 Three varieties of taco (clockwise from left): carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor. As is traditional, they are garnished simply with cilantro (fresh coriander) and chopped onion, and served with lime on the side for seasoning according to the diner's taste. | |
| Type | Finger food |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Main ingredients | |
| Ingredients generally used |
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A taco (US: /ˈtɑːkoʊ/, UK: /ˈtækoʊ/, Spanish: [ˈtako]) is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn- or wheat-based tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, and garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, coriander, onion, tomatoes, and chiles.[1] Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world.[2]
Tacos can be contrasted with similar foods such as burritos, which are often much larger and rolled rather than folded; taquitos, which are rolled and fried; or chalupas/tostadas, in which the tortilla is fried before filling.
- ^ Boyer, Christopher R. (2014). "Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food". Hispanic American Historical Review. 94: 153–154. doi:10.1215/00182168-2390303. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ Lemon, Robert (2019). The Taco Truck: How Mexican Street Food Is Transforming the American City. University of Illinois Press. doi:10.5406/j.ctvh9w19c. ISBN 978-0-252-04245-4. JSTOR 10.5406/j.ctvh9w19c.