Although the most obvious choice for celebrating Cinco de Mayo might be your old taco night nights and a big bowl of guacamole, for the ultimate spread, we recommend branching out and trying new dishes. Impress your peers Mojito-drinking buddies with your vast knowledge of Mexican cuisine, spices soups to chalupas that you won’t find at Taco Bell. Don’t forget the unmissable hot sauce bar of all kinds. Try these 29 Mexican-inspired recipes for the most delicious fiesta.
What are the 3 typical dishes served on Cinco de Mayo?
Molé, chilaquiles, and tamales are all typical foods present at a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
What is a good menu for Cinco de Mayo?
A good Cinco de Mayo menu includes a range of authentic Mexican recipes – from carnitas to tamales, you can also put your own spin on each dish!
What is the most popular dish eaten on Cinco de Mayo in Mexico?
Authentic dishes like Molé Poblano, chalupas, enchiladas, tacos, and chilaquiles are all popular Mexican dishes eaten on Cinco de Mayo.
What can I bring to a Cinco de Mayo party?
Bringing delicious meals, authentic or with a more modern twist, is welcome at a Cinco de Mayo party. Scroll through for a range of recipe ideas to bring to the celebration!
Pineapple Pico de Gallo
Sweet and spicy is just a combo we can’t pass up. This chunky salsa will greet every guest at your Cinco de Mayo parties with bites full of fresh vegetables and fruits. (via Desires for sweetness)
Elote
This delicious street food snack is SO fun to eat. Grilling gives the corn a nice charred, smoky flavor. However, they’re topped with mayonnaise and cotija cheese, so they’re sure to please no matter how you prepare them. (via Sunday Supper Movement)
Crispy Chicken Taquitos with Avocado Cream
These chicken taquitos are the ideal appetizers for a Cinco de Mayo party. The contents are inside a rolled tortilla and make a great portable bite for those times when your favorite song comes on and you *need* to move. (via A comfortable kitchen)
Healthy Seven-Layer Taco Dip
The dips really make the world go round because they are so tasty and easy to scoop up with just a swipe of chips. Stock up on dipping chips, because this taco dip recipe won’t last long. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Chest sopes
If you like tacos, you’ll love sopes. It’s a traditional Mexican dish made with thick rounds of fried masa, and this version is topped with ultra-tender, slow-cooked brisket. Open a cold cerveza and enjoy. (viaMuy Bueno recipe book)
Pollo Asado
Savor the deep, smoky notes of this popular Mexican recipe: pollo asado. Each bite is coated in spices for a bite that’s never boring. (via Spicy Perspective)
Cheese and Avocado Quesadillas
If you’re short on time but still want to party, these quesadillas are for you. Upgrade the basic cheese dillas you know and love from childhood with slices of avocado and seasoned ground beef, for a hearty bite that’s easy to make but still tastes impressive. (via Damn delicious)
Avocado, mango and shrimp ceviche
Ceviche is always super light and fresh, and when served during the summertime Cinco de Mayo, everyone will thank you for bringing such an appetizing dish to the party. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Tomato-Avocado Salsa with Baked Tortilla Chips
This creamy salsa is like a cross between salsa verde and guacamole. This means it’s very addictive, so you better have plenty of chips on hand. Try it on tacos, nachos, or even a torta – this salsa tastes great on *everything*. (via Muy Bueno recipe book)
Lean Chili Rellenos
Chili rellenos are stuffed green chiles that are then battered and fried in the best way possible. Enjoy yours for Cinco de Mayo with rice and beans! (via The Girl on Bloor)
Vegan Mexican Street Corn (Vegan Elote)
If you have vegan friends coming to the party, serve them plant-based elote for Cinco de Mayo. This recipe also retains all the great textures and flavors! (via The angry vegetable)
Easy Restaurant-Style White Queso
This gooey, gooey white queso is bound to steal the show at any party with a fiery kick from red pepper flakes and pickled jalapeños. (viaThe cookie rookie)
Black bean and vegetable tortilla pizza
Eliminate two cravings at once with Mexican pizza. While it’s hard to pinpoint many similarities between this dish and real pizza (except for its round, open nature), once you take a bite, you’ll get it. Cut into slices and share with family…or don’t share at all. (via Snixy Kitchen)
Mexican Hot Pot with Avocado Cream
For a heartier addition to your Cinco de Mayo platter, this Mexican fondue is a crowd-pleaser. (via Half-cooked harvest)
ceviche
Use sushi grade fish for better taste and peace of mind. Even though you will marinate the fish in lime juice, you will still want the freshest, highest quality product possible. (via Treat yourself at home)
Roasted Vegetable Torta
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the most delicious Mexican sandwich around. Some of the bread is removed to make room for toppings like refried beans, guacamole and cheese. We’re OK with that, and we might even suggest saving those bread toppings to mop up any sandwich spills. You are welcome. (via Easy Vegetarian with Cheese)
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Skip the corn on a stick for a less messy, easy-to-eat elote salad. Add black beans, red onions, and peppers to make it more salad-like and more colorful. Bonus: The dressing uses yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream for a healthy twist. (via Live Eat Learn)
Red Pozole
This traditional Mexican soup is packed with tender beef stew, hominy (dried corn), and a very flavorful red chili sauce. It would be nice if you had leftovers after your Cinco de Mayo festivities, but don’t count on it, this soup doesn’t play. (via Muy Délice)
Homemade Chalupas
These chalupas are nothing like the ones you’ll find at your local Taco Bell. Prepare toppings like shredded beef, avocado, salsa and cheese, and let everyone make their own. (via The chef at home)
Chicken Enchiladas with Green Salsa
These flavorful enchiladas take a little patience to make, but they are definitely worth it. Invite friends to help the process go through quickly. You’ll need to fry the tortillas, dip them in sauce, fill and roll them, so you may need to enlist all the kids to help. (via Tasting table)
Delicious Dessert Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Holidays
Grilled rice horchata with salted caramel drizzle and coconut charcoal whipped cream
Technically it’s a drink, but with all the sugar additions, we have to classify it as a totally delicious dessert. Horchata is a rice-based sip served with Mexican food, and this upgrade sounds phenomenal. (via No eggs or ham)
Churros with chocolate and espresso sauce
What’s better than fried dough and chocolate? If you can find something, good for you, we’ll be here munching on those churros. These amazing, crunchy treats are coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a velvety chocolate espresso dip you won’t be able to get enough of. (via Drizzle and drip)
Churro Ice Cream Cake
Enjoy all the best parts of a churro, but in cake form. Baked churro layers are drizzled with a sweet, sugary glaze for maximum yum factor. (via Amanda Wilens)
Mexican Buñuelos
This Mexican puff pastry is a must-have at your next Cinco celebration. It’s fried, then coated in an addictive dusting of cinnamon sugar, just like churros. (via Cilantro Parsley)
Drink Recipes to Sip on for Cinco de Mayo
Jade Mezcal Margarita
This bold take on a classic Mexican margarita will keep you going with punchy flavors of lime and jalapeño. (via Gastroplant)
Jamaican water
Feel a refreshing feeling wash over you with this delicious drink recipe that would be perfect for Cinco celebrations. Make sure to make a big batch to share with everyone! (via Culinary Hill)
Lime Margarita
We could never pass up a traditional margin. This one is made with limes which add amazing flavor notes. (via Barley and Sage)
Pineapple Margarita
Sip your way to the shores of your dream beach destination with the pineapple likes of this drink. It will also cool you down in all the right ways on those hot Cinco de Mayo days! (via Amanda Wilens)
Champagne Margarita (Mexican 75)
Get the best of both worlds with this summer drink, a champagne-based margarita. (via The endless meal)
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This post has been updated.
