If you grew up in a family that celebrated the holidays by serving tamales, you probably learned it to be a tradition that had been passed down for generations. Now, you have the opportunity to pass those warm feelings associated with family and tamales to future generations. While tamales are the main attraction, you can always put your own spin on the sides you serve. For those stumped by what to serve with tamales on Christmas Eve, we are here to help.

The History of Tamales and Christmas Traditions

Eating tamales during the holidays has been around since pre-Colombian times. Indigenous peoples would celebrate the winter solstice with feasts and dancing. Aztecs would take wrapped tamales and offer them to their gods to honor Xilonen — the goddess of maize.

After the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they were given tamales during Christmas time. Tamales were unique compared to European foods and their popularity began to spread through Central and South America. Furthermore, the Spanish loved them so much that they brought them home as gifts for their family.

Delicious and Festive Christmas Side Dishes and Drinks

After years of serving tamales on Christmas, you might be looking for new ways to present them. While there are limitless options to complement tamales, we've narrowed down our favorites.

Mexican Cornbread

Straight from the pan and to your plate, Mexican cornbread is a comfort food that pairs well with tamales and chili con carne. It is fluffy and buttery like traditional southern cornbread but contains fresh jalapenos, melted cheese and corn.

Best side dishes with Christmas Tamales and Chili XLNT Foods — Photo Credit: Keytomylime.com

For an easy Mexican cornbread recipe, use corn muffin mix. The ingredients you need include:

• 2 boxes of corn muffin mix

• 2 eggs

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• 1 can of cream corn

• 1 can of green chiles

• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 medium jalapeno

Whisk your eggs and oil before adding diced chiles, sour cream and corn. Next mix in the cheese. Mix the corn muffin mix into your ingredients but don't over-mix it. Pour your batter into a baking dish and top with cheese and jalapeno slices.

Cilantro-Jalapeno Jicama Slaw

XLNT Foods Christmas Eve Tamale Side Dishes — Photo Credit: Isabel Eats

Cilantro-jalapeno jicama slaw is refreshing alongside tamales on Christmas Eve. If you're prepping for a holiday dinner, prep the slaw three hours in advance. Keep all components separate until you serve. For the recipe, you will need:

• 12 ounces of red cabbage

• 3 pounds of jicama

• 3 minced jalapenos

• 3 juiced limes

• 4 minced scallions

• 2 teaspoons of salt

• 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Peel the jicama and cut both jicama and cabbage into 1/4-inch slices. Then, toss them together in a bowl. For the dressing, combine jalapenos, lime juice, scallions, cilantro, vegetable oil and salt. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well before serving.

Spicy Hot Chocolate

This seasoned hot chocolate marries sweet and spicy in a gentle, complex recipe. For a family of four, you need:

• 3 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate

• 2 tablespoons of sugar

• 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 3/4 cups of milk

• 1/4 cup of heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 3/8 teaspoon of chile powder

• 1 cinnamon stick

To serve with tamales on Christmas Eve, melt the chocolate, sugar, cocoa and chile on medium-low heat. As the chocolate melts, add the milk and cream. Drop the cinnamon stick into the pot and simmer. Remove the pot, cover and let it steep for one hour. Strain and warm the hot chocolate slowly before serving.

Candied Jalapenos

Candied jalapenos are a tasty treat for snacking or topping your favorite dishes. To make candied jalapenos, simmer sliced jalapenos in a simple syrup. To make the syrup, you can use:

• 1 cup of sugar

• 1 teaspoon of chili powder

• 1/3 teaspoon of ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder

• 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar

Stir your sugar, apple cider vinegar and seasonings in a pot. Bring the ingredients to a boil before reducing the heat to a simmer. Let the sugar dissolve into syrup. For this recipe, you should use about 10 to 12 jalapenos. Slice them thinly and mix them into the syrup. Let the mixture simmer for about four minutes before transferring the candied jalapenos into jars.

Cilantro Lime Rice

When serving tamales on Christmas Eve, try cilantro lime rice. Rice is traditional, easy and takes about 35 minutes to prepare. To make your rice aromatic, use the ingredients as follows:

• 1 1/2 cups of basmati rice

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

• 1 minced garlic clove

• 1 cup of chopped cilantro

• 2 1/4 cups of water

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• finely grated lime zest

• 3 tablespoons of lime juice

Brown the rice with olive oil in a saucepan. Once it begins to brown, add garlic and cook for one minute. Add your water, lime zest, and salt and bring it all to a boil before covering and simmering. Once you finish your rice, transfer it into a bowl and stir in cilantro and lime juice.

Traditional Fruit Punch

Ponche Navideño is a family favorite to serve with tamales on Christmas Eve. Many families allow the Christmas punch to simmer throughout holiday gatherings, allowing the scent of fruit and cinnamon to fill the house.

To make it, you need:

• 1 gallon of water

• 1 piloncillo cone or 12 oz. of brown sugar

• 3 red apples

• 6 guavas

• 1 orange

• 2 pears

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 6 cloves

• 1 dried tamarind pod without husk or seeds

• 2 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flower

Place all of your ingredients into a large pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Next, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or more.

Bring Home XLNT Foods To Serve Tamales on Christmas Eve

At XLNT Foods, we care about delivering high-quality, homestyle traditional foods for your Christmas celebration. Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family. Once you know what to serve with tamales on Christmas Eve, you can create your menu and focus on the memories that count. Check out our tamales for an easy, traditional holiday dinner.