Mexican flavor has made its way to American homes. Their food is able to bring a new flavor to the dinner table in American society. How has Mexican food influenced America?
The impact of Mexican cuisine on the American gastronomic culture has been positive as to how people from Mexico influenced life in the USA. It has been widely accepted in every town and city across the country.
To better understand the Mexican influence on American culture, especially food, let’s look into contributing factors and the many ways traditional Mexican ingredients are fused into American dishes.
Traditional Mexican Food History
Mayan Influence
Authentic, traditional Mexican food is thought to be a product that sprung from the influence of the Mayan Indians who had a ritual of gathering food and cooking them over open fires in ceramic pots or iron skillets.
This ritual exemplified many symbols that transformed nature into culture. Corn began to be domesticated and became a staple ingredient for many food preparations. It started to form the base of the Mesoamerican native diet.
Aztec Influence
The Aztec diet of corn, bean, and squash, in addition to ingredients that were introduced through economy and trade like tomatoes, avocados, cacao, vanilla, and agave, added to the Mexican collection of ingredients.
Spanish Influence
Spanish invaders also introduced to the Mexican menu different types of meats like beef, pork, chicken, goat, and sheep. They also introduced many tastes from many parts of the world, like the Caribbean, French, and West African cuisines.
How Did Mexican Food Come to America?
The love of Mexican food by the American people started largely because of the Mexican Revolution. This was a time when many Mexican refugees fled Mexico and moved to the U.S. because it was the nearest country to theirs.
While in America, they were committed to keeping their culture intact by cooking traditional Mexican dishes and serving them to their families. Some started selling tortillas and other Mexican food to their neighbors to earn a living.
Small Mexican restaurants called cantinas started in the 1920s, eventually spreading to other parts of the country, popularizing many of the favorite Mexican dishes today, like chili, fajitas, tacos, tortillas, and enchiladas.
Related: Examining How the U.S. Came to Love Mexican Cuisines
Mexican Food Culture
Mexican cuisine is a delicious blend of indigenous (Indian) and Spanish influences. But, most traditional Mexican cuisine would include native foods like corn, beans, and peppers. Corn is especially the basis of the Mexican diet, going back to the thousands of years that it has been part of their meals.
The meals in a traditional Mexican home consist of a basic, traditional diet that provides wholesome nutrition and sufficient energy to live, work, and maintain good health. They intensively prepare meals by grinding corn, pepper, and spices by hand. Hence, every meal is not just something to eat, but something to experience.
Mexican Influence on American Culture
Mexican cuisine has significantly influenced American food culture. This influence gave birth to Tex-Mex cuisine, which is a delightful fusion of northern Mexico food with Southwestern Texas cooking.
The relatable and interesting mix of similar ingredients, cooking styles, and elements have become a substantial part of the American food scene. Today, there are thousands of restaurants that serve Tex-Mex food. You can even find plenty of ready-to-cook Tex-Mex food products in many groceries across the country.
Popular Mexican Dishes in America
Mexican food is feisty, vibrant, and mysterious. Here are the most popular Mexican recipes that will break the monotony of your next meal:
1. Tacos
These lightly grilled or steamed soft corn tortillas can be filled with all types of meats. You can choose from pork, beef, chicken, and seafood. Then, they are topped with veggies, homemade salsa, onions, and avocados, and garnished with fresh lime juice, cilantro, and crema.
2. Burritos
Traditional Mexican burritos are already serving as a staple in many fast-food restaurants in America. It is made with refried beans, Mexican rice, and meat, along with salsa, avocado, and lettuce.
3. Enchiladas
This well-loved Mexican recipe is popular among foodies throughout the country; made with tortillas that have been deep-fried and dipped in spicy enchilada sauce. The tortillas are then rolled up with a small amount of meat, vegetables, and/or cheese.
There are so many other Mexican dishes loved by American households, including tacos, fajitas, carne asada, and tostada, among others.
Why is Mexican Food So Popular in the U.S.?
Mexican-inspired food has found its way to every corner of the United States. It has a widespread likability and has become a regular meal in American households. It has become simultaneously ethnic and mainstream for the American consumer.
Among the many reasons why Mexican food is so popular in the U.S. include:
- It contains fresh ingredients from all food groups that complete a balanced, nutritious diet.
- It is packed with a variety of powerful and delicious flavors from many spices and natural flavorings.
- You get a decent price for a variety of food that typically includes meat, rice, and vegetables.
- It is a crucial part of America’s Cultural Heritage.
- You can try something new every time you want to eat Mexican food because it offers many options.
Related: 6 Reasons Why Mexican Food is One of the Top Cuisines in the World
Mexican Food in America
Tortillas, salsa, tacos, burritos, and many other traditional Mexican dishes are culinary staples in American cooking. The popularity of Mexican food comes from its culinary adaptability and likability. It is evident in every corner of the United States, merging into the mainstream of fast-food restaurants and supermarkets.
More from El Rincon Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
The Health Benefits of Eating a Mexican Food Diet
How Were Enchiladas First Made?
or known as El Rincon among the locals around the restaurant serves Mexican food and drink made from the freshest ingredients.
Besides serving food for our customers in Carrollton and Addison we’re also active in communities across Texas
