Although I'm not Mexican, I lived in Mexico City as a child and learned to love the country's incredible cuisine. Since a part of my family on my mother's side still lives there, I travel there often and have been lucky enough to try many authentic dishes that are among my favorites. The one thing I've learned about Mexican food throughout the years is that it varies a lot between regions. In other words, the food of the northern states is nothing like the food of the southern ones.
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While many dishes are elaborate and can be time-consuming when it comes to making them, there are many that can become regulars in your dinner rotation. For this gallery, I've gathered 40 traditional dishes that you should try to learn how to make or, at least, that you should try to have in your lifetime. As you'll see, Mexican cuisine is much more than just tacos and quesadillas–and each dish is worth a try. Some meals are quick and easy to make, and they will be loved by your family and friends. Scroll through to learn about some dishes that you will quickly grow to love and maybe even start making on a regular basis.
Huevos rancheros are great for breakfast.
Mexicans know how to do breakfast, so we'll start there with these hearty huevos rancheros that will fill you up until dinner — or at least that's what happens to me when I have them.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Huevos a la Mexicana are another delicious option in the morning or for brunch.
These are definitely not your typical scrambled eggs! If you like all your meals to be full of flavor, this Mexican breakfast recipe is exactly what you need. Huevos a la Mexicana are made with a tomato-based salsa and are so flavorful. They can be served with tortillas or toast.
Find the recipe at Simply Recipes.
Chilaquiles are easier to make than you think.
Chilaquiles are, by far, my favorite Mexican dish to have for breakfast. Once my aunt taught me how to make them, I was hooked and make them regularly for Sunday brunch.
Find the recipe at Simply Recipes.
Elotes callejeros are corn on the cob like you've never tasted before.
Elotes translates to corn and callejero to street, so basically this is street corn on the cob. If you ever visit Mexico City, please treat yourself to some at the Zócalo. You won't regret it.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Tamales are not just for Christmastime.
Tamales are kind of an elaborate food to make, but I love how a lot of families have some kind of tradition around making them.
Find the recipe at BBC goodfood.
Molletes are a great option for a quick lunch.
They're basically an open sandwich made with refried beans and topped with melted cheese and pico de gallo.
Find the recipe at tbsp.
Esquites is another delectable Mexican street food.
Usually served in a cup, you'll find food carts serving esquites pretty much anywhere in Mexico, but the good news is that they're super easy to make at home.
Find the recipe at Serious Eats.
Tortas are the name Mexicans give to their sandwiches.
I'll never forget how confused I was when I first realized that, in Mexico, tortas are sandwiches. Being from Peru, tortas had always been cakes, so to hear someone say they were having a torta de carne was like hearing them say they were having a meat cake. Not too appetizing! But Mexican tortas of all varieties are truly delicious.
Find the recipe at Qué Rica Vida.
Sopa azteca is also known as tortilla soup.
I've yet to find a great tortilla soup in Denver, where I live and where many Mexicans live, too. I'm not sure why, but the ones I've had here seem to be a lot more tomato-based soups than the ones I've had in Mexico.
Find the recipe at Saveur.
Sopa de albondigas is comfort food at its best.
Albondigas are meatballs, and Mexicans definitely know how to make soup with them. Sure, traditionally meatballs are served with pasta and in a tomato sauce with some form of cheese, but it goes without saying that this Mexican twist is just as remarkable and just as tasty and comforting.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Pozole is a must-have soup you'll be happy you tried.
You haven't really had Mexican food if you haven't tried pozole, a hearty soup made with hominy or dried corn. For those that are fans of soup, this one will take your love for the dish to a whole new level. It's tasty, full of flavor and different textures and the best part? It is super filling.
Find the recipe at Genius Kitchen.
Menudo is a type of soup made with tripe.
When it comes to food, it's all about adventure and trying new things. While not too many people are brave enough to try tripe, this traditional soup is full of flavor and many people swear is the best thing to have after a night of drinking.
Find the recipe at México in my Kitchen.
Frijoles refritos or refried beans are so easy to make.
For some reason I've yet to understand, these are the only type of beans my daughter will eat. They make such a perfect side for any Mexican dish you want to try and they are a different way of eating beans than the way most of us eat them, and most of all, they're quick to make and delicious.
Find the recipe at Allrecipes.
Charro beans or Mexican cowboy beans.
Made with pinto beans, this dish goes so well with carne asada. It is sort of a Mexican-style dish that consists of pinto beans mixed with garlic, tomatoes, green chiles, jalapeños, cilantro, and other spices in a broth that you can serve on its own or a tasty side dish.
Find the recipe at Mexican Please.
Chiles en nogada is as colorful as it is yummy.
This beautiful dish is made with chiles poblanos stuffed with picadillo and the sauce that goes on top has an unforgettable taste. Each stuffed chile has to be served with some of the walnut sauce poured over it. It can be garnished with pomegranate seeds and cilantro.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Cemita poblana can be made with breaded chicken (milanesa) or any other meat.
If sandwiches are your thing, cemitas will become your go-to Mexican meal. Cemita is a type of bread and poblana refers to Puebla, the state in Mexico that made these sandwiches so popular. They are so delicious and so filling.
Find the recipe at Saveur.
Pico de gallo is a dish everyone should know how to make.
A good pico de gallo can be used as an accompaniment to pretty much any meal. Just be sure you use only the freshest ingredients. The trick is to dice your onions and tomatoes as small as possible to create the perfect topping to any dish.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Salsa verde is easy to make at home in a blender.
This typical Mexican sauce is made with tomatillos (not to be confused with green tomatoes) and it goes well with eggs, among other foods.
Find the recipe at Mexican Please.
Salsa taquera to go with any and all tacos.
This is a good salsa to serve with chips, but also for Taco Tuesday.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Guacamole is everyone's favorite and for good reason!
There are so many different ways of making guac and all of them are delicious. Not to mention good for you as avocados are considered a super food.
Find the recipe at Food Network.
You're going to want to try mole poblano.
Mole poblano is a dark red-brown sauce usually served with chicken. The mole is made from a mixture of chocolate and hot peppers and contains tons of other ingredients. The sauce can be added and drizzled over or baked into a number of classic Mexican meals.
Find the recipe at Qué Rica Vida.
Cochinita pibil is usually served with pickled red onions.
A traditional slow-cooked pork dish from the Yucatan Peninsula that you'll want to have time and again.
Find the recipe at NYT Food.
Birria comes from Jalisco state.
While it's traditionally made with goat meat, this recipe uses beef. It can be served with onion and cilantro like a soup, or the meat can be used in tacos.
Find the recipe at México in my kitchen.
Barbacoa is Mexico's barbecued meat.
The traditional version cooks the meat, wrapped in leaves, over a pit of coals, but we can do this using braising or steaming in the oven. The meat works well in tacos.
Find the recipe at Rachael.
Tacos al pastor are made with the most delectable marinated pork.
If you've had the authentic ones, you not only lucky but you also know I'm telling the truth when I say these should be at the top of your list when it comes to tacos.
Find the recipe at Kevin is Cooking.
Tacos de carnitas are easy to make with a slow cooker.
I was happily surprised with the taste I was able to achieve using a Crock-Pot to make carnitas.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Fish tacos were made popular in Baja California.
Who says tacos should only be made with meat?
Find the recipe at NYT Food.
Shrimp tacos are a good summer meal.
A variation of fish tacos, these are perfect for seafood lovers.
Find the recipe at Once Upon a Chef.
Enchiladas de pollo can be served with red or green sauce.
If you have any leftover chicken, you should make some of these!
Find the recipe at myrecipes.
Learning to make carne asada will make you a favorite among meat lovers.
The trick is in the marinade.
Find the recipe at The Stay At Home Chef.
Tinga de pollo served on tostadas are to die for.
This recipe is also from Puebla and it calls for shredded chicken as its main ingredient.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Flautas de pollo is another way to eat shredded chicken.
There's no doubt that the fact that these are fried is what makes them so irresistible.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Quesadillas are a great snack or for dinner, if you add protein like chicken.
Instead of using the shredded cheese mix you can find at any supermarket, try to get some Oaxaca cheese to make authentic quesadillas. You'll thank me later.
Find the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.
Arroz a la Mexicana is a staple that's easy to make.
Why serve boring white rice, when you can serve this kind, which is full of flavor?
Find the recipe at Saveur.
Churros are something everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.
Churros are not necessarily Mexican, but they go so well with a cup of thick Mexican hot chocolate!
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Arroz con leche is a favorite among children and grownups alike!
The Mexican version of this very Latino dessert is a lot more liquidy than the one from other Latin American countries, but just as savory.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Tres leches is made with three different types of milks.
This sponge cake is made with whole milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk and it's the perfect way to finish of a Mexican meal.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Paletas are a must-have summer dessert.
You can pretty much make them of any flavor, including alcoholic versions.
Find the recipe at MamásLatinas.
Chocoflan is like regular caramel flan, but more decadent.
This is more complicated than regular flan, but so worth the effort!
Find the recipe at Food Network.
Polvorones are also known as Mexican wedding cookies.
I'm convinced the nuts are what make these balls made out of dough so incredibly delicious.
Find the recipe at Food Network.
