Last Updated on October 14, 2022 by
Who doesn’t love cooking, learning, and eating delicious enchiladas, especially when there are so many different types of enchiladas? These delicious treats are easy to make and great to enjoy with friends and family. However, it is difficult to decide exactly which enchiladas to eat.
Listed below throughout this article is essential information about enchiladas and the various types out there.
Table of Contents
What Are Enchiladas?
Enchiladas are an old traditional and authentic Mexican food. The one type of food that is consistently eaten in Mexico and Tex-Mex dishes are corn tortillas. They are delicious and go well with just about any dish! Enchiladas use corn or flour tortillas as an outside wrap.
In these tortillas, you can add various types of meat, cheeses, and vegetables. The most common type of meat is res, which translates to beef. The different types of Enchiladas can be shredded beef, ground beef, or chunks of beef that you usually use in thick stews. This delicious corn tortilla usually also has toppings of various salsas. There are rich red salsas and hot and spicy green salsas.
The History Of Enchiladas
The history of Enchiladas is surprisingly old! Various artifacts originate in Mexico that showcases Enchiladas and other tortilla-based foods. However, it has changed a lot from its beginnings! Indigenous people living in Mexico have been eating Enchiladas for thousands of years. However, the rest of the world did not know about the different types of Enchiladas until the Spanish came over and found the Aztecs in Mexico.
Before, these Enchiladas were stuffed and made with easy-to-cultivate foods that were indigenous to the land. This included squash, pumpkin, beans, corn, and more. Although we usually eat Enchiladas now with beef or chicken, this was extremely uncommon during the first few years that Aztecs ate Enchiladas. Instead, common meat that was eaten included deer and ox.
Enchiladas soon became a part of Spanish culture as Spain conquered Mexico and the Aztecs. Although they eradicated a lot of the culture and tried to assimilate the indigenous groups, the Spanish also took the foods seen during banquets and made them their own.
The Spanish brought cattle and animals to Mexico and Latin America. Since they were already used to the taste of meat like pigs, cows, and chickens they filled tortillas with those items. The cheese was also added inside and it was used as a quick snack while Spanish soldiers traveled throughout the land.
Eventually, as years passed, the cultures intermingled and exchanged ideas enough to where the recent different types of Enchiladas are present in Tex-Mex and Mexican food.
What Do You Eat Enchiladas With?
You can eat enchiladas with just about anything! This delicious meal is great alone or alongside other dishes and appetizers. It is common to eat authentic Mexican yellow or orange rice with enchiladas. You can mix the tangy, sweet, and savory flavors all together to make a delicious meal.
There are also more creative sides and additional foods you can eat with enchiladas. For instance, you can decorate your enchiladas by sprinkling toppings and sauces. There are so many different types of Enchiladas that work well depending on your preference! Some common toppings include:
- Salsa Roja
- Salsa Verde
- Guacamole
- Shredded Cheese
- Crema
- Frijoles (refried beans)
Keep in mind, however, that the detailed list above is only a few examples of different types of Enchiladas! The great thing about food is its versatility. You can put anything you want in your dish, it is completely up to you! While one recipe may call for hot chili pepper flakes, you can add sliced or diced fresh jalapeno peppers.
What Are The Different Types Of Enchiladas?
There are many different types of Enchiladas. Some versions and recipes call for unauthentic ingredients that still create a delicious Enchilada! The most common types of Enchiladas, however, are:
- Enchiladas Verdes
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Mole Enchiladas
- Enchiladas Rojas
- Enchiladas con Frijoles
With all the options, no wonder it is hard to choose one of the various Enchilada recipes. Since they are easy to make, you can add and discard any ingredients you want. For instance, Enchiladas Verde typically has chicken inside, but you can use vegetables if you live a vegetarian lifestyle.
However, this also can be applied to the other different types of Enchiladas like Chicken Enchiladas. While the inside of the rolled flour tortilla is stuffed with chicken, you can add whatever you want on top! This means you can make it as cheesy, spicy, and smooth as you want!
Learn more about Epazote Where To Buy
What Are Different Types Of Enchilada Sauce?
The ingredient and topping that makes an Enchilada delicious are the sauces you use on top and inside! Although it is important to cook the meat in a scrumptious way, the marinade and thick salsa you use on top of the rolled flour tortilla are what give the dish a kick of flavor.
It is best to use sauces that are to your taste. For instance, if you are a fan of spicier and hotter foods, you should invest in salsas made with cayenne peppers, hot chili peppers, and jalapenos. If you like a sweeter or fruitier flavor, however, you can always use a sauce that is made with a sweet fruit base. It is common to see deep red Enchilada sauces made with mango or lime.
The two most common sauces used on Enchiladas, however, are Rojo and Verde salsa. These two take flavors from green and red vegetables while providing a kick. The Verde sauce has a strong flavor of cilantro and lime that emphasizes the flavors in the Enchilada.
Conclusion
All in all, different types of enchiladas are a delicious meal and snack on the go! They are very different from how they started. Hundreds of years ago, before the Spanish came to Mexico and found the Aztecs they filled corn tortillas with any local meats and greens, which did not include pork and chicken commonly found in Tex-Mex restaurants.
Did you learn anything new about the different types of Enchiladas? If you have any comments, concerns, or questions leave them down below! Share this article with friends and family interested in authentic Mexican food.
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.