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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.

Two Panettone slices on blue and white decorative plates surrounded by orange slices

How to Use This List

Before the recipes, there is a little background on Peruvian Christmas traditions.
Each recipe is formatted as the title of the recipe, followed by a "|" symbol and then the blog or person who it is from.
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.

Papa a la Huancaina | A Cozy Kitchen

Papa a la Huancaina is a Peruvian appetizer from the region of Huancayo. The creamy spicy sauce is poured over cold slices of potato.

Causushi: Sushi Rolls filled with Causa | Peru Delights

The creamy, slightly spicy, and lemony causushis. Peruvian and Japanese fusion at its best. Enjoy!

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 | Green Healthy Cooking

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 | Kristina Puga

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…

Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce | Platings and Pairings

Peruvian Grilled Chicken with Creamy Green Sauce is packed with flavor and the perfect way to add some international flair to your next barbecue.

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 Mashed Potatoes | Jamea Peru

Learn how to make creamy, smooth mashed potatoes, perfect as a side dish for any main dish. Quick and easy!

Peruvian Potato Croquettes (Papas Rellenas Peruanas) | Ricardo Cuisine

These fried stuffed potatoes are a Peruvian classic.

How to Cook Yacon: Mock "Applesauce" | Attainable Sustainable

Wondering how to cook yacon? How about trying a fresh from the garden "tastes like applesauce" yacon recipe?

Spicy Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Beyond Mere Sustenance

Discover a unique twist on sweet potatoes with these Spicy Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes. A perfect side dish for any meal!

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) | Beyond Mere Sustenance

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.

Arroz Moro with Quinoa and Cranberries | Que Rica Vida

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!

Arroz Árabe with Raisins | Que Rica Vida

Arroz árabe, as it's known in Chile, exists in many different versions throughout the Americas and it doesn't surprise me at all! It's so delicious and can be served as a side dish to fish, pork, or beef… it goes well with everything!

Salads

Peruvian Christmas celebrations often feature typical dishes like festive salads made with bean, beets, and even boiled eggs!

Peruvian Cabbage Arrimado | Que Rica Vida

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.

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 | Food Fidelity

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 Chopped Salad | The Cookie Rookie

A delicious Peruvian recipe is a twist on your classic chopped salad recipe. Dressed in a simple vinaigrette this simple salad is a great summer party side!

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 any vegetarians at your holiday dinner.

Tamales Verdes (Peruvian Green Tamalitos) | Eat Peru

This delicious recipe depends on the quality of ingredients and the attention to detail. Learn how to prepare Tamales Verdes - Peruvian style

Salted Corn Tamales with Salsa Criolla | Gourmet Traveller

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for salted fresh corn tamales with salsa criolla (Humitas con salsa criolla).

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.

Apple Sauce Recipe | Olenka Cooks Peruvian Cuisine

Create Peruvian homemade applesauce: Simmer apples, lemon, cinnamon, sugar, and butter for a sweet-tart delight. Perfectly versatile!

Christmas Baked Apples with Mashed Sweet Potatoes | Peru Delights

wonderful baked apples filled with tasty mashed sweet potatoes. Two dishes in one, and so easy to prepare.

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 | Eat Peru

Panetón or panettone is a Peruvian sweet bread dessert and is enjoyed at Christmas in Peru. Get the recipe for this sweet final course for Christmas dinner.

Panetón & Hot Chocolate Bread Pudding | Food52

This is a Panetón & Hot Chocolate Bread Pudding recipe. If you can find it, use a Peruvian Panetón as these are considered the best quality. Enjoy!

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 | Olenka Cooks Peruvian Cuisine

Experience festive fusion with Piscnog: classic eggnog meets Pisco. Creamy, spiced perfection for spirited celebrations.

Classic Pisco Sour | Wanderings in My Kitchen

Transport yourself to South America with a classic Pisco Sour - it's bright, strong, & refreshing, and simple to make at home!