A Taco Tutorial for Gringos
Tacos are one of the most beloved foods and also one of the most famous exports of Mexico. You can travel almost anywhere in the world and find tacos. It's the one type of Mexican food that is loved the world over. However, tacos in the US have a tendency to be a little different than the original taco here in Mexico. Within the last several years I have seen an increase of authentic Mexican taquerias springing up in the US. So, if you are new to the authentic Mexican taco, I have decided to write an article explaining the different types of tacos. Honestly, there are so many different types and varieties here in Mexico, that even I get confused as to which is which at times. So, this article is not only for you but for me as well.
Depending where you are in Mexico, you can probably find each and every one of these tacos on the list with the exception of the Americanized taco with ground beef in a hard shell with lettuce and tomato. Except for that, you can find a taco with just about every ingredient imaginable in Mexico. Traditionally, most tacos here in Mexico are in a corn tortilla instead of a flour tortilla. Although, you can ask to have flour tortillas instead of the more popular corn tortillas in some restaurants. However, if you are buying tacos from a street stand, you probably won't have the option. With that said, some tacos are much more popular than others. Some of these you will be able to find on almost every street corner, and others you will have to search for, or just be in the right part of Mexico. I am not going to explain every one of these tacos in the picture above, but I am only going to explain the most popular ones that you are most likely to see in most authentic taquerias both here in Mexico and in the US.
CARNITAS
We're going to start with one of my absolute favorite tacos ever! Carnitas. Carnitas in Spanish means little meats. This taco originates from the Mexican state of Michoacán. Carnitas are a type of pork roast that is cooked for a long period of time, braised in its own juices and in pork fat until the meat is unbelievably tender and oh so good. It's like heaven in your mouth. Usually, carnitas as with most tacos here in Mexico is only served with onions, cilantro, and salsa. Depending where you go, sometimes you can add other toppings to it such as beans, chiles, and pineapple. If you love pork roast, then you will love carnitas. It's a real treat. They are so good, and you can find carnitas just about anywhere. But if you want to find the absolute best carnitas, then Michoacán is the place to go.
CHORIZO
Chorizo is a type of sausage that has its roots in Europe. Originally, chorizo was a sausage that was more popular in Portugal and Spain. This sausage was brought to the Americas along with the European colonizers. Originally, chorizo was solely made from pork, chopped, fermented, and cured. However, the chorizo that we now know here in the Americas has gone through an evolution. Now, chorizo can be made from different types of meat, but usually pork is the preferred meat used to make chorizo. While the original chorizo was made from chopped meat, now it is ground much like hamburger meat in the United States with added spices. Most people from the US are familiar with chorizo as it is a sausage with its own unique flavor that is hard to resist.
I always loved chorizo in the US, but for some reason chorizo tastes better in Mexico. I love chorizo tacos. They used to be my favorite type of taco, and they were my "go-to" taco for a long time. But now, when I get tired of eating other types of tacos or I just want a break, then chorizo is what I like to order.
CARNE ASADA
Carne asada tacos are probably one of the most popular tacos in the US, probably due to the popularity of steak in the US. Carne asada can be made with a few different choice cuts of steak, but typically a marinated skirt steak is used for cooking carne asadas on the grill. Although you can find carne asada tacos in Mexico, they are not the most popular tacos in Mexico in my opinion. I do like tacos de carne asada, but if I have my choice of tacos, they are pretty far down the list. There are quite a few tacos I like better.
BIRRIA
Tacos de birria are a popular type of taco in Mexico. Birria is a type of meat that hails from the state of Jalisco. Traditionally, goat meat is the preferred type of meat for birria, but sometimes beef is used instead. Birria is a type of stewed meat that is marinated in vinegar, chiles, and in an assortment of different spices and herbs. I've eaten birria a few times, and it is a delicious taco. Maybe it isn't my absolute favorite, but still yet I definitely wouldn't turn it down either.
BARBACOA
Barbacoa is a type of meat that originally comes from the Taino people in the Caribbean. You may notice the similarity of this word to the word barbeque. In fact, the word barbeque comes from the word barbacoa. In Mexico, barbacoa refers to a whole meat (usually goat or lamb) cooked on a spit or rotisserie, and you can find this delicious taco everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.
This picture here shows what a many typical taquerias look like in Mexico. As you can see the rotisserie pictured with birria on the spit. The great thing about barbacoa is that the juices trickle down the meat as it is spinning on the spit. This keeps the meat juicy, flavorful, and tender. It is definitely worth trying at some point in time during your next trip to Mexico.
CABEZA
So, if you know a little bit of Spanish, you're probably asking yourself if you read that right. Head? Yes, cabeza means head. Tacos de cabeza is one of my few absolute favorite tacos. Cabeza is an animal head, usually cow, and the head is roasted. The meat from all parts of the head are used to make tacos de cabeza. I know that there are quite a few of you in the US are probably shaking your head, thinking that this is disgusting, but honestly it is absolutely delicious. I haven't see too many places here in the Mexico City area that have cabeza, although it is available. The majority of the tacos de cabeza that I have eaten so far have been in the state of Michoacán. It is a real treat. If you can find a place that sells tacos de cabeza, then try it. It is totally worth it.
TRIPA (TRIPE)
Tripa or tripe is another one of my few absolute favorite tacos. Tripe usually comes from the small intestines of a cow or sheep that has been cleaned and boiled. When you frequent the many taco stands in Mexico, you will find these stands cooking a variety of different meats together in something that looks like a wok. They will remove the tripa and cut it up on a large chopping block. The reason it is so popular is that it has a lot of flavor to it, and it has a little bit of fattiness that is attached to the lining. Of course this adds to the flavor. It is absolutely delicious, and if you haven't had the opportunity to try tacos de tripa, then you are most definitely missing out.
SUADERO
Suadero is another common type of taco that you will see in almost every single taqueria or taco stand. It is a very tender meat that comes from between the belly and the leg of a cow. Sometimes suadero can come from pork, but it is usually always from a cow. Because it comes from between the belly and the leg, it does have a certain amount of fat with it as you can see in the picture above. It is very delicious. Although there are different cuts of meat used in different kinds of tacos that contain a certain amount of fat, they all have their own unique flavor. Of course, my advise is to try all of them until you discover which ones you like the most. I've said it before, and of course I will say it again. I have never eaten a taco that I did not like. They are all good in their own unique ways.
Anyway, I hope this article helps you understand some of the many different types of Mexican tacos that you will find. I hope you get a chance to try every single one of these. And of course, if you ever take a trip to Mexico, don't be afraid to try some of the street food. Honestly, it is some of the best food that you will ever eat. Until next time, ¡buen provecho!
