13 Traditional Dishes (Antojitos) You Must Try In Riviera Maya
1. Habanero salsa
Fiery in all the right ways, this salsa is made of -
- Habanero Peppers - For heat!
- Fresh Tomatoes - Of course!
- Onion - For depth of flavor!
- Garlic - For pungent taste!
- Red Wine Vinegar - For preservation!
- Lime Juice - For zest!
- Cilantro - For freshness!
- Cumin - For earthy flavor!
- Sugar - Just a pinch!
- Salt - Just for the taste!
- Nachos
- Tacos
- Burrito
Currently, the largest producer of the habanero salsa is the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico.
Health Benefits Of Habanero Peppers (Key Ingredient) -
- Lowers LDL Cholesterol
- Accelerates Weight Loss
- Prevents Cancer
- Helps Manages Diabetes
- Controls Blood Pressure
- Managing Hypertension
- Decrease Insulin Resistance
2. Aguas Frescas
Aguas Frescas (English: cool waters, lit. 'fresh waters')
Non-alcoholic drinks created by blending -
- Fresh Fruits
- Herbs
- Grains
- Flowers Or Seeds With Water
- Pure Cane Sugar
These beverages are served chilled and are most favored for their freshness and thirst-quenching properties.
Some Common Flavors Of This Drink -
- Tamarind
- Cucumber, especially with fresh mint
- Hibiscus
- Horchata
- Melon
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberries
- Pineapples
- Watermelon
- Lime
- vanilla
#Popular worldwide thanks to their delicious flavor and health benefits.
Fruits That Are Not Recommended For This Drink -
- Cherries, as they change color pretty quickly
- Blueberries and Blackberries are not as sweet as required and require filtering to remove the seeds.
3. Salbutes
Puffed deep fried tortilla that is topped with - - Lettuce
- Sliced Avocado
- Pulled Chicken or Turkey
- Tomato
- Pickled Red Onion
Meant to be eaten fresh after cooking, Salbutes are similar to a tostada but made from fresh masa instead of pre-made corn tortillas.
#Originated in the Yucatan Peninsula
Salbutes, which happen to be the most famous street food, are made with -
- Fresh Corn Masa
- Cube Red Recado
- Stewed Boneless Chicken Breast
- Chopped Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onions
- Limes
- Habanero or Jalapeno Peppers
- Salt, Pepper & Cooking Oil
#Salbutes (sahl-BOO-tehs) are similar to panuchos but without the refried beans inside the tortilla.
4. Queso Relleno
Traditional dish prepared with -
- Minced Meat (Pork or Beef)
- Edam Cheese (called queso de bola here)
- Eggs
- Finely Chopped Onion
- Garlic
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Ground Cloves
- Ground Pepper
- Green Olives
- Seedless Raisim
- Capers
- Dry Sherry
- Oregano
The Sauce ( K'ool) Is Prepared With Ingredients, Including -
- Butter
- All-Purpose Flour
- Powdered Saffron
- Red Bell Pepper (Chopped & Seeded)
- Green Olives
- Chicken Broth
# Queso is a Spanish word for “cheese”.
5. Chile Rellenos
A Mexican roasted/grilled dish made with -
- Poblano Pepper
- Cheese
- Meat or Vegetables
Often Served With -
- Tomato-Based Sauce (Salsa Roja)
- Cilantro Garnishing
#Pepper is coated in fluffy egg batter and fried until golden brown. It is then smothered in sauce and melted cheese.
Healthier Version Is Prepared With -
- Roasted Poblano Peppers
- Black Beans
- Cheese
#A staple of Mexican cuisine and at holiday dinner tables!
6. Pico de Gallo
A popular fresh Mexican Salsa, also known as “Salsa Fresca” or “Salsa Cruda,” is made with -
- Onion
- Tomato (Tomatillos)
- (Both Equal Parts)
- Lime Juice
- Cilantro
- Jalapeno
(For A Kick Of Spiciness)
It Can Be Used In May Ways, Including -
- With Chips
- Fish Tacos
- Scrambles Eggs
- Simple Salad
#Pico de Gallo means “rooster’s beak” in English. It is also called lag sauce because it features all the colors of the Mexican flag (red tomatoes, green peppers, cilantro, and white onions).
The best part is that it keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days!
7. Rosca de Reyes
A traditional Spanish Christmas pastry bread available in the shape of an oblong, donut topped with -
- Strips Of Colorful Candied Fruit Leather
It has hidden elements like -
- Plastic Figurine Of Baby Jesus (symbolizing the newborn messiah)
# The pastry's circular form symbolizes God's eternal nature, with no beginning or end.
Rosca de Reyes, a Spanish word meaning "Kings Cake" or "Kings Wreath" in English.
The Easter Egg -
The Ring represents unity, family, and unending love, with no beginning or end.
8. Tortas ahogadas
A typical Mexican sandwich which is different from the usual tortas.
Stuffed with tender pork and smothered in a red chile and tomato sauce, they can be a little messy to handle but are so worth it!
The crusty bread roll is dipped or rather drowned in a red chile sauce and served with fresh lime wedges.
Its ingredient include -
- Bread
- Carnitas
- Red Onions
- Tomatoes
- Chile de Arbol Peppers
- Garlic
- Onions
- Vinegar
- Spices
Available in countless restaurants and street vendors, this is a dish that is worth trying in Mexico!
9. Cemita
A popular sandwich that distinguishes itself in taste, flavors, and texture.
It is made with egg-rich dough and topped with sesame seeds, making it appear as a traditional American-style hamburger. However, the texture of the dish is pretty different.
The texture is -
- Hard & Crunchy on the outside
- Soft & Rich on the inside
The filling of this sandwich mostly includes,
- Deep Deep-fried beef Or
- BBQ Pork
- Sometimes even chicken
Other ingredients include -
- Sliced Avocado
- Oaxacan Cheese
- Onions
- Chipotle Peppers
- Spicy Red Sauce
- Papalo ( A Mexican Herb)
# Papalo can be replaced with cilantro to avoid its pungent taste!
10. Burro percherón
A traditional Mexican dish that is basically a tortilla wrapping around -
- Chopped Meat
- Diced Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Refried Beans
- Cheese
It can be customized for a vegetarian food diet as well!
Usually large, Burro percherón is known for its distinct taste due to the combination and concentration of the ingredients.
It is a perfect variant of the classic burrito, which is among popular foods among all of Mexico.
11. Tlayuda
Sometimes even spelled clayuda, Tlayuda is a traditional Oaxacan dish which is most likely like a type of Mexican Pizza.
It consists of a -
- Large
- Crunchy
- Thin
- Partially Fried/Toasted Tortilla
It is covered with -
- Refried Beans
- Asiento
- Lettuce or Cabbage
- Avocado
- Meat
- Oaxaca Cheese
- Oaxaca Chiles
#Primary characteristic is its large size & completely unique flavor from other types of tortillas.
It is nutritionally packed with -
- Vitamin A, B, C & E
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iodine
- Iron
- Zinc
- Proteins
- Fiber
In short, it is packed with all the kinds of necessary nutrients, making it even more perfect for your consumption.
12. Marquesitas
A dessert native to the state of Yucatán, Mexico. It consists of a crepe, rolled like a taco, filled with cajeta, condensed milk, jam, chocolate or edam cheese.
#a crispy crepe that is rolled up and traditionally filled with melted shredded cheese!
The primary ingredients of this delicious dessert are -
- Flour
- Egg
- Milk
- Butter
- Filling include, custard, chocolate, caramel, and cheese
#A classic sweet evening snack in Mexico!
13. Carnitas
Carnitas means “little meats” in Spanish. It is slow cooked, seasoned with
- Citrus (orange and lime),
- Garlic
- Bay Leaves
- Oregano
- Cumin, for a savory bright citrus flavor that melts in your mouth.
It is basically a heavily marbled cut of pork, such as -
- Boneless Boston Butt
- Pork Shoulder or Picnic Ham
Carnitas tastes warmly spiced, juicy, and slightly citrusy. Its texture is like both fall-apart-tender and crispy.
Carnitas are versatile and can be eaten in ways, including filling in a
- Burrito
- Taco
- Quesadilla