21 Mexican Christmas Recipes to Make This Year

Mexican Pork Tamales

An easy Mexican pork tamales recipe filled with tender pieces of pork simmered in a delicious red chile sauce all wrapped in a soft masa dough.

I grew up eating tamales every year for Christmas, New Years and other special occasions. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to make your own authentic Mexican tamales right at home!

Pozole Rojo

This Pozole Rojo (Red Posole) is a comforting and hearty Mexican soup/stew filled with shredded pork and hominy in a warm red chile broth.

Pozole rojo is served year-round, but is often eaten at celebrations such as birthdays, Christmas, New Years, and other holidays.

Chicken Tamales

These tamales are stuffed with tender pieces of chicken in a flavorful chile verde sauce made from tomatillos and a blend of green chiles.

This recipe shares everything you need to know to make them perfectly on the first try!

Chicken Pozole Verde

Pozole Verde is a comforting Mexican stew filled with shredded chicken and hominy in a delicious green chile broth made from tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro.

It’s easy to make, hearty, and ready in only one hour!

Atole

Atole (pronounced ah-toh-leh) is a traditional Mexican drink that’s thickened with masa harina and sweetened with piloncillo, cinnamon, and vanilla.

It’s often enjoyed in chilly weather because it’s thick and creamy enough to warm you up on those cold nights.

Sweet Tamales

Sweet Tamales made with two types of raisins and sweetened with cinnamon and sugar.

These are easy to make and a sweet treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of atole or ponche.

Champurrado

Champurrado is a type of atole that’s made with Mexican chocolate.

This chocolate-based atole is prepared with milk, Mexican chocolate, and cinnamon, and is sweetened with a little piloncillo and vanilla extract.

Every sip is creamy, thick, and satisfying and will warm you up from the inside out!

Ponche

Mexican Ponche is a warm and comforting Christmas punch made with apples, pears, oranges and guavas, and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, tamarind and hibiscus.

It’s perfect for kids because they love to eat the warm pieces of fruit, but it’s also great for adults who often drink it with a splash of rum or brandy.

Buñuelos

Often served during the Christmas and New Years holidays, Mexican Buñuelos are delicious fried dough discs dusted with cinnamon sugar.

They’re crispy, crunchy, and a staple during the holidays.

Tamales de Rajas

Tamales de Rajas are traditional Mexican tamales filled with slices of roasted poblano peppers and cheese.

These tamales are naturally vegetarian and gluten free.

Marranitos

Marranitos (Mexican Gingerbread Pigs) are a Mexican pan dulce, or sweet bread, flavored with molasses and commonly found in Mexican bakeries.

They’re great served with a cup of milk, coffee, or champurrado!

Cranberry Margarita

Filled with holiday cheer, this Cranberry Margarita is the perfect Christmas and New Years drink!

Made with only 4 simple ingredients – cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice – it’s easy to make and comes together in only 5 minutes.

Arroz con Leche

Arroz con Leche, or Mexican rice pudding, will forever remind me of my family. It’s a comforting, simple, and easy dessert made from a few ingredients including long-grain white rice, sugar, milk, and cinnamon sticks.

It can be served hot or cold, and is perfect cozy treat for the holidays!

Rompope (Mexican Eggnog)

Rompope (pronounced “rrohm-poh-peh”) is really close to the traditional eggnog recipe. The main differences are that it’s made with only the egg yolks and adds slivered almonds for a hint of nuttiness.

It’s a delicious holiday drink that can be served warm or cold, and with or without alcohol.

Camote Enmielado

Camote Enmielado, or Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes, is one of my favorite warm and comforting desserts to make when the weather starts to get cold!

Melt-in-your-mouth sweet potatoes are simmered on the stove in a syrup made from piloncillo, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

Mexican Hot Chocolate

This Mexican Hot Chocolate made with 100% unsweetened cocoa powder, cinnamon and a hint of chili will warm you up from the inside out.