The holiday season is a time of warmth, joy, and cherished traditions, especially in Mexican households where food plays a central role in the celebration. Growing up, I remember my family gatherings filled with the comforting scents of tamales, pozole, and sweet arroz con leche, all lovingly prepared and shared as we laughed and celebrated together. These dishes are more than meals; they are symbols of connection, culture, and cherished memories.
As a Mexican registered dietitian and advocate for plant-based eating, I’ve made it my mission to honor these beloved traditions while showcasing how delicious and nourishing plant-based versions of classic holiday dishes can be.
You don’t have to sacrifice flavor or cultural authenticity to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. By using fresh, vibrant ingredients and creative substitutes, these recipes pay homage to the rich flavors we all know and love, while adding a nutritious twist.
In this round-up, I’m excited to share some of my favorite plant-based Mexican Christmas meals. Recipes that my family and I have been making for years during christmastime so it feels very special to share these with you. Whether you’re looking to celebrate fully plant-based or simply want to introduce a few new dishes to your table, these recipes will bring the heart of Mexican holiday traditions to life. – from my family to yours! 🙂
Vegan Tamales
This is the best vegan tamales recipe, an authentic and flavorful recipe passed down by my grandmother for you to enjoy! They are very popular during the holidays but make them for any celebration year-round. For video recipe click here.
Pozole
Pozole Rojo is one of the more comforting Mexican soups made during Christmas. Hearty and flavorful soup made with hominy, seasoned jackfruit, and a savory chili broth that warms your soul! This authentic Mexican soup is typically made for special events and holidays.
Tacos Dorados
These vegan Tacos dorados are the ultimate Mexican comfort food. My mom makes them inbetween Christmas and New Years and it always makes that week extra special. They are golden crispy, flavorful, satisfying, and authentically Mexican.
Pozole Verde
The best pozole verde you will ever have. Perfect for the holiday season if you’re looking for something rich in nutrients. Savory, cozy, satisfying, authentic, and nutritious! Make this delicious soup for a special occasion or batch-cook it for the entire week.
Vegan Enchiladas Verdes
Savory vegan enchiladas verdes suizas in a creamy, delicious sauce made of tomatillos, peppers, silken tofu, and garlic. Hearty filling of mashed chickpeas, mushrooms, and spices. You’ll definitely want to make these more than once!
Mexican Spaghetti
This espagueti verde (green spaghetti) is a creamy, savory Mexican pasta sauce that is absolutely irresistible. You will see this at many Mexican Christmas potlucks. This delicious sauce is made with roasted poblano peppers, spinach, onions, Serrano peppers, cilantro, and soaked cashews.
Vegan Picadillo
This vegan picadillo recipe is as close as it gets to a typical Mexican picadillo. It’s a savory stew typically made with ground beef, potatoes, onions, peas, and garlic, in a tomato broth. It’s a comforting Mexican dish that everyone will love, even picky eaters!
Corundas
Corundas are a tamale from Michoacán Mexico that are simple and easy to make. They are a type of tamal and are made during the holidays to add into soups and caldos. They are eaten with spicy salsa roja, cream, and crumbled cotija cheese.
Mole Verde (Pipián)
Mole Verde, also known as Pipián, is easily one of the best moles in the world. It’s a rich, creamy Mexican sauce made from nuts, tomatillos, and vegetables. It’s flavorful, nutritious, and pairs well with coconut rice or steamed white rice.
Menudo
Vegan Menudo is just as comforting as authentic Mexican Menudo soup. It’s made with a savory chili broth, two different kinds of mushrooms, and hominy. It’s perfect for a cold winter day or as a hangover cure.
Vegan Arroz con Leche
This Vegan Arroz con Leche (Mexican Rice Pudding) is sweet, creamy, comforting, and perfect for indulging. This cinnamon rice dessert is made with dairy-free milk, super easy to make, and you’ll only need 5 main ingredients.
Vegan Flan
This vegan flan recipe is as close as it gets to your favorite Mexican dessert! It is no-bake, super easy to make, only 7 ingredients, and so creamy and delicious.
Churro Cheesecake
Churro Cheesecake is the dessert you didn’t know you needed! Creamy vegan cheesecake stuffed between layers of flaky, cinnamon sugar-flavored crescent crust. It’s the perfect dessert to make for a special event or a family dinner.
Buñuelos
Mexican buñuelos by Dora’s Table. They are light, crispy, and golden brown rounds of goodness. In this version, the dough is studded with orange zest and orange juice and served covered in cinnamon sugar.
Bionicos
Bionicos, a popular Mexican street food and delicious dessert, is a delightful treat that combines fresh seasonal fruit with a sweet cream mixture, nuts, granola, raisins, and coconut flakes. This simple recipe makes an easy dessert or even breakfast.
Mexican Christmas Meals also include lots of sweets like flan, cheescake, bionicos, and arroz con leche. Desserts are not always meant to be healthy but it is healthy to enjoy sweets in moderation and have a healthy relationshipo with food. As a mental health advocate and dietitian, I recommend you enjoy your sweets mindfully and listen to your body!
This collection of Mexican Christmas meals is more than just a collection of recipes—it’s an invitation to celebrate our rich cultural traditions while embracing nutritious, plant-based versions of beloved holiday dishes.
Christmas in Mexican culture is a time for gathering with family and friends, sharing laughter, stories, and meals that nourish both body and spirit. Dishes like tamales, pozole, buñuelos, and ponche hold cherished memories, bringing generations together around the table. By recreating these classics with plant-based ingredients, we can honor our heritage while supporting our health and the well-being of the planet.
