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Cinco De Mayo Recipes

What’s a Cinco De Mayo celebration without a mouth-watering spread of colorful and flavorful dishes to accompany it? Create the menu of your dreams with these Cinco De Mayo recipes, perfect for any get-together or gathering you may be hosting.

A cover photo for cinco de mayo recipes.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco De Mayo is that time of year Americans celebrate all things Mexico!! The history behind the date commemorates the First Battle of Puebla- a battle between Mexico and France. Yet, the celebration of Cinco De Mayo is not as widespread in Mexico as it is here in the U.S. Nevertheless, let the party continue and do so with mouthwatering Cinco De Mayo recipes and time spent learning about the history and culture of Mexico.

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

1. Educate

Learn about Mexican history and share the real story about Cinco De Mayo.

2. Support

As you celebrate, put your money into the pockets of those you’re celebrating – whether it’s a grocery store, Mexican restaurant, clothing store, or artisan shop!

3. Eat

And for this, I’ve got you covered! I’ve teamed up with other food bloggers to bring you a mouthwatering collection of 45 Cinco de Mayo recipes to try this year!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes – Tacos

1. Beef Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos with lime, onion, cotija cheese.
Photo Credit: Garnish and Glaze

Tender beef barbacoa is bursting with flavors in this easy slow-cooker recipe. Use it to fill everything from mouthwatering tacos and burritos to savory quesadillas and salads, like our vegetable chopped salad.

2. Carne Asada Tacos

Savor irresistibly tender and juicy carne asada steak, marinated to perfection and expertly grilled to make carne asada tacos. Fill a warm corn tortilla with the seared steak and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and onion. If you’re craving more than tacos, try this carne asada platter next!

Since we are talking about tacos, fresh corn tortillas take any meal to the next level, but have you seen them straight out of the package? They are a crumbly mess if you use them as is. Check out these tips and tricks for how to heat corn tortillas.

3. Instant Pot Carnitas

Elevate your home-cooking game with mouthwatering Instant Pot carnitas, featuring succulent pork shoulder bursting with delicious flavors.

4. Homemade Tacos with Ground Beef

Ground beef, onions, and tomatoes combine with taco seasoning to make the perfect weeknight homemade tacos with ground beef.

5. Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw

Spicy shrimp tacos marinated in a chipotle chili sauce to produce a spicy, smoky flavor as they cook; pair it with a creamy cilantro slaw or homemade coleslaw with mint and cilantro for a quick 30-minute meal.

6. Tacos De Adobada

Tacos on a taco stand and topped with avocado and hot sauce with toppings in the background.
Photo Credit: Hilda’s Kitchen Blog

Enjoy mouthwatering tacos de adobada, where succulent pork marinates in a delicious blend of roasted chili salsa, vinegar, and a secret ingredient (shawarma seasoning) that adds a flavorful twist.

7. Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos

Spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with crock pot barbacoa tacos, a must-have dish to impress your guests. This easy make-ahead recipe is easy to prepare and yields a generous batch of flavorful barbacoa perfect for feeding a crowd.

8. Beef Fajita Tacos

Treat yourself to classic beef fajita tacos, made with succulent steak that marinates for hours in a blend of chilies, herbs, and lime before grilling to perfection. Serve the tacos with tender vegetables and all your favorite toppings.

Cinco de Mayo Recipes – Meat Entrees

9. Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

A plate of chicken tinga with rice.
Photo Credit: Paint the Kitchen Red

Instant Pot chicken tinga is perfect for tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, nachos, rice bowls, or taco salads. Pressure-cooked and packed with flavor, this recipe is a perfect make-ahead dinner.

10. Chicken Mole

Chicken mole involves layers of bold flavor; the dish slow-simmers and is blended until smooth to serve. Traditionally prepared for special occasions and celebrations, mole is a staple dish in Mexican culture and represents the country’s rich culinary heritage. Enjoy it over warm rice and beans, wrapped in tortillas, or drizzled over your favorite tacos, nachos, and veggies.

11. Instant Pot Beef Machaca

Instant Pot beef machaca is the best filling for tacos, burritos, and nachos! Transform a basic chuck roast into the most flavorful shredded beef you’ve ever tasted.

12. Chori Pollo

Chori polli combines tender, juicy chicken and spicy chorizo smothered in a creamy cheese sauce for a dish that will have you licking your plate clean.

13. Instant Pot Pork Tamales

A plate full of wrapped pork tamales with jalapeños in the background.
Photo Credit: Ranch Style Kitchen

Make flavorful pork tamales in half the time using an Instant Pot! Mildly spicy red chili sauce perfectly complements tender and juicy pork, all wrapped up in a fluffy masa that will have you savoring every bite.

Chili Cinco De Mayo Recipes

14. Instant Pot Pozole Rojo

A single serving of pozole rojo garnished with fresh cilantro and red onion.

Are you looking for a delicious and hearty stew to make your holiday celebration special? Look no further than Instant Pot pozole rojo; this is a beloved family recipe we pull out for holidays like Cinco De Mayo, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Authentic pozole features succulent pork, hominy, and a savory, chili-spiced broth, bursting with complex flavor. Pile your bowl high with fresh toppings like radishes, cilantro, cabbage, onions, and Mexican oregano.

15. Chili Con Carne with Beans

Warm up with a heaping bowl of this savory, southwest-style chili. Our authentic chili con carne with beans recipe is my take on an old classic with hearty beef chuck, black beans (gasp! I know), and a satisfying combination of chilies.

Appetizer Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

16. Smoked Elote

Elotes on a stick dressed up with all the toppings and served on a wood serving tray.
Photo Credit: XOXO Bella

Smoked rlote, or Mexican street corn, is corn on the cob served south of the border style. Whether you’re hosting a backyard get-together or looking to spice up your weeknight dinner routine, smoked elote is the perfect side dish or appetizer that will have everyone asking for seconds. Serve it alongside protein like our grilled chicken drumsticks to further draw out the smoky flavor of the corn on the cob.

17. Birria Nachos

When you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, make fully loaded birria nachos! Tortilla chips get layered with juicy birria, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and pickled onions for the ultimate nacho experience.

18. Taco Ring

This easy taco ring incorporates flaky crescent roll dough, taco meat, cheese, black beans, corn, and all your favorite taco toppings. Perfect for holiday parties, game nights, and Cinco De Mayo.

19. Hatch Green Chile Cheese Dip

Hatch green chile cheese dip is a perfect appetizer! Gooey cheese and roasted peppers make an easy snack perfect for entertaining guests.

20. Taco Stuffed Peppers

Taco stuffed peppers are an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love and a perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings. With a few simple ingredients, you will have a delicious treat on the table in no time!

21. Vegetarian Mexican Casserole

A serving of Mexican casserole with the casserole dish in the background.
Photo Credit: Piping Pot Curry

Healthy vegetarian Mexican casserole with rice and beans is easy to make and filled with cheesy goodness, brown rice, and lots of veggies; this meal or appetizer is a great addition to your next dinner party.

Cinco de Mayo Recipes – Side Dishes

22. Vegan Mexican Rice

Vegan Mexican rice in a serving dish garnished with lime wedges.

Our vegan Mexican rice recipe cooks with tomato puree, vegetable broth, jalapeños, and garlic for a highly concentrated and flavorful side dish. Tasty and aromatic, Mexican rice brings restaurant-style rice straight to your kitchen.

23. Homemade Refried Beans

Homemade refried beans are a must! Forget canned refried beans and start making this homemade version with a few easy steps.

24. Instant Pot Refried Beans

Instant Pot refried beans are much better than the canned version and are so easy to make! Cooked from dry pinto beans in just over an hour, these pressure cooker refried beans are full of flavor!

Cinco de Mayo Breakfast Recipes

25. Vegan Chilaquiles 

A plate of vegan chilaquiles on a plate and topped with sliced avocado.
Photo Credit: Plant Based on a Budget

Make hearty, flavorful, and protein-packed vegan chilaquiles combining crispy corn tortilla strips with scrambled tofu, onion, beans, and salsa. A quick, easy, affordable, and super-filling breakfast that’s ready in under 30 minutes!

26. Tres Leches Pancakes

Tres leches pancakes are super soft and fluffy, and finish them with a decadent three-milk syrup so good that you won’t want regular pancake syrup again! Top the tasty breakfast sweet off with extra caramel or dulce de leche, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and whipped cream.

27. Mexican Eggs Benedict

Mexican eggs benedict is a breakfast favorite! The combination of spicy chorizo, smashed avocado, jalapeños, and chipotle hollandaise is insanely delicious!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes – Dips

28. Pico De Gallo

Fresh pico de gallo is ready to serve.

Get fresh pico de gallo on the table with just five ingredients: ripe tomatoes, white onion, jalapeños, cilantro, and the juice of a lime come together as a perfect topping or garnish.

29. Chunky Salsa

Skip going to the store, and make chunky salsa with cilantro and avocado at home instead. Ours is made with fresh ingredients and on the table in 20 minutes!

30. Guacamole without Tomato

Our fresh, Simple guacamole without tomato recipe is ready and on your table in 10 minutes. All you need is a hand full of ingredients! Serve it as a dip, or use it to dress up your favorite entree.

31. Mango Pico De Gallo

Sweet, spicy, and easy to make- serve our fresh Mango pico de gallo recipe with tortilla chips or use it to top chicken, fish, tacos, or salad. It’s so good you’ll want to eat it with a spoon. 

32. Serrano Crema

Serrano Crema contains serrano chilies, fresh cilantro, a pop of garlic, and a combination of sour cream and yogurt to give the sauce a nice creamy texture. Olive oil, lime juice, and spices finish this sauce you’ll want to douse on absolutely everything.

33. Chipotle Corn Salsa

This addictive chipotle corn salsa is a perfect accompaniment to any Mexican food. Sweet roasted corn makes a perfect pairing with smoky chipotle peppers. Such an amazing and fresh side dish recipe for summer gatherings or Cinco de Mayo!

Dessert Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

34. Mexican Ice Cream

Three mexican ice cream scoops topped with chocolate, whipped cream, and cherries, with cherries in the background.
Photo Credit: Princess Pinky Girl

Making Mexican Ice Cream at home is so simple! Skip the fryer and make these easy 3 ingredient treats in 10 minutes. Garnish your frozen dessert with a drizzle of chocolate syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, and a cherry on top!

35. Mexican Flan

Flan is a silky vanilla custard topped with a yummy caramel sauce. It’s a very popular dessert that’s creamy, rich, and decadent.

36. Sopaipillas

Sopaipillas are light and airy fried dough pieces coated in a delicious cinnamon sugar mixture, sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you’re celebrating Cinco De Mayo or looking for a tasty dessert to share with family and friends, Sopaipillas are a perfect choice.

37. Cajeta Empanadas

Mexican Cajeta Empanadas, or empanadas de cajeta, is easy to make and so tasty! Soft dough is coated with cinnamon and sugar and stuffed with sweet dulce de leche or caramel; these dessert empanadas are wonderfully tasty and satisfying!

38. Baked Churro Chips

These delicious Baked Churro Chips are the absolute BEST. Perfectly crunchy and baked to cinnamon sugar perfection.

39. Fried Ice Cream

Skip the deep fryer with this easy Mexican Fried Ice Cream. Creamy vanilla ice cream is coated in a buttery, crunchy cinnamon cornflake shell with a secret ingredient for even more texture and flavor. The chocolate and caramel syrup, whipped cream, and maraschino cherry are the perfect finish to this fun and simple dessert!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes – Drinks

40. Spicy Jalapeno Margarita Mocktail

Enjoy this spicy Jalapeno Margarita Mocktail recipes.
Photo Credit: Entirely Elizabeth

This Spicy Jalapeno Margarita Mocktail recipe is tart, sweet, and has the perfect amount of spice. It is super refreshing, stirs together in minutes, requires no fancy equipment, and is perfect any time. Jalapeno Simple Syrup recipe included. Try this and more of our tasty Mocktail Recipes for a sober good time!

41. Agua de Fresa Con Leche

This agua de fresa con leche is delicious and easy to make and it’s perfect for a hot day or as a sweet treat. Its creamy and fruity taste makes it a popular choice among both children and adults, and it’s a great way to enjoy the flavor of fresh strawberries in a refreshing and hydrating way.

42. Homemade Horchata de Arroz

Homemade horchata de arroz is a simple, yet refreshing drink made with rice water and condensed milk accented by a sprinkle of cinnamon. This authentic Mexican Horchata recipe is just like they make in Mexican restaurants, taquerías and ice cream shops.

Creative Cinco de Mayo Recipes

43. Fajita Bar

A table full of different kinds of fajitas and their toppings.
Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons

This Fajita Bar is the most delicious build-it-yourself dinner that everybody from the pickiest kids to the hungriest adults will love.

44. Mexican Charcuterie Board

A Mexican charcuterie board with taquitos, tacos, elote, guacamole, and other treats.
Photo Credit: Play Party Plan

A Mexican charcuterie board is the perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Buy or make your favorite Mexican recipes, display them on a board with a little fiesta-inspired flair, and let everyone grab their favorite!

45. Taco Sugar Cookies

A plate of sugar cookies shaped liked Tacos.
Photo Credit: Homemade Heather

These Taco Sugar Cookies are absolutely darling and fun to create for any occasion. 

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A pinterest pin for cinco de mayo recipes.

Inger

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Yum! I want to try everything!

Tressa Jamil

Sunday 12th of June 2022

I feel the same way!