Mexican food is one of the most popular cuisines in the United States today, and it’s easy to see why. Mexican dishes are diverse, flavorful, hearty, and healthy, and incorporating them into your regular meal plan is both cost-effective and convenient. From tacos to enchiladas to burritos, this fun and tasty cuisine has something for everyone. But what if you’re a big fan of Mexican food but don’t know all the ingredients? Read on to learn about some common Mexican ingredients you may not be familiar with yet that will help you enjoy your favorite dishes even more!
Pico de Gallo
A Pico de Gallo is a traditional Mexican salsa made with tomatoes, onions, lime juice, chile peppers, and cilantro. The word Pico means to pick, and the word de Gallo means from roosters, and it’s believed to have originated from the custom of picking the leftover scraps of food from a rooster’s beak after feeding time. This ingredient can also be used as a topping for tacos or served on the side with any dish.
Guacamole
A staple in most Mexican meals, guacamole is a delicious dip made from mashed avocados and other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Guacamole can be served with tortilla chips or scooped up with vegetables. It’s great for a last-minute dinner party appetizer too! Serve it alongside some fresh veggies or homemade salsa for dipping.
Salsa Verde
Salsa Verde contains fresh cilantro, jalapeno, onion, and garlic, among other spices such as cumin and coriander. It can be made with or without tomatoes, but both variations are still considered Salsa Verde even if they have a different flavor profiles. One of the key ingredients in this sauce is tomatillos which give it its green color. Tomatillos come from Mexico and look like small green tomatoes with a papery husk on the outside. When selecting them for your recipe, make sure to buy ones that are firm, not soft or shriveled looking. The tomatillo should be free from any spots, bruising, or mold because this will cause them to spoil quickly once you get home from the grocery store.
Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are a mild variety of chili pepper. They are usually roasted and peeled before being used in dishes like enchiladas and chilaquiles. The size of the poblano can vary from large to small and is usually about 4 inches long. This Mexican ingredient tastes very good with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and jalapeno pepper, known as salsa Roja or red sauce.
Chipotle Peppers
Chipotle peppers are very popular in Mexican cuisine. It is a type of chili pepper that is smoked, dried, and often ground into a powder for use in recipes. It has a unique smoky, spicy flavor that makes it an excellent addition to soups, stews, marinades, and sauces. In addition to the dry form of this pepper, you can also find chipotles in adobo sauce made from tomatoes, onion, garlic, and vinegar. The chipotle pepper contains capsaicin which gives it its spicy flavor.