21 Mexican-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes

Our handpicked recipes weave the zest and vibrancy of Mexico into your holiday favorites, promising a table that bursts with unforgettable flavors. Think tender turkey with a chipotle kick, cornbread with a touch of jalapeño, and sweet empanadas that echo the festive spirit.

Easy to prepare yet impressive on the plate, these dishes are set to make your Thanksgiving uniquely memorable. Prepare for a celebration where every bite is a reason to be thankful!

Turkey

Turkey is the star of the show when it comes to any Thanksgiving feast and these recipes are guaranteed to ensure the foundation of your meal is one to remember.

Flavorful, crispy skin. Tender and juicy meat. Savory traditional holiday herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme mixed in with some bright Mexican-inspired ingredients like cilantro, parsley, and even a chipotle twist for those looking for something a bit more adventurous this year. 

Chipotle Citrus Thanksgiving Turkey: This Thanksgiving, let your turkey be the showstopper with our chipotle citrus turkey recipe! It’s a harmonious blend of tangy, spicy, and subtly sweet that complements all your favorite Thanksgiving sides. And don’t worry about fuss – this turkey is easy to prepare and tastes amazing, ensuring a feast that’s as stress-free as it is delicious!

Herb Roast Turkey: If you’d like something a little more on the traditional side, we recommend our succulent herb roast turkey. This bird, lovingly massaged with a bouquet of fresh herbs, promises to be the tender, juicy centerpiece that your holiday spread deserves. Get ready for a simple yet sublime turkey that will have everyone reaching for another piece before the first has even disappeared.

How to Make Turkey Gravy from Drippings: Regardless of what recipe you choose, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a luscious salty gravy. There are lots of opinions on the best way to make gravy, but for my money, I’m using the drippings. I never want to let all the seasonings and juicy pan drippings from the turkey go to waste! 

How to Carve a Turkey: The biggest game changer for me as a home cook on Thanksgiving was learning how to properly carve the bird. Proper carving techniques will improve the beauty of your presentation, make doling out portions easier, and it will greatly reduce food waste as you’re so much more efficient with your cuts. 

Turkey Enchiladas: Leftovers are the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving, and these turkey enchiladas are about to steal the spotlight. This dish is a clever twist on tradition, turning standard leftovers into something special. 

Sides

The key to any successful Thanksgiving table is an assortment of side dishes that not only stand out on their own but complement one another as part of a larger whole.

These side dishes will totally rock your Thanksgiving feast! They all have unique flavors that come together in perfect harmony. Plus, they look amazing on the plate. Get ready to take your taste buds on a delicious journey! 

Green Chili Corn Casserole: You’ll love this easy green chili corn casserole made from a mix of sweet corn, creamed corn, and a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix. It’s one of the easiest Thanksgiving side dishes you’ll make this holiday season!

Jalapeño Cornbread: This jalapeño cornbread recipe is sweet, savory, and perfectly moist with a spicy kick! Ready in 30 minutes, enjoy it with a pat of butter, some honey, or even with some turkey dripping gravy on top!

Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts: These honey balsamic Brussels sprouts are oven-roasted perfection. Tossed with a bit of honey and balsamic vinegar, this recipe is a weeknight side dish capable of holding its own against any traditional Thanksgiving staple side at this year’s table.

Easy Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce may very well be the most divisive of the Thanksgiving sides, with many of our friends and family standing in staunch opposition to it. But true cranberry believers like me will never stop trying to show others the light, and this Mexican-inspired twist on the dish might just be the key. Our version is made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey and might be my favorite version of Cranberry sauce I’ve ever had!

Fresh Green Bean Casserole: Green bean casserole is a classic that we just couldn’t mess with. This recipe is made with fresh green beans, an easy and creamy sauce made from onions and mushrooms, and topped with classic crunchy fried onions! Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday celebration.

Oven Roasted Carrots with Maple Cinnamon: Tossed with melted butter, maple syrup, and a touch of cinnamon, these oven-roasted carrots are a great side dish worthy of being served at any holiday feast. They’re fork-tender and melt-in-your-mouth good!

Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing: This one’s for all my stuffing stans out there! My cornbread stuffing is made with chorizo, onions, celery, and fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme. It’s the perfect easy side dish to serve at your Thanksgiving and holiday celebrations!

Brussels Sprouts Salad: Ready in only 5 minutes, this easy Brussels sprout salad is made with shaved Brussels sprouts, juicy apples, dried cranberries, and nutty pecan halves. Toss it together with a quick lemon dijon dressing for an easy side dish perfect for the holidays or any day of the week!

Roasted Butternut Squash: Butternut squash is a fall gourd that is all too often overlooked at Thanksgiving. This roasted butternut squash recipe is melt-in-your-mouth good! Tasty enough for a special occasion and easy enough for a weeknight meal, this side dish will steal the show. Get ready because you’re going to fall in love!

Sweet Potatoes

We love sweet potatoes so much, we gave them their own section! Sweet potatoes are so versatile and delicious that we felt like we had no choice but to give them their own love here with a selection of dishes that work as sides, desserts, and even replacements for traditional dishes. We know you’re going to love them. 

Camote Enmielado (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes): Warm and sweet camote enmielado (Mexican Candied Sweet Potatoes) are made from sweet potatoes, piloncillo, and comforting spices. The rich flavors are infused into the sweet potatoes, making for a mouth-watering side dish or dessert perfect for the fall and winter seasons!

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole: Thanksgiving is often a heavy meal, and this easy and healthy sweet potato casserole is an excellent balancer as it’s delicious and hearty without being as heavy as other traditional Thanksgiving sides. It’s made with sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and candied pecans for a delicious holiday side dish that is gluten-free, vegetarian, and paleo.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes: If you’re looking for an alternative to classic Thanksgiving potatoes, try these mashed sweet potatoes. They’re creamy and perfectly seasoned with a touch of maple syrup and ground cinnamon, making them an outstanding addition to your table this holiday season.

Desserts

If you’re anything like me, dessert is a non-negotiable at Thanksgiving dinner. And while I love pumpkin pie as a staple, I’m always looking for something new and different to add some excitement to the close of the meal.

All of these recipes will fit seamlessly into your table this year, and if I had to bet, this won’t be the last year that you make them. They’re that good! 

Apple Tres Leches Cake: A delicious apple cinnamon tres leches cake soaked in three types of milk and topped with cinnamon whipped cream. It’s a fun twist on the traditional Mexican tres leches cake and is a perfect fall and winter treat!

Pumpkin Empanadas: Pumpkin empanadas are a fun spin on traditional pumpkin pie. They’re the perfect handheld fall and winter treat stuffed with a delicious pumpkin filling and wrapped in a sweet and fluffy dough! Just like from your favorite Mexican panaderia, but at home!

Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake: You won’t miss pie with this fall version of your favorite Mexican dessert! This pumpkin tres leches recipe includes perfectly moist and spiced sponge cake topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice!

Moist Pumpkin Bread: Another pumpkin pie alternative, this moist pumpkin bread is easy to make and features a crunchy crust made from turbinado sugar and pepitas! Perfect for the fall and winter seasons!