37 Best Cinco de Mayo Recipes and Menu Ideas

Are you ready for the ultimate collection of quick, easy, and delicious Cinco de Mayo recipes?

I’m talking carne asada, birria tacos, elote, and more. 

37 Easy Cinco de Mayo Recipes That Go Beyond Tacos

Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s victory against French forces at The Battle of Puebla in 1862.

And whether you have Mexican roots or just love experiencing different cultures, you need these Cinco de Mayo foods to help celebrate.

There are plenty of authentic flavors and some new fun twists on classic Mexican dishes I know you’ll love.

So check out these Cinco de Mayo recipes and get ready to party!

1. Birria Tacos

Let’s get the fiesta started with these irresistible birria tacos! 

What is birria, you ask? Simply put, it’s Mexican stew that cooks low and slow until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. 

Traditionally, it’s done with goat, but these days, it more often features beef. 

And these tacos do it right! They turn both sirloin and beef shank into memorable savory tacos. 

2. Mexican Street Corn Salad

Street corn is a favorite in Mexican culture. It’s sweet, creamy, zesty, and spiced just right. 

It’s also perfect for the holidays!

Unfortunately, as tasty as corn on the cob is, it’s not the easiest to eat (without making a mess, that is!).

So, if you need to bring a plate to share, turn it into this festive dish. 

Also known as esquites, it’s the salad form of street corn with all the same flavors. The only difference is you’ll serve it up in a big bowl for sharing.

3. Chicken Enchiladas

You can never go wrong with chicken enchiladas. 

They have the most scrumptious and hearty chicken and black bean filling.

And the lashings of a homemade enchilada sauce and the smothering of melty cheese are just the cherries on top.

It’s the kind of dish everyone loves. Though it’s more suitable for small gatherings.

4. Easy Tostada

Tostadas are a fun party dish you can serve as an appetizer or whole meal. They’re effortless to toss together and super versatile to boot. 

With crispy corn tortillas as a base, you can pile on all kinds of toppings, from refried beans and ground beef to lettuce, avocado, salsa, and cheese. 

Feel free to make them vegan or vegetarian-friendly. Although, I love how this recipe incorporates the colors of the Mexican flag.

5. Baked Chicken Tacos

Need to feed a crowd? These baked chicken tacos are your answer. 

You get about ten tacos out of one casserole dish. So, go buy those disposables and make as many as you need.

Each crunchy corn shell is overflowing with taco-seasoned chicken, refried beans, green chilies, and Mexican cheese. 

All that’s left is the taco toppings. Make sure to have a good selection, and keep the spicy chilies away from the kids!

6. Creamy Jalapeño Corn Casserole

Here’s a sharable dish that calls for just seven easy ingredients. 

You’ll start by melting cheese, cream, and butter in a pan. Mix that up with canned corn and jalapeños, then bake it with an extra layer of cheese. 

Easy peasy!

I like serving it with chips for an appetizer. But it’s also really yummy over chicken tacos.

7. Sopa de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Soup)

I’m not sure there are words to describe how exceptional this soup is. But of course, I’ll try!

It’s light and bold, succulent and savory, fresh and zesty, and perfectly spicy.

Featuring an entire pound of shrimp in a guajillo chili broth with root veggies, it’s also super filling. 

If you’re having a low-key holiday with only a few people, it’s the perfect way to celebrate.

8. Sheet Pan Fajitas

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the easy way and let the oven do all the work.

All you need to do here is slice a few veggies and toss everything in fajita seasoning. Then bake it on a sheet pan and mingle while it cooks.

When it’s ready, serve it with tortillas, salsa, and sour cream.

9. Mexican Street Corn Dip

If you’ve been scrolling endlessly for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo appetizer, you can stop right now because this is it.  

I mean, just look at that stunning bowl. It screams fiesta dip!

It’s a beautiful mess of cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, corn, and spices topped with grilled corn, spicy mayo butter, cilantro, and cotija cheese.

Yum doesn’t even begin to cover it!

10. Best Ground Beef Tacos

Get the taco bar rocking with these tantalizing tacos!

Go the extra mile and fry your own shells. They’re far better than the crunchy store-bought ones that always break. 

Then stuff them full of juicy beef simmered in tomato sauce and spices.

With savory ground beef as the base, you can add anything from salsa and guac to sour cream, hot sauce, and more. 

11. Mexican Chicken Empanadas

Empanadas are popular hand pies enjoyed across Latin America. The word comes from “empanar,” which is Spanish for bread. 

There are a ton of filling options, but I just love this one for the holiday!

Each flaky pastry features chicken and black beans smothered in enchilada sauce and cheese.

Make them as spicy or mild as you like, and don’t forget a cool dipping sauce on the side!

12. Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Chili Rellenos is one of my favorite Mexican dishes because I have a small obsession with poblanos!

But breading and frying can be a little tricky and time-consuming. So let’s skip it and make these savory stuffed poblanos instead. 

The tender, smoky peppers ooze with a bold chicken and cheddar cheese filling.

Plus, they take only 25 minutes to bake.

13. Shrimp Tacos with the Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

Cinco de Mayo, taco Tuesday, or any other night of the week, you won’t be able to get enough of these shrimp tacos. 

The plump shrimp have a spicy garlic seasoning, and the toppings are the perfect accompaniment. 

Crunchy cabbage, fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, and diced avocado make it as fresh as can be. 

And the sauce? Don’t even get me started!

14. Mexican Bean Salad

Heading to a Cinco de Mayo party and need something last minute? Take this Mexican bean salad to the celebration. 

Ready in 20 minutes, all you need is black, kidney, and cannellini beans with seasonings, corn, and peppers.

The dressing is a zesty mix of olive oil, vinegar, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, and black pepper.

But that’s not all! You’ll also add chili powder and hot sauce right at the end to taste.

So if you want it to kick, be generous!

15. Skillet Turkey Fajitas

These five-ingredient fajitas are a wise choice if you’re trying to stick with a healthy diet – even on a holiday. 

In one skillet, you’ll cook lean turkey, colorful bell peppers, and onion.

All that’s missing are warm flour tortillas and a hint of lime. Delish!

16. Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Having a Cinco de Mayo bash at home? Then you have to try this authentic elote recipe.

Also known as Mexican street corn, elote is one of the most popular Mexican street foods around. 

It smothers grilled corn with cotija, mayo, Mexican crema, cilantro, and lime.

Trust me; your party needs this.

17. Mexican Hot Dogs

Mexican hot dogs may sound like an odd concept.

But anyone who’s been to a taco shop in San Diego or down to Sonora in Mexico knows they’re legit. 

This street food favorite piles an assortment of toppings on top of a plump dog.

Things like pico de gallo, queso fresco, and lime crema give it a fresh Mexican twist.  

It’s an excellent choice for feeding guests of all ages. 

18. Qdoba Queso (Copycat Recipe)

What’s better than chips and dip? How about salty, crunchy chips with a big bowl of hot, melty queso?

Queso is a super addictive appetizer, but it can also be a sinfully delicious sauce for your fajita/taco fixings. 

So make a big batch and let your guests choose how to eat it.

19. Air Fryer Quesadillas

Here’s another terrific recipe for low-key Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Because as great as they are, Air Fryers just don’t work for mass cooking (unless you have more than one!).

I like this simple bean and cheese quesadilla recipe because it’s filling and tasty. But don’t stick to it if you’re really hungry.

Instead, load it up with anything and everything you can imagine.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always craving a hot gooey mess of melty Mexican cheese, chicken, bell peppers, and onions. 

The kids will devour these, and adults will too. 

20. Seven-Layer Taco Dip

The seven-layer dip is a classic party staple. 

It’s got seven wonderful layers of refried beans, salsa, cream cheese and mayo, black beans, lettuce, olives, and cheddar cheese.

Load it up in a casserole dish, and don’t forget the chips!

21. Jalapeño Popper Dip

Like the poblano recipe above, this is an easier version of a Tex-Mex dish we all love.

Instead of cutting, seeding, and stuffing little peppers, this dip combines all those creamy, salty, and spicy flavors into a warm, cheesy, crunchy dip.

At its core, it’s a blend of cream cheese, mayo, cheddar, mozzarella, green onion, jalapeños, and cooked bacon.

Top that with crushed Ritz crackers, Parmesan, and butter, then bake until bubbly. Yum!

22. Mexican Slaw with Cilantro and Lime

Tacos, fajitas, carne asada – whatever you’re making for Cinco de Mayo, add slaw to the menu. 

This spicy vegan slaw is the cooling and crunchy addition you’ll want on your plate. 

It only takes 15 minutes and has a nice zippy flavor with a crunchy texture to complement your holiday spread.

23. Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Is it pizza? Is it a quesadilla? Yes, it’s both!

This festive food mashup packs tortillas with refried beans and ground beef. There’s also plenty of shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and red enchilada sauce.

Do some crowd control now and make a few of these. Once curiosity strikes, every last slice will be gone before you know it. 

Top tip: line a baking tray with parchment, then cover the whole surface with tortillas. Pile on the fillings, add another layer of tortillas, then bake as one.

When it comes out of the oven, you can easily slice it into portions.

24. Tres Leches Cake With Cake Mix

Let’s take a break from the heavy, cheesy, savory recipes and get into something light, sweet, and dreamy.

Because every good Cinco de Mayo party needs a sweet ending, right?

And it doesn’t get any better than tres leches cake. Made simple with cake mix, it’s the blend of three milks that’ll have you coming back for more.

Once the cake is baked, you’ll poke holes in the top, then pour over sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whipping cream.

That soaks in, making every bite impossibly rich and creamy.

25. Authentic Carne Asada

It’s not a fiesta without carne asada on the grill!

This dish is part of Mexican culture, and it’s probably one of the best beef dishes you’ll ever make.

And every carnivore can tell the difference between authentic and mediocre. 

So make sure you take a trip to the carnicerìa to get quality steak. Then use this recipe for the best results!

26. Flautas de Pollo

Flautas de pollo are like rolled tacos that you stuff with a savory chicken filling and then deep-fry until golden and crunchy. 

Think Mexican spring roll, if you will. 

They’re great finger food to serve up as an appetizer. Although, you can easily turn them into a meal too. 

27. Cinco de Mayo Taco Salad 

Have you ever been to a dinner party and realized at the end nobody touched the salad?

That won’t be the case with this festive dish. 

It comes with fresh layers of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and cheese on top of crisp lettuce.

For the grand finale, it’s covered in ground beef and corn chips. 

It would be a shame to let this get soggy. So serve the Catalina salad dressing on the side. 

28. White Chicken Chili

You don’t have to spend hours putting together a massive spread to commemorate the holiday. Instead, a bowl of this chili will do. 

And yes, I know chili is more of a Tex-Mex dish, but I have one tweak to the recipe that’ll make it ideal for Cinco de Mayo.

Ready? Make this gorgeous white chicken chili, then top it with elote!

It’ll be rich and creamy with pops of sweet corn, creamy cheese, and just a hint of spice.

29. One Pot Cheesy Taco Skillet 

Forget the tortillas and turn your taco into a dip worth sharing!

This flavorsome skillet is solely about the fillings. Hot stringy cheese, savory ground beef, green chilis, and veggies, in case you’re wondering. 

And I know you are because I see that chip in your hand ready to dip!

30. Mexican Wedding Cookies

Here’s another phenomenal sweet treat to make your Cinco de Mayo extra special.

Although they’re called “wedding” cookies, these are often found at celebrations in Mexico.

They’re buttery, tender, and super powdery, so be prepared to make a mess.

31. Mexican Buddha Bowl

Get all your festive holiday flavors into one bowl the buddha way. 

Using brown rice as a base, deck it out with black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and guacamole. 

If you like spicy food, add diced jalapeños and hot sauce too.

32. Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork) 

If you’re not making carne asada, then you need to make carnitas. 

This Mexican pulled pork is slowly cooked with garlic, jalapeños, and citrus until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender.

Then you pan fry or broil it for a crispy texture.

Serve it as tacos with diced white onion, cilantro, and lime. Or do it family-style with Mexican rice and warm flour tortillas. 

33. Texas Roadhouse Strawberry Margarita

I can’t imagine celebrating Cinco de Mayo without a margarita. And while I love the classics, this strawberry marg is one of my faves.

It’s frosty, sweet, and perfectly boozy. Make it in a blender and load up the pitcher – this stuff won’t last long!

34. Mexican Rice (Restaurant-Style)

Need a side to go with your tacos, enchiladas, and carne asada? Go with Mexican rice. 

It’s a hearty dish that traditionally accompanies Mexican cuisine. So I can think of no better time to serve it than for Cinco de Mayo.

Fluffy and full of robust flavors, it tastes like it came straight from the restaurant. And it’s so easy!

35. Chipotle Chicken

Chipotle is another Americanized Mexican restaurant that isn’t exactly authentic. But that doesn’t mean this chicken isn’t incredible!

And with a spice blend featuring chipotle and ancho chile peppers, it’s pretty darn delish.

Make this chicken for your tacos or quesadillas, and you won’t need many toppings. It’s insanely good on its own!

36. Mango Salsa

Believe me when I say, this is the best salsa I’ve ever had. 

The combination of sweet, spicy, and zesty is out of this world!

Spoon it over tacos or pair it with carnitas. Of course, you can never go wrong serving it with chips. 

37. Green Chili Chicken Soup

This bold New Mexico-style green chicken soup will be the star of your celebration!

It’s super creamy and rich with plenty of heat and juicy meat.

It’s the kind of thing you can serve outside to keep your guests warm in the chilly evening. Or as a starter for your Cinco de Mayo feast.

Serve it with a fun Cinco de Mayo cocktail, and let’s party!