Sunday Market, Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico

The bustling public market in Tlacolula de Matamoros gathers every Sunday, a cultural tradition that has thrived for hundreds of years.

Sellers and buyers come from nearby villages to trade in this vast, vibrant marketplace. The selection is incredible; I’m convinced you could find almost anything here, as the market stretches for blocks through the city center. I enjoy taking my time to visit each booth; most vendors are quite welcoming when you photograph their displays.

This gallery showcases baked goods from the “Panadería,” a market-side restaurant that serves “Barbacoa” goat in a spicy red soup, Oaxaca cheese, referred to locally as “quesillo,” and crunchy grasshoppers, known as “chapulines.”

Here’s a brief list of the diverse goods available at the Sunday Market: fruits, vegetables, spices, meats, dairy products, household supplies, clothing, footwear, woven rugs, blankets, jewelry, pottery, textiles, handicrafts, and even a section for livestock where farm animals are sold. It’s a complete cultural immersion!

The Meat Room, Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico

While researching places I wanted to photograph in Oaxaca, I added “the meat room” to my shoot list. Located in one of the market’s interior spaces, it’s a smoky hall filled with the scent of savory carne asada wafting through the air!

In the center of the room, traditionally dressed Señoras work over hot grills stacked with chorizo and tasajo beef. It’s quite an experience; you can stroll around the edge of the room and pick your favorite meats from any of the stands. The friendly butcher will load your tray, which you then take to one of the available cooks at the grill. Nearby, there’s another stand to purchase additional items like chiles, nopal cactus, onions, and tortillas. From there, you can relax, sit down, and enjoy a cold beer until they bring your grilled feast to your table!

In the corner, a lady was selling Pico de Gallo salsa, limes, and guacamole to enhance our tacos! What an experience—we enjoyed a giant tray of delicious grilled meats cooked “al carbón.” What a feast!

Sunday Market Barbacoa, Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico

Barbacoa is the traditional dish at the Sunday market in Tlacolula. Goat meat, wrapped in agave, is slow-cooked in a rock-lined pit, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavor! The tender goat meat is served in a rich red broth, with tortillas on the side. The flavor has a slight kick; I enjoy loading a tortilla with some goat meat, rolling it up into a taco, and dipping it into the delicious consommé for a full-flavor Oaxacan experience!

Location::

Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca, Mexico

16.954660, -96.478209

I asked the señora about the flavorful adobo broth. The recipe featured vegetables, guajillo chiles, onion, garlic, Mexican oregano, and cloves. I respected her slight protectiveness over the family recipe; many of these market stands have been operated by the same family for generations, dating back to the pre-Hispanic times of the Zapotec culture.

¡Hasta Pronto!