What Is Modern Mexican Food?

  • By Spendlessy
  • Updated: Oct 10, 2023

For thousands of years, Mexican food is well known for its unique flavors and colorful ingredients. When people hear the word Mexican Food they start craving burritos, tacos, and let’s not forget about churros.

To understand the actual meaning of the term Modern Mexican Food you should know the difference between Authentic Mexican Food, Tex-Mex, and Modern Mexican Food.

Authentic Mexican Food

Authentic Mexican Food is more than just a regular meal. Each dish has a history and story to tell. The origin of authentic Mexican food dates back to the ruling period of the Mayan Indians and Aztec Empire.

People of both cultures brought some unique combinations of ingredients that were a treat to tastebuds. Mayans brought corn, beans, and some wild fruits and vegetables. While on the other hand, Aztecs brought chili peppers, salt, chocolate, and honey to the cooking table. They used to cook the food in cast iron skillets or fry them.

Mexican Food

Below is a list of a few Authentic Mexican Food:

  • Slow-Cooked Barbacoa

Beef roast simmered in chipotle, cloves, dried oregano, cumin, and lime juice. You can have it with a bowl of rice or eat it in pieces

  • Horchata

A flavorful blend of almonds and ground rice with a dash of lime

  • Churros

Cinnamon-coated fried fritters that taste more amazing when you load them with chocolate sauce and cinnamon powder

  • Fruit Pops

Enjoy a refreshing fruit pop that is made up of strawberry, basil, and honey

  • Beef Birria Tacos

Tacos loaded with tender shredded meat and dipped in red sauce

  • Sopaipillas

Sweeter, crispier, and warmer pastry puffs topped with honey or sugar

  • Agua De Jamaica

An iced tea made from hibiscus looks deep red like a cranberry juice

  • Salsa Roja

A tasty blend of tomatoes, onions, green chilies, ripe avocados, jalapeno peppers, cumin, garlic, and lime juice

  • Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Whole cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, pinch of nutmeg powder, vanilla extract, whole milk, and lots of whipped cream

Tex-Mex Food

The word Tex-Mex represents a beautiful fusion of Texas cuisine and Mexican cuisine. Many people are confused between Authentic Mexican Food and Tex-Mex as it is quite difficult to spot a restaurant that solely prepares authentic Mexican food, especially in the United States. These two cuisines are totally different and there are some major differences between them.

For example, Authentic Mexican Food is made up of corn tortillas while Tex-Mex food is made up of flour tortillas. Mexican cuisine is always on the spicier side. Spices like cumin and chili powder are always used while Tex-Mex food is milder. Spices like salt and pepper are mainly used.

Mexican food contains a wide variety of cheese including cotija, panela, and queso fresco while in Tex-Mex cuisine only cheddar or mozzarella cheeses are used. Moreover, Authentic Mexican Food is usually made up of vegetables that are homegrown in Mexico. Tomatoes, chiles, epazotes, and lots of corn are used in Authentic Mexican dishes.

Modern Mexican Food

Below is the list of a few popular Tex-Mex Food:

  • Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Chicken pieces, tortillas, and loads and loads of cheese

  • Smoked Brisket Tacos

Smoked briskets, tortillas topped with salsa, shredded cheese, cilantro, and onion

  • Tejano Red Rice

Rice simmered in gravy of tomatoes, onion, garlic, and cumin

  • Beef Tamale Pie

Ground beef, roasted tomatoes, boiled beans, jalapenos, corn, and eggs to bake

  • Sheet Fajitas

Boneless chicken, thinly sliced red pepper, onion, topped with avocados, sour cream, cilantro, and lime wedges

  • Devil Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs topped with mayonnaise, yellow mustard, cheddar cheese, chopped jalapenos, green onions, and cilantro

 Modern Mexican Food

After extensive research on Authentic Mexican Food followed by deep inspiration, the origin of Modern Mexican Food took place. This reinvention is basically a modern touch on the traditional Mexican food that people are raving about.

To create some new and enlivening flavors, chefs started trying some new cooking techniques and different staple ingredients of different cultures.

Below is a list of a few Modern Mexican Food that you must try:

  • Roasted Corn Salad

Grilled corn loaded with cherry tomatoes, cotija cheese, panela cheese, black beans, pickled red onion, jicama, and red bell pepper

  • Chili Relleno

Blue corn-crusted chili filled with cheese and topped with chili sauce, cherry tomato pico, sour cream, avocados, and cotija cheese

  • Spinach Corn & Cheese Enchiladas

Grated zucchini, spinach, finely chopped onions, corn, ricotta, and lots of cheese and sour cream

  • Pulled Chicken Quesadillas

Shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, and avocados mixed with cheddar cheese and stuffed in tortillas

  • Pumpkin Wedges

Chop the pumpkin with skin into wedges mix with Pronto Napoli, tomato, jalapeno, onion, and deep fry

  • Kimchi Cream Eggplant Tacos

Thinly sliced eggplants mixed with rice wine vinegar, caster sugar, soya sauce, and gochujang, and topped with mushrooms and kimchi cream

A Guide About Top Mexican Restaurants

We understand after reading too much about Mexican Food you are now craving for it badly. We will not let you brawl alone in finding the best Mexican Restaurant.

All you need to do is visit the page and find out about some top Mexican restaurants.