Americas · Traditional

Mexican cuisine

Mexican cuisine rests on Indigenous food systems centred on maize, beans, squash and chillies, enriched by regional agriculture, colonial exchange and centuries of local adaptation. Tortillas, moles, soups, seafood, barbacoa and street snacks change markedly between states, making regional context essential.

Explore recipes Build a Mexican menu Wine pairings

Food history

Why Mexican cuisine is worth exploring

Mexican cuisine grew from sophisticated Indigenous food systems built around maize, beans, squash, chillies, tomatoes and cacao, then changed profoundly after the Spanish conquest introduced new animals, dairy, wheat and additional cooking traditions. The result is not a simple fusion but a vast set of regional cuisines with deep pre-Hispanic roots.

Why it is famous

The international reputation of Mexican food rests partly on tacos, tamales, mole, pozole, enchiladas, tortillas, barbacoa, carnitas, ceviche and regional salsas. Yet many of the most revealing things to cook are less famous: the soups, breads, vegetable dishes, preserves and regional meals that show how people have used local ingredients day after day.

Regional food story

Oaxaca is celebrated for moles and maize traditions; Yucatán cooking uses achiote and sour citrus; Puebla is associated with mole poblano; Baja California has a strong seafood culture; northern states are known for beef and flour tortillas; Veracruz reflects Gulf, Caribbean and Afro-Mexican influences.

How to cook it

Flavours, ingredients and menu ideas

Signature ingredients

Maize, beans, chillies, tomatoes, tomatillos, avocado, squash, cacao, coriander, lime, pork, chicken, cheese and masa are among the ingredients that repeatedly shape Mexican food. Their importance comes from how they are used locally, not simply from appearing in recipes, so regional technique and seasonality remain essential.

Cooking style

Nixtamalisation, grinding, roasting chillies, toasting spices, slow braising, steaming tamales and building fresh salsas are foundational techniques. Heat is only one part of the flavour: acidity, smoke, bitterness, sweetness and earthiness matter just as much.

Build a menu

Start with a bright snack or tostada, then choose one substantial dish such as pozole, mole, barbacoa or tacos built around a particular region. Add beans, rice, pickles and salsa for contrast, then finish with flan, pan dulce or a cacao-based dessert.

Starters Mains Desserts

Cook by course

Mexican recipes

Start with a starter, choose a main, then finish with a dessert to build a complete country-inspired menu.

Starters

Mexican starters

Quesadillas de Flor de Calabaza

Quesadillas de Flor de Calabaza is a Mexican starter defined by squash blossom quesadillas with cheese a…

starter 1 hr 23 mins

Sopes

Sopes is a Mexican starter defined by a traditional Mexican starter upgraded with measured metric ingred…

Starter 1 hr 23 mins

Tlacoyos de Frijol

Tlacoyos de Frijol is a Mexican starter defined by blue corn masa cakes stuffed with beans and topped wi…

starter 1 hr 23 mins

Tostadas de Tinga de Pollo

Tostadas de Tinga de Pollo is a Mexican starter defined by crisp tostadas with smoky chipotle chicken.

starter 1 hr 23 mins

Sopa de Lima Yucateca

Sopa de Lima Yucateca is a Mexican starter defined by yucatán lime soup with chicken, tortilla and citru…

starter 1 hr 50 mins

Elote Callejero

Elote Callejero is a Mexican starter defined by charred Mexican street corn with chilli, lime and cheese.

starter 1 hr 55 mins

Esquites

Esquites is a Mexican starter defined by mexican street corn cups with lime, chilli, cheese and crema.

starter 1 hr 55 mins

Guacamole Tradicional

Guacamole Tradicional is a Mexican starter defined by classic avocado, lime, chilli and coriander dip pr…

starter 1 hr 55 mins

Queso Fundido con Chorizo

Queso Fundido con Chorizo is a Mexican starter defined by melted cheese with Mexican chorizo, served wit…

starter 1 hr 55 mins

Main courses

Mexican main courses

Aguachile Verde

Aguachile Verde is a Mexican main defined by lime-cured prawns with green chilli, cucumber and coriander.

main 1 hr 3 mins

Carne Asada

Carne Asada is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric ingred…

Main 1 hr 16 mins

Fajitas de Res

Fajitas de Res is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric ing…

Main 1 hr 16 mins

Chilaquiles Verdes

Chilaquiles Verdes is a Mexican main defined by tortilla chips simmered in salsa verde with toppings.

main 1 hr 23 mins

Enchiladas Verdes

Enchiladas Verdes is a Mexican main defined by chicken enchiladas with tomatillo salsa verde.

main 1 hr 23 mins

Enmoladas

Enmoladas is a Mexican main defined by tortillas folded in mole sauce with chicken or cheese.

main 1 hr 23 mins

Gorditas de Chicharrón

Gorditas de Chicharrón is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured me…

Main 1 hr 23 mins

Huaraches

Huaraches is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric ingredie…

Main 1 hr 23 mins

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros is a Mexican main defined by ranch-style eggs with salsa, tortillas and beans.

main 1 hr 23 mins

Tacos al Pastor

Tacos al Pastor is a Mexican main defined by marinated pork tacos with pineapple, onion and coriander.

main 1 hr 23 mins

Tacos de Canasta

Tacos de Canasta is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric i…

Main 1 hr 23 mins

Tlayudas

Tlayudas is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric ingredien…

Main 1 hr 23 mins

Caldo Tlalpeño

Caldo Tlalpeño is a Mexican main defined by chicken, chickpea and chipotle soup from Mexico City.

main 1 hr 50 mins

Pozole Rojo

Pozole Rojo is a Mexican main defined by red hominy and pork stew with fresh garnishes.

main 1 hr 50 mins

Albóndigas en Chipotle

Albóndigas en Chipotle is a Mexican main defined by mexican meatballs in smoky chipotle tomato sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Birria de Res

Birria de Res is a Mexican main defined by chilli-braised beef birria with consommé.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla is a Mexican main defined by prawns in fiery red chilli sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Carnitas Michoacanas

Carnitas Michoacanas is a Mexican main defined by michoacán-style slow-cooked pork carnitas.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Chile Colorado

Chile Colorado is a Mexican main defined by beef simmered in a deep red chilli sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Chile Verde con Cerdo

Chile Verde con Cerdo is a Mexican main defined by pork in green tomatillo and chilli sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Chiles en Nogada

Chiles en Nogada is a Mexican main defined by poblano chillies stuffed with picadillo and walnut sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Chilorio

Chilorio is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric ingredien…

Main 1 hr 55 mins

Mole Poblano con Pollo

Mole Poblano con Pollo is a Mexican main defined by chicken in Puebla’s complex chilli, spice, seed and…

main 1 hr 55 mins

Nopales con Huevo

Nopales con Huevo is a Mexican main defined by cactus paddles scrambled with eggs, onion and chilli.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Pescado a la Veracruzana

Pescado a la Veracruzana is a Mexican main defined by veracruz-style fish with tomato, olives and capers.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Picadillo Mexicano

Picadillo Mexicano is a Mexican main defined by mexican minced beef with potato, tomato and vegetables.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Pollo en Mole Verde

Pollo en Mole Verde is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metri…

Main 1 hr 55 mins

Tinga de Pollo

Tinga de Pollo is a Mexican main defined by shredded chicken in tomato and chipotle sauce.

main 1 hr 55 mins

Barbacoa de Borrego

Barbacoa de Borrego is a Mexican main defined by slow-cooked lamb barbacoa with consomé.

main 3 hr 30 mins

Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil is a Mexican main defined by yucatán achiote pork slow-cooked with sour orange.

main 3 hr 30 mins

Mixiotes de Cordero

Mixiotes de Cordero is a Mexican main defined by lamb parcels marinated in chilli and spices, slow-cooke…

main 3 hr 30 mins

Tamales de Rajas

Tamales de Rajas is a Mexican main defined by a traditional Mexican main upgraded with measured metric i…

Main 3 hr 30 mins

Tamales Rojos de Cerdo

Tamales Rojos de Cerdo is a Mexican main defined by corn masa tamales filled with red chilli pork.

main 3 hr 30 mins

Desserts

Mexican desserts

Buñuelos Mexicanos

Buñuelos Mexicanos is a Mexican dessert defined by crisp Mexican fritters with cinnamon sugar.

dessert 1 hr 35 mins

Arroz con Leche Mexicano

Arroz con Leche Mexicano is a Mexican dessert defined by mexican cinnamon rice pudding.

dessert 1 hr 45 mins

Capirotada

Capirotada is a Mexican dessert defined by mexican bread pudding with syrup, fruit and nuts.

dessert 1 hr 45 mins

Chongos Zamoranos

Chongos Zamoranos is a Mexican dessert defined by michoacán milk curds in cinnamon syrup.

dessert 1 hr 45 mins

Pastel de Elote

Pastel de Elote is a Mexican dessert defined by a traditional Mexican dessert upgraded with measured met…

Dessert 1 hr 45 mins

Pastel de Tres Leches

Pastel de Tres Leches is a Mexican dessert defined by mexican-style three milk sponge cake.

dessert 1 hr 45 mins

Pan de Muerto

Pan de Muerto is a Mexican dessert defined by a traditional Mexican dessert upgraded with measured metri…

Dessert 2 hr 35 mins

Flan Napolitano

Flan Napolitano is a Mexican dessert defined by creamy Mexican caramel custard.

dessert 5 hr 13 mins

Jericalla

Jericalla is a Mexican dessert defined by guadalajara-style baked custard.

dessert 5 hr 13 mins

Wine and drink pairings

What to drink with Mexican food

When pairing wine with Mexican food, match the structure of the dish first: fresh whites for seafood and herbs, medium reds for tomato, spice or roast meat, sparkling wines for fried or salty starters, and sweet or fortified wines for desserts.

Red

Beaujolais / Gamay

Juicy light red with cherry, raspberry and low tannin. Excellent slightly chilled with charcuterie, poultry, pâté, saus…

Grape: Gamay Region: Beaujolais, Loire, Switzerland

Red

Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux

Structured red with blackcurrant, cedar, graphite and firm tannins. Best with roast beef, lamb, steak, rich gravies and…

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Region: Bordeaux, Napa, Coonawarra, Maipo

Red

Malbec

Plush, dark red with blackberry, plum, cocoa and smooth tannins. Excellent with beef, charred meat, pies and smoky dish…

Grape: Malbec Region: Mendoza, Cahors

Red

Pinot Noir / Burgundy

Elegant red with red cherry, earth, spice and fine tannins. Great with duck, mushroom, poultry, pork and lighter beef d…

Grape: Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder Region: Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago, Baden

Red

Spätburgunder

German Pinot Noir with red cherry, earth and gentle spice. Excellent with pork, sausages, roast poultry, mushroom sauce…

Grape: Spätburgunder / Pinot Noir Region: Baden, Ahr, Pfalz

Red

Syrah / Shiraz

Peppery, dark-fruited red with savoury spice and medium-to-firm tannins. Great with grilled meat, pepper, smoke, sausag…

Grape: Syrah, Shiraz Region: Northern Rhône, Barossa, South Africa

White

Chardonnay

Creamy or lightly oaked white wine with citrus, stone fruit and enough body for seafood, poultry and rich sauces.

Grape: Chardonnay Region: Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain, Germany

White

Chenin Blanc

Versatile white with apple, quince, honey and bright acidity. Works with pork, poultry, pastry, creamy dishes and sweet…

Grape: Chenin Blanc Region: Loire, Stellenbosch

Local beers

Mexican beers

Wine can lead the meal, but local beer tells another story: what people drink in bars, restaurants and shops alongside everyday food.

Explore local beers

Corona Extra

Pale lager 4.5% ABV

Grupo Modelo / AB InBev

Mexico’s globally famous pale lager, commonly served with lime.

Modelo Especial

Pilsner-style lager 4.4% ABV

Grupo Modelo / AB InBev

A major Mexican lager with strong domestic and export popularity.

Pacífico Clara

Pilsner-style lager 4.5% ABV

Grupo Modelo / AB InBev

A Mazatlán-origin beer strongly associated with Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Victoria

Vienna lager 4% ABV

Grupo Modelo / AB InBev

A long-running Mexican amber lager with a softer malt profile.

Tecate

Lager 4.5% ABV

Heineken México

A northern Mexican lager strongly associated with Baja California.

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Plan the full table

Build a Mexican menu

Start with masa harina or fresh masa, dried and fresh chillies, beans, tomatoes, tomatillos, spices, limes and good tortillas. Learn the character of individual chillies instead of treating them as interchangeable. Buy avocado, coriander and cheese close to the day of cooking, and toast dried ingredients carefully rather than burning them.

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