Explore Mexican Cuisine

Yucatán

Land of the Mayan legacy with a cuisine unlike any other in Mexicon find content related to the state of Yucatán.

One of three states that sit on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, with which it shares its name, Yucatán was once an important region in the ancient Mayan civilization and is home to the famous Chichen Itza ruins. Like much of its culture and history, its cuisine is influenced by the Mayan legacy making it stand out from the other regional cuisines of Mexico. Achiote, citrus, habaneros, and smoke are pillars of Mayan cooking and deeply seeded in the region’s traditional cooking. One of the state’s best known dishes, pibil, was created by the Mayans to preserve meat in the Yucatán’s tropical climate. It is also the place to find some of the best tamales in all of Mexico.

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  • Yucatán

    Land of the Mayan legacy with a cuisine unlike any other in Mexico

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  • Nuevo León

    An adventure destination with dazzling mountains, a distinctive cuisine, and a cosmopolitan capital

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  • Jalisco

    Birthplace of tequila, mariachis, birria, and many more beloved Mexican cultural traditions

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  • Texas

    Shares the longest border with Mexico of any of the U.S. border states and home to Tex-Mex cuisine

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  • Sonora

    Known as “Mexico’s great frontier” for its ruggedly beautiful desert landscape, cattle ranches, wheat fields, and at the heart of its cuisine is carne asada

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  • Sinaloa

    A farmer’s paradise with an extraordinary cuisine that reflects the bounty of its land and coast

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  • Guanajuato

    Considered the birthplace of Mexico’s independence and one of the most beautiful and historical states

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  • Puebla

    A main culinary hub where many of Mexico’s most iconic dishes originated and the home of Cinco de Mayo

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  • Oaxaca

    A hub of art and cuisine that has been largely influential on Mexico’s gastronomy and culture for centuries

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  • Michoacán

    Known as “the soul of Mexico” for its deep heritage, home to the “carnitas capital of the world,” and the world’s largest producer of avocados

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  • Mexico City

    Mexico’s independent capital city and one of Latin America’s great culinary capitals

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  • Campeche

    An ancestral home of the Maya along the Gulf of Mexico

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  • Baja California Norte

    Home to the quintessential border town of Tijuana and a cultural melting pot with an exciting regional cuisine in the making

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  • Baja California Sur

    Home to one of Hollywood’s favorite vacation destinations, natural wonders, and an inventive, playful cuisine

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yellow rice

Recipes

Yellow Rice

Yellow Rice From the two main kinds of Yellow rice in Mexican cooking, one has a saffron base and the other an achiote…

Achiote Adobo Thanksgiving Turkey

Recipes

Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving Turkey Thanksgiving Turkey recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 11 “Turkey Day” For the marinade:6 tablespoons achiote paste…

chorizo apple and corn bread stuffing

Recipes

Chorizo, Apple and Corn Bread Stuffing

Chorizo, Apple and Cornbread Stuffing Chorizo, Apple and Cornbread Stuffing recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 11 “Turkey Day”…

sweet potato puree

Recipes

Sweet Potato and Pecan Puree

Sweet Potato and Pecan Puree Sweet Potato and Pecan Puree recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 11 “Turkey Day”…

spicy brussel sprouts with pork belly and habanero

Recipes

Spicy Brussel Sprouts with Pork Belly and Habanero

Spicy Brussel Sprouts with Pork Belly and Habanero Spicy Brussel Sprouts with Pork Belly and Habanero recipe from Pati's Mexican…

Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Queso Cotija dressing recipe

Recipes

Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Queso Cotija Dressing

Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Queso Cotija Dressing Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Queso Cotija Dressing recipe from Pati's Mexican…

Tropical Mint Pineapple Lime Smoothie

Recipes

Tropical Mint Pineapple Lime Smoothie

Tropical Mint Pineapple Lime Smoothie Tropical Mint Pineapple Lime Smoothie recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 8 "Valladolid:…

charred red onion salsa recipe

Recipes

Charred Red Onion Salsa

Charred Red Onion Salsa Charred Red Onion Salsa recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 7 “Izamal: Gold & God”…

yucatecan style lasagna recipe

TV Show Sep 30

Yucatecan Style Lasagna

Yucatecan Style Lasagna Yucatecan Style Lasagna recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 7 “Izamal: Gold & God” 1/4 cup…

pepita brittle recipe

TV Show Sep 30

Pepita Brittle

Pepita Brittle Pepita Brittle recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 7 “Izamal: Gold & God” 2 cups raw hulled…

Avocado Crema

Recipes

Avocado Crema

Avocado Crema Avocado Crema recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 6 "Ancient Yucatán with my Boys" 2 ripe…

Pickled Red Onions A La Yucateca

Recipes

Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca

Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 6…

Fast Track Chicken Pibil Sandwich

Recipes

Fast Track Chicken Pibil Sandwich

Fast Track Chicken Pibil Sandwich Fast Track Chicken Pibil Sandwich recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 6 “Ancient Yucatán…

carrot and sweet potato oven fries

Recipes

Carrot and Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Carrot and Sweet Potato Oven Fries Carrot and Sweet Potato Oven Fries recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 6…

radish pico

Recipes

Radish Pico

Radish Pico Radish Pico  recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 4 "Sunday Family Food" 10 to 12 radishes…

pork tenderloin enchiladas

Recipes

Pork Tenderloin Enchiladas

Pork Tenderloin Enchiladas with Mole Verde Pork Tenderloin Enchiladas with Mole Verde recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 4…

white beans with roasted cherry tomatoes

Recipes

White Beans with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

White Beans with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes White Beans with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 4…

chayote apple jicama salad

Recipes

Chayote, Apple and Jícama Salad with Avocado and Pepita Dressing

Chayote, Apple and Jícama Salad Chayote, Apple and Jícama Salad recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 3 “Celestún: Coastal…

everything but the kitchen sink seafood rice stew

Recipes

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 3…

broth or caldo

Recipes

Seafood Broth

Seafood Broth Seafood Broth recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 3 “Celestún: Coastal Cooking” 1 to 2 pounds fish…

chaya empanadas

Recipes

Chaya Empanadas

Chaya Empanadas Chaya Empanadas recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 2 “Mérida: Exploring with the Locals” 2 cups fresh…

basic yucatecan tomato sauce

Recipes

Basic Yucatecan Tomato Sauce

Basic Yucatecan Tomato Sauce Basic Yucatecan Tomato Sauce recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 2 “Mérida: Exploring with the…

mango pound cake

Recipes

Mango Pound Cake

Mango Pound Cake Mango Pound Cake recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 2 “Mérida: Exploring with the Locals” 1/2…

yucatan style french toast

Recipes

Yucatán Style French Toast: Ultra Decadent

It’s ironic. The farthest away from Mexico I’ve been, the closest I’ve felt to my home country and the more…

Recipes

Do You Dare? Habanero Salsa!

This salsa does hurt. But just a little. Yet it goes oh-so-well with the Pollo Pibil, which together with red…

Recipes

Pickled Red Onions a la Yucateca

As promised, and right before the year ends, here is a recipe for pickled red onions or cebollas encurtidas or…

Blog Dec 25

Bitter Orange

The bitter orange or naranja agria is a citrus fruit that has a peculiar bitter flavor and a very high…

Chicken Pibil main

Blog Dec 18

Pollo Pibil

Last December, Daniel and I went to Yucatán. I was swept off my feet by the grandiose nature and history of…

achiote seeds main

Blog Dec 18

Achiote or Annatto Seeds

Achiote or Annatto seeds is a spice that grows heavily in the Yucatán area and is unique and native to…

achiote paste main

Blog Dec 16

Achiote Paste or Recado Rojo

The achiote paste or recado rojo, is one of the main seasonings of the Yucatecan cuisine. Although it is mainly…

Blog Dec 16

Banana Leaves

Incredibly long leaves from the banana tree, the banana leaves have a beautiful deep green color and a strong fragrant…

Pati's Mexican Table

Episode 509: Isla Mujeres Inspired

Known for white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and the friendliest locals in the Mexican Caribbean, Isla Mujeres is…

Pati's Mexican Table

Episode 510: Cancún: We Meet Again

Pati explores Cancún to taste inventive dishes and experience the fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine with international flavors, like tuna…