Thanksgiving In Mexico

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is not observed by Mexicans. However, there are various tourist destinations and places in Mexico with significant expat communities that celebrate this occasion that is borrowed from the neighboring America. This festivity is fast becoming popular in Mexico, thanks to over a million American expats who live in the country today.

Thanksgiving in Mexico, for those who celebrate it, is like a mini-Christmas sans the tree or decor and gifts, just with great Mexican food and the true spirit of gratitude.

What is Thanksgiving Day?

Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday observed with immense delight in the United States. This holiday is held to celebrate the bounty and harvest, among other blessings, obtained during the past year.

The American Thanksgiving Day, as generally believed, is based on a harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag Native Americans in October of 1621.

This event is commonly referred to as the “First Thanksgiving,” which the Pilgrims – or the English colonists – celebrated after their first harvest in the New World. This feast is said to have lasted for three days and joined in by some 90 Wampanoag people.

Thanksgiving Day has crossed a lot of borders since, with the occasion being celebrated in many other countries in the world, Mexico being one of them.

Thanksgiving Day in Mexico

People in Mexico, Mexicans or otherwise, also celebrate Thanksgiving Day in a similar manner nowadays. It is called Día de Acción de Gracias or Día de Dar Gracias or Día de Dar Gracias in Spanish.

Thanksgiving Day in Mexico, as well as in the United States, is celebrated every 4th Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving for Mexicans is considered an occasion to give thanks for blessings received. This is a day spent with loved ones, saying a short thanksgiving prayer before the special meal.

This special occasion has been around in Mexico for decades now. The practice declined for a short period in the early 1900s, but its popularity came back. Today Thanksgiving is still being observed by many Mexicans, celebrating it with typical Mexican dinner – spicy and colorful.

Thanksgiving Celebrations In Mexico

Mexican Thanksgiving celebrations are not very far from how it’s done in the US, except that in Mexico there is not much pomp involved.

Mexicans and expats in Mexico who observe the occasion decorate their homes with harvest-related stuff such as fruits, autumn leaves and flowers, and pumpkins. Schools hang cut-outs of paper turkey as a Thanksgiving Day reminder.

The significant difference one may observe is probably the religious aspect of the Mexican Thanksgiving. This holiday is celebrated in Mexico, a very religious and very Catholic country, to give thanks to God for all the blessings from the past year.

Around this time of the year, grocery stores in Mexico offer things needed in preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

What to eat on a typical Mexican Thanksgiving meal

Any Mexican celebration is not complete without festive foods on the table. Here’s a list of some typical Mexican foods to enjoy on a Thanksgiving dinner with your friends and family in Mexico.

1. Pavo a la Mexicana (Mexican-style Turkey)

Of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without roast turkey for the main course. Pavo a la Mexicana or Mexican-style turkey is flavored with adobo sauce and seasoned with aromatic spices like oregano, garlic, cumin, and chipotle peppers.

2. Enchilada

This appetizer is corn tortilla stuffed with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, or combinations of any or all. Enchiladas are typically dipped in a homemade sauce, fried, and topped with any combination of sour cream, pickled jalapeño, fresh cilantro, diced onions, lettuce, and tomato.

3. Mexican Green Bean Casserole

Thanksgiving in Mexico wouldn’t be truly Mexican without a green bean casserole. The Mexican-style green bean casserole includes the typical ingredients like green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French-fried onions, plus Mexican picante with corn, cheese, chilies, tomatoes, fried jalapeños, and others. This is a perfect side dish for your Mexican Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Tamales Rojos de Cerdo (Mexican Pork Tamales)

Tamale is a traditional Mexican dish, made of corn dough that’s filled with pork and red pepper sauce, then steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf. The corn husk or banana leaf wrapping can either be discarded before eating or used as a plate.

5. Pumpkin EmpanadaAn empanada is a type of baked or fried pastry with stuffing. For a delectable Mexican Thanksgiving dessert, the typical filling used is sweet and spiced pumpkin made from pumpkin puree and dark brown sugar, seasoned with spices like cinnamon and cloves.

6. Tres Leches Cake

Tres leches cake is a delicious way to wrap up your Thanksgiving meal in Mexico.

Tres leches is a traditional light sponge cake coated with three kinds of milk which give it the name (leche meaning “milk” in Spanish). These are evaporated, sweetened condensed and whole milk. The cake is then crowned with a thick whipped-cream frosting.

7. Mexican Wine

What is Thanksgiving without wine? And while you’re in Mexico, you may as well gobble up some local wine.

Forget tequila this time and go for Don Leo Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a gold winner in the 2020 International Cabernet competition (CIDC) and awarded the world’s best Cabernet. It is a pride of Mexico and therefore highly recommended.

The Most Popular Destinations for Thanksgiving in Mexico

Mexico always draws more Americans for the Thanksgiving holiday than any other international destination. Thanksgiving, along with Christmas and Holy Week, is the busiest time for Mexican family vacations as well. Here are the top favorite destinations for Thanksgiving in Mexico.

1. Cancun

Cancun, a world-famous tourist destination on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is perfect all year round. With its warm, welcoming climate and impressive array of attractions, a vacation in Cancun can never go wrong no matter what the season.

November is a good time to visit and relax in Cancun. It’s the time of the year when the hurricane season is past and the Yuletide spirit is felt, so it’s perfect for your Thanksgiving vacation.

2. Los Cabos

The best time to visit Los Cabos is from November to May, when the weather is sunny and warm and the crowds are not overwhelming.

Thanksgiving in Los Cabos is bound to be a delightful one for you and your loved ones as November is an excellent time for sunbathing and swimming, with very warm sea temperatures and the best beach weather.

3. Puerto Vallarta

Famed for its beaches, water sports, and nightlife scene, the stunning resort town of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco is ideal for your Thanksgiving getaway. Resorts and restaurants throughout town host various Thanksgiving celebrations and you will be treated to a true feast with turkey, roasted vegetable, and pie.

With its loud pub crawls and vibrant parades, plus the world-famous sunny shores, very few places on earth could match such a holiday in Puerto Vallarta.

4. Mexico City

Mexico City has recently seen an increase in popularity among tourists during Thanksgiving. Why not? The best time to visit Mexico City starts in the month of November and lasts until March. With the city’s pleasant sunny weather, the temperature in the Mexican capital during Thanksgiving is definitely a favorable one no matter where you’re from.

November is also the time of the year when Mexico City has lower humidity and warm days without the heavy crowd of tourists, making it the best season to explore the Mexican capital as you celebrate Thanksgiving with your loved ones.