What foods is New Mexico known for? There’s Southwestern cuisine and then there’s New Mexican cuisine, and the two terms aren’t interchangeable. Here, you’ll find Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo influences in the food. We’re not suggesting that all of these dishes originated in the Land of Enchantment but you should certainly try these iconic foods while in our state. Prepare to drool over these iconic foods in New Mexico, and get out to one of New Mexico’s many great restaurants to try them all!

1. CHILE
Flickr/Luz
This one ingredient is a core element in so many of our dishes that it definitely deserves to be in caps! "Red or green?" is our state question for a reason. After all, what else would we need to know?
2. Green chile cheeseburger
Yelp/Owie N.
Sometimes green chile is coarsely chopped or layered on top of a burger, while other times it’s more of a puree. Regardless of how it arrives, it’s yummy. Even burger chains in our state have caved to demand and offer GCCBs - not that we’d recommend that option when there are so many delicious green chile burgers at mom and pop joints.
3. Green chile stew
Yelp/Alan B.
We defy you to attend a potluck in New Mexico that doesn’t include green chile stew. It’s most commonly made with pork, but there are variations featuring beef as well. There’s not really a definitive recipe for this dish other than meat and chile.
4. Carne adovada
Yelp/Rachel P
This dish is essentially a love letter to red chile. Pork marinates in red chile for at least a day before being baked. Try it in a burrito.
5. Breakfast burritos
Flickr/Fuzzy Gerdes
Speaking of burritos, we eat them at any time of day. Sometimes the appeal of a breakfast burrito is its portability – it fits right in your hand, giving it a serious edge over oatmeal. However, if you are able to enjoy a more leisurely meal, order a smothered breakfast burrito, topped with an egg.
6. Sopaipilla, sopapilla, sopaipa
Yelp/Laura H.
This word may be spelled differently from restaurant to restaurant but what doesn’t change is the addictive nature of this deep-fried dough. You can eat them "stuffed" for a savory main course, or plain and topped with honey for dessert.
7. Fry bread
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Although it can be served sweet or savory, this is not to be confused with a sopipilla. Fry bread is much larger – a boat of fried dough if you will. The sweet version is drizzled with honey or dusted with confectioner’s sugar. You’ll also see this taking the place of a tortilla in Navajo or Indian tacos.

Related Stories

One Of The Oldest Family-Owned Restaurants In New Mexico Is Also Among The Most Delicious Places You'll Ever Eat

One Of The Oldest Family-Owned Restaurants In New Mexico Is Also Among The Most Delicious Places You'll Ever Eat

 This Old-Time General Store Is Home To The Best Pie In New Mexico

This Old-Time General Store Is Home To The Best Pie In New Mexico

 Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town New Mexico

Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town New Mexico
8. Blue corn
Yelp/Nic M.
Blue corn is probably most prevalent in the Santa Fe area, where it appears in pancakes, tortillas, and baked goods… It has a heartier, slightly nuttier taste than yellow corn.
9. Enchiladas
Yelp/Steffani G.
If you surveyed every restaurant in the state, I’d bet good money that enchiladas were featured on more menus than any other dish save – possibly – burgers. Sometimes enchiladas are served rolled but other times the tortillas are flat, creating more of an enchilada casserole.
10. Posole, pozole
Yelp/Pye E.
Hominy is usually a side dish. It consists of corn kernals that have been boiled in water and lime until the hull comes off and the kernel inflates.
11. Tortilla chips
Flickr/mnchilemom
Most New Mexico restaurants send out chips and salsa rather than bread before a meal. There’s nothing like the appearance of a basket of freshly made tortilla chips to prove that you have no self control, and after tasting a really good batch, why would you want any?
12. Frito pie
Flickr/mike krzeszak
Let’s get this straight: Frito pie is made with chili. With an "i." Basically, it’s Fritos topped with chili con carne and cheese.
13. Chile rellenos
Flickr/Eugene Kim
Given the quality of the chile in New Mexico, it’s no surprise that this dish is so tasty here.
14. Piñon nuts
Flickr/Manuel W.
If you could use a nut in a recipe, you’ll probably find a piñon nut in the New Mexican version. Piñon nuts have a subtle flavor that is used to enhance everything from baked goods to coffee and ice cream.
15. Biscochito, bizcochito
Flickr/Quick fix
Although our state cookie is associated with the Christmas season, its crumbly texture and anise and cinnamon flavors and make it too good to confine to a specific time period. Thankfully, it’s possible to find them year round.

These New Mexico foods are all a part of the culture of this great state. What foods – or dishes – do you think best represent the flavors of New Mexico? We know that chiles are likely to be at the heart of your selections, so check out our past article: 14 Things All New Mexicans Know To Be True About Chile.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Iconic Foods In New Mexico

Christy Articola | September 18, 2022

Ok, first, let's talk about chiles. I get that they are a big thing in New Mexico, but why? What's up with that? 

Anyone from New Mexico will tell you that chiles are a HUGE part of state culture. If you live in New Mexico and avoid chiles then other New Mexicans will think that you are some kind of spy or something. Therefore, any and all New Mexicans just have to accept chiles as a part of everything, whether they like them or not. Fortunately, almost all New Mexicans love them. Learn more about chiles here: 14 Things All New Mexicans Know To Be True About Chile. Also, if you want to get some, here's where to go: 6 Smokin’ Hot New Mexico Chile Stores That Will Spice Up Your Life

Got it. I guess. I accept that chiles will be in everything I eat in New Mexico. Where can I get the best Mexican food in New Mexico?

Ahhh... you came to the right place because we have a list for that! Here are 12 Restaurants in New Mexico to Get Mexican Food That Will Spice Up Your Life. Mmmmm! You are going to love it all!

What about those biscochitos you mentioned? Where can I try some of those?

We have a list for that, too! Check out these spots for some of the very best: 9 Places In New Mexico To Get Exceptional Biscochitos That Taste Like Christmas

What about fry bread? 

You're going to love fry bread if you've never had it before. It's kind of like fried dough that you'd get at the fair, but it's even better. Here's a list of restaurants where you can get some on one fun and exciting road trip, but it's in Arizona: The Most Delicious Arizona Road Trip Takes You To 8 Hole-In-The-Wall Fry Bread Restaurants. If you want to eat fry bread as a taco shell in New Mexico - and you absolutely do - try these spots instead: These 11 New Mexico Restaurants Make Fry Bread Tacos That Are Finger Lickin’ Good

Related Articles

Explore New Mexico

Featured Addresses
New Mexico, USA