"But Peanuts Aren't Even Mexican!" (Yes They Are, Actually)
- Murray
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Why nuts are the secret heroes of authentic Mexican cuisine
We've all heard it: "Peanuts aren't Mexican!" Usually said with confidence, sometimes with a side of confusion about why our salsa has nuts in it.
Plot twist: Peanuts have been cultivated in Mexico for over 3,000 years. And they're tasty tasty TASTY!
The Ancient Truth About Mexican Nuts
Long before tacos made it to Instagram, indigenous Mesoamericans were grinding peanuts, cashews, and almonds into the salsas and moles that define regional Mexican cooking. These weren't just fillers—they were flavour powerhouses that provided protein, healthy fats, and that rich, creamy depth you can't get anywhere else.
Peanuts: Mexico's Original Superfood
Native to South America but cultivated in Mexico for millennia, peanuts (cacahuetes) are fundamental to authentic Mexican cuisine—especially in Puebla, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. When properly toasted, they develop an almost buttery richness that transforms everything they touch.
This is why our award-winning Barbacoa Cauliflower features house-made salsa macha loaded with peanuts and chillies. It's not fusion—it's tradition. And it won the 2025 Manawatū Plate of Origin Bar Category for good reason.
Where Nuts Show Up at Libre
Salsa Macha
Chilli Crisps much older (in in our opinion much tastier) latin cousin! Peanuts meet ancho and guajillo chillies in a chilli oil that's been perfected over generations. This isn't just heat; it's complex, nutty, impossibly moreish.
Pork Belly Carnitas Pozole
Our salsa cacahuetes (peanut salsa) adds the creamy richness and spice this traditional soup demands.
Chicken Mole Enmoladas
Cashews are the backbone of our Puebla-style mole poblano, working alongside sesame seeds, dried chillies, warming spices, fruit, and bitter chocolate to create Mexico's most celebrated sauce.
Drunken Jimador's Taquitos
Almonds add authentic regional character to our spiced slow-cooked brisket.
The Curtido
Our house-made slaw gets its addictive crunch from roasted peanuts.
Why We're Nutty About Nuts
At Libre, Chef Josh Dodd and our team don't just chuck nuts into dishes. We toast them properly, grind them carefully, and use them the way Mexican cooks have for centuries—as essential foundations, not afterthoughts.
Every peanut in our salsa and every cashew in our mole connects you to a culinary tradition that's older than most countries. That's the kind of authenticity you can taste.
Got Allergies? We've Got You
We know nuts feature heavily in authentic Mexican cuisine, and we take allergies seriously. Give us a heads-up when you book, and our kitchen team will prepare suitable alternatives without compromising on flavour.
Come Get Nuts With Us
Ready to taste why peanuts belong in Mexican food? Book your table at Libre on George Street and discover what 3,000 years of tradition tastes like.
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