It’s easy to fall in love with Mexican food. The fresh, flavorful ingredients offer an exciting cuisine. With the touch of spice, Mexican food is easily a popular favorite for many. However, Mexican food involves more than just tacos and salsa.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the differences between authentic Mexican food and Mexican food in America.
Traditional Mexican Food vs. Tex-Mex
Many dishes which are classified as authentic Mexican dishes are in fact, Tex-Mex. The list includes burritos, hard shell tacos, Mexican cheese, salsa in jars, and fajitas.
The American variants use many ingredients you won’t find in traditional Mexican dishes. Tex-Mex is a cuisine hailing from Texas and other areas bordering Mexico.
The inspiration for these dishes comes from traditional Mexican food, but the American version has a narrower list of essential ingredients. Some Tex-Mex recipes also incorporate Mediterranean and Spanish flavors, which you won’t find in Mexican originals. Authentic Mexican dishes are also spicier than their US counterparts.
Here are some of the differences between these two cuisines.
Soft vs. Hard Shell Tacos
American tacos have hard shells, while the originals from Mexico have a soft tortilla. The Tex-Mex version is larger in size and uses iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and spiced beef. On the other hand, the original is smaller and uses a variety of meat and may also include seafood.
Mexican Cheese
When you see Mexican cheese in the grocery store, you can be sure it’s not authentic. How can you know it’s the real deal? The original is white, tangy, and nuanced because they’re used to balance the spiciness of the peppers many Mexicans love
Burritos Or Wheat Flour Tacos AKA Tacos de Harina
The burrito we all enjoy today is an American invention. It’s huge, filling, complete with rice, beans, sour cream and every other ingredient. The original recipe inspiring it is called tacos de Harina or wheat flour tacos, which hail from Mexico’s deep south. Tacos de Harina uses seafood or meat with chiles, white cheese, beans, and rice.
Pico de Gallo Not Salsa
It should be evident the bottled salsa from the store isn’t the original pico de gallo from Mexico. The original recipe is spicy, flavorful and fresh. Unique, authentic ingredients include cilantro and a mix of chopped vegetables.
Chilaquiles or Nachos?
Yes, you’ll find nachos in Mexico. However, the original recipe that served as the inspiration for this dish is the humble Chilaquiles.
Chilaquiles are also known as breakfast nachos. These are fried tortillas often served with a fried egg and simmered with salsa – the original one, not the bottled variants. Enjoy these lightly fried quarter corned tortillas with some pulled chicken. They also go well with refried beans if it’s the only thing you’ve got in the fridge.
Fajitas
The word fajita means “little strip,” which refers to the strips of beef or chicken served with this dish. The word only appeared in print beginning in 1971. Food historians believe the recipe originated in West and South Texas in the 1930s.
The original Mexican recipe inspiring the fajita’s creation is called the Cochinita Pibil. It’s slow-roasted pork with more meat than just the strips in the Tex-Mex dish. The pork for the Cochinita Pibil is marinated in juice extracted from citrus fruits. It’s then colored using annatto seeds and lastly, wrapped in banana leaves.
Enchiladas
The American and Mexican enchiladas closely resemble each other, which is some point of agreement between the two cuisines. The US version has more ground beef and may use gravy. The original has less meat and goes perfectly with vegetables.
Experience Authentic Mexican Food At Benito’s Restaurant
Now you know the differences between Tex-Mex and traditional Mexican food, it’s time for you to experience what the original tastes like. Benito’s Restaurant has been serving authentic Mexican recipes since 1981. We are also famous for serving legendary margaritas, which go well with our authentic recipes. Book now and enjoy the traditional dishes of Mexico today.
FAQs
The American variants use many ingredients you won't find in traditional Mexican dishes. Tex-Mex is a cuisine hailing from Texas and other areas bordering Mexico. The inspiration for these dishes comes from traditional Mexican food, but the American version has a narrower list of essential ingredients.
Is there a difference between Mexican and Hispanic food? ›
Spanish cuisine often relies on olive oil, garlic, saffron, tomatoes, and seafood such as cod, anchovies, and squid. Mexican cuisine makes abundant use of ingredients like corn, beans, chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, and a wide range of fresh herbs and spices.
What makes New Mexican food different from Mexican food? ›
New Mexican food can mostly be characterized by its ingredients. The main ingredient in this cuisine is chiles that derive from Pueblo cuisine. Green chiles are used in most of the dishes and usually roasted over the fire. A green chile sauce is created and poured over enchiladas, burritos, and sopaipillas.
How do Mexican meals differ from American food? ›
They both are prepared with ingredients commonly found locally. American food uses a wide variety of ingredients since its origin is from different countries while Mexican food is usually prepared using avocado, chili peppers, corn, and other fresh herbs and ingredients that are available in Mexico.
Why don't Mexicans put cheese on tacos? ›
However, cheese is not a traditional ingredient in the original Mexican-style taco. It was only when tacos made their way to America that cheese became a common addition. So, technically speaking, Mexican tacos do not have cheese.
How authentic is Mexican food in America? ›
Even as close to the border as we are in San Diego, most Mexican food served in the U.S. is far from authentic or traditional. Burritos, chili con carne, chimichangas, hardshell tacos and enchiladas (as we know them in the U.S.), queso dip, nachos . . . all Tex-Mex.
Do Mexicans put sour cream on their tacos? ›
While sour cream has become a favorite of many taco fans for adding a refreshing creaminess to temper the spiciest salsas as well as savory pork and beef, we want to reiterate that it is not a traditional Mexican topping.
Are nachos Mexican or American? ›
The common dish known today as nachos originated in Northern Mexico. Nachos are actually a relatively recent dish. So recent in fact that that researchers believe they have traced the original creator in the small Mexican city of Piedras Negras.
Why is Mexican food unique? ›
Traditional Mexican food history runs deep.
It began with simple, native foods and flavors found only in Mexico. Most of the indigenous ingredients used were beans, vanilla, peanuts, tomatoes, chili peppers, and coconuts. Spices were also abundant and this gave their food a distinct taste.
What is Mexico's main meal of the day called? ›
The most important meal of the day is lunch (comida) and normally served between 1 and 3 p.m. Supper (cena) is served late, usually after 8 p.m. and is a light snack, although in urban areas supper can be an elaborate affair eaten at restaurants.
Italian and Mexican cuisines share many similarities, not just in ingredients but in cooking styles as well. For example, both cultures favour the use of slow-cooking methods such as simmering and roasting, which bring out the natural flavours of their dishes.
Why does Mexican meat taste different? ›
All of the citrus
The acidic tang complements the meat - whether it's fried fish or carnitas. When Mexicans marinate carne asada, they soak the beef in orange juice to tenderize the meat and boost the flavor profile.
How is Mexican food different from other cultures? ›
Mexico uses different types of chilies and they go in everything from soups to salsa. Moreover, they are used whole, fresh, smoked, dried, or powdered. Mexican chocolate also has a distinct taste. It is bitter and of an earthy flavor that makes Mexican desserts like flan and mousse unique and delicious.
What makes Mexican tacos different? ›
Lime is probably the most essential of authentic Mexican taco toppings. A squeeze of lime adds a dash of acid that brings out the other flavors in a taco beautifully. Onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, sliced radishes or cucumbers, avocado, and chili peppers are also standard toppings for authentic tacos.
What is an American style taco? ›
This is an American taco: It is easily identified by its crispy corn tortilla shell, the spicy ground beef filling, cheddar cheese and shredded lettuce. None of those ingredients are commonly found in real Mexican tacos.
What is American vs Mexican tortilla? ›
Corn tortillas are found all over Mexico and Central America while flour tortillas are generally only found in the northern part of Mexico and the USA, where they are a popular part of Tex-Mex cuisine. Corn tortillas are yellow in color and tend to be smaller than flour tortillas, which are much whiter in color.
Are hard tacos American or Mexican? ›
The hard-shell or crunchy taco is a Mexican-American dish that developed in the United States.
