicacy
Grilled Fish Mojo de Ajo with Mexican Creamed Broccoli
Baked Tomatillo Chicken
Mexican Style Ribs with a Grilled Corn Recipe
Central American-Style Fish Torta
Mexican Fried Tilapia A La Plancha
Spicy Beef Chorizo Dinner
Quinoa and Chicken with Peppers, Onions and Basil
Fish And Quinoa In Sorrel Leaves
Mexican Beef Shish Kabob Recipes Based on the main site picture.
One of the Best Ever Grilled Chicken Recipes
Stuffed Poblano Pepper Recipe With Cream Sauce
Slow Roasted Goat With Tomatillo Chili Sauce
Chilaquiles Recipe
Arroz con Pollo Recipe
Mexican Green Rice Recipe with Poblano And Onion
Black Beans and Rice Recipe
Huachinango A La Veracruzana
Herdez Pork Chops with Salsa Verde - Puerco En Salsa Verde
Broiled Chipotle Encrusted Tilapia
Spanish Rice with Beans - Arroz con Frijoles
Roast Turkey with Mexican Hawthorn and Potato Stuffing
Beef Flautas Recipe
Chipotle Smoked Pork Flautas
Sopes Lobster Recipes
Fajitas
Fajitas - One of the Most Famous Dishes
Whether you like meat, poultry, fish, or vegetarian food, fajitas are a delicious recipe. Technically, they might be more Tex Mex than Mexican but we can overlook that fact because they are so delicious and well worth making. Fajitas are one of the most popular dishes on restaurant menus and they are also easy to make yourself. Typical fajita fillings include chicken, shredded beef or shrimp. Crunchy fried onions and bell peppers are often served in restaurants with fajitas, and sour cream, guacamole, and salsa go well too. In restaurants, the tortillas and accompaniments are often served on individual platters, with the meat served on a sizzling hotplate, so you can assemble your own.
Great Party Food
Fajitas are ideal if you have having a party because you can serve the fajita components separately. Lay out the tortillas, meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauces and let people assemble their own. This is a lot of fun and it is timesaving for you too. Fajitas are really colorful because of the ingredients and especially the bright bell pepper strips, and they make great party food. Traditional Texan Rio Grande Valley fajitas were made with skirt steak but now pretty much any meat or fish can be used for them. You can marinate the meat, poultry, or fish before cooking it, to add a more intense flavor.
Grilled Vegetable Fajitas with Cheese and Refried Beans
Succulent Shrimp Fajitas Recipe with Peppers
How to Make Steak Fajitas - Sizzling Steak Fajitas
Grilled Beef Fajitas with a Green Yogurt Sauce
Fast and Easy Recipes for Beef Fajitas
The Easiest Chicken Fajitas Recipes
Grilled Steak Fajitas
Tricolor Vegetarian Fajitas
Avocado and Shrimp Fajitas
Quick and Spicy Pork Fajitas
Marinades for Beef Fajitas
Gourmet Recipe for Grilled Chicken Fajitas
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Steak Fajitas with Vegetables
Tasty Recipe for Vegetarian Fajitas with Chipotle Cream Sauce
Savory Carne Asada Fajitas with Peppers
One of the Best Grilled Chicken Fajitas Recipe
Easy Casseroles
Tasty and Satisfying Casseroles
Mexican style casserole recipes are easy to make and they tend to be thick, rich, and filling. You might find ground beef, onion, tortillas, carrots and lots more traditional ingredients in such casseroles. Some are aromatic and mild and others are spicy and bursting with heat. It is very handy to learn some easy casserole recipes because they are tasty and satisfying. The word "casserole" technically refers to the dish that the dish is made in, which means that there are many kinds of casseroles you can make. Because casserole recipes are so diverse, there is something for everybody, no matter what your preferences and favorite ingredients might be.
How to Make a Casserole in the Local Style
You can use soup as a base for your casserole recipe and other ingredients, like chicken, beef, cilantro, cheese, tomatoes, corn, and garlic are popular casserole ingredients. Many of these casseroles are made in layers, in a glass casserole dish, so they will look every bit as good as they taste. Served with cornbread or tortillas, these casseroles make a hearty meal, which everyone in the family will enjoy very much. Whether you prefer chicken casserole recipes, beef casserole recipes or another kind, you will only find the very best casseroles here.
An Easy Mexican Beef Casserole Recipe
Mexican Casserole for Cooks in a Hurry
Mexican Chicken Casserole with Pasta
Mom's Best Mexican Greenbean Casserole
Delicious Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Easy Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Lower Fat Mexican Casserole Recipe
Easy Mexican Casserole
Tasty Mexican Fiesta Casserole
Mexican Rice Casserole with a Kick
Spicy Mexican Squash Casserole
Layered Mexican Beef Casserole Recipe
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Cornbread
Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe
Mexican Burrito Casserole Recipe
Quick and Easy Chicken Mexican Casseroles
Mexican Taco Casserole Recipe
Festive Mexican Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Quick And Easy Mexican Beef Casserole
Mexican Casserole Polenta Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Mexican Potato Casserole with Corn and Monterey Jack
Mexican Eggplant Casserole Recipe
Mexican Corn Casserole with Green Chilies and Cheese
Mexican Egg Casserole Recipe
Meatless Mexican Casserole Recipe
Tasty Taco Mexican Casserole Recipe
Tasty Mexican Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Mexican Shrimp and Rice Casserole Recipe with White Wine
Creamy Easy Mexican Rice Casserole
Enchiladas
An enchilada is made by wrapping a maize or flour tortilla around your chosen filling and then covering it in a traditional local sauce such as mole, or a tomato and chili sauce. Butter, sour cream, and broth can also be combined for a delicious enchilada sauce recipe. Meat, beans, chicken, seafood, cheese, vegetables, and potatoes are popular enchilada fillings and this is easy food to make yourself. Enchiladas are baked in the oven, like a casserole.
Traditional Mexican Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Easy Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Cheese Enchiladas Recipe with Garlic and Spices
Beef Enchiladas with Cheese Sauce
Ground Beef Enchiladas with Chipotle Chilies
Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Mole Sauce
Shredded Pork Enchiladas Recipe
How to Make the Best Spinach Enchiladas Recipe
Three Bean Enchilada Recipe with Corn
Chicken Cheese Enchilada Recipe
How to Make Cheese Enchiladas
Enchiladas Verdes
Easy Seafood Enchiladas
Quick & Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Easy Savory Spinach Enchiladas
Panile De Espinaca - Spinach Enchiladas with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Spicy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Mexican Pork Enchiladas
Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Salad
Healthy and Delicious Salads
South of the border salad recipes need never be boring. A lot of people might have never tried a local salad but not all Mexican food is spicy hot and served in a tortilla wrap! Popular ingredients for these salads include lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, garlic, beef and more. When the weather is hot, a salad is a great idea for a light lunch. You can serve these recipes alone or accompanied by cornbread or tortillas. Salads can be served as appetizers or entrees, depending on the ingredients and portion size, and traditional ingredients like kidney beans, avocado, and corn are often added to these recipes to add vibrant color as well as an authentic flavor of Mexico.
Types of Salads to Choose From
One of the most famous kinds of Mexican salad is the layered salad. This is typically made in a glass bowl or dish so that you can see each layer in the salad. Some dip recipes are made following the same principle because they look so tempting and colorful. In Mexico, lunch is the main meal of the day and dinner is usually a light snack, so a salad recipe would be a popular dinnertime option in a local home. If the weather is hot and you fancy something cool and light to eat, making a simple salad recipe might be the perfect way to satisfy your hunger.
A Healthy Taco Salad Recipe
Ultimate Taco Salad in a Crisp Tortilla Shell
7 Layer Taco Salad Recipe
Chicken Salad Served in a Tortilla Bowl
The Best Mexican Seafood Salad Recipe
Mexican Chicken Salad Recipe with Cornbread Croutons
Mexican Salad and Vegetable Mixture in Tortilla Cups
Quick and Easy Mexican Salad
Tuna and Mixed Bean Mexican Salad
Authentic Recipe for Salpicon Salad
Authentic Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Simple Mexican Seven Layer Salad with Ham and Peas
Quick Mexican Chef Salad with a Papaya Seed Dressing
Chilled Mexican Salad with Tomatoes and Beans
Spiced Mexican Black Bean Salad
Mexican Chicken Salad with Mexican Beans and a Lime Dressing
Mexican Marinated Vegetable Salad with Tomatillos
Easy Mexican Salad with Tuna and Cilantro
Quinoa Salad Recipe
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Red Potatoes
Mexican Tortilla Chip Salad
Mexican Grilled Vegetable Salad
Salpicon de Res
Shrimp Enchiladas Recipe - Shrimp with Chili Salad
Soup - Chili Recipes
The Yummiest Soups and Chili Recipes
Just like with salad recipes from Mexico, many people have never tasted soup recipes from there either. This is a shame because these soups are incredibly good. They are hearty, rich, and very satisfying. Corn and chicken are popular ingredients in local soup, as are chilies, beef, tomatoes and more. You can make soup for the family to enjoy as an appetizer or for lunch. Some of the thicker, stew-like soups make a delicious dinner. Soup is very popular all over Mexico and there are many recipes you can recreate in your own kitchen. Chicken tortilla soup, for example, is easy yet really flavorful.
The Most Satisfying Food of All
Soup is comforting and soothing, as well as delicious, but what about when you have a huge appetite and you want something that you can really get your teeth into? This is where chili recipes are the answer. Chili con carne is a wonderful, classic local dish, in which beef or chicken is combined with chili and other delicious ingredients for a warming and filling dish. Chili can be thick or thin and it can be served over rice, with mashed potatoes or with cornbread. You can even serve it out of big mugs and eat it in front of the TV if you want to relax while enjoying this delicious food.
Mexican Soup
There are many local varieties of soup and, like with the soup recipes in most other cuisines, soup varies hugely from thin to thick, from aromatic to spicy, from bouillon-like to cream and everything in between. Mexico's soup recipes can be made on the stove or in a crockpot, with chicken, beef, fish, or another kind of meat, or it might be cheese-based or vegetable-based. Serve the soup with cornbread or tortilla strips and a dollop of sour cream, for a delicious garnish.
Corn and Chicken Soup Mexican Style
Nopales and Shrimp Soup Recipe
Authentic Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Mexican Minestrone Soup Recipe with Mixed Beans
Mexican Tortilla Soup Recipe
Red Chilli Corn Chowder Recipe
Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup
Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Soup
Mexican Pumpkin Soup with Chicken
Authentic Caldo Tlalpeno Soup
Rich Mexican Beef Soup with Chipotle Chili
Mexican Black Bean Soup Sausage Recipe
Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup with Almonds
Mexican Bean Soup with Chicken and Wild Rice
Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup with Sweet Potato
Mexican Spicy Cabbage Soup with Avocado
Slow Cooker Mexican Black Bean Soup Recipe
Pork Pozole Recipe with Avocado and Hominy
One of the Best Recipes for Mexican Pozole
Creamy Poblano Chile Pepper Soup
Caldo de Res
Guisado de Puerco de Tomatillo
Tripe Soup - Menudo Colorado
Mexican Pork Pozole
Chili Soup
Spicy Turkey Soup Recipe with Chipotle
Spicy Corn Chowder with Shrimp
Chili Recipes
Chili is one of the most famous recipes ever, and not many other dishes can compete with chili con carne if you are looking for something rich, flavorful, warming, and easy to make. Beef is usually used for chili but chicken is a tasty alternative. Chili tends to develop a more intense flavor if you cook it slowly so this is a great dish to cook over a very low heat or in the crockpot to maximize its wonderful flavor.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
The Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Chili con Carne with Chocolate
The Best Mexican Chili Recipes
Best Beef Chili Recipe with Chunks of Beef and Spices
Spicy Mexican Style Chicken Chili Tikka Masala
One of the Best White Chili Recipes
One of the Tastiest Beef Chili Recipes with Pork
One of Our More Unusual Chili Recipes
One of the Tastiest Turkey Chili Recipes
One of the Best Firehouse Chili Recipes
Extra Spicy Chili Recipe with Tequila
Chicken Chili with White Beans and Jalapeno
Colorful Chili con Carne with Bell Peppers
The Tastiest of Our Pork Chili Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes Black Bean Corn Chili
Chili Without Beans Recipes
Spicy Chili with Green Chilies
How to Make Homemade Chili Like a Pro
Simple Beef Chili with Kidney Beans
One of the Easiest Texas Chili Recipes
Chili Con Carne with Beans Recipe
Chili Con Queso Recipe
Beef Chili with Rice Recipe
Turkey Chili Recipe with Beans
Buffalo Meat Chili
Beef and Black Bean Chili with Rice
Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Basic Chili Recipe with Kidney Beans
Vegetarian Chili Recipe Con Huevos
Salsa Recipes
Salsa Recipes, Which are Perfect for Any Occasion
Most people enjoy dipping Doritos into a pot of mild or hot tomato salsa but have you ever tried an authentic Mexican salsa recipe? Salsa can be made with tomatoes, fruit, black beans, tomatillo and more. You can enjoy a fruity mango or papaya salsa with a fish or seafood dish or a tomato salsa with your favorite beef or pork dish. There are so many different varieties of salsa. A salsa is a kind of sauce which is usually made with raw ingredients. Salsa ingredients might include onion, garlic, tomato, black beans, fruit, chili, or corn. Some salsas are quite thin, making them good to use in fajitas or tacos, and others are chunky, making them ideal for scooping up with tortilla chips or corn chips.
Genuine South of the Border Salsa Recipes
Salsa is a local staple and it is served alongside many traditional meat, fish, poultry, or vegetarian dishes. Making your own salsa with ripe and juicy tomatoes or soft, fresh fruit results in a much better tasting dish than anything to come out of a jar. If you have never made salsa before, you will find it very simple. Some salsa recipes are made by stirring the ingredients together and for others you might need a blender or a food processor unless you want a very chunky salsa. Salsa recipes keep well in the refrigerator in airtight jars.
Salsa Recipes
Super Simple Spring Onion Salsa Recipe
Fabulous Maui Onion Salsa Recipe
Crunchy Cucumber Salsa
Vidalia Onion Salsa Recipe
Sweet Onion Salsa Canning Recipe
Chocolate & Salsa
Cucumber Salsa Recipe
Tomato Salsa Recipes
Tomato salsa recipes are very popular and, in fact, tomato is probably the main ingredient to spring to mind when you think of salsa. Not only do tomatoes give traditional salsa its rich red color but also their sweet flavor complements the onion and other ingredients perfectly. Tomato salsa can be added to tacos or fajitas, used in salads, or enjoyed with some tortilla chips. Tomato salsa recipes range from the very mild to the incredibly spicy, although you can choose how much chili you put in.
Authentic Mexican Salsa Recipe
Healthy and Fresh Salsa Recipe
Easy Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe
Super Easy Avocado Feta Cheese Salsa Recipe
Fresh Tomato and Avocado Salsa
Green Cherry Tomato Salsa
Hot Sweet Corn Salsa Recipe
Delicious Green Tomato Salsa Recipe
Canning Green Tomato Salsa
Tomato, Onion and Cilantro Salsa
Classic Fresh Tomato, Onion, and Cilantro Salsa
Cherry Tomato Salsa
Autumn Green Cherry Tomato Salsa
Tomato Peach Salsa
Mango Tomato Salsa with Avocado
Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe
Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe
Recipe for Green Tomato Salsa
Green Tomato Salsa Verde Recipe
Green Tomato Salsa for Canning
Roasted Poblano and Green Chile Salsa
Specialty Salsa Chipotle
Fruit Salsa Recipes
If you are looking for a tasty accompaniment to a fish dish, what about making fruit salsa recipes? Choose from mango, papaya, pineapple, peach or a combination of these fruity flavors, add some tomato, corn or other ingredients to finish the salsa off and you have a fresh-tasting fish and seafood accompaniment. You can also serve fruit salsa recipes with meat or poultry, to make a change from tomato salsa. Fruit salsa recipes are usually very easy to prepare.
Fresh Peach Mango Salsa
Very Flavorful Peach Salsa Recipe
Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Tangy Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe
Delicious Recipe for Avocado and Pomegranate Salsa
Pineapple and Orange Salsa
Cheery Avocado Mango Salsa Recipe
Delicious Mango & Corn Salsa Recipe
Scrumptious Peach Corn Salsa
Refreshing Mango Cilantro Salsa Recipe
Super Easy Pineapple Salsa
Tasty Southeast Asian Honey Pineapple Salsa
Simple Pineapple Peach Salsa
Delicious Vidalia Onion and Peach Salsa
Simple Raspberry Salsa Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Raspberry Chipotle Salsa Recipe
Spicy Blackberry Salsa Recipe
Spectacular Blueberry Salsa Recipe
Refreshing Watermelon Blueberry Salsa Recipe
Pink Watermelon Salsa Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Tomato Salsa
Sweet Pineapple Mango Salsa Recipe
Cafe Red Onion Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Habanero Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Chunky Pineapple Salsa
Strawberry Salsa
Salsa Recipe - Watermelon Cantaloupe Jalapenos
Watermelon and Mango Salsa
Sweet Cherry Salsa
Sweet and Savory Chunky Cherry Salsa
Michigan Cherry Salsa
Peach Salsa With Shallots and Cilantro
Refreshing Peach and Papaya Salsa
Canning Peach Salsa
Peach Corn Salsa
Pineapple Peach Salsa
Mango Grapefruit Salsa
Avocado and Mango Salsa for Seafood Dishes
Fresh Mango Salsa Recipe
Mango Habanero Salsa Recipe
Sweet and Sour Mango Citrus Salsa
Mango Curry Salsa Recipe
Spicy Mango Salsa Recipe
Mango Chipotle Salsa
Mango Yellow Pepper Salsa Recipe
Cucumber Mango Salsa
Citrus Salsa Recipe
Mango Citrus Salsa Recipe
Fruit Salsa Recipe
Cinnamon Chips and Fruit Salsa Recipe
One of the Best Recipes for Fruit Salsa
Tropical Fruit Salsa Recipe
Tomato Salsa with Fruit Recipe
Black Bean Salsa Recipes
Black beans are used in lots of different meals and you can also use them to make tasty salsas. Black bean salsa recipes might contain another kind of bean for contrast, such as kidney beans or garbanzo beans. Corn often features in black bean salsa recipes too and a few drops of lemon or lime juice bring out the wonderful bean flavor. Black bean salsas look unusual and the black bean flavor goes well with all kinds of traditional dishes.
Zesty Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Black Bean Authentic Mexican Salsa Recipe
Colorful Pomegranate Black Bean Salsa Recipe
Fabulous Black Bean Raspberry Salsa Recipe
Black Bean and Corn Salsa with Avocadoes
Simple Black Bean Mango Salsa Recipe
Delicious Black Bean and Corn Salsa with Mexican Beer
Delicious Black Bean and Mandarin Orange Salsa Recipe
Fresh Corn Black Bean Tomato Salsa
Spicy Corn Black Bean Salsa
Tomatillo Salsa Recipes
Tomatillos, which are known as "tomates verdes" (green tomatoes) in Mexico, are a staple in this cuisine. A tomatillo is a fruit, rather than a vegetable, and it is related to the cape gooseberry. Tomatilloes are usually simmered until tender, and then combined with your preferred ingredients. Garlic, cilantro, and chili go particularly well with this tasty ingredient but there are various tomatillo salsa recipes you can make with this exotic fruit. Tomatillo salsa recipe can be served with meat, poultry, or fish, or as a dip.
Creamy Avocado and Tomatillo Salsa
Green and Delicious Avocado and Tomatillo Salsa
Fresh Tomatillo Salsa
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Secret Chipotle's Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Yellow Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa
Smooth Ancho Tomatillo Salsa
Hot and Spicy Tomatillo Cucumber Salsa
Refreshing Tomatillo Lime Salsa
La Victoria Style Salsa Verde Recipe
Mexican Salsa Verde Recipe
Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa
Easy Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
Refreshing Green Salsa Recipe
Roasted Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa
Pico de Gallo
Pico de gallo is a chunky salad, which contains less liquid than a salsa. Onion, chilies, and tomato are popular pico de gallo ingredients, and avocado, cilantro, tomatillo, fruit, garlic, and bell pepper might also feature in some pico de gallo recipes. Like salsa recipes, pico de gallo is made with raw ingredients. Fruit salads with hot sauce and lime juice are also known as pico de gallo in Mexico. Pico de gallo is often eaten with the fingers or used as a condiment.
Authentic Mexican Pico de Gallo with Avocado
An Authentic Mexican Pico de Gallo Recipe
Traditional Mexican Salsa - Pico de Gallo
Authentic Spicy Pico de Gallo Recipe
How to Make Pico de Gallo with Avocado Halves
One of the Simplest Pico de Gallo Recipes
Guacamole
Many of us became familiar with guacamole after buying it at a grocery store or trying it at a restaurant but, as you might expect, homemade guacamole bears very little resemblance to the store-bought kind. This mouthwatering combination of avocado, lime juice, chili and more is great as a tostada topping, as an addition to the best salad recipes, as a dip or as an accompaniment to hundreds of different dishes. If you enjoy the taste and texture of avocado, you will love our tried and tested guacamole recipes.
Mexican Dip with Guacamole in a Crispy Tortilla Shell
Basic Guacamole Recipe
Easy Guacamole Recipe
Spicy Guacamole Dip with Olives
Southern Style Guacamole
Spicy Guacamole Recipe
Vegetarian Recipes
Healthy and Tasty Vegetarian Dishes
Mexican food varies enormously with some people loving meat, others relying on the local fish to make their meals, and there are also plenty of vegetarian recipes too, if you fancy something different or if you do not like to eat meat or fish.
Fresh Vegetables Make the Best Vegetarian Recipes
Fresh produce like big, juicy tomatoes, aromatic cilantro and delicious garlic are all used in local recipes, as are corn, potatoes, chilies and so much more. Well-known vegetarian dishes include vegetarian fajitas with bell peppers, eggplant and cheese, as well as vegetarian chili with beans, spices, tomatoes and lots more. South of the border food is flavorful enough without meat or fish having to be a necessary ingredient.
Hearty Meatless Pozole Verde
Spicy Easy Pozole Rojo Recipe
Como Hacer Quesadillas De Flor De Calabaza
Baked Stuffed Squash Blossom Recipe
Mexican Chilaquiles
Panile De Espinaca Spinach Enchiladas With Spicy Peanut Sauce
Mexican Vegetarian Spicy White Rice
Fauxchinita Pibil - Spicy Roasted Seitan Recipe
Receta Arroz Negro - Easy Mexican Rice Recipe
Papas Rellenos - Mexican Stuffed Potatoes
Vegetarian Tacos Al Pastor
Poblanos Rellenos - Vegetable Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Eggs and Cheese
Frijoles Refritos - Vegetarian Refried Beans
Healthy Vegetarian Chili with Red Wine and Garlic
Easy Vegetarian Bean and Cheese Enchiladas Recipe
Vegetarian Tortilla Recipe with a Crisp Salad Filling
Healthy Quinoa Vegetable Stew
Papadzulas an Easy Enchiladas Recipe
Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Tacos
Tortilla and Black Bean Pie
Vegetarian Black Bean and Rice Wraps
Vegetarian Fajitas
Savory Black Bean Burritos with Summer Squash
How to Make Tostadas Vegetarian Style
Homemade Tostadas with Butternut Squash
Tomato and Green Chili Salad
How to Make Flautas with Green Chili
Follow Our Pinterest Food Board
A Look at Food Customs
Mexican food is a delicious treat and it is interesting to learn a few customs when you are enjoying your traditional meals.
Breakfast is called "desayuno" and is served between 7 and 10AM. Breakfast might be a simple cup of coffee or it can be a huge plate of huevos rancheros, which are corn tortillas filled with fried egg, tomato, onion, and chili sauce.
Lunch is called "comida" and is eaten between 1.30 and 4PM. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Mexico and it is common to have a salad or soup as an appetizer, followed by poultry, seafood or meat, accompanied by beans, rice and hot tortillas. Lunch is a leisurely meal and is often accompanied by lots of chatting and laughter.
Dinner is called "cena" and is usually served between 8 and 9PM. This is a light meal and might be some tacos or a bowl of soup.
Eating in a Mexican Home
If you are invited to a local home, you should arrive at least half an hour late because arriving on time or early is not considered appropriate. Bring a gift such as some wine or flowers.
You should keep your hands visible while eating and keep your wrists on the table edge. Do not start eating until the hostess starts and leave a little food on your plate after a meal to show that you are full. Only men give toasts, never women. Foreigners will be forgiven for getting some local food customs wrong but if you are friendly and polite, you will not do too badly.
Mexican Celebrations and Food
Tamales are one of the recipes which play a big part in pretty much any celebration, whether it is a national holiday, a birthday or something else. "El Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) is one of the most important holidays in Mexico and there is a big emphasis on food. Families’ buy or bake "pan de muertos" (bread of the dead) which is a tasty, sweet bread, even though its name is not very appetizing.
A lot of people misunderstand Mexican food or have not sampled real local dishes. The Mexicans are warm and friendly people and many authentic recipes are absolutely delicious.
The Most Famous Mexican Foods
There are definitely some foods that spring to mind whenever we think of south of the border recipes. For example, enchiladas, tacos, tamales, and nachos are all well-known foods which most of us have sampled at one time or another. These can be called famous foods because they are known about and eaten all over the world.
However, what about pozole, which is a traditional pork and hominy soup, or romeritos, which are dried, shrimp patties? There are lots of delicious meals which most people have never even heard of but that applies to just about any cuisine so it is always good to find a comprehensive list of recipes you can make, including both famous Mexican foods and the ones which are not so well known.
Also, if you go on vacation to Mexico, the tourist menus in restaurants and the buffet in your hotel are not the same foods as the locals would be eating, which is why it is nice that these recipes are so easy to find. With our recipes, you can make your own traditional food at home.
Popular Dishes
Enchiladas are one of the most famous Mexican foods and you will find these on any menu, as well as in many places throughout the United States. To make an enchilada, a corn tortilla is heated in oil and then dipped in enchilada sauce. The enchilada is then stuffed with anything from chicken to eggs to beans to vegetables. The enchilada sauce makes use of the locally grown Mexican chili peppers and is quite spicy.
Tamales are also a popular food and these consist of steam-cooked masa (corn dough or hominy), which are filled or unfilled. Fillings can include cheese, meats and sliced chilies. Tamales are usually wrapped in plantain leaves or cornhusks before cooking.
Tacos are a traditional food. These are made with a wheat or maize tortilla, which is rolled or folded around a filling. Tacos are very versatile and fillings can include pretty much any fish, shellfish, meat, cheese, or vegetable combination. Tacos are usually eaten with the hands and they are served with vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, tomato, cilantro, or onion and a garnish such as tomato salsa.
Nachos are a good example of a popular snack food and they originated in Mexico. Nachos are tortilla chips and are often covered in melted cheese. These can also be served with sliced jalapeño peppers, tomato slices, and sour cream and tomato salsa.
Making Your Own Dishes
A lot of people have never tried making Mexican food at home before but it is well worth trying because a lot of the recipes are very simple and the ingredients are easy to find. It is good to remember that different people like different spice levels so if you are making a spicy dish you might want to leave out some of the chili and serve chili sauce on the table so the people who like it hotter can add more chili to their own. It is commonly thought that all their food is spicy but this is a myth and there are plenty of milder flavored authentic dishes to choose from too.
Mexican Casserole Tips
Mexican casserole is a delicious recipe made in layers. The ingredients include ground beef, cheese, tortillas, chili peppers and more. The word casserole actually applies to the cooking container rather than the recipe itself.
There are lots of different casserole recipes because there are plenty of different ingredients you can combine in a casserole dish. For example, you could combine beef, bouillon, potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs to make a beef casserole. You could combine chicken, soup, mushrooms, and potatoes to make a creamy chicken casserole.
How is a Mexican Casserole Different?
With a Mexican casserole, popular local ingredients are used. The beef, tortillas, and cheese are filling. The chili peppers add a touch of spice to liven the dish up. If your family loves warming casserole recipes, you can try a delicious Mexican casserole to make a change from the ones you usually make.
There are plenty of traditional Mexican recipes using similar ingredients to the casseroles and even though Mexican foods often have similar ingredients in common, they all taste different and unique.
When making a casserole it is very important to drain the excess fat after frying the meat, especially if you are not using extra lean ground beef. Not draining it will mean the dish is very oily and this also dilutes the other flavors.
In addition, you can adjust a casserole recipe to suit your family. If you want to sneak some extra vegetables into their diet, try adding finely diced carrot, chopped onion or sweet corn kernels to the recipe. You will need to sauté the carrot or onion before cooking the beef, so it has the chance to soften.
Mexican casserole is a delicious recipe, which the family will love. It is healthy and nutritious and you have a free hand with the chili so you can adapt the spiciness to your family's taste.
How to Cook Mexican Rice
A typical Mexican rice recipe might contain garlic, onion, pepper, salt, tomatoes, oil, and rice although these rice recipes do vary. Rice does have its own flavor which is why the spices in a Mexican rice recipe should be limited.
The rice is cooked in the oil but you should strain off any excess oil when the rice looks toasted. You might want to add diced carrots or peas to your Mexican rice or you might want to leave it plain with the subtle flavors of onion, garlic and tomatoes.
It is completely up to you and it depends which dishes you are going to serve with the Mexican rice or whether you are going to serve it by itself and how you like your food. Perhaps you want to add some chili for a spicy kick or maybe you prefer a milder flavor.
The Handiest Cooking Tip
One very important word of caution is to leave the lid on the cooking pot from the time you start cooking Mexican rice until the time it should be ready. Removing the lid allows all the steam and heat to escape. The urge might be strong because many recipes call for the ingredients to be stirred every few minutes but try to resist because not lifting the lid during the cooking time really does result in a better Mexican rice recipe!
Perfect rice should be soft and fluffy. If it is still hard, you can replace the lid and cook it for a bit longer. Practice makes perfect and most people have to make this dish a few times before they can make it just right.
Mexican Drinks - How to Make a Margarita
You will need a good quality tequila such as Agave tequila, an orange liqueur like Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, ice, and coarse salt. Moisten the rim of your glass with the lime juice and dip it in the salt.
Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add 3 parts of tequila, 2 parts of orange liqueur and 1 part of fresh lime juice to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake until the shaker is coated with condensation. Alternatively, you can put the ingredients into a blender for 30 seconds. Pour the contents into your salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a slice of lime and chill out with this aperitif before you enjoy your meal. Or even while you make it if you happen to be the chef!
Popular Foods of Mexico - A Few "Must Try" Recipes
Even if you have enjoyed meals at Mexican or Tex Mex restaurants, the authentic and popular foods in Mexico are likely to be quite different. If you are going there on vacation it is highly recommended that you skip the "gringo" menus and try some local dishes instead.
It is a good idea to eat mild foods for the first couple of days, to allow your stomach to adjust to the new foods, and then you can try some of the spicier or more exotic dishes. Good Mexican foods to start off with include tamales, quesadillas, enchiladas, and tortas. A torta is a meat, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, jalapeno and mayonnaise sandwich. These dishes are all popular with the locals for lunch or dinner.
Remember that some popular foods of Mexico can be very spicy indeed. Small chilies tend to be hotter than big ones, although many people are unaware of this fact. A little habanero pepper will be fiery hot but a big poblano chili might be stuffed and served as a main course. Actually, this dish, which is called "chiles rellenos," is very tasty.
Well Known Mexican Dishes
Tortillas are the staple food of Mexicans and these can be made with corn or flour. Tortillas are usually served with a meal. They can also be grilled for quesadillas, fried for tacos or chimichangas, or baked to make enchiladas. Tacos are one of the most popular foods of all, and these can be stuffed with various meats like shredded pork, shredded beef, or chicken. You can also get cow skull, tongue or cow brain tacos so be careful which you order!
Pozole is a delicious broth made with pork or chicken stock and flavored with oregano, corn, onion, lemon juice, and chili powder. If you like the sound of deep fried pork, you should try carnitas. If you fancy a snack then chilaquiles are tortilla chips, which are served with a green sauce, or you could try tostados, which are fried tortillas, topped with beans, chicken, salad, sour cream, hot sauce, and cheese.
More of the Best Mexican Recipes
Whether you are looking for ideas for food to taste in Mexico or whether you want to make your own recipes at home, there are plenty more delicious treats to choose from. Huachinango is a red snapper dish and if you order this in a restaurant, they will cook it exactly how you want it.
Mole is a typical Mexican sauce containing peanuts, chocolate, spices and more. This sauce is great with chicken, pork, or turkey. Gorditas are corn patties, which are stuffed with cheese or chicken and topped with sour cream, cheese, and hot sauce. These are great little snacks.
Ceviche is well worth trying and this is a type of sushi. Raw fish is "cooked" in citrus juice and then combined with salad ingredients. Ceviche is a great lunch if the weather is hot and you want something light but tasty.
If you are in the Yucatan region, you should try pollo pibil. This chicken dish contains orange and a variety of spices. The chicken is wrapped in banana leaves and then cooked over coals until it is done. This dish has a really wonderful flavor.
Mexico Foods Breakfast Ideas
Every cuisine has its own ideas about breakfast. Savory breakfasts are popular in some countries and in other countries, a fruit or chocolate croissant or pastry are preferred. Some people like a full breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit and more and others are content with a cup of coffee. Whatever your personal preferences may be, there are various breakfast ideas to think about if you want to eat breakfast Mexican style.
If you are on vacation in Mexico, you will be able to order ham and eggs or bacon and eggs if you like. Most Mexicans like to have a sweet pastry or sweet bread and a cup of coffee, because their lunches are large and begin around 11AM. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Mexico and social lunches or business lunches can go on for hours. Dinner is more like a light snack, which is why a lot of Mexicans have a very small breakfast.
Egg-Based Breakfasts
Huevos rancheros are perhaps the most well known local egg breakfast dish and this is made with scrambled eggs and ham or bacon. Huevos motulenos are fried eggs served on a tortilla, with peas, ham, tomatoes, and chilies on top, as well as refried beans and cheese. This is quite a filling breakfast.
Other Breakfast Options
Chilaquiles are tortillas, which are stir fried with chicken, onions, and spices, and served with gravy and cheese. Fruit is also eaten at breakfast time in Mexico, because there are lots of different tropical fruits to choose from, including mango, melon, papaya and mango.
How to Freeze Mexican Food
There are plenty of recipes that you can make but perhaps you want to make something more time-consuming and labor intensive, like tamales or a big, hearty casserole, in which case it is worth doubling or tripling the recipe. This means that you can freeze some for another time and thaw it out whenever you fancy enjoying Mexican food without all the hassle of having to make it first.
Freezing Tamales
Tamales are made with masa dough and a bean, vegetable or meat filling. Tamales are often made for the holidays because they are quite fiddly, so it is worth making extra. You can freeze tamales for up to six months. Cool your cooked tamales on wire racks. If you leave them at room temperature for too long, they will not freeze well so check their progress often. As soon as the tamales are cool, put them in plastic freezer bags or plastic freezer containers.
How to Reheat Thawed Tamales
To reheat the tamales, you should thaw them for a few hours in the refrigerator. Bear in mind that if you are thawing a big batch this might take a day. If you are going to steam them, leave the husks on them, and then steam them for half an hour.
Alternatively, you can add a little water and cook them in the microwave for a few minutes, although this sometimes dries them out more than steaming does, so steaming is better than microwaving. Another option is to bake the tamales in a greased dish for half an hour at 425 degrees F. For a nice crispy outside, you could fry them for five minutes or so, in cooking oil.
Freezing Casseroles
A lot of casseroles are good for freezing but this depends on the ingredients. Pasta, mayonnaise, rice, and certain sauces are all safe to freeze but they might not taste so great when you thaw them. If a Mexican casserole recipe calls for sour cream, you might want to add this after you thaw it out instead of before freezing.
It is important to label the freezer bag or freezer container with the contents and freezing date, as well as any further cooking instructions. You might forget what else you have to add to the casserole before cooking it or even what kind of casserole it is. Also, someone other than the chef might be looking for something to thaw out, in which case good labeling will help them.
If you are using vegetables in your casserole recipe, blanch them in boiling water for a couple of minutes and then plunge them into ice water before adding them to the casserole. This stops them from going soggy and it keeps them brightly colored.
Before freezing the casserole, you will need to let it cool down to room temperature first. To speed this process up, put the casserole dish on a layer of ice cubes in a rimmed baking sheet.
When you defrost the casserole, you should do it in the refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter. You do not have to thaw it out before cooking it but thawing it does lessen the cooking time.
A Guide to Mexican Food Festivals
As well as being rich in culture, Mexico has a rich and varied cuisine. There are various gastronomic festivals all over the country every year and if you are planning a trip, you might be interested in one of them.
There is wine tasting, as well as lots of regional dishes on offer in May, at the Vineyards Flowering Festival. This takes place in Ensenada, Baja. In Queretaro, there is an International Wine and Cheese Festival, every May too, which serves up the country’s best examples of wine, and cheese.
August is the time for the mid-August Mushroom Fair in the Chihuahua region and towards the end of August, you can catch the Chili in Walnut Sauce Festival in Puebla. Chili growers enter the chili competition to try and win a prize for the biggest chili and be named in the Guiness Book of World Records.
The National Mole Fair takes place in San Pedro Actopan in October and this delicious sauce, which contains chocolate, peanut, spices, and more is celebrated here. There is a prize for the best mole sauce. In November, there is a Shrimp Festival in Sonora and also a Candy and Nut Festival in Coahuila, where there is a price for the largest nut candy. The Festival Gourmet International also takes place in November, in Jalisco, and so does the Festival of the Radishes, in Oaxaca. Radishes feature as both food and artwork at this one.
Even if you are not planning a trip to Mexico any time soon, it is always fun to make authentic local dishes at home and enjoy this wonderful cuisine.
How to Make Low Fat Mexican Food
There are plenty of options if you want to know how to make low fat versions of this food. Some ingredients are high in fat, such as cheese and sour cream. You might want to give the deep fried chimichangas and creamy desserts a miss too, but do not forget that Mexican food is based on using fresh produce, herbs and spices. You can use lean beef or chicken to make a tasty meal.
Add fresh vegetables and maybe tomatoes, corn, mushrooms or other vegetables. Colorful vegetables make the meal look great, keep it authentic, and also make it filling without adding any fat content. You can make a tomato-based sauce rather than something cheesy or creamy to go with your low fat dinner. Fish is a good option if you are looking for low fat recipes. What about some grilled red snapper or a bowl of chilled shrimp ceviche?
Fats and Oils
Mexicans usually use vegetable oil or lard instead of butter but if you are frying what about using some healthy olive oil or nonstick cooking spray instead? Lard is very high in fat and, although it is mainly used to give flavor to foods, nonstick cooking spray does more or less the same job.
Obviously, you need oil for deep-frying but if you are trying to heat lower fat food then you can make deep fried items as an occasional treat rather than more frequently. Mexican deep fried foods are too good to give up altogether!
Where to Buy Mexican Ingredients
A lot of the ingredients you will need to cook the best Mexican foods are easy to find. Staples such as corn, tomatoes, avocadoes, tortillas, and chili powder are widely available. However, what about masa, chorizo, local chocolate, piloncillo and other native ingredients?
Sometimes you can make substitutions in recipes but for an authentic result, it is best to use the right ingredients. Sometimes there are American versions of Mexican ingredients so you should always check the label before buying anything if you are unsure.
Stores and Markets
There are a lot of places to shop online if you want to buy these ingredients and you can get pretty much anything online except fresh produce. A lot of major grocery store chains stock Hispanic ingredients because there is a demand for them. Some stores are happy to order certain products so have a word with the manager if you cannot find what you are looking for.
Is there a Hispanic market nearby? Some Mexican markets have a "tortilleria" where fresh tortillas are made. Also, look out for a "panaderia" (bakery) or "carniceria" (meat market). Hispanic stores will stock authentic and traditional ingredients and it is a good idea to stock up on your favorites for future recipes, especially if you have to travel a little way to get to the store.
Another option is to check out your local market. Beans, rice, and other ingredients should be available from there. A farmers' market is a great source of fresh produce and you might be able to get fresh chili peppers too. Gourmet specialty stores sometimes carry these ingredients so they are worth investigating too.
What is the Climate of Mexico Like?
Mexico is a great place to vacation if you are looking for warmth. If you have never been there, you may be wondering how the climate is. You will need to know what to expect to prepare appropriately. This is not a question with one simple answer. Mexico is a country with many diverse landscapes, so you can find many different climate regions. On the other hand, this is wonderful. You can enjoy many different environments in the same country.
Cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City are located on a high central plateau. This location provides them with a mild climate year round, though December through March is a little cooler than the rest of the year.
If you want something a little warmer, travel inland to northern Mexico. This desert region features the climate in Mexico that many Americans expect: hot during the day and cold during the night. Southern Mexico is mountainous. It offers some hot areas and some very pleasant areas year round.
If you want to avoid the rain, you may want to visit Baja California, the long peninsula on Mexico's west coast. It gets very little rainfall. The summers are hot, but the resort towns benefit from the cool sea breezes. Winters are very comfortable in Baja.
A little lower, on the central Pacific coast, otherwise known as the Mexican Riviera, you can find hot, sunny weather almost all year long. The climate is humid, but if you stay close to the coast, the ocean breezes offer a nice relief. Avoid the late summer months if you can, since this is the one time of year this region experiences heavy rains from tropical storm systems and cyclones. In the east, the Yucatan peninsula can experience hurricanes from June through November. If you are planning to travel during this time, read up on precautions you should take if one strikes during your vacation. There are some advantages: there are fewer crowds and you can get some great deals. Of course, none of that is important if you end up spending your vacation in a hurricane.
When you plan your trip, be sure to pack clothing that will keep you comfortable. Natural fibers are best for the hot weather, but pack a sweater in case the nights get cold. Sun hats are a good idea to keep you from dehydration. If you are planning on visiting the mountain regions, plan to bring some heavier clothing.
Mexico City averages temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the year, while Acapulco is much warmer at 70 to 90 degrees on average. La Paz, which gets little rainfall, ranges between 55 and 95 degrees. There are two main seasons in Mexico. The rainy season stretches from June to mid-October. During this time, you can expect to see lush greenery. The rest of the year, offers little to no rain and things tend to look parched. January is generally the coldest month, while May is the warmest. February is usually the driest month of the year and July is generally the wettest.
Some Famous People from Mexico
How many famous people from Mexico can you think of? For a start, there is Guadalupe Victoria. He was the first president there and was in office from 1824 until 1829. This republican president overthrew the Emperor Iturbide and established Mexico as independent. He helped to abolish slavery and founded a military academy. This revolutionary died in 1843 and Guadalupe Victoria is thought of as Mexico's national hero.
Alfonso Garcia Robles was born on March 20, 1911 and this famous politician diplomat was a delegate at the San Francisco conference of 1945, at which the United Nations was set up. He was Brazil's ambassador for two years and was then made the state secretary to the minister of foreign affairs. Robles represented Mexico in the United Nations for four years. Along with Alva Myrdal from Sweden, Robles received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982.
Octavio Paz was born on March 31, 1914, and was a diplomat, poet, and author. Paz was raised by his aunt, mother, and paternal grandfather. He spent a lot of his childhood reading the books in his grandfather's well-stocked library. He published a pair of poetry anthologies in his teenage years and worked in a school for peasants' sons in 1937, after abandoning his law studies to do this. Paz won the Nobel Prize for literature and other awards. He is one of the most noted literary figures.
There are plenty of other famous people from Mexico too, proving that this country is not only famous for its fantastic cuisine!