Nothing brings family and friends together like Christmas in Mexico, especially if Mexican Christmas Foods are involved. The whole family gets together on Christmas Eve to eat and enjoy the traditions of cooking together and sharing food. Therefore, if you are missing a taste of home or just looking for inspiration for your next Mexican-themed celebration, here is a collection of over 25 traditional recipes you will love!
What are some traditional Mexican Foods around Christmas?
There is not just one traditional Mexican Christmas Dinner but a diversity of dishes depending on localities. Therefore, you won't find one popular or traditional meal prepared all over the country, but many dishes depending on taste, budget, and family size.
Another significant factor in traditional Christmas meals is the climate of the area. The winter brings cold weather to the whole country except for some coastal towns. But, like in many countries, winter means comfort foods. For people in Mexico are pozole, tamales, pork legs, and seafood in coastal warmer towns.
One tradition the whole country shares is dinner on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) versus Christmas Day. On this day, families, extended family, and friends come together to share dishes past from old relatives to enjoy together.
Mexican Christmas Main Dishes
This extensive list of Mexican Christmas recipes includes traditional ones, from savory dishes to spicy and sweet ones. Each recipe has step-by-step instructions to help create the perfect Mexican holiday with your family.
Tamales
In Mexico, Families prepare many types of tamales for many celebrations, especially for Christmas. You will find many flavors and fillings, small pork tamales in the northern region, and large tamales steamed with banana leaves in the South of the country. If you feel like you are gaining weight after reading the list, don’t worry, I have some healthy alternatives too.
Sweet Corn Tamales: It doesn't get more authentic than this! Sweet corn tamales with pork. A family recipe passed down from generation to generation. One single bite will make you a believer!
Beef Tamales: My mother’s favorite recipe is homemade beef tamales filled with ground beef and vegetables.
Traditional Tamales: Another favorite is the pork tamales, stuffed with juicy pulled pork and served with your choice of salsa.
Tamales in Green Salsa: The famous chicken tamales in the sweet and tangy tomatillo sauce are an effortless recipe. These tamales in green salsa are a great dish on their own or an excellent companion to carne asada.
Tamales de Rajas: For a spicy and smokey flavor, we recommend the tamales de rajas, traditionally made on a special occasion like Christmas. Filled with queso fresco and poblano peppers, make these tamales a perfect meatless addition to any crowd-worthy dinner.
Vegan Tamales: For a healthier twist to the traditional tamales, we recommendvegan tamales. Prepared without lard and stuffed with vegetables, make this more nutritious alternative a great choice.
Pork and Beef Main Dishes
Roasted Pork: The most challenging part of this Roasted Pork Leg is waiting for it to cook. Your delicious pork will impress your guests with beautiful pineapple decorations.
Pork in Adobo: Marinaded for a few hours, then slathered in homemade adobo, this Roasted Pork in Adobo Sauce is perfection.
Yucatan Style Pork Leg: To impress your guest, prepare this flavorful Pork Leg cooked with orange juice, oregano, and spices that only takes 15 minutes of prep time.
Carne Asada: Carne Asada is like tamales, a favorite for any occasion, and always a great choice. Try our easy and flavourful recipe for your perfect carne asada.
Pozole Rojo: Tasty and brothy Pozole (posole) soup made with pork, hominy, and red dried chiles is just perfection. Pile your bowl with toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, lime, and cilantro.
Beef Birria: Rich stew Birria simmered with spices and chiles is a great option for a Christmas eve dinner and excellent for next-day tacos.
Poultry and Fish
Turkey: A Popular and Traditional dish is Stuffed Turkey, a roasted turkey to perfection stuffed with pork or beef, among other ingredients.
Salted Cod: Another popular dish is the Salted Cod (Bacalao Navideño), also used as a side dish.
Mexican Christmas Side Dishes Food
These family-friendly side dishes will be a hit in your next holiday celebration, from salads to pasta.
Chicken Salad: The most popular dish at every party is the Mexican Chicken Salad. Excellent by itself, enjoy this meal as a side dish or as an appetizer. The combination of mayo, chicken, and vegetables creates a creamy blend of excellent flavors.
Mexican Mac and Cheese: Spicy and full of flavor, the mac and cheese recipe is a favorite side dish everybody loves. The roasted bell peppers and cheddar gives a boost of flavor to the macaroni for a perfect combination.
Spaghetti with Cream: This creamy and effortless Spaghetti with cream is ready within minutes. With only a few ingredients, it is an excellent and savory companion to any main dish.
Christmas Salad: The traditional fruity Christmas eve salad made with seasonal fruits and vegetables is light and used as a side dish or appetizer.
Apple Salad: Similar to the Waldorf Salad, this crunchy Apple Salad is a fantastic concoction of fruit, nuts, and mayo.
Christmas Drinks
From chocolate to fruity flavors, we have a drink for everybody. So find your new favorite Christmas co*cktail below!
Ponche: The traditional Christmas Punch (Ponche), a concoction of fruit and spices mixed to perfection.
Champurrado: If chocolate is more of your preferred choice, try the Champurrado, a Mexican hot chocolate with a little bit of piloncillo and cinnamon.
Rompope: Finally, the famous Rompope (Mexican eggnog) is a creamy festive drink you can enjoy with or without rum.
Christmas Desserts
And finally, to end with a sweet treat, Buñuelos (Bunuelos) are a must for Christmas, and maybe even some sweet tamales. Powder with sugar, Mexican wedding cookies, and sopaipillas are a kid's favorite. And lastly, the traditional crunchy Buñuelos de Viento, our Christmas Rosettes cherished by all.
There are many more dishes to be added to this list, but I hope these here will help you add a little bit of the Mexican tradition to your Christmas Menu.
¡Feliz Navidad!
I hope you make them. If you do, please come back to let me know your experience.
PROVECHO!
Mely Martínez,
Leave a comment and share your experience with the recipe. Mexican Christmas
Are you looking for other Mexican celebration recipes after Christmas and New Year?
Around the corner is January 6th - King’s day, where we eat Rosca de Reyes and wait for the wise man to deliver presents to the kids. Check the step recipe to prepare your own King’s Day Bread.
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