Quesabirria
Quesabirria (cheesy birria tacos)
Crisped tortillas filled with birria-style stewed meat and melted cheese, served with a cup of consommé for dipping.
SoyDairyGluten
Mexican Cuisine Guide
Mexican Allergen Guide
Big flavors, fewer surprises: spot common traps and order with confidence.
Core staples:Corn (masa), beans, chiles, tomatoes/tomatillos, onions, lime
Common add-ons that change allergen risk:Crema, cheese, mayonnaise, butter, breaded toppings, flour tortillas
Sauce culture:Salsa roja/verde, adobo, and regional moles (some include nuts or sesame)
Regional signals:Yucatán (achiote, citrus), Puebla/Oaxaca (mole), Jalisco (birria), Baja (seafood)
Best “safer by default” picks:Corn-tortilla tacos with simple fillings, grilled meats, beans, fresh salsas
Allergen Overview
How common each allergen is in this cuisine. Always confirm with staff.
Gluten
Sometimes Present
Corn tortillas are common, but flour tortillas, breaded items, and shared fryers/griddles can introduce wheat.
Dairy
Often Present
Cheese, crema, and butter show up frequently as toppings, fillings, and finishing fats.
Eggs
Sometimes Present
Egg is common in breakfast items and can also appear via mayonnaise-based toppings.
Fish
Usually Avoidable
Fish is more common in coastal dishes; risk is usually from shared grills, fryers, or sauces rather than these staples.
Shellfish
Sometimes Present
Seafood is popular in many regions, and cross-contact can happen at shared grills and fryers.
Soy
Sometimes Present
Not traditional in many recipes, but soy can appear in seasoning mixes, marinades, or kitchen shortcuts (sauces, bouillon).
Sesame
Rare
Sesame is not universal, but can appear in some moles and regional sauces.
Tree Nuts
Varies
Most everyday salsas are nut-free, but some moles and festival dishes can include nuts (and nut-based thickeners).
Peanuts
Rare
Peanuts are not a standard ingredient in many classics, but can appear in certain sauces, snacks, or as a thickener.
Hidden Ingredients to Watch
Unexpected allergen sources that may not be obvious on menus.
Crema / crema agria / sour cream
Dairy (and sometimes stabilizers); often added by default and not listed.
Found in: Tacos, chilaquiles, nachos, burritos, bowls, 'on top' garnishes
Queso (queso fresco, cotija, Oaxaca, manchego)
Dairy; can be sprinkled, stuffed, or melted into sauces.
Found in: Quesadillas, quesabirria, esquites/elote, enchiladas, salads
Tortilla de harina (flour tortilla)
Contains gluten; common in northern-style burritos and some quesadillas.
Found in: Burritos, quesadillas, gringas, some taco shops (ask corn vs flour)
Mantequilla / butter (and 'garlic butter')
Dairy; frequently used for finishing seafood and vegetables.
Found in: Camarones al mojo de ajo, sautéed vegetables, grilled corn, sauces
Mayonesa (mayonnaise)
Often contains eggs; sometimes contains dairy or mustard traces depending on brand.
Found in: Esquites/elote, tortas, salads, creamy sauces
Caldo en cubo / bouillon / seasoning powders
May contain soy, gluten, dairy, or MSG; used to boost flavor in broths and rice.
Found in: Consomé, birria-style broths, rice, beans, stews
Mole (house mole sauce)
Can include sesame, nuts, peanuts, bread/masa thickeners, and sometimes chocolate.
Found in: Enmoladas, chicken dishes, chilaquiles specials, festival menus
Shared fryer / shared plancha (griddle)
Cross-contact risk for gluten, fish, and shellfish even when ingredients look safe.
Found in: Tortilla chips, chilaquiles chips, fried toppings, seafood stands
Featured Dishes
Cochinita pibil
Cochinita pibil (achiote-citrus pulled pork)
Yucatán-style pork marinated in achiote and citrus, slow-cooked until tender, then served shredded with pickled onions and salsas.
SoyGluten
Esquites
Esquites (Mexican corn in a cup)
Warm corn kernels served in a cup and dressed with lime, chili, and optional creamy toppings and cheese.
EggsDairy
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles (tortilla chips in salsa)
Fried tortilla chips softened in salsa roja or salsa verde, often topped with crema, cheese, onions, and sometimes a fried egg or shredded chicken.
EggsDairyGluten
Camarones al mojo de ajo
Garlic shrimp (camarones al mojo de ajo)
Shrimp sautéed in garlic and chili, typically finished with butter and served with rice, tortillas, or vegetables.
DairyShellfish
Carnitas
Carnitas (slow-cooked pork)
Pork slowly cooked until tender, then crisped and served in tacos with salsa, lime, onions, and optional toppings.
Gluten
What to Ask the Staff
Copy these questions to show restaurant staff. Available in English and .
English
- Are the tortillas corn or flour (wheat)?
- Is anything breaded or dusted with flour before cooking?
- Is there any cheese, crema, butter, or milk in this dish or sauce?
- Does the topping contain mayonnaise (egg)?
- Is the broth/consommé made with bouillon cubes or seasoning mixes?
- Is the fryer oil shared with breaded items or fish/seafood?
- Is the grill/plancha shared with flour tortillas or seafood?
- Can you serve it without cheese and crema, and keep toppings simple (onion, cilantro, salsa)?
- Are any house sauces (mole, adobo) made with nuts, sesame, or peanuts?
- Can you confirm the ingredients for the salsa served with the dish?
- ¿Las tortillas son de maíz o de harina (trigo)?
- ¿Algo está empanizado o espolvoreado con harina antes de cocinarlo?
- ¿Este plato o salsa lleva queso, crema, mantequilla o leche?
- ¿El topping lleva mayonesa (huevo)?
- ¿El caldo/consomé se hace con cubitos de caldo o sazonadores?
- ¿El aceite de la freidora se comparte con empanizados o con pescado/mariscos?
- ¿La plancha/parrilla se comparte con tortillas de harina o con mariscos?
- ¿Lo pueden servir sin queso y sin crema, con toppings simples (cebolla, cilantro, salsa)?
- ¿Alguna salsa de la casa (mole, adobo) lleva nueces, ajonjolí o cacahuate?
- ¿Me pueden confirmar los ingredientes de la salsa que acompaña el plato?
Menu Glossary
Common menu words to help identify ingredients and allergens.
maíz= corn
Usually gluten-free base for tortillas and masa, but confirm additives/cross-contact.
tortilla de maíz= corn tortilla
Typically safer for gluten avoidance than flour tortillas.
tortilla de harina= flour tortilla
Contains wheat (gluten).
harina de trigo= wheat flour
Gluten source; can appear in tortillas, breading, and thickeners.
crema= sour cream
Dairy; commonly added as a topping.
queso= cheese
Dairy; can be sprinkled, melted, or used in fillings.
mantequilla= butter
Dairy; common in sautéed dishes and seafood preparations.
mayonesa= mayonnaise
Often contains eggs; sometimes used on street corn and sandwiches.
caldo en cubo= bouillon cube
May contain soy, gluten, or dairy depending on brand; used in broths and rice.
mole= mole sauce
Can contain sesame, nuts, peanuts, and sometimes bread/masa thickeners.
empanizado= breaded
Often wheat-based coating (gluten); increases cross-contact risk in fryers.
mariscos= seafood
Signals fish/shellfish presence and possible shared surfaces.
camarón= shrimp
Shellfish allergen.
consomé= broth (consommé)
May include bouillon/seasoning mixes; ask about soy/gluten/dairy additives.
ajonjolí= sesame seeds
Can appear in some moles and sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many are, but not all. Flour tortillas are common, and cross-contact from shared griddles or fryers is a frequent issue. Always ask corn vs flour and about shared oil.
Related Guides
Explore similar cuisines and dietary guides for more allergen insights.
Dietary Guides
Important Disclaimer
Niblu provides informational guidance, not medical advice. Recipes and kitchens vary, so always confirm ingredients and cross-contact with staff.