21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (2024)

Try these delicious Mexican Christmas dinner recipes for your holiday hosting this year! Try our recipes for tamales, churros, and more. Each recipe is perfect for creating a traditional or non-traditional Mexican Christmas dinner. We've also got Tex-Mex takes on your favorites like nachos, tacos, and more.

01of 21

Chunky Guacamole

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (1)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Appetizer

For a guacamole recipe you can't get enough of, turn to our simple blend of tomatoes and avocados flavored with garlic, lime, and onion. The traditional Mexican side dish is the perfect addition to any crowd-worthy dinner.

02of 21

Mini Tamales

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (2)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Appetizer

Tamales just might be the most important part of creating a traditional Mexican Christmas dinner. Because tamales take a little extra kitchen energy, they're generally saved for special occasions, such as the holidays. Pick from four fillings—cheese, pork, chicken, or shrimp—to make our version of the cornmeal dumplings.

03of 21

Chicken Nachos with Wasabi Guacamole

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (3)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Appetizer

This take on nachos is anything but traditional! Use a rotisserie chicken as the main topping followed by radishes, green onion, and a homemade wasabi guacamole. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish.

04of 21

Salsa Picante

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (4)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Appetizer

Finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro make up this classic salsa picante. Note: You'll need a blender or food processor to get everything ready.

05of 21

Tetelas

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (5)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Appetizer

Recipe developer Mely Martinez shares that these bean-filled snacks are often sold as street food in Oaxaca. Make your own at home using masa harina, refried black beans, and queso fresco. Serve them with crema and red salsa.

Refried Beans

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (6)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Side dish

To complete your meal, look no further. It's just not a Mexican dinner without homemade refried beans. Ours come together in your Dutch oven with just five ingredients.

07of 21

Mexican Red Rice

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (7)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Side dish

No Mexican menu, Christmas or not, is complete without this classic red rice side dish. The topping of fresh cilantro plays up the classic Christmas color combo of red and green to add even more festivity to your Christmas dinner menu.

08of 21

Black-Eyed Pea & Quinoa Salad

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (8)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Side dish

Get a leg up on your Mexican Christmas menu with a make-ahead holiday salad. Assemble everything the night before, and add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.

09of 21

Pork Ribs in Mole Verde

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (9)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

There's no Christmas dinner without a wow-worthy main-dish affair, and our pork ribs are no exception. Traditional mole verde covers every inch of our juicy, tender pork.

10of 21

Slow-Cooked Beef Pozole

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (10)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

Pozole is a hominy soup made with meat and seasoned with chiles and garlic. The hearty big-batch meal is made hands-off in your slow cooker, making it perfect for feeding hungry holiday crowds.

11of 21

Pork Tenderloin with Red Mole

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (11)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

Sink your teeth into this succulent Mexican meat entree. It's all about the homemade mole. After all, a special Christmas menu calls for a special sauce.

12of 21

Puebla Shrimp Rellenos Casserole

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (12)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

Represent traditional Mexican chiles Rellenos in our hearty casserole. Tender shrimp and chopped poblano peppers combine with cheddar cheese and fresh tomatoes to make this delicious Christmas recipe.

Side Dishes to Complete Your Holiday Meal

13of 21

Lamb Birria with Barley and Dried Plums

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (13)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, birria is a spicy stew typically served with tortillas, onions, and limes. Our take on the Mexican Christmas recipe features lamb, ancho chile pepper, and sweet dried plums.

14of 21

Chipotle, Jackfruit, and Arugula Tacos

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (14)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

If you're hosting vegan or vegetarian guests, this taco recipe is a great choice. Filled with spiced jackfruit, onion, and chipotle, each taco is topped with peppery arugula and pico de gallo for fresh flavor.

15of 21

Mely's Enchiladas Suizas

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (15)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Entree

A fresh green tomatillo salsa is the base of this enchilada bake. To assemble the dish, stuff corn tortillas with chicken and smother with the salsa and Oaxaca cheese. Top with fresh cilantro and thinly sliced red onions.

16of 21

Canela Bunuelos with Anise Syrup

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (16)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Dessert

Canela, meaning "cinnamon" in Spanish, is the perfect way to describe these Mexican treats. The light and crispy fried cookies are traditionally sprinkled in sugar or doused in syrup—ours feature both.

17of 21

Chocolate Icebox Cookies with Dulce de Leche

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (17)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Dessert

Stop your search for a Mexican dessert right here! Trust us, you'll do no better than this just slightly spiced chocolate cookie sandwich oozing with salty-sweet dulce de leche. It's a dream Mexican Christmas dessert.

18of 21

Anise Churros with Chocolate Sauce

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (18)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Dessert

Try our street-fare-inspired homemade churros to finish off your Mexican Christmas dinner. Don't forget to dunk them in a creamy bowl of coffee-infused chocolate.

19of 21

Spiced Hot Chocolate

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (19)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Drink or dessert

Finish off your Christmas dinner with a warm, cozy mug of rich cinnamon hot chocolate, also known as champurrado. Our version adds a hint of sophistication thanks to the cinnamon we've added into the mix.

20of 21

Caramel Flans

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (20)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Dessert

Elegant, sophisticated flan is a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that originated in Mexican culture. Our sweet individual custards are topped with a tasty caramel sauce.

21of 21

Stuffed Churro Puffs

View Recipe

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (21)

Mexican Christmas Menu: Dessert

This new take on cream puffs is stuffed with homemade whipped cream and dulce de leche. As one BHG home cook raves, "5-star delicious and guests loved them! I served with custard and whipped cream. I also made the puffs a bit smaller so there'd be more to go around, and got 20."

21 Recipes for a Mexican Christmas Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What does a traditional Mexican Christmas dinner consist of? ›

Mexican Christmas food spans enchiladas, pozole, tamales, and plenty of desserts. These are our favorite recipes for flavorful versions of those dishes from Mexican chefs, along with a few festive drinks. Start a tamale making tradition, warm up with pozole this winter, and enjoy enchiladas everyone will love.

What are typical Christmas foods drinks and desserts in Mexico? ›

20 traditional Mexican Christmas food and drinks
  • Pozole rojo. Pozole rojo (or red pozole) is a comforting stew made with pork, hominy corn, and red chiles. ...
  • Pozole verde. ...
  • Bacalao novideño. ...
  • Tamales. ...
  • Pavo navideño. ...
  • Carne asada. ...
  • Birria consome. ...
  • Pierna de puerco adobada.
Dec 10, 2021

What's in a traditional Christmas dinner? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What makes the best Christmas dinner? ›

You likely will want to choose a main first, like a turkey, Christmas ham, casserole or other show-stopping dishes. Then, you can compliment your main with Christmas side dishes and holiday appetizers. And of course, you can't forget about sweet Christmas desserts and festive co*cktails to sip on throughout the night!

What is a typical Mexican Christmas? ›

It's a full month of celebrations, marked with family feasts and lots of piñatas. Starting on 12 December and lasting until 6 January, Christmas celebrations in Mexico have their own flair. There are candlelit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks.

What is a fun fact about Christmas in Mexico? ›

Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in Mexico rather than on the 25th, when Mexican families will come together for the last 'posada', which are traditional Christmas gatherings that reenact the arrival of the pregnant virgin Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

What is the official dessert of Mexico? ›

Believe it or not, Mexico does not have a national dessert. Because each region of Mexico is so different, from the next, the cuisine reflects this diversity.

What is the street dessert in Mexico? ›

Paletas. A popular Mexican dessert and street food that satisfies a craving for something refreshing on a hot day are the paletas. They come in many colors and flavors, made with fresh fruits, and sometimes enhanced with chocolate, pistachios, and other ingredients.

What foods do Mexicans eat on Christmas? ›

10 foods popular in Mexico for Christmas
  • Tamales. Tamales are beautiful cornmeal dumplings with a variety of fillings inside them. ...
  • Ensalada de Noche Buena. ...
  • Romeritos. ...
  • Bacalao. ...
  • Pozole. ...
  • Pavo. ...
  • Ponche Navideno. ...
  • Bunuelos.
Dec 19, 2018

What vegetables go on a Christmas dinner? ›

Discover the perfect amounts of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas and red cabbage to serve with your roast turkey. Need help planning your Christmas dinner?

What is the most popular Christmas meat dish? ›

Turkey is definitely the most traditional meat for Christmas dinner and you can take a look at our wide selection of whole, rolled and diced turkeys here – perfect for your traditional Christmas dinner!

What is the 12 course Christmas dinner? ›

The bread is broken by the head of the household and begins the meal, which consists of 12 courses including sauerkraut with gravy, pierogi, halupki made with mushrooms and rice, fish, dry fruit, beans , peas, honey and other dishes.

What is the most popular Christmas dish in the world? ›

What are the Most Popular Christmas Foods Eaten Around the World?
  • Roast turkey or ham, a standard main course for holiday dinners.
  • Eggnog, a rich and creamy beverage made with eggs, milk, and spices. ...
  • Gingerbread cookies and houses are popular festive treats and decorations.

What foods do they eat on Las Posadas? ›

Traditional Posada foods include: tamales, pozole, buñuelos, atole, ponche and café de olla. Whether you're hosting a Posada, Christmas Eve dinner, or just want to make tamales at home, our easy to follow Red Pork Tamales recipe will help you make, share, and enjoy this traditional dish with friends & family.

What are traditional Mexican Christmas decorations? ›

Traditional decorations displayed on this holiday include nativity scenes, poinsettias, and Christmas trees. The season begins with celebrations related to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico, followed by traditions such as Las Posadas and Pastorelas.

Are tamales a Christmas tradition? ›

Over the centuries, as people moved and traveled around the world, they took tamales with them. They also continued to eat them on special occasions and holidays, especially Christmas. This is a deep-rooted tradition in the homes of many Mexican families.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 5654

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.