Welcome to The Storied Recipe Podcast, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
Looking to make a complete traditional Christmas dinner, Peruvian style? Or perhaps just a recipe or two to add a little pizazz and umph to your own Christmas menu?
Here, I've gathered together 25 of the best Christmas Peruvian recipes for you to try out!
Looking for more Christmas inspiration? Check out another Christmas round-up, 55 Traditional Christmas Desserts Around the World, and make sure to listen to my podcast series Christmas Traditions Around the World where my podcast guests share their warmest Christmas memories.

How to Use This List
- Before the recipes, there is a little background on Peruvian Christmas traditions.
- Then, the Peruvian recipes below are organized by course: Appetizers, Main Courses, Potato Dishes, Rice Dishes, Salads, Peruvian Tamales, Fruit Dishes, Desserts, and Drinks.
Christmas Traditions in Peru
Gifts and Christmas Markets
While the Christmas season in the United States typically begins after Thanksgiving, things are a little different in Peru, where Christmas is a much less materialistic holiday. In fact, it's common for only children to receive gifts. There are no Black Friday sales or the same rush to buy gifts for everyone you know. In fact, even the most famous Christmas market, Santurantikuy ("Sale of the Saints), in Peru opens first on December 24th.
Santurantikuyis in the main square, Plaza de Armas, of the bustling city of Cusco. There, the great nativity scenes are displayed, with the Baby Jesus at the very center. Around that are stalls where artisans and street vendors sell all types of clothing and goods. As visitors wander through the stalls, they may drink rum or the famous Peruvian Christmas Hot Chocolate (recipe below).
Christmas in The Summer
Keep in mind that the Christmas season in Peru is during summertime, so you can wander leisurely late into the December evenings without getting cold.
Decorations
As far as decorations in Peruvian homes, the Christmas tree is less common. Instead, just like at the Christmas Markets, the focal point of Christmas decorations is a Pesebre - or a manger. When families arrange gifts to exchange, it is around this manger rather than under a tree. Someone - often the youngest child - will place a figurine of baby Jesus into the manger.
Christmas Eve (December 24th)
La Noche Buena - the Good Night - or Christmas Eve is the high point of the festive season.
Many Peruvians will attend Misa de Gallo (the Rooster Mass) at 10pm, where members of the Catholic Church celebrate the birth of Christ.
Afterwards, families gather together to eat a huge Christmas dinner (recipes below!). Gifts may be often exchanged that evening, although some Peruvians embrace the North American/European tradition of receiving gifts from Santa Claus the next day. (Interesting fact from Cultural Awareness: In 1972, the Peruvian government banned Santa Claus from the country’s radio and TV programs, alleging that he was a depiction of Western capitalism, greed, and an anti-Christian myth.)
In some towns, fireworks are lit at midnight.
Christmas Day (December 24)
In some households, Papá Noel (Peruvian Santa) visits while the children sleep. Peruvians may see another side of the family on Christmas Day, December 25th, always greeting whomever they do see with "Feliz Navidad"!
Epiphany or Three Kings Day (January 6th)
The holiday season lasts through the Roman Catholic celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings Day, which celebrates the Magi arriving and presenting gifts to the newborn King, Jesus. It's fitting therefore to exchange family gifts that day, instead of on Christmas Day and many Peruvian households observe this tradition, particularly in the Andean regions of Peru.
With all of these celebrations, you may be creating multiple Christmas meals this year! Here are enough recipes to serve authentic Peruvian food to each and everyone!
Appetizers
During special occasions such as Christmas, your appetizers are just as important to start your meal as your entrees and these delicious dishes will start your feast the right way. In addition to the recipe shown below, another great appetizer idea is this Japanese-Peruvian fusion dish and recipe, Causa Sushi Rolls from Peru Delights. The Causa (Peruvian potato) is mashed and filled with crab meat and seasoning. (Peruvian food is heavily influenced by Asian cuisine, as Peru is home to a large Asian population.) If you don't have access to Causa, use waxy, yellow potatoes.
Main Course
If you look up Christmas Peruvian cuisine you will surely find at least one meat recipe. In addition to the turkey and chicken recipes, another traditional meat entrée is Christmas Milk Pig from Mi Comida Peruana which is pork marinated in yellow chili peppers, orange juice, and rosemary.
Peruvian-Style Whole Turkey Recipe
This Peruvian-style whole turkey recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The marinade and stuffing are a true flavor explosion.
Holiday Recipes We Love: Peruvian Pork
A good roasted pork can find its way onto just about every Latin American Christmas dinner table. There’s the Cuban lechón, a whole pig marinated in citrus and garlic and cooked low-and-slow in a c…
Potato Dishes
Below are a variety of dishes that will make you and your guests have a new appreciation for potatoes that deviate from the typical holiday mashed potatoes that we all know (and love).
Puré de Papa Cremoso y Suave: Receta Casera Fácil y Deliciosa
Aprende a preparar un puré de papa cremoso y suave, perfecto como guarnición para cualquier plato principal. ¡Sencillo y rápido!
Peruvian Potato Croquettes (Papas Rellenas Peruanas) | RICARDO
These fried stuffed potatoes are a Peruvian classic.
How to Cook Yacon: Mock "Applesauce" Recipe
Wondering how to cook yacon? How about trying a fresh from the garden "tastes like applesauce" yacon recipe?
Rice Dishes
Instead of having plain white rice with your feast, the recipes below is a great way to elevate you meal with aromatic and rich flavors.
Peruvian Christmas Rice (Arroz Árabe)
Peruvian Christmas Rice (Arroz Arabe) is a Peruvian rice dish with a well-defined Arabian influence. Vermicelli is browned in oil before adding the aromatics, spices (including saffron and cumin), rice, and dried fruit (raisins or goldenberries). Garnished with fresh mint and pomegranate arils, it is a quintessential Peruvian holiday dish that can be prepared in about 30 minutes!
Arroz Moro with Quinoa and Cranberries
Morena Escardo
Arroz moro is perhaps one of the most traditional holiday dishes in Peru. This rice is usually served with turkey on Christmas, or with salads, and apple and sweet potato sauce. Here’s my version!
Salads
Peruvian Christmas celebrations often feature typical dishes like festive salads made with bean, beets, and even boiled eggs!
Peruvian Cabbage Arrimado
The Peruvian cabbage arrimado is a classic Peruvian dish. It's like a Peruvian-style "stir-fry" made with cabbage, yellow peppers, onions, tomatoes and black olives and it can be prepared with pork or beef. This dish was used by my grandparent’s neighbors who were originally from Peru. You can serve it with white rice, but my grandfather loved to eat it in tacos with flour tortillas. Either way, it's super yummy and the whole family will love it.
Beet and Potato Salad Recipe | Olenka Cooks Peruvian Cuisine
Savor Beet and Potato Salad, a symphony of veggies, eggs, and a mayo-vinegar blend. Culinary perfection in every vibrant bite.
Lima Bean Salad with Cabbage
Simple, light and tasty Lima bean recipe which is a fusion of Texan and Peruvian cuisine. Similar to Texas caviar but with larger Lima bean & cabbage.
Peruvian Tamales
The Tamales Verdes is the perfect dish for your Christmas table because they are a beautiful Christmas green color plus they are a great option for an any vegetarians at your holiday dinner.
Tamales Verdes [Peruvian Green Tamalitos Recipe] - Eat Peru
This delicious recipe depends on the quality of ingredients and the attention to detail. Learn how to prepare Tamales Verdes - Peruvian style
Fruit Dishes
In addition to apple puree, one of the most traditional dishes during a traditional Peruvian Christmas dinner, this festive Peruvian Baked Apples with Mashed Sweet Potatoes from Peru Delights is a gorgeous dish that is sweet and bursting with flavors. It is a whole baked apple with a core filled with sweet potato puree; the green apples offset the sweetness from the sweet potato and create a perfect harmony between sweet, savory, and sour.
Desserts
Peruvian panettone or Paneton is a sweet bread and is by far the most well-known of all Peruvian Christmas food. Originally an Italian sweet bread, it came to Peru via the large population of Italian immigrants who arrived in Peru between 1840 and 1866. (Although there were Italians in Peru as early as the 16th century.) Now, the most well-known of all the holiday traditions in Peru is to end your Peruvian traditional Christmas dinner with a Panettone/Paneton.
Peruvian Paneton - Christmas Fruit Cake Dessert Recipe
Panetón or panettone is a Peruvian sweet bread dessert and is enjoyed at Christmas in Peru. Get the recipe for this sweet final course in Christmas dinner.
Drinks
Peruvian Christmas desserts are perfectly complemented by rich this Peruvian hot chocolate recipe below and are often served with a cinnamon stick to enhance the creamy texture. If you are looking for a more boozy Christmas drink, the Eggnog with Pisco and Peruvian Pisco Sour recipes will definitely make your taste buds sing with holiday spirit (I couldn't resist a pun).
Peruvian Hot Chocolate - The Genetic Chef
My Peruvian hot chocolate is rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon and cloves. Traditionally served with a slice of Panettone. Funny story included! Enjoy!
Piscnog - Eggnog With Pisco Recipe | Olenka Cooks Peruvian Cuisine
Experience festive fusion with Piscnog: classic eggnog meets Pisco. Creamy, spiced perfection for spirited celebrations.
25 Best Peruvian Christmas Food Recipes
Description
Recipes from Friends and Guests of The Storied Recipe
Ingredients
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Papa a la Huancaína from A Cozy Kitchen
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Causa Sushi Rolls from Peru Delights
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Peruvian Style Turkey from Green Healthy Cooking
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Peruvian Grilled Chicken from Mi Comida Peruana
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Peruvian Pork from Kristina Puga
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Puré de Papas (Peruvian Mashed Potatoes) from Jamea Peru
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Peruvian Potato Croquettes (Papas Rellenas Peruanas) from Ricardo Cuisine
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Yacon "Applesauce" from Attainable Sustainable
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Spicy Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes from Beyond Mere Sustenance
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Peruvian Christmas Rice from Beyond Mere Sustenance
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Arroz Moro with Quinoa and Cranberries from Que Rica Vida
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Arroz Arabe With Raisins from Que Rica Vida
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Peruvian Cabbage Arrimado from Que Rica Vida
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Ensalada Rusa (Peruvian Russian Salad) from Olenka Cooks
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Lima Bean Salad from Food Fidelity
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Peruvian Chopped Salad from The Cookie Rookie
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Tamales Verdes [Peruvian Green Tamalitos from Eat Peru
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Salted Fresh Corn Tamales (Humitas con salsa criolla) from Gourmet Traveller
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Applesauce from Olenka Cooks
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Baked Apples with Mashed Sweet Potato from Peru Delights
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Peruvian Panetón from Eat Peru
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Panetón Hot Chocolate Bread Pudding from Food52
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Peruvian Hot Chocolate from The Genetic Chef
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Piscnog - Eggnog With Pisco from Olenka Cooks
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Peruvian Pisco Sour from Wanderings In My Kitchen
Instructions
Select your favorite dishes and have a Peruvian-inspired Christmas meal!
Carlos says
Very inspired by different recipes very interesting
admin says
Thanks Carlos!! I had a lot of fun researching these - learned a lot!