This list of the best Cinco de Mayo recipes has your Mexican party menu covered, from appetizers and drinks to tacos and desserts! Everything you need to celebrate the occasion is right here, so pick a few of your favorites, and let’s get cooking!
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Though it’s not as important as Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, the holiday has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States and is often marked with parades, music, and, most importantly, food!
42 Cinco de Mayo Recipes
When it comes to Cinco de Mayo food, there are a few classic dishes that are always a hit. These recipes have been enjoyed for generations and are always big crowd-pleasers at every Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Whether you’re keeping the festivities small this year or feeding a crowd, everyone will find something they love on this list.
If the recipes below aren’t quite what you’re looking for, be sure to check out the full collection of 140+ Cinco de Mayo recipes!
To start your celebration, here are some of my favorites to make for the big day.
Chicken Enchiladas
This homemade classic is stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, topped with an easy red enchilada sauce, and baked for 20 minutes. It’s an all-time family favorite and great for easy weeknight meals.
Birria
If you’re looking to make something truly delicious, you’ve got to make this rich and flavorful birria. This authentic Mexican dish is a real crowd-pleaser, and you can enjoy it as a stew topped with onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice or as the famous birria tacos (aka quesabirria). You can make it on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot, or in the slow cooker—whatever works best for you!
Chile Relleno
An authentic Mexican recipe made from roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in a fluffy egg batter, and fried until golden brown! This traditional dish is fun to make and better than any restaurant version you’ll ever try!
Fresas con Crema
The easiest Mexican dessert you’ll ever make! Made with fresh strawberries mixed into a sweet and creamy sauce, this recipe is ready to eat in only 10 minutes. Only 5 ingredients are needed!
Frozen Margaritas
Made with only 5 ingredients, this Frozen Margarita Recipe is cold, slushy, frosty, and delicious! Perfect for cooling down and relaxing on those hot, sunny days.
Flan de Queso (Cream Cheese Flan)
Flan de Queso is a creamy, silky, decadent variation of traditional flan. Reminiscent of cheesecake in its smooth texture and topped with a rich and delicious caramel sauce, this dish is easy to love.
Carne Asada
This authentic recipe is made from marinated flank or skirt steak grilled until tender and juicy. It is a great addition to any Mexican meal and uses olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, and other simple ingredients.
Carnitas
These tender and juicy pieces of slow-cooked pork are a staple in Mexican cuisine. They’re perfect for making tacos, burritos, gorditas, tostadas, sopes, nachos, and so much more! This foolproof recipe includes instructions for making carnitas in the slow cooker, oven, and Instant Pot.
Chicken Flautas
These crispy and satisfying flautas are made from rolled tortillas filled with juicy chicken and topped with salsa, sour cream, cheese, and more! Fry, bake, or air fry them for an easy weeknight dinner or party appetizer!
Chicken Tinga
This classic Mexican dish combines tender chicken with a smoky tomato sauce made with chipotles in adobo. It’s great for serving in tacos, tostadas, burritos, sopes, enchiladas, and more!
Mexican Rice
This authentic Mexican rice recipe is easy to make, made with simple ingredients, and way better than rice you’ll find at a Mexican restaurant! It’s the perfect side dish for all your favorite Mexican recipes.
Chicken Pozole Verde
This comforting Mexican stew is filled with shredded chicken and hominy in a delicious green chile broth made from tomatillos, jalapeños, and cilantro. It’s easy to make, hearty, and ready in only one hour!
Tres Leches Cake
A classic Mexican dessert, this cake is soaked in a mixture of three kinds of milk and topped with whipped cream and strawberries.
Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
This popular Mexican street food is made from fresh corn covered in creamy mayonnaise, lime juice for some brightness, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a dash of chili powder to give everything a little kick. It’s finger-licking good and always a hit with the family.
Guacamole
Ready in only 10 minutes, this guacamole is a delicious Mexican classic that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Serve it with tortilla chips, on a salad, in tacos, on toast, and more!
Barbacoa
This beef barbacoa recipe combines juicy and tender slow-cooked beef with the most delicious spices and seasonings. Pile it onto tortillas or stuff in burritos, quesadillas, gorditas, and more!
Queso Blanco
Queso blanco is the most delicious white cheese dip you’ll ever have! This easy recipe is rich, creamy, and better than your favorite restaurant-style queso. It’s the perfect addition to any football watch party, taco Tuesday, or just as a snack.
Taco Dip
Whip up this easy taco dip in no time! It’s a flavor-packed, easy-to-make dip that’s perfect for parties and celebrations. With a creamy base of cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning, plus all your favorite taco toppings, it’s a quick and easy appetizer everyone will love.
Chicken Tacos
These simple yet flavorful chicken tacos are easy to make and filled with super juicy and delicious chicken! Perfect for weeknight meals and makes great leftovers!
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Made from tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. Better than store-bought, this roasted salsa is delicious and served with tortilla chips or in tacos and burritos.
Chicken Chimichangas
These easy chimichangas are filled with shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans, and salsa, then rolled in a flour tortilla and cooked until golden and crispy. You can pan-fry them in a skillet, bake them in the oven, or cook them in an air fryer!
Refried Beans
How to make refried beans just like your favorite Mexican restaurant, but even better! Includes stovetop, slow cooker, and canned beans instructions.
Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
The perfect quick and easy dinner. Simply toss the steak and vegetables in an easy Mexican seasoning and roast everything on one sheet pan.
Chocoflan
This delightful Mexican dessert boasts layers of creamy flan and rich chocolate cake. It’s the perfect sweet treat for any special occasion or family gathering, and guess what? It’s super easy to make! To make it extra indulgent, top it off with a rich and delicious cajeta caramel sauce. Trust me, you’ll love it!
Queso Fundido
Cheesy and gooey queso fundido combines melted cheese, chorizo, and peppers in a hot skillet. This restaurant-worthy appetizer is easy to make and done in under 30 minutes! Don’t forget the tortilla chips for dipping!
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Rich, buttery, and crumbly cookies made from a mixture of nuts, flour, butter, and powdered sugar that melt in your mouth.
Salsa Verde
This recipe blends tomatillos, jalapeños, onions, cilantro, garlic, and lime juice to form a tangy and vibrant Mexican green salsa. Spoon it onto tons of dishes to add a pop of flavor and color. You’ll never go back to store-bought versions again.
Tamales
Mexican red chile tamales made from tender pork shoulder that’s been simmered in a rich red chile sauce. The filling is enveloped in a light and addicting masa dough and then steamed in corn husks on the stovetop.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
A favorite Mexican dinner recipe that’s ready in only 30 minutes. Seasoned chicken breast, bell peppers, and onions are baked on one sheet pan simultaneously!
Baja Fish Tacos
The best Baja Fish Tacos you’ll ever eat! They’re filled with crispy beer-battered fish, smoky chipotle mayo, and a creamy cabbage slaw!
Calabacitas
This beloved Mexican vegetable dish is made from sauteed zucchini and squash, corn, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. It’s healthy, comforting, and super satisfying, even for the biggest of meat lovers!
Flour Tortillas
Love those fresh and soft flour tortillas from your favorite Mexican restaurant? Now you can make your own at home! These delicious homemade flour tortillas are easy to make, pliable yet sturdy, won’t rip, and only require 5 ingredients!
Margarita Cupcakes
The cupcake base is made with lime zest, lime juice, and a little bit of tequila in it for that real margarita flavor, and the frosting is made with cream cheese and some more lime zest and juice.
Mexican Brownies
These fudgy and chocolatey Mexican Brownies have a pop of flavor thanks to a little cayenne and cinnamon. Rich in flavor, these seriously addicting brownies are best enjoyed fresh or can be frozen for later.
Corn Tortillas
Everything you need to know about how to make corn tortillas at home! What you need, step-by-step process from start to finish, and how to keep them warm. They’re easy to make and perfect for taco night!
Marranitos
A popular Mexican pan dulce, or sweet bread, flavored with molasses and commonly found in Mexican bakeries. Best served with a cup of milk or coffee and eaten on weekend mornings!
Classic Margaritas
Made with 3 simple ingredients, the classic margarita is the perfect balance of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice that makes a crisp and refreshing drink every single time.
Skinny Margaritas
Made with fresh lime juice, orange juice, tequila, and agave nectar for a refreshing, low-calorie cocktail! Make one or an entire pitcher for the perfect drink for summer entertaining or Cinco de Mayo.
Sheet Pan Nachos
Sheet-pan nachos are ready from start to finish in only 25 minutes, making them one of the quickest and easiest appetizers everyone will love!
Strawberry Margaritas
The perfect cocktail to enjoy on warm sunny days! Made with 5 simple ingredients, this drink is the perfect mix of sweet but not too sweet, boozy but not too boozy, and super refreshing. Frozen and on-the-rocks versions are included.
Watermelon Margaritas
Made with only 3 simple ingredients (yes, only 3!) and can be served frozen or on the rocks. Naturally sweetened with only fruit, this cocktail is sure to become a go-to every summer! Frozen and on-the-rocks versions are included.
Mango Margaritas
The most delicious fruity margarita you’ll ever make! It can be made frozen or on the rocks and is great for parties, celebrations, barbecues, or relaxing on warm, sunny days.
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