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    Home » Learn » Traditional Day of the Dead Food

    Traditional Day of the Dead Food

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted October 31, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    A collage of Day of the Dead food.

    Dia de los Muertos is full of delicious Mexican treats. Here is a list of the traditional Day of the Dead food made on this special Holiday.


    A collage of Day of the Dead food.

    Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of the deceased. A truly beautiful tradition that originated in Southern Mexico by the indigenous people of the area and popularized by the Disney movie, Coco.

    Learn more about the Day of the Dead.

    Stairs decorated with skeletons, marigolds, skulls, and candles.

    Every November 2nd, altars filled with marigolds are put up in homes throughout Mexico and parts of the US, honoring the dead. Women dressed up as La Catrina parade the streets in processions.

    With every Mexican fiesta, there is always something yummy. These Day of the Dead Food Recipes are either placed on the altars or taken to the cemetery to be enjoyed with the deceased.

    Pot of pork tamales with the open side up.

    Red Pork Tamales (or Tamales de Puerco en Chile Rojo) is a perfect treat for the Day of the Dead celebrations. Without a doubt, this is one of the most loved favorite kinds of tamales.

    What makes this one so special is that the masa is made with the very same sauce as the filling. It’s totally delicious with rich flavors and a distinctive red color.

    Champurrado in a decorative, clay Mexican cup surrounded by a cinnamon stick and Mexican chocolate tablet.

    Champurrado will bring warmth and happy memories to your Dia de los Muertos celebration. Your ancestors will love it too.

    A thick and satisfying Mexican chocolate drink that’s perfect for chilly fall days or nights at the cemetery.

    A picture of pan de muerto next to a drawing of a sugar skull.

    The most traditional Day of the Dead food is Pan de Muerto. This soft and sweet bread is dipped in butter and topped with sugar. A Mexican dessert beloved by all the living and the dead. This recipe is by Pina en la Cocina

    Tamales Dulces (Sweet Tamales) unwrapped but still in the corn husk surrounded by a pile of tamales and a decorative Mexican cup.

    The sweetness of Dia de los Muertos and the memory of departed loved ones is each bite.

    Tamales Dulces (or Sweet Tamales) are composed of both fruits and nuts. This dessert tamale is often found on Dia de los Muertos ofrendas, or altars.

    Buñuelos, or Mexican Fritters, stacked up next to a rolling pin.

    More than just a Christmas thing, Buñuelos are a staple Day of the Dead food.

    Dia de Los Muertos time is definitely Mexican Fritter time. This authentic Mexican dessert is a family favorite during any holidays.

    Northern Style Bean Tamales (Tamales de Frijol Norteños)

    This vegan option makes a Day of the Dead food that is both tasty and healthy too. Northern Style Bean Tamales (Tamales de Frijol Norteños) is guaranteed to be enjoyed by everyone living or dead.

    Chocolate concha on a blue plate with a decorative Mexican basket in the background holding more conchas.

    When thinking of Day of the Dead food ideas, you can’t forget this one!

    You will surely see these well-known Mexican sweetbreads everywhere, Conchas.

    Not just for breakfast or dessert, this traditional pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) is meant to be enjoyed at any time of the day. A treat for everyone living and for those who have passed away.

    Beef tamales on a white plate topped with red salsa and a cilantro leaf.

    Every Mexican food lover knows that tamales are an absolute essential during Dia de Los Muertos. This Beef Tamales recipe is so delicious and rich in flavor.

    Your deceased loved ones are sure to enjoy the sight of them on the ofrenda.

    Pumpkin Empanadas sitting on a white napkin in a basket.

    Not just for Halloween, these Pumpkin Empanadas are a sweet Day of the Dead food.

    If this was a recipe that you and your beloved deceased made together, why not cherish their memories by making some. Not just for Dia de los Muertos, but something to indulge yourself in and enjoy all year long.

    Tamales Rajas con Queso, or Jalapeño and Cheese Tamales on a white plate topped with a green cilantro leaf.

    Even though these may be great to place on an altar, it’s probably better that you save some for stuffing your own tummy with these yummy Rajas con Queso Tamales, or Jalapeño and Cheese Tamales.

    This Mexican food favorite is clearly yummy and so satisfying.

    A spoon drizzling some of the Mexican cajeta over the jar.

    This list of Day of the Dead food ideas wouldn’t be complete without this delicious Mexican caramel sauce.

    When celebrating the sweetness of our dearly departed relatives, nothing beats the rich taste of Cajeta. It makes a great filling for pan de muerto, or even just on some toast.

    Spoon spreading masa with oil on a corn husk.

    Mexican always make a big batch of tamales during Dia de los Muertos. Some for the family, and some go on the ofrenda. This means you still may want to eat well during the holiday while avoiding excess fat.

    For a healthier option, this tamale Masa Recipe with Oil is the perfect solution for creating healthy Mexican tamales. Every bite brings out its distinctly rich flavor.

    A white bowl of pozole blanco (or chicken pozole) surrounded by the toppings.

    Some people take food to the cemetery on Dia de los Muertos or around the Holiday. It is typically a dish the deceased loved to eat like this Pozole Blanco, or White Chicken Pozole.

    This traditional Day of the Dead food will bring you great hominy in your life and for those in the afterlife as well.

    Masa in a mixing bowl with a mixing attachment.

    Making homemade Masa for Tamales might conjure memories and stories of tamaladas with your deceased loved ones.

    It is so much easier than you may realize. With only a few ingredients and a little mixing, you’re quickly done.

    Atole de Chocolate in a decorative red and brown cup next to two cinnamon sticks.

    Looking for a yummy drink to take the chill off your cemetery celebration? This Atole de Chocolate is the perfect offering to your ancestors and your guests alike.

    A warm and rich Mexican drink that is always a crowd-pleaser and delicious on chilly fall nights.

    Pozole Rojo in a white bowl and topped with lime and radish slices.

    One Mexican stew that is perfect for you to take to the cemetery is Pozole Rojo.

    It’s both hearty and delicious. You’ll love every spoonful of this traditional Mexican dish! It makes for a great Day of the Dead food for all.

    Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew, in a brown bowl topped with chopped onions and cilantro.

    Your tastebuds will jump for joy when you gobble up a great big bowl of this Slow Cooker Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef stew.

    During Dia de los Muertos or any other special day, it is the ultimate comfort food. Usually eaten on Sundays and full of rich family memories and Mexican flavors.

    Picture of a chicken mole tamal next to a Dona Maria mole jar, a cup, and a chocolate grinder.

    Holy Mole! One of Mexico’s most cherished food and truly authentic Mexican is mole.

    Make some Tamales de Mole for your family and your ancestors. These incredibly delicious treats are the perfect addition to your Day of the Deal celebrations.

    Arroz con Leche is a yummy and creamy Mexican dessert that everyone loves. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Another must-have Dia de los Muertos recipes is this sweet, creamy and delicious Mexican dessert, Arroz con Leche. If it was loved by your deceased loved one, be sure to place it on your altar.

    Pieces of Pan de Elote, or Mexican Sweet Corn Cake, stacked on top of a white plate and topped with a tab of butter.

    Dia de los Muertos time is the right time to serve Pan de Elote, or Mexican Sweet Corn Cake. This delicious treat is also a perfect addition to the ofrenda. It also easily transports to the cemetery.

    Chicken tamales in an Instant Pot

    If you have leftover chicken around Dia de los Muertos, this is the perfect Mexican recipe. Make Day of the Dead food recipes easy with an instant pot. They are done in 1/2 the cooking time!

    For a little piece of heaven in your mouth, try these Instant Pot Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales. They are so much more than finger-licking good.


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    Filed Under: Learn

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda

      November 1, 2019 at 7:44 am

      OMG that caramel sauce looks so delicious! Love this list of foods for Day of the Dead!

      Reply
    2. Brianne Tursi Manz

      November 1, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      The foods you’ve posted looks amazing. The altar is so decorative. The perfect way to celebrate The Day of the Dead.

      Reply
    3. Amber Myers

      November 1, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      Yum, all of this food looks delish. I will have to make some of these dishes for sure. I do like tamales!

      Reply
    4. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers

      November 1, 2019 at 4:55 pm

      I love homemade tamales and I will have to find someone who makes them that I trust to buy from. Over the summer, I moved to a new area, so I don’t know anyone who makes them now.

      The sweetbread sounds delicious too.

      Reply
    5. Mary Loise Bandao

      November 1, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      We have Dia de los Muertos here in our place, too but we call it All souls Day! These recipes all look sooo delicious!

      Reply
    6. Theresa

      November 1, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      While we don’t celebrate Day of the Dead, I certainly do love to indulge in delicious Mexican dishes. There are a few recipes posted here that I can’t wait to try!

      Reply
    7. Chef Dennis

      November 2, 2019 at 3:21 am

      These recipes look sooo delicious! I would love to have them right now. If only I could cook and eat them all at once.

      Reply
    8. Alli Smith

      November 2, 2019 at 6:11 am

      All of these foods look so good! We were in Mexico one year during the Day of the Dead festivities. I’m so glad we were able to be there during that time.

      Reply
    9. Lynndee

      November 2, 2019 at 10:08 am

      Good to know about all these food because in my home country, the Philippines, we also have certain foods that we only prepare on the day of the dead. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place

      November 2, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      I would love to try your Mexican stew and tamales. So much delicious Mexican dishes here!

      Reply
    11. Kathy

      November 2, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      Sounds like a lot of great food. I’ve never celebrated, but always wondered more about it. I love that there are so many great foods.

      Reply
    12. Swathi

      November 2, 2019 at 10:43 pm

      These looks delicious great way to remembers our family members who left us. I have made that bread. I haven’t tried rest of the recipes. Bunuelos looks perfect I need to give it a try.

      Reply
    13. Catalina

      November 2, 2019 at 11:18 pm

      I love traditional food and this one look incredibly delicious! I would like to taste some of these! Yum!

      Reply
    14. Rosemary

      November 3, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      Fascinating. I didn’t know there were so many special dishes to celebrate the day of the dead. While I’m not familar with the holiday customs, the food looks amazing. Right now that hot chocolate followed by all the bread would be perfect. Yummy post. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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