Discover over 33 of the best Recipes for Cinco de Mayo including appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts to celebrate the holiday!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Delicious Recipes
Whether you’re looking for traditional Mexican cuisine or new and exciting variations, we have something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds this holiday. Get ready to impress our guests with this extensive collection of impressive recipes!
Choose from options like black bean and corn salsa, slow cooker pork carnitas, taco salad, and so much more. And of course, you can keep this list handy for flavorful, Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes throughout the year.
Work your way through all of them, or pick and choose your favorites. Either way, the 5th of May will be a day you and your guest won’t forget!
What Does Cinco de Mayo Celebrate?
Cinco de Mayo is not actually Mexican Independence Day, which is commemorated each year on September 16. Instead, it honors the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Cinco de Mayo is a smaller holiday in Mexico that has evolved in North America into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage on the fifth of May each year. And what better way to celebrate the rich traditions of our southern neighbor than through food?
Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
I’ve organized the recipes below by appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts so you can easily find an option for all your needs.
Appetizers for Cinco de Mayo
Dips are the absolute best appetizer I can think of, and you can serve them with warm, fresh tortillas or a huge bowl of crunchy, salty tortilla chips (or both!). Or, try my Taco Pinwheels, which are loaded with spicy beef and a cinch to put together.
1. Refried Bean Dip
Refried beans, sour cream, cream cheese, and spices are blended together and served warm for the ultimate cheesy Refried Bean Dip! You will definitely want to pair it with tortilla chips for dipping.
2. Black Bean and Corn Salsa
This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is a fun take on classic salsa options. The fresh corn goes so well with the citrusy lime juice and other crisp, fresh vegetables. It will be a hit with crispy tortilla chips!
3. Easy 4-Layer Fiesta Dip
This Fiesta Dip combines four layers of goodness for a flavor-loaded dip. Salsa, taco-seasoned sour cream, cheese, olives, and green onions come together for a decadent appetizer that you can prepare in minutes.
4. Taco Dip
Take all the flavors you love about tacos, and combine them in an easy-to-eat Taco Dip! Tortilla chips, baby carrots, and slices of fresh bell peppers are perfect for scooping up every last bit.
5. Queso Dip
Make everyone’s favorite restaurant appetizer even better with this homemade Queso Dip. Garnish it with chopped cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, or anything you like for a pretty presentation and a festive touch.
6. Corn Dip
This Creamy Corn Dip is packed with yummy cheese and warm Mexican spices. It’s sweet, spicy, and the perfect way to celebrate. Pair it with chips or veggies, or use it as a condiment with your favorite main courses.
7. Taco Pinwheels
Taco Pinwheels have all the classic flavors of ground beef tacos in an easy-to-eat handheld bite. Store-bought crescent roll dough wraps around ground beef and cheese for a hearty appetizer that can double as a main course.
8. Cheesy Taco Sticks
Dip these Taco Sticks into one of the dips I’ve mentioned above, or just enjoy them plain. They are plenty flavorful just on their own, with lots of familiar taco seasoning to keep things interesting.
9. Taco Ring
This Taco Ring is a show-stopper of an appetizer! Seasoned taco meat and cheese are tucked into buttery crescent roll dough and piled with your favorite taco toppings! Guests can easily pull off bites for quick snacking, making this recipe great for a crowd.
10. Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Forget about making quesadillas one at a time. This cooking hack shows you how to utilize a sheet pan to make the crispiest and cheesiest Sheet Pan Quesadillas. With this nifty technique, you can say goodbye to standing over the stove top, and serve the whole party at once.
11. Sheet Pan Nachos
The next time you need to make nachos for a crowd, pull out the sheet pan to make these Sheet Pan Nachos. All you have to do is layer the ingredients evenly, and you have a big-batch appetizer that offers an explosion of tastes and textures with each bite. You’ll never have to serve soggy nachos again!
12. 7-Layer Dip
If a four-layer dip isn’t enough for you, this 7-layer dip has got you covered. Creamy, cheesy, and savory, it has everything you love about a classic Tex-Mex dip, all in one bite.
13. Jalapeño Popper Dip
Spice up your appetizer selection this Cinco de Mayo with the Jalapeño Popper Dip. The zesty dip is easy to make and is such a crowd-pleaser. You might as well make two servings for your party, as it is guaranteed to go fast.
Cinco de Mayo Main Dish Options
These main dishes are so hearty and satisfying, you’ll want to make them all year long. However, they’re especially good on Cinco de Mayo.
There’s a variety of options including several baked, cheesy casseroles as well as juicy shrimp tacos that are on the lighter side. You’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.
14. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas cook for hours in a blend of Mexican-inspired spices and citrus juice. As a result, the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and ultra-flavorful. Use it as a base for burritos, soft tacos, and more!
15. Burrito Casserole
This Burrito Casserole is made with juicy, Tex-Mex-flavored beef that’s layered with flour tortillas and lots of delicious cheese. It takes 20 minutes or less to make!
16. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Crockpot your way to a Mexican-inspired dinner with these Chicken Fajitas. You can customize the recipe however you like, but don’t skip the lime wedges alongside! They add the perfect touch of citrusy zest to lighten up and balance out the dish.
17. John Wayne Casserole
This John Wayne Casserole is one of my favorite casserole recipes for family dinners or large gatherings. It piles layers of taco-seasoned ground beef, veggies, cheese, and a creamy sauce over a biscuit dough base. Hearty and flavorful, it’s utterly irresistible.
18. Taco Spaghetti
What’s better than tacos or spaghetti? Tacos and spaghetti! This one-pot Taco Spaghetti recipe combines both meals into one incredible comfort food dish. Add lots of hot sauce, and watch it disappear right before your eyes!
19. Taco Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells get a Tex-Mex twist with this fun Taco Stuffed Shells recipe! The tender pasta is stuffed with spiced ground beef and cool sour cream. It’s a dish loved by both kids and adults!
20. Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Grilled Shrimp Tacos feature juicy shrimp marinated with lime juice, garlic, and spices. Once grilled, they’re tucked into soft tortillas and topped with a creamy sauce. Add them to your list of Cinco de Mayo recipes. Then, keep the recipe on hand to add to your Taco Tuesday rotation!
21. Fish Tacos
Fresh and flavorful Fish Tacos are sure to please! Seasoned white fish is wrapped in warm corn tortillas and topped with a tangy crema sauce and crunch cabbage. They’re a slightly lighter option that’s still big on flavor.
22. Shrimp Tacos
Another take on Shrimp Tacos, this simple yet delicious recipe is quick to make and will surely satisfy. Juicy shrimp is paired with raw cabbage and seasoned with cotija cheese and onion. What’s not to love?
23. Walking Tacos
Chips plus taco toppings, what could be better? This recipe is called “Walking Tacos” for a reason. You can pile in the taco goodness, and take this for a stroll. The chip bag will keep everything contained within. These are also great as fun party appetizers.
24. Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
The crockpot does most of the hard work in this Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos recipe, which results in tender, flavorful chicken that’s perfect to fold into tortillas. Top with lots of spicy salsa and cheese, and enjoy!
25. Pulled Pork Tacos
Switch up your traditional Cinco de Mayo main course, and serve these Pulled Pork Tacos instead. Topped with a fresh tomato and cilantro salsa and avocado slices, they’re savory, refreshing, and oh-so tasty!
26. Fish Tacos with Jalapeno Mango Slaw
The spicy mango slaw really makes this Fish Tacos recipe stand out! The fish serves as a netural base that holds up wel to the juicy fruit and crisp onion. Savory, sweet, and a little spice, you won’t want to miss out on this one!
27. King Ranch Chicken Casserole
I love a good casserole, and this King Ranch Chicken Casserole is no exception. One of our most popular recipes, it combines all the warm spices and cheesy flavor you expect from Tex-Mex dishes into a hearty, comforting main course meal!
28. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Loaded with shredded chicken and black beans, this Chicken Tortilla Soup is all you need to make a celebratory Cinco de Mayo meal! Top it with crispy tortilla strips for a bit of crunch. Then, add more chips and guacamole on the side. Yum!
29. Crescent Roll Taco Bake
If you love crescent rolls and can’t get enough of tacos, you will be all over this Crescent Roll Taco Bake! The buttery crescent rolls combine with classic taco fillings to make one mouthwatering bite.
30. Taco Lasagna
This Taco Lasagna might not be your average Tex-Mex dish. However, after one bite, you will be glad you added it to your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Crisp tortilla chips replace the traditional noodles and get loaded with beans, meat, and a whole lot of cheese. It’s the combination you never knew you needed.
31. Beef Enchiladas
Give yourself a restaurant-quality meal at home with these easy Beef Enchiladas. The recipe is surprisingly simple to make and will be perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
32. White Chicken Enchiladas
Add these White Chicken Enchiladas to the menu this Cinco de Mayo, and you’ll be glad you did! With three different cheeses and tender chicken, they’re gooey, flavorful, and filling. You may never go back to restaurant versions again!
33. Taco Casserole
There is nothing worse than eating a taco and having all of the fillings fall out. If you are tired of that happening, make this Taco Casserole instead. It takes all the best parts of a taco and combines them into an easy to eat casserole dish, so you don’t have to worry about losing all your food in each bite.
Side Dishes Fitting for Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
These side dishes go so well with the mains listed above! Or, make several side dishes and dips, add lots of crispy tortilla chips, and you’ll be all set for your own Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
34. Mexican Cauliflower Rice
You can make this Mexiacan Cauliflower Rice as a side or as a lighter dinner, you decide! It’s full of tasty seasonings, hearty ground beef, and healthy veggies.
35. Mexican Corn
Elotes, or Mexican Street Corn, combines charred grilled corn with a creamy, spicy sauce, cotija cheese, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. This is quick and easy take is so tasty you may just forget about the main course.
36. Taco Salad
Ground beef, taco seasonings, and fresh vegetables make up this Taco Salad. Put a big bowl on the table, and let everyone help themselves!
37. Doritos Taco Salad
Yes, you read that right – we’re adding Doritos to Taco Salad, and we have no regrets. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, and because there are some veggies in it we can still call it a salad. Even the kids will be excited to dig in!
38. Corn, Avocado, and Cilantro Salad
Add some freshness to your Cinco de Mayo meal with this Corn, Avocado, and Cilantrro Salad salad. It’s bright, refreshing, and goes with just about anything you have on the menu.
Desserts for Your Cinco De Mayo Party
I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite desserts that would be perfect to finish off a Cinco de Mayo celebration, starting with sopapilla cheesecake bars, which have their origins south of the border. Or, try a creamy coconut cake or a pineapple cake. Whichever on you choose to make, I know you won’t be disappointed.
39. Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars take crescent rolls and top them with a cream cheese filling and lots of sweet cinnamon sugar. They’re hard to resist. So, you might want to whip up a double batch. Luckily, they’re easy to make!
40. Coconut Tres Leches Cake
A “three milk” cake that’s infused with coconut for creamy sweetness – yes please! This super flavorful, tender Coconut Tres Leches Cake is sure to make everyone happy.
41. Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake
The easiest Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake, this recipe is is sweet, fruity, and fluffy. Just combine the ingredients, and bake. I like to top it with dollops of homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip for the finishing touch!
42. Coconut Cream Cake
Start with a box cake to keep things easy, and then up the ante with cream of coconut and sweetened shredded coconut for loads of coconut flavor. This Coconut Cream Cake lives up to its name and then some.
43. Coconut Cake
Another Coconut Cake, this classic, from-scratch recipe, will make the perfect sweet ending to your Cinco de Mayo celebration. It makes enough for a crowd. Or, just stash the leftovers for yourself after the party’s over.
Did you make any of these Cinco de Mayo recipes? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
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