This collection features flavorful, authentic foods and ancestral favorites that are central to the holiday. From sweet pan de muerto to comforting savory dishes, these recipes help you create a meaningful feast to honor loved ones and share the beautiful spirit of this Mexican celebration.
Champurrado
Champurrado is a thick drink made of corn masa, chocolate, and piloncillo. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste with hints of cinnamon and is perfect to serve along with tamales. Get the recipe.
Pipian Verde
This classic Mexican sauce, with its rich and complex flavor profile, is a perfect addition to your fall dishes. The creamy pumpkin seed base, combined with the depth of leafy greens and warming spices, creates a truly satisfying and satisfying experience. Get the recipe.
Panuchos
These crispy tortillas, topped with a creamy bean mixture, savory shredded pork, and vibrant toppings, offer a delicious and satisfying culinary experience. Get the recipe.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
This authentic Mexican hot chocolate is sweet, hearty, and the perfect cozy drink to enjoy on chilly days. Enjoy it as a delicious treat or pair it with pan dulce or savory tamales for a comforting breakfast. Get the recipe.
Tamales de Elote
These sweet corn tamales offer a delightful blend of fluffy masa and the natural sweetness of corn. A versatile treat, they can be enjoyed as a satisfying breakfast or a delightful dessert. Get the recipe.
Mole de Olla
This comforting and satisfying beef broth soup is packed with flavor and texture. The tender bone-in beef and a variety of vegetables simmered in a rich and flavorful chili sauce create a truly enjoyable experience. Enjoy the perfect balance of spice and smokiness in this delicious and satisfying meal. Get the recipe.
Pumpkin Empanadas
Pumpkin empanadas or empanadas de calabaza feature a filling made from pumpkin puree, sweetened and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices. The pumpkin filling is enclosed in a pastry shell, which can be made from a dough similar to pie crust or puff pastry. Get the recipe.
Camote
In Mexican cuisine, camote —a Spanish word for sweet potato, is used in a variety of dishes, both savory and sweet. It can be roasted, boiled, mashed, or fried. In this traditional recipe, camotes are simmered in a decadent piloncillo syrup and served as breakfast, dessert, or snack during Día de Muertos season. Get the recipe.
Candied Pumpkin
Known in Mexico as Calabaza en Tacha this is a traditional dish made from pumpkin or squash that’s cooked in a sweet syrup until it becomes tender and caramelized. It is rich in flavor and has a comforting, warm sweetness, making it one of the most popular Day of the Dead recipes. Get the recipe.
Corn Atole
Atole de elote (corn atole) is often served during Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. This warm and comforting drink is made from masa blended with sweet corn, water, or milk, and sweetened with sugar. Get the recipe.
Pan de Muerto
Pan de Muerto sweet bread is a central element of Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and is often placed on altars as an offering to honor deceased loved ones. Bread of the Dead (as it’s known in English) is adorned with strips of dough shaped into bones and skulls, representing the circle of life and death. Get the recipe.
Tamales Oaxaqueños
This flavourful tamales recipe is made with chicken and mole and wrapped in banana leaves. These soft mole tamales are a traditional dish from Oaxaca where they are commonly prepared and enjoyed as part of the offerings placed on altars to honor deceased loved ones. Get the recipe.
Cochinita Pibil
Slow-cooked pork marinated in achiote and spices —a hearty nod to the unity of tradition and taste. Cochinita Pibil is served during Hanal Pixán, a traditional Mayan term that refers to the Day of the Dead celebrations in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The term translates to “food for the souls” in English, reflecting the central role of food in these celebrations. Get the recipe.
Chicken Tamales Verdes
When it comes to Day of the Dead recipes, tamales verdes are on my top list. Made with tender chicken simmered in a flavorful green salsa, this tamales dish is considered a way to nourish and welcome the spirits of absent loved ones. Get the recipe.
Enmoladas
Enmoladas are a delicious variation of the popular dish enchiladas. In this version, the tortillas are filled with shredded chicken and then smothered in mole, a rich and flavorful sauce made from a blend of chiles, chocolate, spices, and other ingredients. Get the recipe.
Atole de Pinole
Discover the rich and smoky flavors of this traditional Mexican drink. Made with toasted corn flour (pinole), it offers a comforting warmth and a touch of sweetness. Get the recipe.
Calaveritas
Decorative yet delectable, calaveritas de azúcar, or sugar skulls, are an edible art form adorning Day of the Dead altars. Beautifully decorated, sugar skulls are an integral part of the festive altars, and crafting these ornate treats brings creative joy to the festivities. Get the recipe.