23 Cinco De Mayo Recipes To Get The Party Started (2024)

Looking for Cinco de Mayo recipes? You strike it lucky with this one-stop shop of delicious Cinco de Mayo party food ideas here!

RELATED: 18 Cinco de Mayo Drink Recipes For Your Fiesta

In this article:

  1. Individual Seven-Layer Dips
  2. 19 Homemade Salsa Recipes
  3. Shortcut Chicken and Green Chilies Empanadas Recipe
  4. Chicken Enchilada Dip
  5. Taco Cupcakes
  6. Chilaquiles
  7. Skirt Steak Tacos with Jalapeno Slaw
  8. Loaded Mexican Pizza
  9. One Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta
  10. Tomatillo Shrimp Ceviche
  11. Queso Blanco Cinco de Mayo Burger
  12. Slow Cooker Carnitas
  13. Grilled Margarita Steak
  14. Mexican Street Corn
  15. Cilantro-Lime Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
  16. Baked Cheesy Refried Bean Taquitos
  17. Chicken Fajita Rice
  18. Crispy Black Bean and Rice Burrito
  19. Philly Cheese Steak Quesadilla
  20. Churro Cupcakes
  21. Tres Leches Cake
  22. Sombrero Pinata Cookies

Cinco De Mayo Recipes for a Full Course Meal

1. Homemade Guacamole & Pico De Gallo

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Your Cinco de Mayo party won’t be a party without guacamole. If you love guacamole, you’ll love this easy homemade recipe.

Give your guests the perfect Mexican appetizer, from a guacamole dip to the authentic pico de gallo! Click here to read more and start making your homemade dip!

2. Individual Seven-Layer Dips

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This would be perfect for any Cinco de Mayo celebration. People don’t have to stand by the table to have a dip, they simply have to carry their own around.

Their only problem now is how to stay close to the tortilla chips! Get the recipe here and start making your own!

3. 19 Homemade Salsa Recipes

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If you simply can’t decide what kind of salsa to serve, take your pick from this collection of 19 amazing Mexican recipes. You can serve your salsa in a glass bowl, an avocado, or a watermelon!

Check them out here and find the right salsa for your celebration of Cinco de Mayo food traditions.

4. Shortcut Chicken and Green Chilies Empanadas Recipe

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If your guests are craving for more than just tortilla chips and salsa, give them chicken empanadas! This would make a great snack or one of your Cinco de Mayo appetizers.

If you’re craving chicken empanadas, this is an awesome recipe to try.

5. Chicken Enchilada Dip

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Chicken enchiladas don’t have to be a heavy main dish. Fill it up with melted cheese and you’ll have another mouth-watering appetizer!

Gooey and cheesy, who can ever resist this easy-to-make dip recipe. Make it more healthy by adding some corn and beans.

6. Taco Cupcakes

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Conventional tacos and fish tacos are no longer exciting. Surprise your guests with these cute bite-size “cupcake” portions of tacos.

Check how you can make them here and add them to your list of kid-friendly recipes to make with your family!

7. Chilaquiles

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Try this yummy Mexican dish using pork broth and corn tortillas. It’s a Mexican dish which fits the criteria of being both an appetizer and a main dish.

You can also make chilaquiles less spicy for your guests who are sensitive to chilis. Get the recipe here and don’t be afraid to go crazy on the melted cheese!

8. Skirt Steak Tacos with Jalapeno Slaw

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This list of Cinco de Mayo recipes is moving on to the main dishes! Start the man course with these tasty and meaty tacos!

Find out how to make skirt steak tacos the right way. This will top your list of favorite tacos for sure!

9. Loaded Mexican Pizza

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This is not your ordinary pizza. It’s a scrumptious pizza stuffed with beans and meat topped with your favorite Mexican toppings.

Another delicious topping to this unique pizza are slices of avocado! Head over to the recipe here.

10. One Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta

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Chicken enchiladas are definitely a must-have for any Mexican dinner. If you love quick and easy meals with fewer dishes to wash, this is the recipe for you.

11. Tomatillo Shrimp Ceviche

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It sounds complicated and fancy but it’s as simple as mixing all of your ingredients together. This appetizer lets your guest enjoy seafood marinated in lime juice.

It takes a few hours for the prep time, but it will be totally worth it.

RELATED: 45 Homemade BBQ Recipes And Mouthwatering BBQ Ideas

12. Queso Blanco Cinco de Mayo Burger

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Who doesn’t love burgers, right? Give your burger a Cinco de Mayo twist with this recipe. The white cheese will add a soft and creamy texture to your meaty burger.

It’ll leave your guests wanting more of this mouth-watering burger for Cinco de Mayo.

13. Slow Cooker Carnitas

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You’ll love the delicious aroma of this Mexican dish coming from your slow cooker. This recipe may test your patience but once you taste the soft and tender beef strips, you’ll realize it’s all worth it.

14. Grilled Margarita Steak

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Looking for margarita recipes to seek into your menu? Why not use it to marinate your steak!

All the flavors of a margarita are soaked up by this mouth-watering steak. Fire up your grill for this recipe.

15. Mexican Street Corn

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Take simple corn on the cob to the next level by lathering it with cheese and infusing it with Mexican flavor.

The queso fresco in this recipe will add flavor to plain corn. It’s the perfect Cinco de Mayo side dish.

16. Cilantro-Lime Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

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Make your tacos healthy by using turkey and lettuce. Season it with cilantro and lime to make it burst with flavor.

You and your guests will definitely keep wanting more of this light dish.

17. Baked Cheesy Refried Bean Taquitos

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You’ll love the combination of spice and bold flavors in this Mexican dish. The baked crispy taquitos on the outside will go great with the texture of the cheese and refried beans inside.

18. Chicken Fajita Rice

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Make this well-seasoned chicken and rice for your Cinco de Mayo dinner. Then top it off with a few slices of avocado.

This homemade recipe may taste even better than your local Mexican restaurant’s.

19. Crispy Black Bean and Rice Burrito

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This crispy black bean rice burrito is very healthy and definitely tasty! It’s a quick and easy wrapped meal you can serve this Cinco de Mayo.

20. Philly Cheese Steak Quesadilla

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The melted cheese oozing with tender-crisp veggies and roast beef may become your guests’ top pick. Leave your guests wanting more of this Philly cheese steak quesadilla.

21. Churro Cupcakes

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Churros are delicious in any form. But these churro cupcakes are adorable in their tiny wrappers and are perfect desserts for the kids.

Bake these adorable cupcakes and make your celebration a fiesta!

22. Tres Leches Cake

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Want more dessert recipes? Try this sponge cake soaked with three kinds of milk. Prepare to get addicted to the creamy goodness! Check the recipe here and add it to the list of desserts on your Cinco de Mayo menu.

23. Sombrero Pinata Cookies

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Cookies with a surprise! These colorful cookies shaped like sombreros will fit the theme for your Mexican dinner party.

This is a great Cinco de Mayo desserts recipe the kids will go nuts over.

Watch this video from Tipsy Bartender to find out how to make a Cinco de Mayo party punch!


Cinco de Mayo is the time when you get your best Mexican recipes out and prepare all those mouth-watering food. If you want Cinco de Mayo recipes to make your party one to remember, this list should help you out.

From appetizers, main dishes, and to desserts, you won’t fall short of easy Cinco de Mayo Mexican food to prepare for your friends and family. Your family dinner will be memorable with any of these Cinco de Mayo recipes on the menu.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your choice of homemade Mexican food from pico de gallo to chicken enchiladas. These Cinco de Mayo recipes will definitely get everyone excited to your Cinco de Mayo party and then keep them wanting for more!

Did you enjoy our list of Cinco de Mayo recipes? Let us know in the comments section below what your thoughts are on these Cinco de Mayo party food ideas.

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23 Cinco De Mayo Recipes To Get The Party Started (1)
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23 Cinco De Mayo Recipes To Get The Party Started (2)

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 16, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

23 Cinco De Mayo Recipes To Get The Party Started (2024)

FAQs

What to bring for a Cinco de Mayo party? ›

What Do You Bring to a Cinco de Mayo Party?
  • Tacos.
  • Sharable dips like guacamole, queso, and salsa.
  • Enchiladas.
  • Nacho Kits.
  • Flautas.
  • Tamales.
  • Burritos.
Apr 21, 2023

How to plan a Cinco de Mayo party? ›

Plan a menu that includes traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, guacamole, and flan. For alcoholic beverages, prepare tequila-based drinks. For an alcohol-free option, go for horchata, hot chocolate or agua fresca. Set the party space with colorful decorations such as papel picado, sombreros, cacti and maracas.

What are 5 facts about Cinco de Mayo? ›

13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cinco De Mayo
  • Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. ...
  • The Holiday Celebrates a Much Smaller Military Victory. ...
  • The Popularity of Cinco de Mayo in America Was a Political Move. ...
  • Canada Celebrates Cinco de Mayo in a Unique Way. ...
  • Los Angeles Has the Biggest Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

What do you serve at a Mexican party? ›

Here's our most delicious Mexican food you can whip up for your next fiesta.
  • 1Bacon and cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers. ...
  • 2Tex-Mex wings with corn salsa. ...
  • 3Quick-smart nachos. ...
  • 4Minikins with Mexican beans. ...
  • 5Chillies Rellenos (stuffed chillies) ...
  • 6Mini Mexican quesadillas. ...
  • 7Mexican beef tacos.
  • 8Mexican salad.

What food is most popular on Cinco de Mayo? ›

The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas.

What snacks to serve with margaritas? ›

5 Great Eats to Pair with Your Margaritas
  • Jerk chicken sticks. ...
  • Key West shrimp cakes. ...
  • Tropical margarita dip. ...
  • Easy enchiladas. ...
  • Margarita pie.

What are 2 traditions for Cinco de Mayo? ›

Typical festivities include parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions and baile folklórico, or folkloric ballet, with whirling dancers wearing shiny ribbons and braids and bright, ruffled dresses.

What 4 things does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? ›

Cinco de Mayo
SignificanceCelebration of the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862
CelebrationsParades, food, music, folkloric dancing, battle reenactments
DateMay 5
Next timeMay 5, 2025
5 more rows

What can you not do on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Here are some things you don't want to do:
  • Avoid wearing sombreros, fake mustaches and Mexican-themed costumes. ...
  • Avoid dredging up your high school Spanish, especially with native Spanish speakers.
  • And you can enjoy traditional Latin drinks, but don't use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink too much.
May 5, 2022

What to drink on Cinco de Mayo? ›

So, let's get the party started and explore some of the best co*cktail and drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo!
  • Classic Margarita. ...
  • Margarita Pitcher. ...
  • Paloma. ...
  • Pineapple Margarita. ...
  • Strawberry Margarita. ...
  • Cantarito. ...
  • Cadillac Margarita. ...
  • Tequila Sunrise.
Mar 3, 2023

Why do Mexicans not celebrate Cinco de Mayo? ›

The victory of the Battle of Puebla is primarily celebrated in the city of Puebla, which largely recognizes the victory through military reenactments. For the rest of Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not considered a national holiday, so businesses are still open and most people still go to work like any other day.

What is Cinco de Mayo short answer? ›

Celebrated annually on May 5, Cinco de Mayo recognizes Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire led by Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday has since become perhaps more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico and is often celebrated by people of Mexican American heritage.

What is Cinco de Mayo 3 facts? ›

Cinco de Mayo is a symbolic event for Puebla residents. It marks the day of Mexico's victory over France. As Mexican-American population continues to grow in the US, Cinco de Mayo will always be celebrated in the most festive way!

Why is food important for Cinco de Mayo? ›

Mexican Foods Served at Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Traditional dishes like mole poblano (a rich sauce made with chocolate and chilies), chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano peppers in walnut sauce), and margaritas are enjoyed to honor Mexican heritage and pride.

What is 5 de mayo for mexicans? ›

Cinco de Mayo is the yearly celebration of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

What is celebrated on 5 de Mayo? ›

Celebrated annually on May 5, Cinco de Mayo recognizes Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire led by Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The holiday has since become perhaps more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico and is often celebrated by people of Mexican American heritage.

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