22 Copycat Mexican Restaurant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the #1 order to never make at a Mexican restaurant according to chefs? ›

Skip the restaurant fajitas and make them at home instead.

Saul Montiel, executive chef at Cantina Rooftop in New York, told Insider that ordering fajitas is usually a waste of money. "I would never order fajitas at a restaurant. They're really nothing more than sautéed onions and peppers with a protein.

In Mexico, traditional food is commonly made with “manteca” or lard. It comes in tubs and is made from pork. For home cooking, by far the most commonly used oil for cooking is vegetable oil. Corn, canola and soy are the most common.

Mix and match healthy options like grilled meat (chicken, fish, shrimp), ceviche (raw seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice and other seasonings), black beans, brown rice, avocado salad, sautéed veggies, or tortilla soup.

Try to avoid deep fried dishes like chalupas, taquitos and chimichangas. Opt for healthier items like grilled chicken or shrimp and chicken or veggie fajitas. If you're in the mood for a taco salad, order it without the deep-fried taco bowl. It's basically one, big, fried tortilla chip!

Mole poblano is perhaps the best known of all mole varieties. An ancient dish native to the state of Puebla, it has been called the national dish of Mexico, and ranked first as the most typical of Mexican dishes.

Tacos ousted pizza as the number 1 most ordered food during Quarantine in 2020 according to Uber Eats. Tacos are the top Mexican dish that 76% of Americans love, according to YouGov. Chicken fajitas is the second most popular Mexican dish in America, enjoyed by 58% of the population.

What seasoning do Mexicans use? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

Cumin, cayenne, and black pepper are popular seasonings used to give Mexican food its familiar zesty taste. In Tex-Mex cuisine, spices and herbs are used with great care to create the bold, distinctive flavors that make this style of cooking so unique.

Some of the most popular vegetables in Mexico are tomatoes, onions, and peppers since they're used to make salsas. Other traditional Mexican vegetables include garlic, squash, cabbage, nopales, and more.

That's why, whether it's a cheap steak or a predictable pasta, chefs agree that the number one main dish to never order is the one that cuts corners in the kitchen. Because at the end of the day, if you really want mac and cheese, you can just whip it up at home later.

Dining Etiquette:

Do not begin eating until the host says, “Buen provecho!” Mexicans do not switch knives and forks. The knife remains in the right hand, and the for remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to each other across the right side of the plate.

Some servers can understand a little bit of English, but it's best to try ordering food in Spanish when possible. Even if you fumble with your Mexican food phrases, the servers will appreciate the effort.