Mexican-Style Thanksgiving Menu
Your go-to Mexican recipes and your favorite Thanksgiving dishes have combined to create a one-of-a-kind, totally tasty Thanksgiving dinner. Starting with Roasted-Pumpkin Guacamole and finishing with Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie, this Mexican Thanksgiving menu offers the best of both worlds. Who knows? Your Mexican Thanksgiving meal might be the start of a new tradition.
Mexican Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
Get started on your Thanksgiving fiesta by serving up these Mexican recipes:
Appetizer: Roasted-Pumpkin Guacamole
Main dish: Cilantro-Lime Rubbed Turkey
Side dish: Roasted Butternut Squash and Beet Salad with Queso Cotija
Side dish: Chorizo-Stuffed Squash
Side dish: Baked Sweet Potatoes (Camote)
Dessert: Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie
See photos and learn more about each of these zesty recipes below.
Homemade guac is always a winner. Make your guacamole extra fitting for fall by adding roasted pumpkin. Adding pumpkin seeds, cilantro, cumin seed, lime juice, and more up the seasonal flavors. Add a little kick with a jalapeño pepper, then dig in with your tortilla chips. This delicious dip makes the case for including guacamole in your Mexican Thanksgiving traditions.
Fan rave: "This is a really good recipe! We mashed the contents together for a more dip-like consistency. With both lime-flavor and blue corn chips, it is fantastic." — Katy Gulya
Get the recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Guacamole
Beets, butternut squash, and pumpkin seeds fill this salad with autumn's flavors and colors. Of course, there are plenty of good-for-you greens to balance out the richer cuisine to come. If that isn't enough to make you excited to eat your salad, consider the marinated red onion vinaigrette that brings everything together. Sprinkle on some Cotija cheese for a finishing touch.
Tip: If you can't find pumpkin seed oil for the vinaigrette, try toasted sesame oil or olive oil instead.
Get the recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash and Beet Salad with Queso Cotija
If you're hosting a large fiesta, add another one or two of our best Mexican appetizers and sides.
Say adios to boring vegetables and stuffing a turkey. Instead, stuff squash with ingredients capturing the best flavors of the season with a hint of Mexican flair. Peppers, chorizo, raisins, Cotija cheese, and a blend of herbs and spices make an appearance. This dish looks fancy, but is simple to make and takes only 25 minutes of hands-on time. Not only is it one of our favorite Mexican Thanksgiving side dishes, but it's one of the quickest, too.
Get the recipe: Chorizo-Stuffed Squash
The best Mexican recipes to serve at your Thanksgiving meal will have a combo of sweet and spicy. Skip the sweet on sweet (like the traditional marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes) in favor of spicy on sweet by topping baked sweet potatoes with jalapeño peppers, crumbled queso fresco, and/or kosher salt. Worried that the sweetness of the potatoes will be lost amidst these flavors? Don't worry. There's also honey, canela (Mexican cinnamon), and nutmeg for a good balance of sweet to spicy. Even if your meal won't be entirely Mexican Thanksgiving foods, this sweet potato recipe is still a super-tasty addition to a more traditional Thanksgiving menu.
Get the recipe: Baked Sweet Potatoes (Camote)
Fun fact: Camote is the Spanish word for sweet potato.
Think beyond salsa for using cilantro. This roast turkey recipe includes a half cup of the fresh citrusy herb. Add some parsley, lime zest, honey, and other seasonings, and your bird will be tastier than ever. In addition to instructions for this delectable turkey, we're also sharing our tips to make a Cilantro-Lime Gravy. (Save some to drizzle over the Baked Sweet Potatoes.) A succulent herb-infused turkey paired with a rich gravy is a winning Thanksgiving combo your guests will definitely appreciate, especially as part of a Mexican Thanksgiving meal.
Get the recipe: Cilantro-Lime Rubbed Turkey
Tip: Not a fan of cilantro? Try some of our other turkey rub recipes. For a similarly spicy Mexican turkey recipe, we recommend our Mole Rub with chili powder, orange zest, and semisweet chocolate.
Q: What do you get when you combine cheesecake, pumpkin pie, and chipotle pepper?
A: This incredibly sweet and spicy Mexican pumpkin pie.
It's an unexpected and original recipe that will disappear from your dessert table in a flash. Cover a crust with a layer of cream cheese and vanilla and cranberry sauce. Next, pour on a pumpkin mixture that has a fiery chipotle pepper. Bake and plate with a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar, if desired.
Get the recipe: Chipotle-Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie
Add a special touch to your dessert with these easy yet showy crust techniques.
Bonus: Add a Cocktail (or Mocktail)
Instead of wine, this Mexican Thanksgiving menu is begging to be paired with a mixed drink, punch, or fresh juice. Might we suggest:
Customizable cocktail: Homemade Margarita Mix. The advantage of this drink is that you can customize it. One recipe makes only five servings, so if you're hosting a crowd, mix a few different fruit purees. Maybe mango, strawberry, or watermelon?
Customizable mocktail: Agua Fresca 5 Ways. These fresh fruit juices blend into cocktails or make a kid-friendly inclusion to your drink menu. Choose between watermelon, pineapple, cucumber, strawberry, and mango.
Boozy punch: Sweet and Spicy Citrus Party Punch. Spiked with vodka, this party-worthy punch has a hint of heat thanks to pickled jalapeño pepper juice. But don't worry, grapefruit and tangerine juice keep it sweet and refreshing.
Alcohol-free punch: Sparkling Basil Lemonade with Jalapeños. Spice up traditional lemonade by floating jalapeño pepper slices in your punch bowl. They'll give each cup of lemonade just enough heat to make it fit right in with the rest of your Mexican-style Thanksgiving food.
Dessertlike drink: Mexican Hot Chocolate. The holidays are all about indulging, and this warm, creamy drink was made for that. With plenty of sweetness and a hint of spice, this drink could easily be dessert.
