Mexican foods that start with N include favorites from nachos to nopales to nogada to nance fruit.
This list is composed of dishes, fruits, appetizers, drinks, and more from Mexico! This tasty collection is a great way to explore Mexican cuisine and plan for fun events and holidays!
If you’re looking for Mexican foods that begin with N, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Mexican Foods That Start with N
Explore Mexican food culture and discover delicious dishes that start with the letter N!
1. Nachos
Nachos are a Mexican dish made of tortilla chips or totopos topped with melted cheese or cheese sauce, ground beef, grilled chicken, chili peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and olives. They are typically served as an appetizer or snack, accompanied by sour cream and salsa. The dish was created by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in Piedras Negras, Mexico, and has since become popular worldwide.
2. Nopales
Nopales are a Mexican staple made from prickly pear cactus paddles. They are often grilled and served whole or chopped in salads, soups, or tacos. Nopales have a unique flavor and are rich in vitamins and minerals. They have also been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
3. Nieve
Nieve is a Mexican ice cream dessert made by mixing sugar, milk, and various flavors like fruit or chocolate. It is typically served in a cup or cone and topped with fresh fruit or nuts. Nieve originated in Tocumbo, Michoacán, and is a popular treat during the hot summer months in Mexico.
5. Nixtamalized Corn
Nixtamalization is an important step in the preparation of corn-based foods in Mexico and has been used for thousands of years. This traditional Mexican cooking technique involves soaking and cooking dried maize in an alkaline solution to create nixtamalized corn. This process softens the corn and makes it more digestible, as well as increasing its nutritional value. Nixtamal is then ground into masa, a dough used to make tortillas, tamales, and sopes.
6. Nance
Nance is a small, yellow fruit that is native to Mexico and Central America. It is commonly used in Mexican cuisine to make jams, jellies, and syrups, and is also used as a flavoring for desserts, such as ice cream and sorbet. Nance is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to any diet. Nance fruit is believed to have been used by the ancient Maya for its medicinal properties.
Related: 34 Popular Mexican Fruits
7. Nogada
Nogada is a traditional Mexican sauce made from walnuts, milk, and sugar. It is commonly used to top the dish Chiles en Nogada, which consists of stuffed poblano peppers with a mixture of meat, fruits, and spices. The sauce is sweet and creamy with a nutty flavor from the walnuts. It is typically made by blending the walnuts with milk, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Chiles en Nogada is a seasonal dish that is typically served during the months of August and September when pomegranates are in season.
Related: 17 Sauces for Tamales (Easy + Tasty)
8. Natilla
Natilla is a traditional Mexican sweet custard-like dessert made from milk, sugar, and eggs. It is usually served cold and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Natilla is a popular dessert during Christmas and other special occasions in Mexico.
9. Nayarit-Style Ceviche
Nayarit-style ceviche is a popular seafood dish that originates from the coastal state of Nayarit in Mexico. This ceviche is made with fresh seafood, typically shrimp or fish, marinated in lime juice and mixed with chopped vegetables such as onion, tomato, and cilantro. The dish is known for its bright and tangy flavors, making it a refreshing and light meal option.
10. Nicuatole
Nicuatole is a traditional sweet dessert from Oaxaca, Mexico. It is made from corn masa, milk, sugar, and sometimes cinnamon. The dessert has a smooth, pudding-like texture and is often served cold.
11. Nuez
Nuez is the Spanish word for nuts, and in Mexican cuisine, it is commonly used to refer to pecans. Pecans are a type of nut that are native to North America and are widely used in both sweet and savory dishes.
12. Nopal En Escabeche
Nopal en escabeche is a traditional Mexican dish that consists of pickled nopal cactus. The nopal is first boiled until tender, then mixed with onions, carrots, and jalapenos in a vinegar-based marinade. This tangy and spicy dish is often served as a side dish or used as a topping for tacos.
13. Naranjada
Naranjada is a refreshing Mexican drink made with orange juice and sugar. It is a popular beverage during the hot summer months as it is sweet and citrusy. The drink is usually served cold and is a perfect accompaniment to spicy Mexican food.
14. Nopalitos
Nopalitos are a popular Mexican dish made from diced nopals, the stems of the prickly pear cactus. They have a light, slightly tart flavor and a crisp, mucilaginous texture. Nopalitos are often used in salads, soups, stews, and tacos, and are a nutritious vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
15. Nieve De Garrafa
Nieve de Garrafa is a Mexican dessert made with fresh fruit, milk, and sugar, and is typically served in a tall glass or bowl. The name “nieve de garrafa” comes from the metal container in which the sorbet base is poured, which is then placed in a wooden barrel with salty ice to freeze. It is a popular dessert in Mexico, and can be found in many street vendors and ice cream shops.
16. Naranja Orange Liqueur
Naranja Orange Liqueur is an authentic Mexican orange liqueur used in the original Margarita. It is made by Pura Vida Spirits Company in Mexico using sweet oranges and pure cane sugar. Naranja Orange Liqueur has a proof of 80 (40% ABV) and is typically used in cocktails such as Margaritas, Sidecars, and Cosmopolitans.
Related: 30 Most Popular Mexican Drinks
A History of Mexican Foods
Mexican cuisine is a delicious fusion of indigenous and Spanish flavors. The Aztecs invented the tortilla, and used it as a wrap for other foods. Corn, squash, chile peppers, and beans have been staples of the Mexican diet since pre-Columbian times.
In addition to these key ingredients, Mexican cuisine incorporates a variety of native American ingredients, such as meat, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, potatoes, prickly pear cactus, chocolate, and turkey. The majority of dishes also include rice and spices which were introduced by Spanish conquistadors.
In 1521, Spain invaded Mexico. Spanish cuisine had the greatest influence on Mexican cuisine. They brought new livestock, such as sheep, pigs, and cows. They also brought dairy products, garlic, and a variety of herbs, grains, and spices.
Mexican Foods FAQs
What is Mexican cuisine?
Traditional meals and staple ingredients in Mexico include rice, corn, sauces, and white cheese. Each region in Mexico has its own distinct ingredients and dishes that have contributed to Mexican food’s popularity worldwide. Avocados, beans, chiles, tomatoes, and meats are also typical ingredients found in many authentic Mexican recipes.
What are Tex-Mex foods?
Tex-Mex cuisine (from the words Texas and Mexico) is an American cuisine that originated with the Tejano people of Texas. In addition to flour tortillas, Tex-Mex cuisine is distinguished by its heavy use of yellow shredded cheese, beans, meat, chili peppers, and spices.
Many “Mexican” dishes you grew up eating aren’t technically Mexican. Fajitas, chili, nachos, burritos are all cornerstones of Tex-Mex cuisine.
Various Tex-Mex dishes are sometimes prepared without the use of a tortilla. The “fajita bowl,” which is a fajita served without a soft tortilla, is an example of this. In general, cheese plays a much larger role in Tex-Mex cuisine as well.
The Roundup
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of Mexican foods that start with the letter N. From from nachos to nopales, there are so many tasty options to choose from.
If you’re looking for even more Mexican food inspiration, be sure to check out 37 Mexican Foods That Start With The Letter M and 21 Mexican Foods That Start With O!