The Christmas dinner is just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to start planning your menu for this special date. However, at kiwilimón we know that saving is very important, which is why we give you these tips to prepare a delicious Christmas dinner for $300 pesos or less.

First of all, it is crucial to check your pantry and refrigerator, as this way you can see what ingredients you have on hand or get inspired to create dishes without the need to buy anything. In the case of the Christmas Eve dinner, you probably have essential ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, tomato, bread, ham, cheese, and more.

Next, we tell you how to save while preparing your Christmas dinner, you will be surprised by these easy ideas; however, remember that the most important thing is to spend time with family and share with your loved ones, as love is the main ingredient of this December holiday season.

You can also read: 8 pork loin recipes for Christmas

Main dishes

If you want to prepare a delicious dinner for 4 people, at kiwilimón we have the best options for you, which are also economical and easy to prepare.

Pozole
The pozole is always an excellent option for parties and family gatherings, as it is served hot, is filling, and easy to prepare. Another advantage of this dish is that you can substitute pork meat for chicken, making it even more economical.

If you want it to go even further, be sure to add enough broth and serve with radishes, onion, lettuce, oregano, lime juice, and tostadas with cream.

Tamales
If you feel like trying a very Mexican dish that is also delicious and cheap, then you have to prepare tamales for December 24th.

This Mexican dish is very versatile, as you can add meat, chicken, or cheese, and you can also prepare all kinds of sauces, which you can make with the chiles and spices you already have at home. Thanks to the fact that corn dough is very economical, this dish is very filling.

Romeritos
The classic romeritos cannot be missing from the Christmas dinner every year, as they are one of the most traditional dishes for this time of year. In general, this dish is quite accessible; however, if you want to save a little, omit the shrimp in the preparation or buy only ¼ of shrimp meat or dried shrimp. Serve with white bread or bolillo and add plenty of potatoes and romeritos to make it stretch.

Tuna a la vizcaína
If you like bacalao a la vizcaína, this tuna version is perfect to enjoy the same flavor but at a much more affordable price. To make the tuna a la vizcaína go further, add a generous amount of cooked potatoes, chopped onion, and tomato. You can serve it with white bread or bolillo.

Sandwichón
This dish is perfect for taking advantage of all the ingredients you already have at home, as you don't need to spend a lot of money to celebrate Christmas with your family. If you have white bread, mayonnaise, shredded chicken, ham, or tuna, you just need to add a little cooked vegetables and cheese, and the sandwichón will be ready!

Chicken
Chicken is another great ally during the Christmas season, as you can give delicious flavor to the drumsticks and thighs with the spices you already have at home. Use mustard, pepper, herbs, and any other ingredient you have at home to prepare baked or pan-fried chicken. You can serve it with vegetables, Russian salad, mashed potatoes, or any other side dish.

You can also read: 10 delicious Christmas gelatins

Side dishes
In the case of side dishes, we also recommend checking your refrigerator and pantry before going to the market, as this will help you save. For example, if you have vegetables at home, just add a bit of butter and the spices and herbs you have on hand, bake for about 20 minutes, and you're done—your side dish will be ready. The vegetables you can use are: potatoes, carrots, green beans, chayote, and zucchini, among others.

Another very good option for an economical Christmas Eve dinner is mashed potatoes, as it is a filling and easy-to-prepare dish. Moreover, it is also an excellent option to accompany dishes with chicken, meat, and vegetarian options.

The Russian salad is one of those homemade dishes that everyone loves, so feel free to prepare it for this special occasion. On the other hand, don't forget that bolillo is a great option to accompany all your Christmas dishes.

Desserts and drinks

To close the dinner on December 24th with a flourish, it is not necessary to spend a fortune. As we mentioned earlier, check your pantry and refrigerator before anything else, as this way you can use ingredients like canned pineapple, pancake flour, white bread, jams, chocolate, and vanilla cookies, among others.

There are many options to choose from among the most economical desserts to treat the family: lemon charlotte, bread pudding, gelatin, cake or pound cake with pancake flour, and flan, among others.

In the case of drinks, there are also many options to eat well and save at the same time. You can prepare fresh waters, atole, champurrado, hot chocolate, and coffee from the pot.