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.

Why does Mexican restaurant rice taste better? The method used to make Mexican rice involves lightly frying the uncooked rice in oil which helps it absorb more flavor from the seasoning and cook to a perfect consistency. In addition, a traditional blend of spices and diced vegetables and potatoes create unique flavor.

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.

Add just enough water to cover the meat, bring to a boil, then reduce and simmer for about an hour. Every 15 minutes or so break up the meat with a large spoon or a potato masher so that it isn't lumpy. Be sure always to keep just enough water to cover the meat.

Even more than talking about ingredients this one preparation technique is what gives Spanish Rice its distinctive depth of flavor. Furthermore, by toasting the rice, you're locking the grain i.e. making it more durable and much less prone to breakage.

Any kind of long grain rice works well for making Mexican rice. You can use generic “long grain rice”, or basmati, or jasmine, anything like that.

The process takes 18 to 20 minutes. Browning the rice adds a flavor dimension of “nu*ttiness” to the final dish. It also causes the grains of rice to burst as they absorb the savory liquid. Each grain of rice becoming light, fluffy, and full of flavor.

Manteca is basically a semi-rough form of pork lard. It's pure pork fat, not as filtered as standard lard and has a yellow or caramel coloring. This oil is common in Mexican and other Latin American fast food restaurants.

What is Mexico's national dish? ›

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.

Highlights: Most Popular Mexican Dishes Statistics

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. Cornwall in the UK has seen a 500% increase in burrito consumption since 2018.

Tacos. It's the most popular Mexican dish globally. Usually served with fillings like steak, chorizo, offal, etc.

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!

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.