22 Authentic Mexican Breakfasts to Brighten Your Day
Ever wondered what a traditional Mexican breakfast looks like? Stick around, and I’ll tell you all about them!
As you may know, Mexico is renowned for its vibrant culture, rich history, and delicious cuisine.
One of the most beloved aspects of Mexican cuisine is breakfast, which boasts a vast array of flavorful and hearty dishes.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler to Mexico or simply a food enthusiast looking to explore new flavors, there’s no denying that traditional Mexican breakfast dishes are a must-try.
From chilaquiles and huevos rancheros to tamales and menudo, these dishes offer a unique and delicious glimpse into the country’s culinary heritage.
In today’s article, I’ve compiled a list of the 22 best traditional Mexican breakfast dishes you must try.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to indulge your taste buds with these mouth-watering breakfast options!
22 best traditional Mexican breakfast dishes
1. Birria
Birria is not only delicious but also makes a good remedy for hangovers.
It is an original meat stew from Jalisco, which can be prepared with any meat (although the original is made with goat meat).
The meat is marinated with several Mexican spices and baked slowly, if possible, in a hole in the ground. It is served in a bowl with corn tortillas.
2. Guajolotas or tortas de tamal (tamale sandwich)
Guajolotas or tortas de tamal are simply what their name suggests: a tamale placed inside a loaf of bread.
However, there is a debate about whether guajolotas (what these tamale sandwiches are called in Mexico City) are only those with a fried tamale, whereas regular tamale tortas have a tamale that has not been fried.
But I’ll pass on the discussion because I’m really hungry!
The guajolota stalls at the exit of the subway in Mexico City in the morning and in the afternoon are typical, and tasting them is one of the things you must do during your visit to the city.
3. Pellizcadas
Pellizcadas are nothing more than a thick corn tortilla fried with lard, on which different ingredients are added, such as chicharrón or meat, cheese, vegetables, and hot sauce.
Simple as it sounds, they’re delicious! Pellizcadas are mostly popular in central cities.
For those who know something about Mexican food, they are the middle ground between a quesadilla and a sope.
4. Chilaquiles: A top traditional Mexican breakfast
Chilaquiles are one of the most iconic and traditional Mexican breakfasts.
They are prepared with fried (or toasted) corn or tortilla chips and dipped in green or red chile sauce.
Chilaquiles can have eggs, shredded chicken breast, chorizo, and a good piece of jerky or other meats.
They are my favorite Mexican breakfast, and I always prefer “rojos” (with red sauce) and two fried eggs.
I love the mix of textures and flavors: the crunchiness of the tortilla chips and ring onions served as a garnish blend with the smoothness of the sauce, cream, and eggs.
5. Fruit cocktail
The easy access and availability of fresh tropical fruits in Mexico make the fruit cocktail a delicious and healthy breakfast option.
In Mexico, a typical fruit cocktail can consist of a mix of seasonal fruits such as papaya, pineapple, mango, watermelon, and cantaloupe, cut into small pieces and mixed.
Fruit is an essential part of the Mexican diet, and consuming it as part of breakfast can help provide energy and nutrients to start the day.
Additionally, a fruit cocktail is a light and easy-to-digest meal, making it an excellent option for people who prefer a light breakfast.
Furthermore, a fruit cocktail is a popular street food in Mexico, where it is often served with lime juice and chili powder or tajin, a spice blend made from chili, lime, and salt.
This combination of sweet and spicy flavors is a hallmark of Mexican cuisine and can provide a unique and exciting taste experience.
6. Tlayudas
A tlayuda is a traditional Mexican breakfast dish originating in Oaxaca.
It is a large, thin, crispy tortilla made from corn dough and topped with various ingredients, including refried beans, shredded meat (usually pork or chicken), lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, and salsa.
Tlayudas are often cooked on a griddle or comal and are typically served open-faced, with the toppings piled high on top of the crispy tortilla.
7. Huevos a la Mexicana (Mexican-style eggs)
The huevos a la Mexicana display the colors of the Mexican flag: green, red, and white. This is because of its classic onion, green chile, and tomato ingredients.
These Mexican-style eggs are delicious and very easy to make.
Simply fry the tomatoes, onion, and chili and add the eggs, which can be previously beaten. They are served with tortillas, of course.
8. Traditional Mexican breakfast: Tamales and atole
This famous morning duo of Mexican cuisine is the Batman and Robin of our traditional Mexican breakfast list!
Atole is a pre-Hispanic drink consisting of corn dough cooked in water until it reaches a thick texture, to which spices (cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon) and other flavorings (fruit pulp, chocolate, etc.) are added.
Traditionally it is sweetened with piloncillo, and nowadays, it is also prepared with milk.
There is not much to explain about the tamale, is there?
9. Huevos ahogados (drowned eggs)
Huevos ahogados is a traditional Mexican breakfast with delicious poached eggs in a soupy red sauce.
Undoubtedly the star of the Mexican drowned eggs recipe is the sauce. A well-seasoned, tasty sauce with the right ingredients will produce an exceptional dish.
Heat the sauce of your choice (red or green), poach the eggs, and serve in the sauce.
10. Cafe de Olla
Cafe de olla is the typical breakfast beverage in any traditional Mexican home.
It is prepared in a clay pot, and the piloncillo, cinnamon, and cloves give its flavor. Sometimes I like to add a little bit of cocoa.
11. Molletes
Molletes are a Mexican baguette cut in half and spread with refried beans, to which a slice of cheese is placed to melt.
It is served with pico de gallo sauce, and there are other variations and presentations according to the state (there are sweet, with sausage or chorizo, with meat, etc.).
12. Tecolotes
Tecolotes are a hybrid between molletes au gratin and a spicy chilaquiles sandwich.
They’re perfect for breakfast, very filling, and economical.
13. Traditional Entomatadas Mexican breakfast
Entomatadas are made of tortillas dipped in tomato sauce, usually prepared with salt, garlic, onion, oregano, and chile.
The tortillas are folded in two, like a taco, and may or may not have various fillings (chicken, beef, cheese, beans, etc.).
14. Huevos rancheros
After the chilaquiles, huevos rancheros are the most traditional Mexican breakfast dishes.
Scrambled eggs can be used instead of fried eggs.
There are tenths of varieties, but the simplest version of huevos rancheros consists of lightly fried corn tortillas and fried egg with spicy red sauce accompanied by refried beans.
15. Huevos divorciados (divorced eggs)
A popular variation of huevos rancheros is huevos divorciados: two eggs served in the style of huevos rancheros, but one is covered with green sauce and the other with red sauce, separated by a ‘wall’ of beans or chilaquiles.
16. Pambazo sandwich
The pambazo is a bun filled with mashed potato and chorizo or longaniza sausage and covered with guajillo or ancho chile sauce, garnished with cream and cheese.
Impossible to stay hungry after one (or two) pambazos.
17. Huevos motuleños
Eggs Motuleños are served on a tortilla (like the huevos rancheros) with black beans and a sauce of tomatoes, ham, and peas.
Plantain, cheese, and hot sauces are often included.
18. Enchiladas, another top traditional Mexican breakfast dish
You may already know this one. The beloved enchiladas!
Although they can also be served for lunch or dinner, they are trendy for breakfast in central Mexico.
Enchiladas are made of corn tortillas dipped in some kind of sauce. They can be served topped or filled with meat (chicken, turkey, beef) or cheese.
It is served with fresh chopped or sliced onion, lettuce, cream, and cheese.
19. Menudo or pancita
The menudo or pancita is a soup prepared from beef tripe and other giblets (hence the name).
It is usually spicy, but there will always be a red sauce for those who want to suffer a little more.
Due to its broth-like and spicy nature, it is a classic remedy for hangovers!
20. Barbacoa
Mexican BBQ is made of lamb meat cooked in an earth oven.
Traditionally it is made with lamb, but it can be made with practically anything.
A good consommé (meat broth) should always accompany barbacoa tacos.
The people from Hidalgo are proud to serve the best in the country.
21. Carnitas Tacos
Carnitas is the Mexican term given to pork confit.
Depending on your taste, you can order your taco of pure meat, tripe, cheek, or shank (the entire pork is cooked).
It is prepared in a giant pan, where the chicharrón (pork rinds) is usually fried.
There is no self-respecting Mexican market that does not have a carnitas stand. The best ones are from Michoacán.
22. Machaca con huevos
Machaca is the famous dried meat (beef jerky) and is very symbolic in Northern Mexico, besides being the base of one of the most traditional dishes of the state.
There are different ways to prepare machaca. One of the most traditional is with scrambled eggs, onion, tomato, and green chile.
Best 22 Traditional Mexican Breakfast Dishes: Conclusion
In conclusion, Mexican breakfast dishes are a great way to start your day with flavor and energy.
From classic favorites like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles to lesser-known but equally delicious options like molletes and machaca con huevos, there’s no shortage of delicious breakfast dishes.
Whether you’re a fan of spicy, savory, or sweet, there’s a traditional Mexican breakfast dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
So next time you’re in the mood for a tasty breakfast, why not step outside your comfort zone and try one of these dishes?
You might just discover your new favorite breakfast food!
