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Whether you’re throwing a big fiesta or just celebrating with your family, this collection has all the Cinco de Mayo Recipes you’ll need! From entrees and appetizers to desserts and drinks, we have you covered!
For more collections: Mexican Sides, Mexican Desserts, Mexican Soups, Mexican Beef Recipes, Mexican Appetizers
A Day to Celebrate!
Cinco de Mayo (The Fifth of May) is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. It’s also known as Battle of Puebla Day.
While it’s somewhat of a minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American populations.
Growing up in Arizona, and having a Mexican mother myself, we’ve ALWAYS made a big deal of Cinco de Mayo and celebrate every year with lots of amazing homemade Mexican food. I’ve compiled this list of all our favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes, including entrees, sides, appetizers, drinks, and desserts!
Cinco de Mayo Party Tips
Like any dinner party, you’ll want to plan your menu beforehand.
- Decide which dishes you want to make fresh and which dishes can be made ahead of time. (See the individual recipes for more storage and reheating information.)
- Mix in traditional favorites with a couple new dishes. Be sure to try out the new dishes beforehand to work out any recipe kinks.
- Use dishes with different flavors and textures.
- Be mindful that while some people love spicy hot Mexican food, others prefer a more mild dish. I suggest labeling which dishes are spicy and which ones are more mild. A great way around this is to prepare more mild dishes, but have hot sauce set out for those who want to give their plates a bit more kick
Typically, for a meal with guests we like to have the following:
- APPETIZERS – 1-2 (Salsas + Dips can be made ahead of time.)
- SIDES – 1 (Rice is a great one that can be made ahead and kept WARM in the slow cooker or chafing dish)
- MAIN DISHES – 1-2 (That can be made ahead of time). Anything Fried is usually made right before serving.
- DESSERTS – 1 (Usually made ahead of time and extended with ice cream) 😉
- DRINKS – 1-2 (Including water). It’s nice to have a flavored beverage (or two!), but make sure you have either plain or flavored water as well.
FAVORITE Cinco de Mayo DECORATIONS
When I think of Mexican decorations, I think of bold, bright, contrasting colors. I always use red, green, and white (yes, some yellows, reds, pinks, blues and more!) since those are the colors of the Mexican flag, from there choose 3 more colors that can be repeated throughout the decor.
- Paper Picado Banners strung from above and around tables.
- Large Tissue Paper Flowers are beautiful and easy to make. Children especially enjoy helping make these.
- Sombreros are fun to have both for decor and for picture opportunities.
- Piñata, In my opinion, is a must for any Mexican party. Fill with candies or small toys.
- Salsa cans are great for holding decor, flowers and succulents
- Candles – You can usually find these for cheap at the dollar store and they go great with the decor.
So much decor can be found online and on Amazon, so be sure to check those out and then store for future uses. 😉
Best Cinco de Mayo Recipes
These are some of our go-to Mexican recipes that we think are the BEST! A lot of these classic dishes are perfect for big gatherings (like Cinco de Mayo parties).
We’ve included are favorite appetizers, sides, and entrees! And typically, we like to pick one or two from each section to create our menu.
Appetizers:
1 Salsa Recipe
AppetizerSalsa Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 110 votes
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2 Salsa Verde Recipe
AppetizerSalsa Verde Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.98 from 49 votes
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3 Black Bean Corn Salsa
AppetizerBlack Bean Corn Salsa
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 17 votes
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4 How to Make Guacamole
AppetizerHow to Make Guacamole
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 12 votes
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5 7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Appetizer7 Layer Bean Dip Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.98 from 45 votes
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6 Tortilla Chip Recipe
Appetizer, Side DishTortilla Chip Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 8 votes
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Sides:
7 Canned Refried Beans
AppetizerCanned Refried Beans
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 47 votes
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8 Spanish Rice Recipe
Side DishSpanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.99 from 5589 votes
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9 Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Side DishCilantro Lime Rice Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.97 from 62 votes
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10 Flour Tortilla Recipe
Side DishFlour Tortilla Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.98 from 67 votes
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11 Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Main Course, SoupChicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 378 votes
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Main Dishes:
12 Chicken Tacos Recipe
Main CourseChicken Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 82 votes
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13 Carne Asada Recipe
Main CourseCarne Asada Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 10 votes
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14 Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Main CourseChicken Enchilada Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.99 from 643 votes
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15 Cheese Enchilada
Main CourseCheese Enchilada
Total Time: 47 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.96 from 739 votes
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16 Chicken Flautas Recipe
Appetizer, Main CourseChicken Flautas Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 77 votes
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17 Baked Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
Main CourseBaked Chicken Chimichanga Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 124 votes
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Easy Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Even though we’ve shared our go-to’s for Cinco de Mayo, we wanted to make sure you had the complete list of simple recipes to make for your celebration.
From appetizers to sides to main dishes, we’ve got you covered. And best part is all of these recipes are easy with quick preparation, or few ingredients. What’s not to love about simple, yummy recipes?!
Appetizers:
18 Quesadilla Recipe
Appetizer, Main CourseQuesadilla Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.96 from 298 votes
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19 Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
AppetizerJalapeno Poppers Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 54 votes
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20 Loaded Nachos Recipe
Appetizer, Main CourseLoaded Nachos Recipe
Total Time: 27 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 23 votes
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21 Queso Blanco Recipe
AppetizerQueso Blanco Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.97 from 92 votes
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22 Crock Pot Bean Dip Recipe
AppetizerCrock Pot Bean Dip Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
5 from 40 votes
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23 Bean Dip Recipe
AppetizerBean Dip Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 378 votes
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24 Chili’s Salsa Recipe
AppetizerChili’s Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 3 minutes minutes
4.92 from 45 votes
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25 Mango Salsa Recipe
AppetizerMango Salsa Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
5 from 12 votes
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Sides & salads:
26 Esquites
Side DishEsquites
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 33 votes
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27 Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Side DishMexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 490 votes
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28 Mexican Cornbread Recipe
BreadMexican Cornbread Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.94 from 109 votes
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29 Sopa de Fideo Recipe
SoupSopa de Fideo Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.99 from 266 votes
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30 Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe
Main Course, SoupChicken Enchilada Soup Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 151 votes
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31 Taco Soup Recipe
SoupTaco Soup Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 28 votes
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32 Chicken Taco Salad Recipe
SaladChicken Taco Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
5 from 6 votes
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33 Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
SaladTaco Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
5 from 7 votes
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34 Southwest Caprese Salad Recipe
SaladSouthwest Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
5 from 6 votes
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35 Southwest Salad Recipe
SaladSouthwest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 18 votes
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Main Dishes:
36 Tostadas Recipe
Main CourseTostadas Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 22 votes
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37 Sweet Pork Barbacoa Recipe
Main CourseSweet Pork Barbacoa Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 23 votes
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38 Carnitas Recipe
Main CourseCarnitas Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 8 votes
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39 Mexican Chicken
Main CourseMexican Chicken
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
5 from 6 votes
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40 Salsa Chicken Recipe
Main CourseSalsa Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
5 from 18 votes
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41 Green Chili Chicken Recipe
Main CourseGreen Chili Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
5 from 17 votes
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42 Green Chile Burritos Recipe
Main CourseGreen Chile Burritos Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
5 from 35 votes
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43 Green Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe
Main CourseGreen Chili Smothered Burritos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
5 from 6 votes
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44 Burrito Recipe
Main CourseBurrito Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 49 votes
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45 Flautas
Appetizer, Main CourseFlautas
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 61 votes
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46 Pork Tacos Recipe
Main CoursePork Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
5 from 8 votes
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47 Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Main CourseGround Beef Tacos Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 19 votes
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48 Taco Casserole Recipe
Main CourseTaco Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 106 votes
49 Beef Enchiladas
Main CourseBeef Enchiladas
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.93 from 77 votes
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50 Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Main CourseCrock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.98 from 40 votes
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51 Creamy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Main CourseCreamy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.99 from 147 votes
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52 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Main CourseChicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Recipe Video
5 from 83 votes
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53 Mexican Lasagna Recipe
Main CourseMexican Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.95 from 53 votes
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Cinco de Mayo Dessert Recipes
There are so many traditional Mexican desserts you can make to accompany your Cinco de Mayo meal besides the classic cinnamon churro.
All of them are pretty simple to make and will pair perfectly with whatever entree you decide to serve!
54 Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
Appetizer, DessertCinnamon Tortilla Chips
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 35 votes
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55 Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
DessertMexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 26 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 28 votes
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56 Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe
DessertSopapilla Cheesecake Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 14 votes
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57 Mexican Fried Ice Cream Recipe
DessertMexican Fried Ice Cream Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours hours 17 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 16 votes
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58 Arroz con Leche Recipe
DessertArroz con Leche Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 386 votes
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59 Sopapilla Recipe
DessertSopapilla Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 59 votes
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60 Tres Leches Cake
DessertTres Leches Cake
Total Time: 4 hours hours 50 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 37 votes
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61 Churro Recipe
DessertChurro Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 36 votes
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62 How to Make Flan Recipe
DessertHow to Make Flan Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
4.94 from 16 votes
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63 Churro Cheesecake Bars
DessertChurro Cheesecake Bars
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 240 votes
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Cinco de Mayo Drink Recipes
The most well known Mexican style drink is probably Horchata, but we also love Mexican hot chocolate (you can turn it into a cold drink by preparing it like our Frozen Hot Chocolate). You can also serve juices or smoothies with refreshing fruit flavors like mango, peach, or strawberry.
64 Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe
DrinksMexican Hot Chocolate Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 25 votes
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65 Horchata Recipe
DrinksHorchata Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Recipe Video
5 from 13 votes
66 Peach Mango Smoothie Recipe
DrinksPeach Mango Smoothie Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
5 from 9 votes
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We hope these Mexican recipes help you in creating the perfect Cinco de Mayo menu!
Categorized as: Cuisines, Food Roundup, Mexican Recipes, Recipes
About Kristyn
My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!
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