Breakfast in Mexico varies by region, but some common elements can be found across the country. Traditional Mexican breakfasts tend to be lighter than American or European ones and feature staples like eggs, beans, tortillas, chili peppers, and fresh fruits.
Typical Mexican Breakfast Foods
Here are some of the most popular foods found in a traditional Mexican breakfast:
- Eggs – Eggs are prepared in many different ways like scrambled, fried, in an omelet or cooked into a dish like huevos rancheros.
- Beans – Black or pinto beans are often served refried or whole.
- Tortillas – Corn or flour tortillas are served warm and used to make tacos and wraps.
- Salsa – Salsa adds flavor and spice to dishes. Popular salsas include pico de gallo, salsa verde, and guacamole.
- Queso fresco – A fresh white cheese made from cow or goat’s milk that is crumbled over foods.
- Chilaquiles – Fried tortilla chips cooked with salsa and egg.
- nopales – Grilled cactus paddles.
- Chorizo – Spicy sausage.
- machaca – Shredded dried beef cooked with tomatoes, onions, chiles and eggs.
- Jamon – Dry-cured ham.
- Frijoles – Stewed or refried beans.
- Fruta – Sliced fresh fruit like papaya, melon, mango, pineapple, banana or watermelon.
Popular Breakfast Dishes
Some favorite Mexican breakfast dishes enjoyed across the country include:
- Huevos rancheros – Eggs fried sunny-side up and served over corn tortillas with salsa, refried beans, queso fresco and avocado.
- Chilaquiles – Tortilla chips or strips simmered in salsa and often topped with fried egg, cheese, cream and meat.
- Huevos motuleños – Eggs sitting on tortillas covered in black bean sauce, ham, peas and fried plantains.
- Huevos con machaca – Eggs scrambled with dried beef machaca.
- Huevos con chorizo – Eggs scrambled with Mexican chorizo sausage.
- Molletes – Bread rolls split open and topped with refried beans and melted cheese.
- Enfrijoladas – Tortillas dipped in bean purée then fried and topped with cheese, cream, onions and chili sauce.
- Enchiladas – Corn tortillas filled with cheese, meat or vegetables and covered in chili sauce.
- Chilaquiles – Fried tortilla chips or strips simmered in salsa.
- Quesadillas – Grilled corn tortillas with melted cheese and other fillings.
- Burritos and tacos – Flour tortillas filled with meat, beans, cheese and more.
- Tamales – Steamed corn dough with savory or sweet fillings.
- Atole – A warm, corn-based beverage.
- Café de olla – Coffee brewed with cinnamon and raw cane sugar.
Regional Differences
While the dishes above can be found across Mexico, breakfast menus still vary by region based on local influence:
- Northern Mexico – Wheat-based breakfasts with flour tortillas, machaca and burritos.
- Central Mexico – Corn-based antojitos like tacos and quesadillas.
- Southern Mexico -tamales, tlayudas, chocolate atole and fresh tropical fruits.
- Coastal regions – Seafood like ceviche, fish tacos and shrimp.
- Resort areas – American style options like pancakes, cereal and bacon.
A Typical Local’s Breakfast
For a true local experience, here is what breakfast may look like in the home of a typical Mexican family:
- Hot corn or flour tortillas right off the comal (griddle).
- Scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes, onions and serrano chiles.
- Refried beans spread over the tortillas.
- Diced avocado and crumbled queso fresco on top.
- Salsa verde or pico de gallo on the side.
- Café de olla – coffee sweetened with raw cane sugar and cinnamon.
- Fresh tropical fruit like papaya, mango or melon.
On special occasions, they may also have chilaquiles with red or green salsa, tamales wrapped in banana leaves or atole with cinnamon and sugar. Breakfast is a social affair with the whole family gathered together to start the day over hearty, savory comfort foods.
Dining Out for Breakfast
For those eating breakfast out at local restaurants, fondas and food stalls, the experience will be similar but with more variety. Menus will feature all the regional classics like:
- Huevos rancheros
- Huevos motuleños
- Chilaquiles
- Molletes
- Enfrijoladas
- Quesadillas
- Sopes and gorditas
- Tamales
- Atole
- Fresh juices
- Café de olla
- Fruit
In busier city areas, there are also popular chains like Vips, Toks and El Globo that serve an ample Mexican breakfast buffet. Cafeterias like Sanborns offer breakfast menus filled with traditional dishes too.
Cost of a Mexican Breakfast
One of the appeals of breakfast in Mexico is its affordability. Here are some average prices in USD for popular breakfast items:
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Huevos rancheros | $2-5 |
| Chilaquiles | $3-7 |
| Molletes | $1-3 |
| Quesadilla | $1-2 |
| Taco | $0.5-2 |
| Atole | $1-3 |
| Café de olla | $1-2 |
| Jugo (juice) | $1-3 |
| Fruit | $0.5-2 |
At a local market or street stall, prices are very cheap. Sit-down restaurants will be pricier, but still affordable compared to American prices. An entire filling breakfast for two can easily be enjoyed for under $10-15 USD.
The Origins of Mexican Breakfast
The roots of Mexican breakfast can be traced back to pre-Hispanic times when the Aztecs and Mayans started their day with staple foods like corn, beans, chili peppers, tomatoes and squash. When the Spanish arrived, they introduced new ingredients like wheat, beef, pork, dairy products and herbs.
Over the centuries, Mexican breakfast became a fusion of ancient native foods with Spanish, French and American influences based on what was available regionally. It evolved into the hearty, comforting and flavorful meals enjoyed today – both simple and elegant at the same time.
The Importance of Breakfast in Mexican Culture
In Mexico, breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. It provides fuel and energy to start the morning. That’s why breakfast dishes are traditionally higher in protein and carbohydrates.
Beyond physical nourishment, breakfast represents quality family time. It is a time for the family to sit together over a warm homemade meal before work and school. Conversations are enjoyed and connections made over piping hot chilaquiles or huevos rancheros.
For many, breakfast is also a social event among friends. It’s common for people to gather for long breakfasts on weekends and holidays to catch up over plates of enchiladas, freshly squeezed juices and café de olla.
The Health Benefits of a Mexican Breakfast
Mexican breakfast offers several nutrients and health perks:
- Protein – Eggs, beans and cheese provide satiating protein.
- Fiber – From beans, tortillas, fruits and veggies.
- Vitamin C – Fresh squeezed citrus juices and chili peppers.
- Iron – Beans contain high levels.
- Magnesium – Found in plant-based foods like cocoa and corn.
- Antioxidants – From fruits and salsa.
The combination of protein, fiber and complex carbs also helps stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the morning compared to simple carb-heavy breakfasts.
Breakfast Trends and New Flavors
While traditions remain at the core, Mexican breakfast is also evolving. Some trends include:
- Gourmet spins on classics – Upscale restaurants are putting modern touches on traditional dishes like huevos rancheros.
- Health-conscious options – With fresh juices, egg white omelets, homemade granola and avocado toast now on many menus.
- International influences – Breakfast tacos, chia puddings and Peruvian-style empanadas.
- Coffeehouse culture – Specialty coffee shops serving espresso drinks have spread beyond cities to small towns.
- New grains – Ancient grains like amaranth are being revived in porridges and breads.
The basic format stays consistent, but Mexico keeps reinventing breakfast with new flavors, ingredients and techniques.
Where to Find the Best Breakfasts
Hungry travelers looking for an incredible Mexican breakfast experience should consider these destinations:
- Mexico City – As the cosmopolitan capital, the diversity of offerings is unmatched. Find street food stalls, cafes, juice stands and restaurants citywide.
- Oaxaca – Famed for moles and chocolate, enjoy regional specialties like chocolate atole, tlayudas and empanadas.
- Puebla – The culinary capital of central Mexico, try mole poblano omelets and cemitas egg sandwiches.
- San Miguel de Allende – Picturesque colonial charm and cozy cafes serving Huevos Sanmiguelensis with nopal cactus and mild chorizo.
- Baja California – Laidback coastal towns with fresh seafood additions like fish tacos and ceviche.
Breakfast Etiquette and Customs
To properly enjoy breakfast in Mexico:
- Know that breakfast is served late, often 9-11am since Mexicans eat late into the night.
- Don’t skip breakfast! It’s considered the most important meal.
- Only have coffee after eating, not before.
- Eat tacos and foods with tortillas with your hands.
- Try a little of everything offered on the table to appreciate the cook.
- Relax and stay awhile – there’s no rush to leave.
Famous Sayings About Breakfast in Mexico
Here are a few wise Mexican sayings about the first meal of the day:
- “Desayuno de reyes, comida de príncipes, cena de pobres.” – Breakfast fit for a king, lunch for a prince, dinner for a poor man.
- “Bendito sea el desayuno, que a mí me hace tan bien.” – Blessed is breakfast, that makes me feel so good.
- “Un buen desayuno, es la mejor forma de comenzar el día.” – A good breakfast is the best way to start the day.
- “El desayuno te despierta, el almuerzo te mantiene, la cena te ayuda a dormir.” – Breakfast wakes you up, lunch sustains you, dinner helps you sleep.
- “El desayuno llena el estómago y el corazón.” – Breakfast fills the stomach and the heart.
Conclusion
From humble local eateries to bustling Mexico City cafes, desayuno is a cherished tradition. It brings family and friends together over steaming mugs of coffee and hot tortillas stuffed with chorizo and eggs. Whether simple or lavish, spicy or sweet, breakfast in Mexico nourishes both body and soul.