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Latino Dishes You Need to Try if You’re a Fan of “Narcos”

Sara TraynorBy
Fried empanadas with spicy sauce - typical Colombian food

Narcos took the world by storm when it first hit Netflix in 2015. With a high Rotten Tomatoes score and a spinoff based in Mexico, there’s no denying that Narcos was a smash hit. While that’s all well and good, what we really want to know is: what were they eating? With a couple of cookbooks based on the series, we know we’re not the only ones with food on the brain. Whether you’re a diehard Narcos fan or just looking to expand your palate, here are some delicious Colombian and Mexican dishes.

Colombian Empanadas

Colombian empanada with spicy sauce

Many Latino cultures have some version of empanadas, though Colombian empanadas are particularly distinct. This is mainly because of the shell.

It’s made from corn flour, or masarepa. As you may have noticed from the picture, the border isn’t pinched like Mexican empanadas often are.

The empanadas are deep fried, and the filling tends to be on the savory side. What really makes them special is the aji picante, a Colombian hot sauce.

Tacos al Pastor

Tacos al pastor

Tacos al pastor are a Mexican dish, most popular in Mexico City. They’re also a pretty easy dish to make at home.

The tacos are primarily comprised of slow roasted pork and pineapple chunks. The meat is vertically roasted, taking inspiration from Lebanese cuisine.

If you’re making it at home, you can roast the pork in your oven. Just make sure it’s thinly sliced, and that you’re generous with the adobo!

Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja paisa, typical Colombian main dish

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Guacamole and Tortilla Chips

Guacamole avocado, lime, tomato, onion and cilantro, served with nachos - Traditional Mexican snack

Ceviche Colombiano

Shrimp Ceviche

Carnitas Tacos

Pork carnitas tacos on corn tortillas served with rice and beans

Ajiaco Soup

Traditional Colombian soup made with three varieties of potatoes, chicken breasts, corn and guasca herb. It is garnished with capers, avocado slices and cream.

Chiles en Nogada

Chile in nogada in Talavera poblano dish with Mexican colors background

Arepas with Cheese

Cheese Arepas being cooked in a Fast food stand in Bogota (Colombia)

Mole Poblano

Mole Mexicano, Poblano mole ingredients, mexican spicy food traditional in Mexico

Sancocho Trifásico

Sancocho de Costilla or Gallina is a traditional Colombian and Latin American soup or stew made with many kinds of meat including Chicken Hen Pork Beef Fish and Oxtail. With Yucca Plantain Potato Cassava and vegetables from the local region.

Enchiladas Verdes

green enchiladas, served on exquisite dishware

Patacones with Hogao

Fried banana with fried tomato on a white background.

Tamales

Tamales Typical Colombian Food Wrapped In Banana Leaves

Lomo al Trapo

This portion lomo al trapo is now ready to be sliced up and served. The specks of white on the meat and the counter are actually salt crystals. The bits of black on the plate, are from the cloth that covered the meat while it was in the fireplace. Photo shot in the light of the fireplace; horizontal format.

Queso Fundido

Spicy Homemade Cheesey Queso Dip with Tortilla Chips

Colombian Coffee Flan

Coffee flan in a plate on wood background

Churros with Chocolate

Churros with a cup of hot chocolate closeup, selective focus.

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con pollo - rice with chicken close up in a bowl on the table. Horizontal

Pozole Rojo

Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew with Red Chiles (Pozole Rojo)

Lechona

Typical lechona from Tolima with rice

Fish Tacos

A plate of fish tacos topped with lime crema

Natilla Colombiana

Natilla, Classic Spanish or Latin Custard Dessert. It is made with eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Sopes

Traditional mexican food: sopes of Chorizo and beef picadillo with cheese and beans

Bistec a Caballo

Steak and Egg with Salad

Cochinita Pibil

tacos cochinita pibil

Buñuelos

Colombian buñuelos, cheese balls and corn flour.

Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

elote corn street food Mexican food dish cotija cheese spicy chili powder on white dish

Mondongo Soup

detail of pork tripe soup to eat as a traditional Colombian dish named mondongo

Tlayudas

Tlayuda Mexican Traditional Food from Oaxaca Mexico

Colombian Chocolate con Queso

Traditional colombian breakfast, hot chocolate with cheese and bread. On a wooden table. Copyspace

Micheladas

Micheladas served on an outdoor table, it is a Mexican alcoholic drink that is prepared by mixing beer, lemon juice, chili, salt and shrimp

Aguapanela

Fresh homemade Aguapanela, Agua de Panela or Aguadulce, a popular Latin American sweet drink made of panela unrefined whole cane sugar boiled in water, served warm or cold with lime

Margaritas

Margarita cocktail with ice, lime and salt rim on a black slate board

Pandebono

a basket of pandebono, a typical dish of the department of Valle del Cauca and is also prepared throughout Colombia. Its origin is from the city of Cali.

Salsa Verde Chicken

Photo of chicken drumsticks prepared with green tomatillo sauce.

Colombian-style BBQ Ribs

grilling meat

Tequila Lime Shrimp

Shrimps close-up. Fried shrimp with lime on a plate.

Huevos Rancheros

Traditional Mexican dish Huevos rancheros - scrambled eggs with tomato salsa, with taco tortillas, fresh vegetables and parsley. Breakfast for two. Top view. With a forks, copy space

Tres Leches Cake

An extreme close up horizontal photograph of a side view of a slice of tres leche cake topped with white cream and decorated wit a ripe red strawberry.