For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo means they have a pretty darn good excuse to enjoy Mexican food and probably a few too many margaritas. We love Mexican food! So we rounded up the best Cinco de Mayo recipes from our Mexican recipe collection to help you celebrate!
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is actually the celebration of the courage of the Mexican people during a battle in the city of Puebla, Mexico (100 miles east of Mexico City). This battle occurred on May 5th, 1862, naturally called “the Battle of Puebla.” During this battle, about 4,500 Mexican soldiers defeated the Mexican traitors and a French army of 6,500.
Cinco de Mayo is often a misunderstood holiday. Many think this day celebrates Mexican independence, but that happened 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a larger scale here in the United States than in Mexico.
Regardless of the real reason this holiday came to be, Cinco de Mayo translates into a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music, and beverage.
Cinco De Mayo Recipes
Let us help you plan your fiesta with these Cinco de Mayo recipe ideas, from appetizers and soups to main courses. Have fun exploring some of our best Mexican recipes!
Appetizers
Guacamole
Served smooth or chunky, this guacamole gets flavor from cumin and a little bit of heat from cayenne pepper. Flavorful, clean, and healthy!
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Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed poblano peppers are stuffed with sweet pops of heat, sauteed onions, jalapenos, black beans, sweet corn, chunky salsa and cheese.
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Vegetarian Nachos
These vegetarian nachos can be made with tortilla chips covered in cheeses, black beans and any meatless toppings you choose. A quick, easy meatless meal!
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Soups & Chili
Chicken Enchilada Chili
Create a meal that tastes just like you slow-cooked it all day with this chicken enchilada chili. This hearty and flavorful dish comes together quickly!
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Crock-Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
Inspired by Ina Garten, this Mexican chicken soup is made in the crock-pot. This soup is filled with chicken, vegetables, and Mexican flavors you’ll love!
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Healthy Crock-Pot Black Bean Soup
This healthy crock-pot black bean soup is packed with hearty plant-based protein, veggie, and spice and oh so easy to make. It practically makes itself!
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Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder
This creamy and mildly spiced roasted poblano corn chowder with poblano chili peppers comes alive when splashed with fresh lime juice just before eating.
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White Bean and Ground Pork Chili
Rich pork, mild chiles, and gooey cheese come together in a rich broth with fresh lime to make this easy White Bean and Ground Pork Chili
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Spices & Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Made in 3 minutes or less, this fresh homemade taco seasoning is a blend of inexpensive, herbs and spices. Fresher and better, because it’s all natural!
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Main Courses
David’s Breakfast Burritos
David’s breakfast burritos are loaded in tortilla filled with chorizo sausage, eggs, cheddar cheese, poblano peppers, and potatoes. Served with spicy salsa!
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Chorizo Breakfast Hash
Hungry? Make this chorizo breakfast hash—packed with veggies, protein, and plenty of flavor. It’s the perfect way to start your day right!
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Steak and Refried Bean Enchiladas
Steak and Refried Bean Enchiladas are flour tortillas filled with refried beans, steak, and cheese, then rolled, topped with enchilada sauce and cheese.
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Easy Shrimp Tacos With Red Cabbage Slaw & Chipotle Sour Cream
Warm garlicky shrimp, fresh sweet and tangy red cabbage slaw, with smoky and spicy sour cream, intensely flavor these easy shrimp tacos. You'll love em!
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Grilled Chicken Fajitas
These delicious grilled chicken fajitas are a breeze to make with grilled chicken thighs with Mexican spices served with grilled vegetables on a tortilla.
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Oven-Roasted Pork Carnitas With Orange Cabbage Slaw
Oven-Roasted carnitas a Mexican dish of braised pork in a broth, then shredded and cooked until crispy. Serve in tacos, burritos or nachos!
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Poblano Mushroom Potato Tacos
Poblano mushroom potato tacos are filled with sauteed medley of veggies along with country-style skillet potatoes served in a sauce with lime.
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Grilled Tri Tip Steak Tacos
Tri tip is an affordable cut for steak tacos. We slow cook it, then reverse sear before slicing and serving on cheesy grilled corn tortillas.
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Cheese and Bean Enchiladas
These homemade cheese and bean enchiladas are filled with beans and cheese then smothered in a robust enchilada sauce made from scratch.
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Ina’s Salmon Tacos
Fresh and simple, the tangy dill slaw with cucumbers adds a nice crunch, offset by smooth avocados the perfect match to the heat to Ina's salmon tacos.
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Refried Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Easy refried bean and cheese quesadillas made with simple ingredients. A quick vegetarian dinner perfect for Meatless Monday.
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Pollo a la Diabla – Mexican Deviled Chicken
Pollo a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Chicken) is an authentic taste of Mexico! Tender, juicy, seared chicken smothered in a smoky, spicy tomato-based sauce.
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Authentic Chiles Rellenos
Authentic Chiles Rellenos is a classic Mexican dish made of chiles, stuffed with cheese, fried in egg batter until golden brown, and served in tomato sauce.
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Roasted Cauliflower Tostadas
Enjoy our tasty cauliflower tostadas with roasted cauliflower, Mexican spices, hearty black beans, and your choice of delicious toppings!
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Easy Turkey Enchiladas
Transform Thanksgiving leftovers into cheesy turkey enchiladas! They're quick, flavorful, and saucy—perfect for an easy, delicious meal.
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From the Grill & Smoker
Carne Asada
Learn how to cook carne asada. It can be served as a quick and easy weeknight main dish or ingredient for tacos from the grill or stovetop.
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Smoked Carnitas with Spicy Cabbage Slaw
Smoked carnitas cooked low and slow on the smoker then shredded into flavorful smoky bits on top of a warm tortilla with spicy cabbage slaw.
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Bacon-Jalapeno Quesadillas
Bacon-jalapeno quesadillas are made with smoky bacon, spicy jalapenos, and gooey Monterey Jack cheese in a tortilla blanket of love.
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Side Dishes
Crock Pot Refried Beans {Christina’s Frijoles Recipe
Try this delicious and easy crock pot refried beans recipe. These traditional beans are a perfect side dish for any Mexican-inspired meal.
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Grilled Corn Black Bean Salad
Simple ingredients with tons of flavor, Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad is a fiesta in a bowl, with corn, beans, tomatoes, avocado, and lime dressing.
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Homemade Flour Tortillas
Tender, fresh and fluffy these homemade flour tortillas use simple ingredients and have easy-to-follow instructions. Try some tonight!
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Homemade Enchilada Sauce
This homemade enchilada sauce made of dried New Mexico chilies has bold, beautiful flavors and it’s so good, you’ll never buy canned enchilada sauce again.
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Mexican Rice
Restaurant-style Mexican rice can easily be made at home. It is a flavorful accompaniment to any of your homemade Mexican dishes. Delicious!
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Drinks
Dangerously Good Margaritas
This dangerously good margaritas recipe makes one of the best Margaritas I have ever had and is too good not to share again. Bartender, get ready!
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Cinco De Mayo is the perfect excuse to get together and enjoy their delicious cuisine with family and friends! Which one of these recipes are you going to make? We love hearing from you. Comment below!
Happy Cinco de Mayo Friends!
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