Did you know the turkey has Mexican roots?
Long before it became the centerpiece of Thanksgiving tables in the United States, the turkey was already an important part of Mexican culture. The wild turkey is native to North America, but it was in ancient Mesoamerica — especially in what is now central and southern Mexico — where the bird was first domesticated by Indigenous peoples, including the Aztecs.
Turkeys were valued not only as food, but also for their feathers and their presence in ceremonies and daily life. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, they encountered domesticated turkeys in Mexico and brought them back to Europe. From there, the turkey spread across the world — eventually becoming the beloved holiday dish we know today.
So next time you enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, remember: the turkey on the table has a proud Mexican origin story.