Usually, a recipe that says “a la Mexicana” refers to a dish that is cooked with the Mexican cooking trinity of tomato, onion, and pepper. In this case, Nopales are cooked with these 3 ingredients and a few more add-ons, for flavor and seasoning. This is a simple meal, and one of the humblest representations of our vast gastronomy.
Nopales Mexican cactus recipe
There are still so many dishes that I prepare regularly but are not on the blog, and this is one of them. I could eat Nopales cooked this way every single day for lunch with a couple of charred corn tortillas, a meal so delightful that it always puts a smile on my face! The reason: because it is a NON-GUILTY pleasure!
How to make Nopales a la Mexicana
Notes:
- If you can’t find Serrano peppers, you can use 1 jalapeño pepper.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook for a couple of minutes or until it starts to look transparent.
- Stir in the Serrano pepper and garlic clove, and cook for one minute.
- Add chopped tomato and cook for about 5 minutes; by this time the tomatoes will start releasing their juices.
- Finally, stir in nopales and the cilantro sprigs. Let it cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. In case your sauce is too dry, add some tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas. Enjoy!
Provecho!
Mely Martínez,
Leave a comment and share your experience with the recipe.
More recipes:
Sopa Seca de Fideo, Mexican Noodles
Authentic Mexican Recipes and Dishes
Receta en Español Nopales a la Mexicana.
📖 Recipe
Nopales a la Mexicana
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil
- 2 cups Nopales chopped and cooked
- ¼ cup White onion chopped
- 1 Garlic clove chopped
- 2 serrano peppers diced
- 1 cup Tomato chopped
- 2 sprigs of cilantro
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook for a couple of minutes or until it starts to look transparent.
- Stir in the Serrano pepper and garlic clove, and cook for one minute.
- Add chopped tomato and cook for about 5 minutes; by this time the tomatoes will start releasing their juices.
- Finally, stir in nopales and the cilantro sprigs. Let it cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. In case your sauce is too dry, add some tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas. Enjoy!
Notes
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Victoria
Do I have to peel the nopales first? They look prickly-do I cut off the thorns? Are they chopped, sliced? I’m sorry if I seem clueless, but I didn’t see where it said how to prep the nopales. How are they prepped after harvesting or purchasing?
Mely Martínez
Hello Victoria,
Yes, you need to peel and precook the nopales> There is a link in the recipe ingredients to that process. Here is the link for you: How to Cook Nopales
Maria
I never make it. I will try. Hoping are come good. Thank you
Cindy
Do you have to d
Go anything to the Cayuse befor cooking it like scrape the needles ofg
Mely Martínez
Hello Cindy,
Yes, you have to clean the nopales before cooking them. Check this link please:https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/how-to-cook-cactus-paddles/
Maria
Delicious.
Sandra Garcia
Mely,
I wanted to know if I can use meat to this recipe. And what is your thought on this. Please advise.
Thank you,
Sandra Garcia
Mely Martínez
Hello Sandra,
You can add meat, we have several recipes using chicken, ground beef and pork cooked with nopales.
Check this link: https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/nopales-with-ground-beef-recipe/
STEPHANIE N GREENE
I live near the Canadian border, and can't get fresh nopales. Is there a canned version that you can recommend?
mmartinez
Hello Stephanie,
I believe the ones that come in a jar are made from the same vendor. It just changes the labels to indicate that they are from different brands. Try them and enjoy this recipe for Nopales a la Mexicana. It is a really easy and tasty recipe.
Esther
I LOVE nopales in any way, shape or form! In fact, this morning I made nopalitos con huevos a la mexicana. But this is my very favorite recipe of all, and I've had it often.
My family always had a nopal in the backyard, Came in handy!
Love your recipes, Mely. Thank you so much!
Consuelo C Medina
Me encantan los nopalitos con chile colorado, , ensaladas. Con huevo para el desayuno con tortillas de maíz por supuesto...
Riquísimos como los prepares
Saludos Mely y gracias por tus deliciosas recetas!!
mmartinez
Hola Consuelo,
Muchas gracias por visitarnos. Saludos y Provecho!
Nola
I LOVE nopales, and they are good for you! I've never had them this way, I will try this recipe soon.
Maria Russo
Meli, thank you for all you delicious posts...My husand & I are growing them in our yard. I learned to also enjoy them, Shredded(using a hand Shredder) to incorporate into my Salsas, Stews & other dishes...I have learned they also have a medicinal side topically, slicing a Paddle. The cooling sensation is like Aloe but feels great when refrigerator...Thank you, love this recipe...Trying to get my husband to like them.... LOL...
Raquel Lopez
If you like queso fresco crumble some on your plate before you eat, it's wonderful.
Dolores sandoval
Hi Mely, I really like Nopales, but I don't know how to cook them.your recipe doesn't tell us that. could you tell me how to prepare them before using them in any recipe. Thank you
mmartinez
Hello Dolores,
Here is the link to the process: how to cook cactus paddles
Happy cooking!
Liz Martinez
Made this tonight for Dinner. Delicious! My husband and I really liked Nopales this way. I did add a diced Calabacita. Very healthy and Delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipes!
Leslie Limón
Me encantan los nopales! Especialmente en recetas fáciles y sencillas como esta. Para mi, no hay mejor botana o almuerzo ligero que unos nopales a la mexicana con totopos. Delicioso! 😀
Cathy
This was very tasty. Second time cooking with nopales. My husband thought it was salsa. I think next time I’ll char some corn to add to it