Mexican food is a favorite here in the state, and there are so many varieties to choose from that it seems almost never-ending. From enchiladas to tacos and beyond, Mexican food is made to satisfy the taste buds. That being said, there are some unique Mexican dishes that don’t get too much press but offer a lot in the way of taste and satisfaction.
If you love Mexican food, you’ll want to try these seven unique dishes. Keep reading to learn more about them!
1. Chili Relleno
What’s better than including chili peppers in your Mexican dish? How about a chili pepper that’s stuffed to the brim with juicy meat, succulent cheese, and herbs and spices to make your palette jump for joy? Chili Relleno is a dish you don’t often hear of in Mexican restaurants, but it’s something any Mexican food lover should try.
Some of the best Mexican restaurants (like this Henderson Mexican Restaurant) feature Chili Relleno as a signature entree. If you’ve never had it, it’s time to introduce your taste buds to this delicious Mexican dish.
2. Cabrito
Cabrito is barbecued goat meat, and it’s served with only the most savory barbecue sauces and cooked to perfection with a juicy, tender finish. Goat meat isn’t a staple in the states, so you might have some trouble finding this dish. However, if you can get your hands on some goat meat, here’s a recipe.
Otherwise, check with your local Mexican restaurant to see if they serve Cabrito. It’s a dish that’s definitely worth a try.
3. Chapulines
Travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, and you’ll find a dish that may make your stomach turn if you’re not accustomed to strange and unique dishes. Chapulines refers to grasshoppers. That’s right, the insect. These little critters are often cooked and coated with chili sauce and eaten as a snack, or put in tortillas for extra flavor. They’re crunchy and tasty if you’ve got the guts to try them.
Needless to say, something like this isn’t exactly popular in the states, but, depending on where you are, your local Mexican establishment may carry this unique dish.
4. Pan De Elote
This dish doesn’t include any grasshoppers, so you’re safe from the creepy crawlies. Pan De Elote is simply a sweet cornbread that’s nothing less than delicious. Sweet, savory, and dense, this corn cake is easy to make and tastes great with other staples like chicken, salsa, or guacamole.
The recipe for this sweet cake is readily available online, and the overall cook/prep time less than one hour. Check out this recipe if you want to give the Mexican version of cornbread a try!
5. Pulque
Pulque isn’t exactly a food per se, but rather an alcoholic drink. Still, if you’ve never had it, it might prove worthy of a taste. This fermented drink made from the sap of the Agave plant is a favorite in local Mexican towns and cities, but you probably won’t find much of it in the states.
It has a milky-color and sour taste, so upon first taste, it may seem foul or uninviting. However, this drink has been produced in Central Mexico for thousands of years.
6. Pozole
This dish is made with a spicy broth that includes chicken or pork as the staple meat and includes maize (corn) as well. It’s believed that the Aztecs created this dish, and may have even included a different kind of meat in the original recipe that tasted a bit more like human. Once cannabalism and ritual sacrifice were outlawed/abolished, pork was replaced as the meat of choice.
Despite the somewhat dark history of Pozole, it’s still a tasty Mexican dish and certainly worth trying!
7. Sopa Ateca
This tomato-based soup is a favorite among Mexican communities for its simplicity and taste. Topped with fried tortilla, avocado, cheese, and chili peppers, it offers everything you’d expect from a traditional Mexican dish. While it’s still unclear where the dish originally came from, it makes up for in taste what it lacks in clear origins.
This easy-to-make soup is perfect for large gatherings or single-servings, and the flavors all contrast with each other very well. A little heat, a little cheese, and yummy tomato soup blend the dish perfectly.
Mexico is home to hundreds of unique and delicious dishes, including the seven we’ve just covered. While these dishes may not be as popular in the states as things like tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and burritos, they’re still just as delicious and certainly worth a try!
Next time you visit Mexico, this list is a great place to start if you’re hoping to expand your taste buds. Go outside your comfort zone and you just might find a new favorite dish.