When did turkey first get eaten at Christmas? Where does this Christmas food come from? Who started the tradition of turkey at this time of year? Our editorial team dove into the history of this typical dish to discover its origins.

(Spoiler alert: this bird is not native to our northern neighbor).

Several centuries ago, before the arrival of the Spaniards, the indigenous peoples living in Mexico had the custom of celebrating the winter solstice during the second half of December.

According to the customs of pre-Hispanic cultures, around December 21, they had to pay tribute to their god Huitzilopochtli. For this reason, large celebrations were held during this time, where tributes and feasts were offered. And although turkey may not have been the central ingredient of the gatherings, it was already present on those menus.

It turns out that turkey, or guajolote as it is known in Mexico, is native to our country. In fact, it is said that thousands of guajolotes were already being raised in the palace of Moctezuma. As a 100% Mexican species, any turkey found in the market centuries ago necessarily had our country as its origin.

When the Spaniards arrived, they encountered this bird and called it "gallina de la tierra," "gallina de la India," and finally, "pavo," due to its similarity to peacocks. The conquistadors realized that raising guajolotes was much more economical than raising ducks or geese. Thus, little by little, turkey began to be present at celebrations and in homes.

Thanks to the exchange of products with the Old Continent, guajolote made its way to Europe and became one of the most coveted exotic products. At first, only the wealthiest families could afford to eat turkey, but over time its consumption reached even England.

Many years later, the English emigrated to North America and brought turkeys with them. The tradition of cooking this bird for Thanksgiving dinner extended to the Christmas menu, making turkeys the preferred ingredient for these dates. Its popularity grew throughout North America, even reaching Mexico.

Although the custom of this Christmas dinner has its origins in another country, we can proudly say that its main ingredient, turkey, is Mexican.

Have you planned your dinner for this Christmas yet? Take a look at these recipes. We assure you that after seeing them, turkey will be the star of the party.

Turkey al pastor

Juicy turkey with butter and white wine

Turkey with fruit punch sauce

Turkey breast with cheese sauce