Ever been asked “Red, green, or Christmas style?” at a New Mexican restaurant and felt stumped? Don’t worry, it’s not about the holidays. In the Southwest, Christmas style means getting both red and green chile sauce on your enchiladas, burritos, tamales, and more.
At Sadie’s of New Mexico, this iconic blend of chile sauces is a delicious expression of our culture and identity. Comforting, craveable, and full of history, our Christmas-style enchiladas or smothered burritos are a must-try if you want the full New Mexican flavor experience.
In this post, we’ll explore what Christmas sauce is, how it started, the flavor difference between red and green, and why this vibrant style is so beloved across the Land of Enchantment.
“Christmas” Style Defined in New Mexico Cuisine
In New Mexico, robust chile flavors are a way of life.
So when someone orders a dish “Christmas style” or “Xmas style,” they’re not thinking about tinsel and trees. They’re asking for both red and green chile sauces on the same plate. It’s a beautiful, spicy blend of the state’s most iconic flavors.
Red chile tends to have a deeper, earthier flavor with smoky undertones and a slower-building heat. It’s the kind of sauce that simmers low and slow.
Green chile, on the other hand, is made from fresh, roasted green chile peppers. It’s brighter, tangier, and often carries more up-front heat.
Together, they create a layered flavor experience: the red rounds things out with earthy depth, while the green lifts everything with tangy heat. You get both cozy comfort and fresh vibrancy in each bite.
This flavorful fusion is so widely loved that it’s become part of the state’s identity. In fact, “Red or green?” is the official state question of New Mexico, and Christmas style is the ultimate answer.
The flavors are unforgettable, but the roots run even deeper. To truly appreciate Christmas style, let’s explore where it comes from.
The Origins of Xmas Style
The phrase “Christmas style” might sound like a marketing gimmick, but it’s actually a homegrown expression of New Mexican culinary culture.
Nobody knows exactly who said it first, but the term started popping up in local restaurants in the 1980s and ’90s. Diners were often torn between red and green chile, and one clever server is rumored to have said, “Why not both? Like Christmas!”—a nod to the festive color combo.
The name stuck, and the tradition grew. Today, ordering Christmas style is second nature for locals, and it’s a rite of passage for visitors. It represents the heart of New Mexican food: comforting, unpretentious, and full of character.
When chile is this good, it deserves to go on just about everything. That’s why Christmas style has found its way into so many New Mexican favorites.
5 Common New Mexican Dishes Served Christmas Style
If it can be smothered in sauce, it can probably be made Christmas style. Here are a few of the most popular dishes where red and green chile come together in perfect harmony.
- Enchiladas
Stacked or rolled, enchiladas Christmas style are a crowd-pleaser at any table. Imagine layers of soft tortillas, melted cheese, and tender meat drenched in both warm red and tangy green chile sauces.
Each bite of red and green enchiladas delivers warm spice, smoky depth, and just enough kick to keep your fork moving. It’s comfort incarnate in the form of a delicious New Mexican meal.
In fact, chile sauce goes so well with enchiladas that many people simply call them enchilada sauces. If there’s one meal to try Xmas style, it’s this one.
- Smothered Burritos
A big burrito covered in both red and green sauce makes for a hearty, flavor-packed meal.
They’re wrapped tight with carne adovada or ground beef then drenched in both chile sauces until they’re bursting with flavor. It’s rich, hearty, and deeply comforting.
We recommend a sturdy fork and knife and some tissues for eating this New Mexican classic.
- Tamales
Traditional tamales with pork or chicken pair beautifully with a blanket of both sauces. Fluffy masa, savory filling, and a generous ladle make this holiday staple a year-round star.
Red chile brings earthy warmth while green adds a bright, peppery lift.
- Huevos Rancheros
A breakfast staple in New Mexico. Crispy tortillas, runny yolks, and refried beans come alive under a duo of chile sauces. The contrast between creamy egg and chile heat is a Southwest breakfast classic.
- Stuffed Sopapillas
Crispy, airy dough pillows filled with seasoned beef or beans and smothered Christmas style for the ultimate balance of crispy, savory, and saucy.
Locals love to use sopapillas to soak up leftover sauces on the plate for a clean, satisfying finish.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong fan, ordering any of these dishes Christmas style gives you the best of both worlds.
At Sadie’s of New Mexico, all of our entrees come with the option of adding red chile, green chile, or both on the side or ladled directly over the dish.
If you’re curious about how these individual sauces fare by themselves, let’s take a look at common flavor pairings.
Flavor Pairing Guide: Which Sauce Goes with What
While Xmas sauce is always a balanced and solid choice, knowing how each sauce works on its own can help you build even better flavor pairings at home.
Red chile sauce works best with:
- Slow-cooked meats like carne adovada, shredded beef, or pork
- Beef or cheese enchiladas, tamales, or bean burritos
- Hearty, rich dishes where its smoky depth can shine
Green chile sauce is perfect for:
- Eggs, breakfast burritos, or green chile cheeseburgers
- Chicken, turkey, or pork, especially when grilled or roasted
- Dishes that need a fresh, spicy brightness to cut through the richness
In New Mexico, food is about identity, community, and history on a plate. Christmas style isn’t a passing trend or a quirky menu hack. It’s a symbol of the state’s culinary roots and the pride locals take in their chile traditions.
To order Christmas style is to say, “I want it all.” It reflects the cultural blend of Native, Hispanic, and Anglo influences that shape New Mexican cuisine as a whole.
Why Sadie’s Loves Christmas Style: A Delicious Tradition
At Sadie’s of New Mexico, our Christmas style enchiladas are more than just a best-selling menu option. They’re a signature of our culture and what we represent. We’ve been serving home-style New Mexican dishes for generations, and we sure do love our chile here.
Whether you’re a red chile loyalist, a green chile fanatic, or someone who just can’t choose, Christmas sauce brings it all together in one satisfying plate. It’s the perfect way to experience the richness and complexity that makes our food so unforgettable.
Stop by Sadie’s and order your enchiladas Christmas style to try out this perfect flavor combo today!