Nopalitos con Chile Rojo
Nopalitos con Chile Rojo is a traditional Mexican dish featuring tender cactus paddles (nopales) simmered in a rich, earthy red chili sauce made from dried chilies like guajillo or ancho. It typically includes onions, garlic, and spices, and is often served as a side dish, taco filling, or with eggs and beans. This comforting stew hails from central and northern Mexico, where nopal cactus is a staple ingredient.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is relatively low in calories (around 100-150 per serving) and fat, but provides a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants from the chilies. The nopales offer plant-based protein and minerals like magnesium, making it a nutritious, high-fiber option that supports digestion.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 85 kcal |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin C | 20 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg RAE |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin K | 10 mcg |
| Folate | 30 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, nopalitos are a symbol of Mexican identity, even appearing on the country's coat of arms, and this dish showcases the resourceful use of native desert plants. Nutritionally, the combination of fiber-rich cactus and metabolism-boosting capsaicin from chilies makes it a uniquely gut-friendly and anti-inflammatory meal.
