Enchilada vs. Flauta — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 19, 2024
An enchilada is a Mexican dish of a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered in chili sauce, while a flauta is a rolled-up tortilla filled with meat and deep-fried.
Difference Between Enchilada and Flauta
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Key Differences
An enchilada is traditionally made with a corn tortilla, filled with various ingredients like meats, cheese, beans, or vegetables, and then generously covered in a chili sauce, often baked thereafter. In contrast, a flauta, also known as a taquito, is a small rolled-up tortilla (usually flour but sometimes corn) filled primarily with meat and then deep-fried to a crispy texture.
Enchiladas are known for their rich, spicy sauce and are often served with additional toppings like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Flautas, on the other hand, are appreciated for their crunchy texture and are commonly served with dipping sauces like guacamole, sour cream, or salsa.
The preparation of enchiladas involves baking, which integrates the flavors of the filling with the chili sauce, creating a cohesive dish. Flautas are characterized by their frying process, which gives them a distinctively crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Enchiladas can vary in spice levels and sauce types, offering a diverse range of flavors from mild to very spicy, whereas flautas are typically less about the sauce and more about the contrast in textures between the crispy tortilla and the soft filling.
Originating from Mexican cuisine, both enchiladas and flautas are popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking, with enchiladas being a staple in many Mexican restaurants, and flautas often appearing as a favorite appetizer or snack.
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Comparison Chart
Tortilla Type
Usually corn tortilla
Typically flour tortilla, but sometimes corn
Cooking Method
Baked with sauce
Deep-fried
Filling
Meats, cheese, beans, vegetables
Primarily meat
Texture
Soft and covered in sauce
Crispy exterior
Serving Style
Topped with cheese, sour cream, guacamole
Served with dipping sauces like guacamole, salsa
Compare with Definitions
Enchilada
A traditional Mexican dish often baked in an oven.
For dinner, we had homemade beef enchiladas.
Flauta
A rolled-up tortilla filled with meat and deep-fried.
We had crispy chicken flautas for our appetizer.
Enchilada
Usually served with toppings like cheese and sour cream.
My enchilada was topped with melted cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Flauta
Often made with flour tortillas but can also use corn.
The flautas were made with soft corn tortillas.
Enchilada
A corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with chili sauce.
I ordered chicken enchiladas covered in green sauce.
Flauta
Typically served with dipping sauces like guacamole or salsa.
We dipped the flautas in homemade salsa.
Enchilada
Can be filled with a variety of ingredients including meats and cheese.
The vegetarian enchiladas were filled with beans and cheese.
Flauta
A popular snack or appetizer in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
At the party, the flautas were a hit among the guests.
Enchilada
Part of traditional Mexican cuisine, often found in Tex-Mex cooking.
The restaurant's menu featured a variety of enchiladas.
Flauta
Known for their crunchy texture and tender filling.
The beef flautas had a perfectly crunchy exterior.
Enchilada
A tortilla rolled and stuffed usually with a mixture containing meat or cheese and served with a sauce spiced with chili.
Flauta
A corn tortilla rolled around a filling, such as beef, chicken, or cheese, into a thin cylinder and sometimes deep-fried.
Enchilada
A Mexican dish made by wrapping a filling in a tortilla, then baking in a sauce.
Flauta
A type of fried cylindrical tortilla or taco.
Enchilada
Tortilla with meat filling baked in chili-seasoned tomato sauce
Common Curiosities
Are enchiladas always spicy?
Enchiladas can range from mild to spicy depending on the sauce used.
Are flautas served as a main dish?
Flautas are typically served as an appetizer or snack.
What is the main difference in texture between enchiladas and flautas?
Enchiladas are soft, while flautas are crispy.
Can enchiladas be vegetarian?
Yes, enchiladas can be made with vegetarian fillings like beans and cheese.
Do enchiladas use flour tortillas?
Traditionally, enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, but some variations use flour.
Is cheese a common ingredient in enchiladas?
Yes, cheese is often used as a filling or topping in enchiladas.
Are enchiladas considered a healthy dish?
It depends on the ingredients used; they can be made healthier with lean meats and fresh vegetables.
Are flautas gluten-free?
Flautas made with corn tortillas can be gluten-free, but it depends on the other ingredients used.
What kind of meat is commonly used in flautas?
Chicken, beef, and pork are commonly used in flautas.
Can flautas be baked instead of fried?
Yes, though baking will result in a different texture than the traditional crispy fried flautas.
Are enchiladas served with rice and beans?
Yes, enchiladas are often served with sides like rice and beans.
Is guacamole a common side for flautas?
Yes, guacamole is a popular dipping sauce for flautas.
What is a common sauce for enchiladas?
Red chili sauce and green tomatillo sauce are common for enchiladas.
Are enchiladas common in all regions of Mexico?
Yes, enchiladas are a popular dish throughout Mexico, with regional variations.
Can flautas be made with seafood?
Yes, seafood like shrimp can be used as a filling in flautas.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
