In 2010, UNESCO recognized Mexican Cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It makes sense—traditional Mexican cuisine is as diverse and complex as the country itself. However, one dish unites Mexicans everywhere—their beloved tacos.
A staple of Mexican culture, authentic tacos are an experience like no other. Tacos have a magical combination of simplicity and taste. Prepared rapidly, with just a few ingredients, tacos are the perfect example of how something so effortless can be packed full of flavor!
So, how would one define an authentic Mexican taco? Simple, it’s all about the ingredients and techniques. But let’s break it down even further.
Required Ingredients To Make Authentic Mexican Tacos
The beauty of Mexican cuisine is in the use of fresh ingredients. With the country’s diversity, the ingredients used in tacos vary from region to region. However, here are some staples that you will find in most authentic Mexican tacos:
- Onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Radishes
- Limes
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Chili Peppers
- Tortillas
- And last but not least, the main ingredient: a variety of freshly cooked meats like fish, beef, pork, or chicken.
How Do You Prepare Authentic Mexican Tacos?
Now that we have discussed the most common ingredients let’s discuss how to prepare an authentic Mexican taco. To create the most delicious and traditional tacos, it’s essential to treat each ingredient with the utmost respect. This means paying attention to the little details and taking extra time to ensure that each ingredient is prepared with love and care.
Tortillas
Do you know that crunchy taco most people love? Well, that’s a dead giveaway that you’re not eating an authentic Mexican taco. In Mexico, tacos are usually served with warm and freshly made flour or corn tortillas.
Whether you use corn or flour tortillas will depend on the region. For example, in the North of Mexico, you will find many tacos served with flour tortillas. Whereas in the Center and South, tacos are usually served with corn tortillas.
Another thing you’ll find in Mexico is corn tortillas in different colors. This is due to the use of different types of corn, including yellow, blue, and white.
Meat
A whole essay may be written just on the many kinds of meat and their preparation. Authentic Mexican tacos usually feature meats that are cooked on a cast iron skillet, in the oven, or even on a grill. Meat is often cooked with various spices to bring out its flavor.
The more popular meats are usually chorizo, carnitas (braised pork), arrachera (skirt steak), and tacos al pastor (pork marinated in chili and achiote paste). But there’s plenty more, like birria (goat meat), cochinita pibil (roasted pork with achiote), and barbacoa (lamb).
Wait, what happens if you’re a vegan or vegetarian? You still have plenty of options! Vegetarian options are available in all of Mexico. The most popular are tacos de papa (potatoes), tacos de nopal (cactus), and tacos de hongos (mushrooms).
Toppings
When you bite into an authentic Mexican taco, there should be a burst of flavor and texture. The toppings are what make tacos so special. What ingredients you choose to top your tacos with is completely up to you; however, here are some traditional options:
- Pico de Gallo
- Cilantro
- Diced Onion
- Radish
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Pickled onions
- Salsa
Salsa
While this is technically a topping, salsas deserve their own section. Every region in Mexico has its own way of making salsa, from the classic red to a green tomatillo-based salsa verde. The most popular salsas are usually made with tomatoes, chiles, onions, and garlic. For spicy sauces, dry chilies are often used.
No matter what toppings you choose for your taco, be sure to top it off with a squeeze of lime juice. This will bring out the flavors even more!
Enjoy the Delicious Taste of Mexico in Each Bite!
When it comes to taco catering, The Taco Guy Catering in Pasadena, CA, is the answer. Our taco catering services provide authentic Mexican tacos made with fresh ingredients and traditional preparation techniques that will make your mouth water. With our catering services, you can enjoy the delicious taste of Mexico in each bite!
