Salsa is the cornerstone of the Mexican kitchen. With original salsa recipes tracing back to the days of the Aztecs and Incas, it’s hard to imagine Mexican food without it. A proper Mexican salsa is the perfect condiment that ties an entire dish together, providing just the right amount of heat, acidity, and salt. Meant to take a dish from good to exceptional, it’s worth understanding the basics of a homemade salsa.
While it’s almost certain that most people have tasted a few classics like pico de gallo and the generic chunky red salsas sold in supermarkets throughout the western world, there’s a whole world of inspiring salsas waiting to be explored. As Mexican cuisine has begun to take its rightful place in global culinary stardom, there’s a bit of a salsa renaissance happening. Afterall, it showcases what Mexican food is really all about – using simple, available ingredients to create something worthy of celebrating and sharing. 
Flavor starts with the chili pepper
Salsa is often made with just a handful of ingredients, and it all starts with the chili pepper. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, it’s important to understand the flavor profile of Mexico’s most popular peppers.
Salsas can be made with either fresh or dried chilies, but the two are generally not combined. The types made with dried chilies tend to be pureéd and more rich, lending themselves to being used in smaller amounts and dolloped onto tacos, eggs, or grilled veggies. Salsas made with fresh chilies vary widely. They may be either cooked or raw and can be used as a dip, a sauce, or a flavoring.
Some of the most common fresh chilies include the well-known jalapeño and serrano, the frightfully spicy habañero, and the mild poblano. Salsas that are made with dried chilies often make use of fruity guajillo, sweet ancho, smoky chipotle, or nutty cascabel.
Of course, peppers are subject to nature’s whimsy, and can always vary in flavor and heat level. The region a pepper is grown in, the weather, and the amount of ripeness at picking can all affect how each pepper will taste.
Methods for making Mexican salsas
In addition to the variety of chili pepper used, the final flavor of a salsa is ultimately affected by the method of preparation. Raw, roasted, cooked, or fried – the culminating texture and taste will be determined by the chosen process.
The flavor of a raw salsa is meant to be bright and in-your-face. With a raw salsa, all the ingredients are chopped up and tossed together. Some of them may require sitting in the refrigerator overnight for the flavors to mingle and soften. Others are best eaten as soon as possible, while everything is at its freshest.
Roasted sauces are more mellow and savory. Ingredients for a roasted salsa can be oven roasted or cooked over an open fire. Roasting concentrates the sugars and certain flavors in vegetables and creates a completely new flavor profile. If cooked over an open flame, the resulting salsa will maintain some smokiness.
When the ingredients for a salsa are fried in oil, a certain silky creaminess is achieved in the end product. The fat that is used for frying should be chosen carefully, as different oils impart their own flavor in a dish.
With a basic understanding of flavor and technique out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the most common Mexican salsas.
Salsa Verde
This vibrant green sauce is made with cooked tomatillos, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime. Onions and a fair amount of garlic add a depth of flavor and savoriness. With a bright acidity from the tomatillos and fresh lime juice, it’s often used to complement rich foods, such as pork dishes. It’s also great with breakfast dishes, like eggs and chilaquiles.
Pico De Gallo
Perhaps the most well-known of Mexican salsas, this chunky sauce is made with all raw ingredients. Diced fresh onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro make a lovely and colorful presentation. Tossed with a generous amount of fresh lime juice, pico de gallo is equal parts tart, salty, and fresh. Known in Mexico as “salsa Mexicana”, it’s often served as an appetizer with tortilla chips. However, it is also a great topping for any taco that could use a touch of freshness.
Salsa Roja de Molcajete
Dark and seductive, this stone-ground red sauce is based on just three main ingredients – tomatoes, serrano peppers, and garlic. Traditionally, the tomatoes and chilies are cooked over flame until they become black and blistered. Then, the ingredients are ground together in a molcajete, a mortar and pestle made from volcanic rock. Rich and smoky and bittersweet, this salsa is great with beans and rice, eaten with warm tortillas, or served with grilled meats.
Taquera
Taquera is a tomato-based, puréed salsa made from dried árbol chilies. Spicy and garlicky, this smooth sauce gets its lovely orange color from the combination of tomatoes and dried peppers. It’s made by cooking tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilies together. The process of browning the vegetables creates a depth of flavor and concentrates the sweetness of the tomatoes. All of this is then thrown together in a blender with a bit of oil, and buzzed up into a thick, creamy salsa. You can find it being served at taco stands throughout Mexico.
Chipotle Salsa
As chipotles are fire-roasted jalapeño peppers, they tend to be quite spicy as well as smoky. Like so many other classic Mexican salsas, chipotle salsa is made with tomatoes, chilies, onions, and garlic. A little bit of lime, cilantro, and cumin balance out the final flavor of this sauce. To make chipotle salsa, you can use either dried peppers or canned chipotles in adobo sauce. Sometimes smooth and blended, other times served chunky, it’s a great condiment when you want a little extra kick.
A Beginner’s Guide to Mexican Birthdays
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a Mexican birthday party, be prepared for a vibrant and joyful occasion with more than a few surprises.
Mexican fiestas are plentiful and as colorful as the country’s geography and traditions. This infectious joy translates into birthday celebrations, too.
Let’s delve into Mexican birthday celebrations, some of which will be familiar while others may astound.
Why Are Mexican Birthday Parties Important?
As with many other cultures, Mexican birthdays are celebrated with enthusiasm and passion.
Loved ones come together to create a great party atmosphere. The focus on family means Mexican birthday parties are often large and boisterous gatherings, with the celebrations lasting all day and often into the night.
Aunts, uncles, godparents, cousins — the emphasis is on spending time with family more so than with friends. People dress up, and it’s not unusual for the whole family to chip in with the party costs.
What Is the Birthday in Mexico Called?
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In Spanish, a standard birthday is called your cumpleaños. People will typically wish you a happy birthday (feliz cumpleaños) and hope you have many more birthdays when they say “que cumplas muchos años mas.” Some say celebrating completed years carries more depth than simply wishing someone a happy birthday.
There are three important birthdays for Mexicans. First, there is the birthday celebration on the day you were born, much like in the United States and other countries.
Finally, perhaps one of the most prominent Mexican birthday parties is la quinceañera when a girl reaches 15 years old. We’ll look at la quinceañera in more detail later.
How Is a Birthday Celebrated in Mexico?
Birthdays in Mexico are full-day affairs with sumptuous Mexican food, party games, music, songs, cakes, and more. There are various traditions to follow throughout the day, starting early in the morning with “Las Mañanitas.”
What Is the Birthday Serenade “Las Mañanitas” About?
The Mexican passion for music is world famous, with the country producing some of the most recognizable sounds thanks to its talented musicians and composers.
It’s fitting that someone’s birthday starts with a beautiful birthday song rather than a Spanish version of the ubiquitous “Happy Birthday.”
The birthday celebrant will wake up, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, to a serenade of “Las Mañanitas.” The traditional song compares the beauty of the world and its dawn with the person whose birthday it is and encourages them to embrace their special day.
Some families hire mariachis to perform “Las Mañanitas” to a birthday boy or girl. Nowadays, the song is sung at any time of the day and often after a birthday cake has been given.
The song has an enduring appeal to people of all ages. Young Mexican-American singer Ángela Aguilar clocked up more than 2 million views of her version of “Las Mañanitas” within just three months of publishing it on YouTube.
Who Wrote the Serenade “Las Mañanitas”?
The composer of “Las Mañanitas” is unknown. It’s thought to date back to 1896 when the song appeared in Zacatecas, a state to the northwest of Mexico City.
Alfonso Esparza Oteo is credited with popularizing the song into its now preferred romantic interpretation while under the tutelage of Manuel M. Ponce.
Here are the words to “Las Mañanitas” in Spanish:
Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el rey David a las muchachas bonitas,
Te las cantamos asi.
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció, ya los pajarillos cantan,
La luna ya se metió.
Qué linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte.
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte.
El día en que tu naciste, nacieron todas las flores.
Y en la pila del bautismo, cantaron los ruiseñores.
Ya viene amaneciendo, ya la luz del día nos dio.
Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.
Here are the words to “Las Mañanitas” in English:
This is one of those “little mornings” that King David sang to the pretty girls
As we sing them to you.
Wake up, my love, wake up. Look, the dawn has come.
The little birds are already singing, and the moon has gone to bed.
How pretty is this morning, this morning I’ve come to greet you.
We’re delighted to have come here, with joy to congratulate you.
On the day you were born, all the flowers were born.
While at the baptismal font, the nightingales sang.
The dawn is upon us now, and the day has brought us light.
It’s time to get up this morning. Look at what has already dawned.
Why Do People Have Mariachis on a Birthday?
Mariachis are a part of Mexico’s rich musical culture. Mariachi music began in the 19th century with performers who sang in public spaces with their songs often dedicated by admirers to their muse or at celebrations.
Nowadays, mariachi bands play at birthdays, weddings, parties, and even funerals. Their music, style, and joyful nature make them a great addition to any celebration.
What Food Is Served at Mexican Birthday Parties?
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Mexican food is a source of great cultural pride, and for good reason. Family members may prepare a signature dish for the birthday party with family members often pitching in.
A traditional Mexican birthday meal might include:
- Taquitos: Savory rolled-up tortillas that are filled with beef, chicken, or cheese and then fried — often accompanied by guacamole
- Sopapillas: A fried pastry dough served warm that can be sweet or savory
- Churros: A long string of dough that’s deep-fried and coated in sugar — they taste like doughnuts but don’t have the circular shape
- Arroz con Leche: Mexican rice pudding
There are always lots of homemade dips and salsas to accompany the food, like racnhera and chipotle sauce.
People toast the birthday girl or boy with cold beers, margaritas, and tequila shots. Cries of “salud” for good health accompany every glass raised to the birthday celebrant.
However, the culinary and visual star of the day is the birthday cake.
What Is a Tres Leches Birthday Cake?
Mexican birthday parties have a special tres leches (three milks) cake to mark the day. Tres leches cake is created with three milks: evaporated, sweet condensed milk, and whole milk.
People get creative with the cake — some have fantastic colors while other cakes are more traditional. The cakes are often decorated in a particular theme that can range from a unicorn to Batman or whatever the guest of honor wants.
One of the funniest moments at a Mexican birthday party happens when the cake is brought out, called la mordida.
What Happens With “La Mordida” at the Birthday Party?
With the cake in the room, guests chant: “Mor-di-da!” Translated literally, la mordida means a little bite, and the birthday guest of honor is required to take the first bite. There’s a little twist though: the celebrant can’t use utensils or hands to take a slice of cake.
Most people cautiously approach the cake with their face, their hands behind their back, and opening their mouths to take a small bite. However, tradition means that one family member or friend will often shove the birthday person’s face right into the middle of the cake!
The little bite — la mordida — has been taken, albeit rather messily. But it’s all done in good fun and part of the day’s festive atmosphere.
What Party Games Are Played at Mexican Birthday Parties?
Some families make cascarónes for parties. Cascarónes are hollowed-out eggs filled with confetti or treats that get broken on people’s heads to release their surprises. These filled eggshells are a popular Easter tradition that can be used for a birthday party or other celebration.
The most famous Mexican party game is the piñata. People use a stick to whack a colorful cardboard container filled with treats. Party guests take turns to hit the piñata until it opens and spills candy and treats for everyone to collect.
The original piñatas may have come to Mexico from Europe via China, although Mayan culture had a similar ritual. The Mayans housed tiny treasures in clay pots hung from poles in temples. After a year, blindfolded people smashed the jars with sticks, and the treasures fell at the feet of the Mayan gods as offerings.
Traditional piñatas come with seven points made from cones, with each point representing one of the seven deadly sins. The stick represents the love that destroys sins, and the candies inside symbolize a new beginning and abundance. Almost all modern piñatas are made from cardboard instead of clay.
The piñatas are usually attached to a tree or the ceiling, and adults keep small children and others away from the dangerous swinging stick. Older players are often blindfolded to increase the fun. People scurry to collect the candies and treats as soon as the piñata breaks open.
What Is the Piñata Song?
Families often sing a song while the piñata is whacked. You get three chances to break the piñata; if not, you pass the stick on to the next participant. One popular version of the song goes:
Spanish version
Dale, dale, dale, no pierdas el tino,
Porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino.
Ya le diste una, ya le diste dos, ya le diste tres.
Y tu tiempo se acabó.
English version
Hit it, hit it, hit it [or go, go, go], don’t lose your aim.
Because if you lose it [your aim], you’ll lose your path.
You hit it once, you hit it twice, you hit it thrice!
But … time’s up!
There are many versions of the song, with some calling for a change of piñata striker and others mocking someone who fails to hit the piñata. Many people will shout “I’m next” when it’s time to change the hitter because of the game’s popularity.
Mexican Birthday Traditions: La Quinceañera
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A quinceañera means a girl’s 15th birthday and marks her passage from childhood to womanhood. While a traditional Mexican birthday celebration is a big family affair, the quinceañera takes it to a new level.
The birthday girl and her family will plan the day for months or even years. She wears an elaborate dress to a special church service, followed by a vast banquet for family and friends.
The 15-year-old has a court of boys and girls to attend her throughout the day, called chambelanes and damas. The party involves choreographed dances, spectacular cakes and food, and numerous toasts. Most families make the quinceañera a day to remember for the rest of their child’s lives.
Dads often present their daughters with a quinceañera doll to symbolize her transition to womanhood, leaving behind toys to face her adult life. The whole day feels like a mix of a sweet 16th birthday party, a debutante ball, a wedding, and a birthday.
Do Boys Have a Quinceañera Celebration?
With modern attitudes shifting, boys now follow a similar path to girls. However, a boy’s 15th birthday celebration is a little different.
First, it’s called a quinceañero with an “o” at the end because of Spanish grammar rules about gender. Some people call it quince años, which means 15 years.
The rite of passage is the same — a boy attends a special church service in front of friends and family. He wears a suit, has a party, and receives his last toy car. Festivities vary, but some celebrations are as lavish as the girl’s 15th birthday celebrations.
Families have begun to celebrate quinceañeros because they perhaps have sons and no daughters, or because young men want to mark their journey to adulthood. Also, everyone loves a party.
So Much to Enjoy at Birthday Parties in Mexico
Great food, fun games, singing, and dancing are just a few of the highlights of a Mexican birthday party. Whether you’re smashing a piñata, eating delicious food, or listening to the sweet words of “Las Mañanitas,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Candied jalapeños, also known as Cowboy Candy, add a spicy-sweet kick to tons of your favorite recipes! Made like a quick pickle, with a good bit of sugar added to the brine, this condiment is sweet, surprisingly versatile, and a great way to use up all of jalapeños from a summer garden. They make the perfect garnish for party dips or use a splash of the syrup from the jar to spice up a glass of homemade lemonade (if you’re feeling daring!) or your favorite cocktail. You can even chop up some to stir into baked beans or tuna salad. Of course, it’ll be hard to resist eating them straight from the jar, too. They’re called candy for a reason!
Ingredients
- 1 lb jalapeño peppers
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp KOSHER salt1 tsp pickling spice (optional)
1 Remove and discard the jalapeño stems before cutting the peppers into 1/4-inch thick coins.
2 In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spices, if using. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
3 Add the jalapeños and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the peppers look slightly shrunken and glossy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
4 Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeños to a pint-sized mason jar or heat-proof container. Bring the liquid back to a boil and cook until it is syrupy and has reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.
5 Pour the syrup over the jalapeños, pressing the peppers down so that they remain submerged. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
The candied jalapeños can be stored up to one month in the refrigerator.
