18 Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
A collection of Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired recipes perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year. There is everything from classics like homemade salsa, guacamole, and beef enchiladas to copycat recipes for Chipotle chicken and cilantro-lime rice, as well as dessert (hello tres leches cake, I’m looking at you)!
With Easter in our rearview mirror, it’s time to turn our attention to the next food-centric holiday – Cinco de Mayo! While the day commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French in 1862, most associate it with an opportunity to feast on traditional Mexican dishes every year on May 5th.
I absolutely adore Mexican food and love any excuse to make it, so I love this day! If you’re looking for some ideas on what to make next Sunday, I’ve rounded up all of my favorites for you. Keep scrolling to find all of my best Mexican recipes suited for celebrating Cinco de Mayo!
The Best Homemade Guacamole Recipe
This simple homemade guacamole recipe is easy to make and absolutely the best. It has the perfect combination of flavors with the garlic, lime and seasonings, that will leave everyone asking for the recipe.
Black Bean Salsa
This black bean salsa is delicious, made with fresh ingredients, and totally bursting with flavor. A great alternative (or add-on) to traditional salsas and guacamole.
Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa
This Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa tastes like it came straight from your favorite Mexican restaurant, and it’s ready in 10 minutes!
Queso Fundido
A spicy blend of Chorizo, three cheeses, and some simple seasonings all baked in a cast iron skillet – get a huge bowl of chips ready because everyone is going to want to dig in.
Salsa Verde with Hatch Chiles
A traditional salsa verde recipe with tomatillos and an extra little punch from seasonal Hatch chiles.
Taco Dip
My mom has been making this taco dip for quite literally as long as I can remember. She made it for parties, picnics, New Year’s Eve… you name the occasion, and this dip was there. It’s incredibly easy and always a big crowd favorite.
Beef Enchiladas
Authentic beef enchiladas that melt in your mouth. Shredded beef is cooked in a homemade sauce that is utterly amazing; there will be no leftovers!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This easy chicken tortilla soup is creamy, full of spice and can be made on the stovetop or in the crockpot. A great copycat of Max & Erma’s popular soup!
Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
This copycat recipe for Chipotle chicken is spot-on, and arguably even better than the original! You will LOVE this marinade!
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro-Lime Rice
A copycat recipe for Chipotle’s popular cilantro-lime rice, with a simple method to ensure light, fluffy rice with no clumps!
Creamy Mexican Corn Salad
This creamy corn salad has Mexican flair, tons of flavor, and a big kick thanks to the addition of green chiles. A perfect side dish for summer parties!
Ground Beef Tacos
These are weeknight ground beef tacos on steroids. Not much more difficult or time-consuming, but the addition of a few special ingredients really take these to another level.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
This easy homemade taco seasoning mix can be made in just five minutes. Keep it in the pantry for quick taco nights!
Mexican Rice
Traditional Mexican rice begins with toasting the rice in hot oil and then slow cooking in a tomato-based sauce loaded with spices and additional flavors. A perfect side dish for any Mexican meal.
Caramel Tres Leches Cake
The BEST Caramel Tres Leches Cake! Dulce de leche is whisked into the three-milk mixture and then swirled into the whipped cream on top.
Fried Ice Cream
Who knew you could make fried ice cream at home?! It’s not as difficult as you might think, and it’s DELICIOUS!
Margarita Cupcakes
These margarita cupcakes are simple vanilla cakes infused with lime and tequila, brushed with more tequila, and topped with a tequila lime buttercream frosting.
Tres Leches Cake
This classic Mexican poke cake mixes up in one bowl and is doused in a three-milk mixture, then left to soak overnight. Topped with a hefty dose fresh, sweet whipped cream, it’s the perfect end to your Mexican feast.
TELL ME! What is your hands-down, all-time favorite Mexican dish?!
Favorite Mexican foods: chili relleno, bean and cheese burrito w red sauce inside, and I never get tired of guacamole or tacos. First time I had Mexican food I was about 4 years old. We were moving into our new house and my Grandpa went and got some Taco Bell. Although not authentic Mexican I’m sure, it was amazing and one of the best things I had ever tasted was that bean burrito.
My favorite Mexican food is Green Chile Burritos (refried beans, green chiles, onions and cheese).
My favorite Mexican dish is Chicken Tamales.