10 Traditional Latin American Christmas Foods
Latin American Christmas foods are a delicious part of the Latin American Christmas traditions. The Christmas dinner menu varies from country to country. While dishes like tamales are common in many Latin American countries, these Central and South American Christmas recipes vary.
One thing all traditional Latin American foods have in common during Christmastime is a love of delicious and comforting food. In most Latin American countries, they celebrate Christmas and Three Kings Day and eat rosca de reyes (a fruity bundt cake) before and after Christmas.
Read on to discover 10 traditional Latin American Christmas foods to make this holiday season!
10 Traditional Latin American Christmas Foods
Let’s dive into some of the best Latin American Christmas foods you’ll want to try with the whole family!
Hand-picked for you: Latin American Food: 15 Must-Try National Dishes of Latin America
1. Tamales
Find the recipe here.
Tamales are one of the most popular Latin American Christmas foods. They date back to 8,000 B.C in prehistoric Mesoamerica. The Toltecs and Olmecs ate tamales!
Tamales are corn-based and usually have meat in the middle. The word tamal comes from the Nahuatl word “tamalii.” Common fillings include squash, tomato, turkey, chicken, and beef. This comfort food brings families together for Christmas.
Read more: 7 Appetizing Guatemalan Tamales You Have to Try
2. Buñuelos
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Buñuelos are another Latin American Christmas food you’ll love! This popular dessert has origins on the Iberian Peninsula and influences from Arabian culture.
Many believe this traditional Latin American Christmas food started with the Morisco people (Muslims who were forced into Christianity). They were wheat-based, made with anise, deep fried, and stuffed with yams or cheese.
Nowadays, buñuelos are sweetened with honey or sugar. They’re small balls of dough that are fried and eaten warm during the holiday season. They’re the perfect sweet holiday pastry to enjoy on the streets of Latin America.
3. Arroz con Leche
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Arroz con leche (rice pudding) is a popular Latin American Christmas food that’s usually prepared in large quantities to easily feed big families. This holiday dish is a sweet dessert you’ll love!
Rice pudding is thick and relatively easy to prepare. All you need is sugar, milk, cinnamon, raisins, and rice. Serve it warm or cold. Add cardamom and cinnamon to give it a special touch.
4. Natilla
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This custard is a favorite Latin American food in Colombia and throughout South America during the holiday season. This traditional Christmas flan can be served as an entree and goes well with turkey or ham. Alternatively, enjoy natilla with buñuelos for a sweet treat.
See also: 13 Delicious Traditional Guatemalan Foods You Must Try
5. Tostones
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Latin American Christmas foods from the Caribbean include tostones! These fried plantains are a hit in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, among other countries. People often eat them during the holiday season as an appetizer with guacamole or another dip.
Slice the plantains, fry them once, smash them with a spoon, fry them again, and then take them out as soon as they’re crispy and golden. In Cuba, they’re typically served with garlic sauce and pico de gallo. Include these delicious fritters to give your Christmas dinner a Caribbean twist!
Hand-picked for you: Traditional Ingredients in Spanish: Food Vocabulary for Everyone
6. Bolitas de Yuca
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Bolitas de yuca are a Latin American Christmas food from Peru that serves as a substitute for mashed potatoes. They’re commonly served with melted cheese or a garlic sauce.
Make this delicious meal by boiling and mashing yucca, then adding onions, cheese, and butter to the mix and making it as spicy or salty as you like. They’re the perfect comfort food for your Christmas meal.
7. Pavo
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Pavo (turkey) is becoming more common in Latin America, especially in Mexico. There are many delicious turkey recipes, but in Mexico, the turkey is usually roasted and served with a rich creamy or cheesy sauce. Some people prepare their turkey with mole (a sweet pepper sauce) to make a savory dish for Christmas.
In my Guatemalan family, we prepare a turkey full of fruit and veggies, bake it for several hours and then make a sweet sauce from the fruit.
8. Polvorones and Mantecados
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These buttery cookies are sold in bakeries and supermarkets. They’re usually made with manteca (lard) and are also known as Latin American Christmas cookies.
In Central America, this Latin American Christmas food is called polvorosas. In South America, they’re better known as polvorones or mantecados. These small sweets are full of butter, sugar and flour.
9. Roscón de Reyes
Find the recipe here.
The Roscón de Reyes is an elaborate Latin American Christmas cake. It’s a sweet bread that’s topped with pieces of fruit and candy. Many people also call it the Three Kings’ Day cake, and they prepare and eat it with the whole family on January 6.
This colorful and festive cake has ingredients such as flour, sugar, dried fruit, and eggs. Check out the recipe to make a unique Christmas cake this holiday season!
10. Empanadas
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Empanadas are common across all of Latin America. This pastry-like food works perfectly as an appetizer or a side dish. It’s one of my all-time favorite Latin American Christmas foods.
I love making empanadas with my family and we make a day out of it! If you’re all learning Spanish in your house, it’s a great activity to write down all ingredients in Spanish and personalize your empanada with any filling you love.
Eat—and Learn Spanish!—This Holiday Season
Food is a major part of Latin American culture. It’s great to celebrate the holidays by cooking special foods and trying out new dishes!
Spanish continues to grow in the U.S. By learning Spanish, you gain the ability to speak this beautiful language, teach your children a new skill, and become fluent together. What’s more, learning a language helps you improve your cognition and decision-making abilities. It’s fun, entertaining, and educational!
Sign up for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy to brush up on your Spanish this holiday season! Have a 1-to-1 conversation with one of our friendly, certified teachers from Guatemala. Learners of every level are welcome, including total beginners. Check out our programs, prices, and testimonials and choose what works best for you.
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