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What to eat in Sonora? Top 5 Sonoran Foods

Last update: Sun Apr 20 2025
Top 5 Sonoran Foods
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Sonoran Foods

01

Soup

SONORA, Mexico
4.5
Caldo de queso
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Caldo de queso is a simple Mexican soup featuring potatoes, green chilies, chicken broth, and cheese. It is important to add the cheese last in order for it to turn the soup creamy without producing large mounds of cheese in the liquid. The soup is traditionally served with fried corn tortilla chips on the side.

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Tacos al carbon is a taco style where meat is grilled over hot coals. It consists of a corn flour or wheat flour taco filled with a variety of grilled meats such as skirt steak, although any type of meat will do. The taco is additionally topped with bell peppers, onions, and freshly chopped coriander.


It is recommended to serve them warm, preferably with a squeeze of lime juice and a dollop of sour cream on top.

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03

Hot Dog

HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.1
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Danger dog consists of a bacon-wrapped sausage that is grilled until crispy, then stuffed into a bolillo roll and topped with a variety of ingredients such as beans, tomatoes, onions, jalapeño salsa, mayonnaise, and mustard. This unique variety of hot dog originated in Hermosillo in the 1980s, and were sold from the street carts by the vendors called dogueros.


This behemoth of a hot dog is traditionally served with a roasted chile güero on the side. Today, apart from Mexico, danger dog is also extremely popular in the United States, especially in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona.

04

Cookie

HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.0
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Coyotas are traditional Mexican cookies that were invented in Hermosillo, Sonora in the 19th century. They are made from flour dough and filled with piloncillo – unrefined Mexican sugar. The name coyotas is literally translated to a female coyote, but it is also a Sonoran colloquial term for a female of mixed Indian and Spanish heritage.


Coyotas are said to taste the best when paired with coffee or tea, and can be topped with a scoop of ice cream or dipped in milk like a cookie. Variations abound, so in addition to piloncillo, coyotas can be filled with caramel, dates, guava, figs, peaches, or pineapples.

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05

Meat Soup

SONORA, Mexico
4.2
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Gallina pinta is a traditional soup originating from Sonora. The name of the soup means speckled hen and it refers to the colorful ingredients used in its preparation - white corn, red chili peppers, and brown beans. Other ingredients include oxtail pieces, onions, garlic, salt, peppercorns, and pork spareribs.


The oxtail, onions, garlic, salt, beans, peppercorns, white corn, and spareribs are cooked in water for a few hours until the meat and the beans become very tender. The chili peppers are cut into strips and added to the soup before it's served in deep bowls while still warm.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Sonoran Food Producers

01

Spirit

HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.5
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Rancho Tepúa, run by the Contreras family, has been producing Bacanora in Sonora, Mexico, for over a century. Established formally in 2006, Rancho Tepúa preserves traditional Bacanora-making methods, including harvesting agave with a "Jaíbica" ax, honoring the heritage of the Ópata indigenous people.


Despite Bacanora's 77-year prohibition in Sonora, the Contreras family maintained production, creating a legacy of artisanal Bacanora known for its earthy, herbaceous flavors that reflect Sonora's rich cultural and natural landscape.
AWARDS

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

BEST Rancho Tepua Spirits
02

Spirit

CIUDAD OBREGÓN, Mexico
4.5
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Kilinga Bacanora is a family-owned distillery founded in 2018 in Álamos, in the Mexican state of Sonora, by Rodrigo Bojórquez Bours. Named after his mother, Kilinga produces authentic bacanora, a traditional agave distillate unique to the Sonora region.


The distillery uses agaves grown on their own family farm, employing sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods. Kilinga is the first officially registered bacanora available in the United States, reflecting its quality and commitment to preserving Sonora’s cultural heritage.
AWARDS

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

BEST Kilinga Spirits
03

Beer

HERMOSILLO, Mexico
4.2
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AWARDS

World Beer Cup - Gold

2024

BEST Buqui Bichi Brewing Beers
04
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Just Coffee and More is a Mexican company specializing in the production and sale of high-quality coffee. The company focuses on organic coffee cultivation, often in collaboration with local farmers, adhering to fair trade principles. In addition to coffee, they offer a variety of other products, such as teas and spices, making their product range diverse.


Just Coffee and More is known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, offering products that promote sustainable and ethical farming practices.
BEST Just Coffee and More Coffee Beans
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Sonoran Food Products

01
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Rancho Tepúa produces Bacanora, an artisanal agave spirit from Sonora, Mexico, crafted using traditional methods passed down through five generations of the Contreras family. Made with 100% Agave Pacífica and roasted underground with mesquite wood, Rancho Tepúa Bacanora is distilled twice in copper stills and fermented with natural spring water.


This distinctive spirit carries notes of roasted agave, sandalwood, and cinnamon, capturing the rich cultural legacy and rugged landscape of Sonora's Sierra Madre mountains.
AWARDS

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

02
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Kilinga Bacanora Blanco is a premium agave spirit produced in Sonora, Mexico. Crafted from 100% Agave Angustifolia Haw, it is distilled to 80 proof (40% ABV) and bottled without aging, preserving its pure agave essence. The spirit presents a clear appearance with a nose featuring notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle smoke.


On the palate, it offers a smooth and balanced profile with flavors of fresh agave, light pepper, and a hint of minerality, leading to a clean, crisp finish. Kilinga Bacanora Blanco is versatile, suitable for sipping neat, on the rocks, or as a base for various cocktails.
AWARDS

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

03
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AWARDS

World Beer Cup - Gold

2024

04
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100% Pure Organic Robusta Coffee by Just Coffee and More is a bold, full-bodied coffee made from high-quality organic Robusta beans. Known for its strong, intense flavor and higher caffeine content compared to Arabica, this coffee offers a robust and energizing experience.


Sourced from sustainable farms, the beans are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, ensuring a pure and eco-friendly product. Ideal for those who enjoy a rich, strong cup of coffee, this organic Robusta coffee is perfect for brewing a powerful espresso or a morning pick-me-up.

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Sonoran Food