Grito de Independencia: The Most Mexican Night of the Year

Every year, on the night of September 15th to 16th, millions of Mexicans gather in plazas, homes, and restaurants to experience the most exciting moment of the national calendar: the Grito de Independencia. It is the night when Mexico shouts its identity to the world, with pride, fireworks, and an abundance of authentic food.

What is the Grito de Independencia?

The Grito de Independencia commemorates the cry of revolt launched by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on the night of September 15, 1810, in Dolores Hidalgo, in the state of Guanajuato. With the bells of his church and the words "Viva México!", Hidalgo set off the Mexican war of independence against Spanish rule.

Today, every year at midnight on September 15th, the President of the Republic repeats the grito from the balcony of the National Palace in the heart of Mexico City, before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people. The same ceremony is replicated in every plaza and municipality across the country: it is a tradition that unites all of Mexico in a single moment of collective pride.

How it is celebrated: the traditions of September 15th and 16th

The fiestas patrias last two days. The night of the 15th is the moment of the grito and fireworks. On September 16th, Día de la Independencia, military and civic parades take place in major cities, with processions of horses, marching bands, and traditional costumes.

Homes are decorated in green, white, and red. The streets fill with the aroma of roasted meat, chile, and spices. And on tables across the nation, the symbolic dish of this celebration appears without fail: pozole rojo.

The food of the fiestas patrias: pozole and traditional dishes

There is no Grito de Independencia without pozole. This soup of nixtamalized corn and meat in a red chile broth is the most prepared dish in Mexican families during the fiestas patrias. It is served hot, garnished with finely shredded cabbage, radishes, onion, oregano, and a squeeze of lime.

Alongside the pozole, the Mexican table on September 15th makes room for green and red enchiladas, crispy tacos dorados, sopa de lima, pork and red salsa tamales, and of course tostadas with crema and frijoles. It is a night of abundance, togetherness, and authentic flavors.

Prepare authentic pozole at home

If you want to experience the Grito de Independencia even in Europe, start with the corn. The Carey pozole corn is authentic Mexican nixtamalized corn, already treated with lime to release nutrients and develop the characteristic pozole flavor. It cannot be replaced with regular corn: it is what gives the dish that hearty texture and deep sweetness that sets a real pozole apart from a simple soup.

For the broth, use the Sazón Natural pozole seasoning: a pre-balanced blend of traditional spices, with chile ancho, guajillo, and cumin, that lets you achieve a rich and authentic broth without having to source each ingredient separately.

Follow our complete Pozole Rojo recipe step by step: you will find all the details on cooking times, garnishes, and regional variations.

El Grito in Europe: how to celebrate far from Mexico

For Mexicans living in Europe and all lovers of Mexican culture, the Grito de Independencia is a precious occasion to reconnect with the traditions of home. Organize a dinner with friends, prepare pozole, put on some ranchera music, and at midnight shout together: "Viva México!"

With Mexsabores you can have all the original ingredients delivered straight to your door through our European platform. Pozolero corn, authentic condiments, salsas, corn tortillas and much more: everything you need for a truly Mexican evening.

FAQ: the most frequently asked questions about the Grito de Independencia

When is the Grito de Independencia celebrated?

The Grito is celebrated on the night between September 15 and 16. The official ceremony begins at 11:00 PM on September 15 with the President's speech and the traditional grito "Viva México!".

What do you eat for the Grito de Independencia?

The traditional dish is pozole rojo, a soup made with nixtamalized corn and meat in a red chile broth. Also prepared are enchiladas, tacos dorados, tamales, tostadas, and chiles en nogada, a dish typical of September.

Who was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla?

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Catholic priest and Mexican patriot. On the night of September 15, 1810, in the town of Dolores Hidalgo (Guanajuato), he rang the bells of his church and delivered the cry of revolt that launched the Mexican war of independence against Spanish rule.

How do you say Grito de Independencia in English?

The Grito de Independencia can be translated as "the cry of independence". In Mexico, the Spanish term is always used: it is an integral part of the cultural identity of the celebration.

Viva México: a wish for all Mexicans around the world

The Grito de Independencia is much more than a national holiday. It is a moment when the entire Mexican nation, wherever it finds itself in the world, pauses to remember who it is and where it comes from. It is pride, it is identity, it is the scent of pozole rising into the September night.

→ Buy Mais per Pozole Carey at Mexsabores: delivery across Europe.

From Mexsabores, ¡Viva México! and happy Grito to everyone.