There’s nothing like good food to make your Christmas merry and bright. Celebrate with a few of our favorite authentic Mexican recipes! From quick to cozy, here are all the dishes you’ll want to make this holiday season.
Post first published June 27, 2022 and last updated December 17, 2022.
Whether you’re hosting a potluck or a private party for two, if it’s the holidays, it’s all about one thing—the food!
For us, it isn’t Christmas until the tamales have been made and the Ponche is flowing. These Christmas dinner ideas are perfect for celebrating Noche Buena, Las Posadas, all the way through New Years!
Check out 25 of our most popular Mexican recipes below then leave me a comment and let me know how they turned out!
Looking for more holiday inspiration? Check out all our Christmas, Las Posadas, and New Year’s Recipes!
More To Explore
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25 Must-Try Mexican Appetizers
2 Easy Mexican Side Dishes
The Best Authentic Mexican Recipes For Christmas
1. Pork Tamales with Mole Colorado
If there is one Mexican food you must eat during the holidays, it is tamales. Learn how to make this classic pork version with this step-by-step recipe—video included!
If you love mulled apple cider or wine, then you must try Ponche! Made with guava, tejocote (a type of crab apple), citrus, and hibiscus, this is a popular warm drink that can be served non-alcoholic or add a splash of tequila or brandy.
3. Pork Pozole
The spices, the chewy hominy, the tender pork, I mean who can resist? Make a big batch and serve with all the toppings: minced onion, dried oregano, shredded cabbage and lots of lime.
4. Black Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Tamales
Always good to have a vegetarian option, these tamales are filled with creamy black beans, green chilies, and Oaxaca cheese. Top with Charred Tomatillo Salsa and Guacamole.
5. Chicken Enchiladas Verdes
Great for feeding a crowd! Top this cozy pan of enchiladas with cilantro and sour cream or try my Picadillo Enchiladas filled with ground beef seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and beer.
6. Strawberry Tamales with Horchata Sauce
Don’t stop with only savory tamales, make these strawberry ones for dessert! Watch the video on how to make these beautiful sweet tamales.
7. Buñuelos
A popular Mexican street food during the holiday season, these light and airy crisps are drenched in piloncillo syrup or dusted with sugar.
8. Bacalao A La Mexicana
This Mexican-style salt cod is stewed with pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, and olives. I like to serve it as an appetizer on toasted bread.
9. Ginger Cardamom Rompope
If you like eggnog then you’ll love Rompope. It is a mixture of milk, egg yolks, sugar and spices. Serve non-alcoholic or with a splash of rum.
10. Mexican Chocolate Sweet Tamales
Another awesome dessert tamales recipe. This one is rich and chocolatey and served with a drizzle of spicy honey on top! There’s no filling in these tamales so they are easier to make than most tamales recipes.
11. Mexican Wedding Cookies
These nutty, crumbly cookies covered in powdered sugar are a staple at our house on Christmas. They’re pretty on a cookie plate with their snowy-coated tops.
12. Champurrado!
If the weather has turned cool where you are maybe you might enjoy a warm cup of Champurrado. Similar to Mexican hot chocolate but with a base of masa harina.
13. Authentic Chorizo and Eggs
Don’t forget about breakfast! This recipe features our homemade Mexican chorizo, sautéed onions, garlic, fresh tomatoes and scrambled eggs. Serve with refried beans as breakfast tacos or in a breakfast burrito. Don’t forget about my other favorite Mexican breakfast, Huevos Rancheros.
14. Vegan Pozole Verde
One of our most popular soups, this vegan version of Pozole swaps tender pinto beans for the meat. Top with diced avocados, fresh squeezed lime juice, and warm corn tortillas.
15. Chile Verde Chicken Tamales
Tamales are the hallmark of Mexican cuisine during the holidays so you can never have too many. These Chile Verde Chicken Tamales have tender chicken in chile verde sauce.
16. Atole
Pronounced ah-toh-leh, this warm Mexican drink is a classic accompaniment to sweet tamales. Made with masa harina, cinnamon, and vanilla it is rich, sweet, and creamy. Perfect for warming up on a cold winter day.
17. Mezcal Holiday Punch
Just the recipe you need to fill that punch bowl. Mezcal, ginger beer, pineapple juice, and orange juice, plus a festive ice ring to keep it cold all night long. Use a tube pan or bundt cake pan to make the ice ring.
18. Authentic Tres Leches Cake
Not only is this a family favorite, but the advanced soaking time makes it the perfect dessert to make for a party. Bake it and drench the cake in the milky syrup the day before then top with whipped cream right before serving.
19. The Best Paloma Recipe
How to make the Best Paloma Recipe! The most popular cocktail in Mexico. This is the classic recipe: reposado tequila, freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit juice and the only way to make Palomas—with Squirt.
20. Chicken Mole Verde
Another awesome make ahead recipe this chicken mole verde is even better the next day. Serve with elote (Mexican corn on the cob), sofrito black beans, and coconut rice.
21. Authentic Chiles Rellenos
This Authentic Chile Relleno Recipe takes you step-by-step on how to make this traditional Mexican dish of poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in egg batter and lightly fried. Serve with frijoles de olla, green rice, and salsa ranchera—Ugh, so good! Check out the video.
22. Pork Tamales with Salsa Verde
The filling for these tamales is tender pork stewed in tomatillo salsa but I’ve also used my Instant Pot Carnitas as a filling. Serve with my favorite side dish, Mexican rice and extra salsa verde for spooning over the tamales.
23. Chicken Flautas Mexicanas
Serve these extra-crispy flautas with a few dips like pico de gallo, mango salsa, and (my personal favorite) smoky chipotle guacamole. The filling is easy Salsa Verde Chicken but you could swap any cooked meat, beans, or even mashed sweet potatoes.
24. Arroz Con Leche
Warm and creamy, this is a classic holiday dessert but super easy, with only 5 ingredients. In the winter I love serving Arroz Con Leche warm with plump raisins and canela.
25. Authentic Churros Recipe with Chocolate Sauce
The ultimate authentic Churros recipe–this is the one you’ve been searching for! Crispy, cinnamon and sugar dusted outside, soft and buttery inside with a special technique that makes them even easier to make! Don’t skip on the Mexican Chocolate Sauce either, it’s the perfect accompaniment. Video included!
More Mexican Ingredients To Explore
- What Are Flor de Jamaica? Plus 10 Recipes
- 17 Canned Chipotle Pepper Recipes
- Our 12 Best Black Beans Recipes
- 11 Delicious Ways To Use Tajín
- The Best Chipotle Pepper In Adobo Brands
- 12 Jicama Recipes To Get Our Crunch On
- 20 Tomatillo Recipes
Mexican Recipes Win Every Time
If you are ever in doubt on what to make for guests, just consult this list. No matter which recipe you choose it will be a guaranteed hit! Leave me a comment below and let me know which ones you tried or even better, take a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno. Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!
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