What is a flauta?

What is a flauta?

Flautas are a type of Mexican food made by rolling a filling, typically shredded chicken or beef, inside a small flour or corn tortilla. The filled tortilla is then deep-fried until it is crispy and golden brown. 

Flautas are often served with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded cheese. They can be enjoyed as a snack or as a main course, and are a popular choice at Mexican restaurants and street vendors.

While flautas are not typically considered to be a Tex-Mex dish, they can be enjoyed as part of a Tex-Mex meal or served with Tex-Mex-style toppings and sauces.

Where do flautas originate?

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of flautas, as they are a traditional Mexican dish that has likely been enjoyed for centuries.  It is believed that flautas were first created by indigenous people in Mexico, who used corn tortillas as a way to wrap and cook various types of fillings. 

The word “flauta” itself is derived from the Spanish word “flauta,” which means “flute,” and refers to the long, thin shape of the rolled tortilla. Flautas are a popular choice at Mexican restaurants and street vendors and can be enjoyed as a snack or as a main course.

Why are flautas so popular?

Flautas are a popular choice for many people because they are tasty, convenient, versatile, and widely available. Some of the reasons why flautas are so popular:

They are delicious: Flautas are crispy and flavorful, with a filling that is often made with shredded chicken or beef and a variety of toppings and sauces.

They are convenient: Flautas are easy to eat, as they are small and portable and can be eaten with your hands. They are also easy to make, as they can be quickly deep-fried or baked in an oven.

They are versatile: Flautas can be served as a snack or as a main course, and can be made with a variety of fillings and toppings to suit different tastes.

They are widely available: Flautas are popular at Mexican restaurants, such as Tijuana Flats, and street vendors, and can also be found at many supermarkets and convenience stores.

What are the different types of flautas:

There are many different types of flautas that can be made, depending on the filling used and the type of tortilla used. Some common types of flautas include:

• Chicken flautas: These are made with shredded chicken as the filling and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Beef flautas: These are made with shredded beef as the filling and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Vegetarian flautas: These are made with a filling of vegetables, such as beans, peppers, and onions, and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Cheese flautas: These are made with a filling of cheese and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Shrimp flautas: These are made with a filling of cooked shrimp and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Fish flautas: These are made with a filling of cooked fish and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Flour tortilla flautas: These are made with flour tortillas as the wrapper and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
• Corn tortilla flautas: These are made with corn tortillas as the wrapper and are often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.

What is the difference between taquitos and flautas?

Taquitos and flautas are similar Mexican dishes that are made by rolling a filling, typically shredded chicken or beef, inside a small tortilla and then deep-frying the rolled tortilla until it is crispy and golden brown. 

Flautas are typically larger and made with a different type of tortilla, and are served as a main course, while taquitos are smaller, made with corn tortillas, and often served as an appetizer or snack.

A few key differences between the two:

• Size: Flautas are typically larger and thicker than taquitos. Flautas are made by rolling a filling inside a larger tortilla, while taquitos are made with smaller tortillas.
• Shape: Flautas are long and thin, while taquitos are shorter and rounder.
• Tortilla type: Flautas can be made with either flour or corn tortillas, while taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas.
• Filling: Both flautas and taquitos can be made with a variety of fillings, but flautas are more commonly filled with shredded chicken or beef, while taquitos are often filled with ground beef or chicken.
• Serving size: Flautas are typically served as a main course, while taquitos are often served as a smaller appetizer or snack.

What is the difference between a flauta and a chimichanga?

Flautas and chimichangas are both made by rolling a filling inside a tortilla and deep-frying it until it is crispy and golden brown. However, there are a few key differences between the two:

• Size: Chimichangas are typically larger and thicker than flautas. Chimichangas are made by rolling a filling inside a larger tortilla, while flautas are made with smaller tortillas.
• Shape: Chimichangas are round and puffed up, while flautas are long and thin.
• Type of Tortilla: Flautas can be made with either flour or corn tortillas, while chimichangas are typically made with flour tortillas.
• Filling: Flautas and chimichangas can be made with a variety of fillings, but flautas are more commonly filled with shredded chicken or beef, while chimichangas are often filled with ground beef or chicken.
• Serving size: Flautas are typically served as a main course, while chimichangas are often served as a smaller appetizer or snack.

What side dishes go with flautas?

There are many delicious side dishes that can be served with flautas. Some ideas for side dishes to serve with flautas include:

• Mexican rice: This is a classic Mexican side dish made with white rice, broth, and a variety of spices.
• Black beans: Black beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine and can be served as a side dish or used as a filling for flautas.
• Guacamole: This creamy avocado dip is a popular choice to serve with flautas.
• Salsa: A variety of salsas, such as pico de gallo or tomato salsa, can be served with flautas.
• Salad: A simple green salad or a more elaborate Mexican-style salad, such as a black bean and corn salad, can be served with flautas.
• Roasted vegetables: Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, make a healthy and flavorful side dish to serve with flautas.
• Refried beans: Refried beans are a classic Mexican side dish that can be served with flautas.
• Queso dip: This creamy cheese dip is a popular choice to serve with flautas.

You can order online or stop by any Tijuana Flats to get your flautas fix.