As Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) nears, El Salvador’s holiday dinner tables are shaping up with classic local favorites according to the latest consumer habits survey by the Defensoría del Consumidor. Around 72% of Salvadorans plan to celebrate Christmas this year, with many motivated by tradition, family gatherings, and the joy of the season. 

When it comes to food, poultry leads the menu. The study found that 41% of Salvadorans will have chicken during the Christmas Eve meal, while 34% will eat turkey, and 31% will include “gallina india” — a local free-range hen — among their dishes. These preferences show a mix of traditional and more cost-effective options, with other choices such as asado (22%), beef loin (18%), chompipollo (11%), pork leg (9%) and ham (8%) rounding out the festive spread. 

Non-alcoholic drinks remain central to celebrations. Soft drinks are the most popular choice, with 72% of respondents planning to serve them, followed by natural fruit juices (32%), horchata (14%), iced tea (12%), ponche (8%) and cebada (4%). For adults who include alcohol in their festivities, beer tops the list at 24%, while wine (20%), tequila (10%), vodka (9%) and whiskey (9%) are also part of the holiday toast. 

These preferences reflect broader trends documented in earlier Defensoría surveys, which consistently show that Salvadorans combine poultry with festive sides, local recipes, and beverages that suit both family gatherings and larger holiday feasts. 

“Nochebuena is more than just dinner,” said one Salvadoran chef in San Salvador, “It’s a time to bring families together and celebrate what we have, even when times are tough.”

For Salvadorans living in the United States, these traditions offer a meaningful connection to home — from roasted chicken to bubbly sodas — and a way to share unique Salvadoran holiday flavors with friends and neighbors abroad.