What is in season in El Paso. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Fresh nopales (cactus paddles): Spring is prime season for fresh nopales in the Chihuahuan Desert. The young paddles are harvested in March and April, grilled or sauteed with eggs, tomato, and jalapen for tacos at Cafe Mayapan and street kitchens across Ysleta.
- Pecan harvest products: The Mesilla Valley north of El Paso produces one of the world's largest pecan crops. Spring sees the previous autumn's harvest peak in value-added products at the farmers market, including pecan butter, pecan brittle, and pecan tamales at select El Paso panaderias.
Summer
- Early green chile (late summer): Hatch green chile begins arriving in July and peaks through August. El Paso grocery stores and markets set up outdoor chile roasters, and the aroma of charring green chile defines the city's July and August streets.
- Prickly pear: The Chihuahuan Desert prickly pear cactus fruits (tunas) ripen from August through October, producing the magenta-pink fruit that becomes prickly pear agua fresca, margaritas, and sorbets at several El Paso restaurants and bars.
Autumn
- Hatch green and red chile: September and October are the peak of the Hatch chile harvest 60 miles north of El Paso. The city fills with freshly roasted green chile sold by the gunny sack, and restaurants run green chile specials through the season. The chile dries to red by October, producing red ristras that are both decorative and culinary.
- Pan de muerto: In October and November, El Paso panaderias produce pan de muerto, the egg-enriched sweet bread shaped for Dia de los Muertos altar offerings. Five Points and Ysleta concentrate many of the best pan de muerto bakers.
Winter
- Tamales: December is tamale season in El Paso. Families and panaderias make red pork, green chile and cheese, and sweet raisin tamales for Christmas. The tradition of tamaladas (tamale-making parties) fills the days before December 24, and pre-orders at La Colonial and Cafe Mayapan are placed weeks in advance.
- Champurrado: The thick corn-chocolate-spiced drink made with masa, piloncillo, cinnamon, and Mexican chocolate is the canonical El Paso winter morning drink. Available October through February at Cafe Mayapan and Casa Cafetzin.
Book food experiences in El Paso
Day trip · 5 hours
Enjoy delicious wines in stunning vineyards without the worry of having to drive.
Pick your own adventure on this pay-as-you-go tour to three boutique wineries of your choice.
Day trip · 5 hours
Enjoy a day of wine and beer tasting at 3 wineries and breweries in the Mesilla Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Choose from a variety of wineries and brewerie...
Day trip · 4 hours
Come and enjoy the culture, food, music, and shopping in Mexico. Meet your guide at the border of El Paso and Juarez so you can start exploring Mexico and its culture ...
See all 6 bookable experiences in El Paso
