Mexican Thanksgiving Food
Photo by samuelfernandezrivera

23 Mexican Foods for Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is one of the most beautiful times for those who celebrate it. It’s a time to remember what we’re thankful for, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy delicious food

In addition, Mexican culture also has something similar called El Día de Acción de Gracias, which translates to Thanksgiving in English.

It’s celebrated in early December and lasts several days — an exciting combination of both holidays! The celebration usually goes with Mexican Thanksgiving food.

Tropical Turkey Tacos

Your guests will be delighted when you serve this Mexican Thanksgiving Food. In place of turkey, use grilled chicken or pork.

Furthermore, it is served with cilantro and sour lime cream for a festive twist on traditional tacos. Using a corn tortilla makes them an incredibly healthy option.

Corn Bread

Cornbread, also known as muffins or cornbread, is a Mexican Thanksgiving food. It contains finely ground corn, yellow maize, wheat flour, and salt. Cornbread has been eaten for thousands of years.

Cornbread was also a staple for many Native American tribes before European settlers arrived in North America.

During winter, cornbread was often all that some Native Americans had to eat. 

In addition, it is more prevalent in other states than here in Texas, where tortillas reign supreme on tables at all times of the year.

Pumpkin Pie 

Can you imagine a table without a slice of pumpkin pie? I can’t! It’s as essential as traditional Mexican Thanksgiving food.

You don’t have to be from Mexico to enjoy traditional foods like pumpkin pie and enchiladas, but you must love them! Making pumpkin pie isn’t tricky, but it takes time, so be sure you start well in advance of your celebration.

Again, when we make pumpkin, one of my family traditions is to serve hot cocoa with melted marshmallows alongside it.

And there are never any leftovers! Hot cocoa with marshmallows is typically only performed on Christmas day in Mexico. This is because it requires more sugar than regular hot chocolate. So enjoy some while they last!

Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese 

Macaroni and cheese are usually childhood favorites and delicious comfort foods. But macaroni and cheese take on an entirely new life when they are topped with a little spicy kick!

Meanwhile, this unique twist on macaroni and cheese tastes like your favorite Mexican Thanksgiving food, right down to chipotle in adobo sauce, queso fresco, jalapenos, sour cream, and Monterey Jack. 

But it’s easy to prepare boxed macaroni according to directions. Stir in a chipotle cream sauce (available at many grocery stores), and add shredded Monterey Jack, queso fresco, and sour cream toppings.

Cranberry Sauce 

Anyone can make cranberry sauce. It’s quick and straightforward, and it also makes a great accompaniment to many main dishes—especially turkey! 

However, you can make it from scratch or use canned cranberries with sugar, orange juice, cloves, and cinnamon.

Experiment with different cranberries like red raspberry or blackberries for something new! Cranberry sauce also freezes well, so go ahead and double up on your batch to have some later!

Tres Leches Cake 

Mexican Thanksgiving food is perfect for your party. Its name means three kinds of milk in Spanish because it’s a traditional sweet.

It consists of three layers of sponge cake soaked in evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream.

Also, the cake is light and spongy, with a delicious frosting on top and its sides.

It’s one of many tres leches cakes but one of our favorites. What are yours?

Taco Salad 

Did you know that you can make your taco salad healthier? Swap in low-fat sour cream and use vinaigrette instead of dressing.

You can also add steamed veggies or black beans for extra protein. Adding sliced avocados is another way to make your taco salad, Mexican Thanksgiving food, more delicious.

They’re full of healthy fats but also help your body absorb other nutrients like lutein, beta-carotene, and vitamins C, E, and K! 

So, if you’re hosting a party, why not serve food on a large tray that guests can grab as they walk by? That way, everyone gets exactly what they want without leaving their seat. No utensils are required!

Horchata Iced Tea 

We like to think of horchata as a Spanish horchata. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s rice milk sweetened and flavored with cinnamon.

It’s much more delicious than it sounds; therefore, if you can try this in Mexican Thanksgiving food, you might need some training.

Mix some in with your tequila for a killer cocktail—or grab one of these adult horchata milkshakes! Plenty of desserts use horchata as an ingredient (most notably crucial lime pie), but there are also plenty of desserts based around horchata, like these sweet potato brownies.

Jalapeno Poppers 

Jalapeno poppers are a popular appetizer dish and side dish at many restaurants. While they may seem challenging, they’re straightforward to put together.

To impress your friends at your next dinner party or family gathering, serve some jalapeno poppers!

This Mexican Thanksgiving food is perfect for any occasion, especially if you want to add a little spice.

Adding some peppers to your main dishes can spice things up! Try stuffing peppers with cheese or spicy pork fillings for a tasty twist on an old favorite recipe.

Meanwhile, you can even try making stuffed pepper soup by adding vegetables such as corn, carrots, celery, and beans to your filling.

Or how about trying out a new take on baked potatoes? You could stuff them with anything from steak to chicken salad. They’re sure to be a hit!

Galletas de Suero (Buttermilk Biscuits)  

Buttermilk and fine flour formed a smooth dough mixed with egg yolks for extra flavor. The dough is covered with a cloth and left in a warm place to ferment overnight.

The next day, it’s kneaded again, rolled out until it reaches about half an inch thick, and cut into rounds. Again, the rounds are baked until golden brown, then cooled off before being brushed with melted butter or oil.

They can be enjoyed plain or used as crackers to accompany hearty soups like Menudo and pozole. Enjoy this Mexican Thanksgiving food on any of your occasions. 

Chile con Queso 

Chile con queso is a dip made with chiles and cheese. It can be served warm or cold and on its own or with tortilla chips.

If you want great recipes to bring a homemade touch to your holiday meal, try our suggestions below! Let’s get started!

Chile con Queso Recipe This simple recipe will help you prepare a delightful chile con queso that everyone will love.

This recipe is so easy to make that it will only take 15 minutes to complete! Plus, it makes 12 servings of delicious food. 

Amazingly, it’s nice that your big family gathering is coming. There won’t be any problem getting enough servings ready in time for all of your guests.

This dish will also last in your refrigerator for three days, so if there are leftovers, they won’t go bad before anyone can eat them!

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips 

This is a beautiful appetizer for any party, but be careful when eating it because it is addicting. Make sure you have something to drink nearby.

If you like this Mexican Thanksgiving food on your corn chips, these are for you. Fortunately, these are easy to make and take about five minutes from start to finish.

The best part about these tortillas is that they don’t need a recipe because there isn’t one. Sprinkle sugar over tortilla chips and add cinnamon to your liking.

And hey, if cinnamon and sugar aren’t enough for you, feel free to sprinkle some chili powder or other seasonings over them as well!

Guajillo Spiced Scalloped Potatoes 

You’ll need five large yellow potatoes and 2 Tbsp olive oil to make these fantastic scalloped potatoes.

Also, one large white onion, 1 lb ground turkey (or vegetarian crumbles), three cloves of garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 2 (6-oz) cans tomato paste and 12 oz chicken broth

Furthermore, Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Wash and cut your potatoes into slices about a quarter-inch thick.

In a large pot or Dutch oven on medium heat, cook onions in olive oil for about 8 minutes until translucent. Lastly, add garlic and cook another 2 minutes, then add meat. If using root, crumble it as it cooks.

Mexican Turkey Soup

Consider creating turkey soup if you want a new twist on your favorite classic dish! This recipe takes the traditional chicken soup to a new level by adding critical ingredients like cilantro and chopped jalapenos.

Serve it with cornbread or tortillas to create an authentic, savory meal that will turn heads at your next family gathering. 

Yum! Nothing quite like gathering around a table filled with your favorite food to celebrate the holidays.

If you’re planning a holiday feast and want to try something new, consider making any of these mouthwatering Mexican Thanksgiving foods.

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding) 

What is better than a warm dessert on a cold holiday? This sweet bread pudding has three layers of flavor with mild spices, hearty raisins, and dried peaches.

It’s then topped with caramel sauce, nuts, and cinnamon. Churros are another perfect holiday treat. They are fried dough pieces that can be topped with honey or chocolate syrup.

They come out of their fryer still fresh. Best served hot, these treats are amazing, eaten on their own or dipped in warm chocolate sauce.

Turkey Tingas

A traditional Mexican Thanksgiving food, turkey is usually made with shredded chicken cooked in a tangy tomato sauce.

It is seasoned with chipotle peppers and spices such as cumin, coriander, and oregano. 

However, to make it into a meal for your Mexican Thanksgiving food, add white rice and beans to serve alongside it.

Chicken Mole

The chicken mole is made from braised chicken in an earthy sauce flavored with cocoa powder, chiles, and other spices. Such as cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.

Traditionally, it is served over rice with corn tortillas. Also, you can quickly turn it into a meal by adding beans to help alongside it.

Tamales are savory corn cakes with meat or cheese (or both!) wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed until soft. This tasty Mexican Thanksgiving food will fill you up without weighing you down!

Taco Turkey Empanadas 

Get your kids involved with making taco turkey empanadas. Get as creative as possible with these easy-to-make desserts you can carry around! Taco turkey is a Mexican Thanksgiving food.

Nothing says thankfulness quite like tacos, am I right? So try something new at your next taco party and put some of these on your menu. 

Poblano and Corn Casserole 

This easy dish makes a delicious side or light meal. Poblano chiles are a spicy and flavorful pepper cultivated in Mexico for centuries.

They are used to make mole poblano and chile Rellenos and soups, stews, and sauces. When dried, they become ancho chiles.

Dishes are made with these peppers in Pueblo, New Mexican, Southwestern, and Tex-Mex cuisine; one example is Chiles Rellenos (stuffed peppers).

Depending on cultivars and preparation methods, their heat can be mild to extremely hot.

Avocado and Roasted Yam Fall Ensalada 

Avocado and Roasted Yam Fall Ensalada is a Mexican Thanksgiving food. It is high in oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat known for reducing blood cholesterol levels and improving heart health.

Roasted yams, often considered a Thanksgiving side dish instead of a vegetable, are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. 

Carrots are also thought to reduce inflammation and aid circulation. These ingredients create an enjoyable fall salad with an orange color that evokes the atmosphere of Thanksgiving Day.

Extra note: Serve it with turkey and stuffing for one delicious Mexican Thanksgiving recipe.

This fall salad is delicious as a main course or side dish. It works well for any Thanksgiving meal, but I like to do it with chicken mole—it adds a nice touch of creaminess to an otherwise spicy dish. 

Don’t forget to toast your tortillas before adding them to your plate! You won’t regret it.

Spicy Chorizo Pistachio Pear Stuffing

Stuffing with a taste of Mexico, but light enough to be served at any meal. If you don’t like pears, you can use a pear or another firm fruit.

We recommend adding two cloves of garlic and two teaspoons of chili powder to give it an extra kick.
Also, you can try using less ground chorizo to tone down its spiciness.

It is one of the main dishes on Thanksgiving day in Mexico, and these tamales help capture that tradition with their blend of ingredients that pair well with turkey meat.

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Fritter

This traditional Mexican fritter, a Frollo de calabaza, is a savory and slightly sweet version of pumpkin pie.

It’s traditionally served at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s so tasty you can do it any time.

If you have leftovers from your turkey dinner or Cinco de Mayo party, try using them in place of pumpkin puree for an extra twist on traditional flavors.

The steps are simple enough that you could even make these as part of your kitchen experiments for children in elementary school!

Nutty Turkey Tamales

These tamales are made with turkey, naturally. The recipe calls for chorizo and ground sausage, but you can make it vegetarian-friendly by omitting these ingredients. 

Although they don’t taste exactly like traditional American-style tamales, they are a fun and delicious twist on a classic recipe! (Recipe).

You’ll Need 2 cups masa harina, 1 cup hot water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp chili powder. You’ll also need 3/4 lb cooked turkey meat, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 4 oz chorizo or pork sausage.

Three cloves of garlic were minced, one medium onion was chopped, and eight dried corn husks were chopped.

Water was used for soaking and steaming the Salsa, which was then ready to serve. Directions: Finally, cut the corn husks from the corn cobs.

Mix masa harina, hot Water, salt, and chili powder in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in turkey meat until well combined.

Divide the mixture into eight equal portions. Cook the chorizo or pork sausage in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink; drain the fat from the pan if necessary.

Conclusion

What do you think about Mexican Thanksgiving food? You might be thinking, What do I do with all of these recipes? Well, that’s a great question.

The answer is simple: you make delicious food! So go on and celebrate Cinco de Mayo like there’s no tomorrow! Your taste buds will thank you later.

Remember to refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparing them and store them for three to four days.

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