Mexican food recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Spoonabilities · 10 Comments

This year in celebration of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, we are sharing our best Mexican food recipes including some TexMex recipes. If you don’t know what Cinco de Mayo is, it translates to “fifth of May,” which is a Mexican holiday to commemorate the Mexican Army’s surprising victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Contrary to popular belief, it is not Mexico’s Independence Day.

Mexican food recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (1)

Typical Mexican Party Food Ingredients

Mexican cuisine is known for its bold and vibrant flavors, as well as its diverse use of ingredients. Some common elements of Mexican party food include:

  1. Tortillas: A staple in Mexican cuisine, tortillas can be made from corn or flour and are used in a variety of dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, and burritos.
  2. Beans: Black, pinto, and refried beans are commonly used in Mexican food. They can be served as a side dish or used as a filling in burritos and tacos.
  3. Chilies: Mexican cuisine is known for its use of chilies, including jalapeño, serrano, and poblano, which can add heat and flavor to dishes.
  4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are commonly used in many Mexican dishes, such as salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
  5. Cilantro: Cilantro is a herb that is used to add flavor and freshness to dishes.
  6. Lime: Lime is often used in Mexican cuisine to add acidity and brightness to dishes. It is commonly used in dishes such as ceviche and guacamole, and don't forget margaritas!
  7. Avocado: Avocado is a key ingredient in guacamole, a popular Mexican dish. It is also used in other dishes such as salads and tacos.
  8. Cheese: Cheese is commonly used in Mexican cuisine, with varieties such as queso fresco, cotija, and Oaxaca being popular choices.
  9. Meat: Beef, chicken, and pork are found in dishes such as carne asada, tacos al pastor, and carnitas.
  10. Rice: Rice is often served as a side dish in Mexican cuisine and can be flavored with ingredients such as tomatoes and cilantro.

Mexican Food Recipes Spoonabilities-style

Mexican Lasagna with Roasted Red Pepper Salsa

This Mexican Lasagna recipe is meaty, cheesy, spicy, and easy to make for Cinco De Mayo or any Mexican themed party. Roasted Red Pepper Salsa along with Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Dip are the secret ingredients for this delicious crowd pleaser.

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Guacamole with Charred Corn & Bacon

Learn how to make the best guacamole recipe, how to keep guacamole from turning brown, and how to pick the perfect avocado. This Mexican food recipe is easy & quick to make using ingredients like ripe avocado, lime, cilantro, jalapeño, ground coriander, ground cumin, sea salt, bacon, charred corn and cotija cheese.

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Hatch Green Chile Soup with Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp

A delicious, fresh, spicy and creamy Hatch Green Chile Soup is the perfect addition to your spring or summer menu. This soup has fresh summer corn, coconut milk, cilantro lime grilled shrimp, and we added some additional flavors.

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Pork Carnitas with Roasted Pineapple Habanero Sauce

Pork Carnitas slowly cooked in Roasted Pineapple Habanero Sauce until tender. Use as a filling for all your Mexican food recipes including tacos, burritos, tortas and tamales. Pork Carnitas is perfect for a Mexican themed dinner or easy taco night at home. Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Great and fun alternative to hamburgers.

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Fiesta Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Fiesta Roasted Red Pepper Dip is one of our favorite easy 1-2-3 five minute Mexican food recipes.

Made with roasted red pepper salsa, cheese and spices, this quick and easy appetizer can be made ahead for any weekend party, football tailgate or house party.

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Instant Pot Short Rib Tacos with Tropical Tequila Sauce

Who’s up for some hearty Instant Pot Short Rib Tacos? With a crisp and refreshing slaw and a thrilling tequila sauce, you’ve got yourself quite a meal. It gets better: we’re letting the pressure cooker do all the hard work to make one of these Mexican food recipes!

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Southwestern Chicken Wraps

Southwestern Chicken Wraps is a Mexican-American recipe made with pesto rosso, which is also great for bruschetta,for a fast and easy lunch. You can make this in under 30 minutes.

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10-Minute Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup made in 10 minutes with Roasted Red Pepper Salsa and only 5 other ingredients. This soup is vegan, vegetarian & full of flavor. Easy 1-2-3 Mexican food recipe.

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Southwest Veggie Quesadillas with Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa

Veggie Quesadillas are packed with Mexican southwest flavors. These vegetarian quesadillas are stuffed with seasoned skillet-charred corn & zucchini, black beans and Monterrey jack cheese. Then top with scallions, cilantro, and Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa, or any of your favorite Mexican food garnishes.

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Skirt Steak Tacos Recipe | Carne Asada Tacos

Juicy and tender grilled Skirt Steak Tacos, also known as carne asada tacos, is the best taco recipe ever. Topped with avocado, cilantro, queso fresco, & sour cream, the skirt steak is marinated in jalapeño, lime, cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt & pepper, and olive oil. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesdays, or any day of the year.

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Easy BBQ Short Ribs with Smoky Orange BBQ Sauce

Mouth watering, fall-off-the-bone BBQ Short Ribs. They become sweet, smokey & tender after been braised for hours in Spicy BBQ Sauce, Belgium beer, and other spices. This barbecue recipe is the best comfort food to enjoy with friends during the summer.

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15-minute Air Fryer Salmon Tacos

Tacos are fantastic all-year-round. They’re easy to put together, pleasing, colorful, and satisfying. Tacos are the best quick lunch, light dinner, and midnight crave-quenchers. These 15-minute air fryer salmon tacos with spicy chipotle sauce are a great example of that, and they’re just fabulous! Come on in and see how they’re done.

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Thank you for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with us. We hope you get a chance to get out and celebrate with family and friends, and make some of these Mexican food recipes. If you need some time to prepare, why not pin this recipe for later.

And if you like Mexican party food and this kind of content of festive recipes, let us know! Also check out our other seasonal and holiday recipes section.

Viva Mexico!

Carlos & Geoffrey
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About Carlos Leo

Mexican food recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (14)Hey there, I'm Carlos, a food and drink enthusiast, recipe blogger and Food Photographer. I'm constantly seeking out new flavors, ingredients, and recipes to create unforgettable culinary experiences. I love the creative process of cooking, the way different flavors and textures can come together to create something truly unique. And of course, I'm always eager to pair my dishes with the perfect drinks and co*cktails to elevate the experience even further.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Andrea Metlika

    I think I'm celebrating all month. There are so fabulous recipes here.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Swetz

      Agreed! The holiday should be Todo de Mayo. I think we will be celebrating for some time.

      Reply

  2. Adriana

    All of these options sound amazing but that guacamole I am making for sure, looks fantastic!

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Swetz

      OH you picked one of my favorites. Definitely make that one first and let us know what you think... and plan to make a second batch because the first one will go quick.

      Reply

  3. Michelle

    Oh, I'm loving that roasted red pepper dip! That has my name all over it! Such a great roundup!

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Swetz

      Yes Michelle, that roasted red pepper dip is a great recipe. I thought I saw your name on it, so I didn't eat much.. wanted to leave you some ;)

      Reply

  4. BribedWithFood

    These all so delicious and comforting - I could do with any of them right about now :)

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Swetz

      Well, all you need to do is start with one, and work your way through the rest. Have fun!

      Reply

  5. Eden | Sweet Tea and Thyme

    These all look so amazing, but those short rib tacos are calling my name! Yum!

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Swetz

      LOL. I can hear them too. "Eden.... Eden... come make me" Enjoy! :)

      Reply

Mexican food recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (2024)

FAQs

What are some ways Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo? ›

Military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla, and other festivities take place in the Mexican city. The Cinco de Mayo Parade is one of the main events for that day in Puebla and usually boasts over 20,000 participants, featuring Mariachi bands, colorful costumes, dancing, and fireworks.

What is a special food prepared by Mexicans for the celebration? ›

The main festival foods in central Mexico are mole and barbacoa as well as carnitas, mixiotes, and carnitas. These foods are prepared to feed hundreds of people, so it is common for several cooks to prepare them. Cooking is part of the social tradition that binds families and communities.

What color should you wear for Cinco de Mayo? ›

The traditional uniform for Cinco de Mayo celebrations is festive and colorful, many featuring the colors of the Mexican flag (red, white, and green). Parades and other celebrations have mariachi bands and Mexican folk music, and women wear brightly colored dresses with playful skirts.

Why do Mexicans not celebrate Cinco de Mayo? ›

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where the historic Battle of Puebla took place. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over the French empire on May 5, 1862. However, it's often misunderstood as Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on Sept. 16.

What are 5 facts about Cinco de Mayo? ›

5 Facts About Cinco de Mayo You Probably Don't Know!
  • Cinco de Mayo is not the Independence day of Mexico. ...
  • Cinco de Mayo isn't widely known in Mexico. ...
  • Why is it so popular in the U.S.? ...
  • The population of Mexican-Americans in the U.S. ...
  • Americans consume a crazy amount of avocados on Cinco de Mayo.

What city in Mexico has the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration? ›

The event is celebrated on 5 May each year in Puebla, a lovely colonial city in the shadow of the Popocatépetl volcano, a 2-hour drive from Mexico City. Tens of thousands of residents participate in the spectacular parade; Mariachi bands play in the streets and there is dancing and fireworks.

What are 6 popular Mexican dishes? ›

In this article, we'll be sharing 20 of the best Mexican foods that you absolutely must try.
  • Tacos al pastor. These tacos are made with marinated pork that is cooked on a spit and then sliced thin. ...
  • Enchiladas. ...
  • Tamales. ...
  • Chiles rellenos. ...
  • Pozole. ...
  • Guacamole. ...
  • Sopaipillas. ...
  • Tortas.
Jan 29, 2023

What is the most eaten food in Mexico? ›

Corn is the most eaten staple among Mexican consumers. It is the base ingredient of tortillas, a type of slim flatbread and, one of the most representative and widely consumed food products in the country, used for the preparation of tacos, quesadillas, and other dishes.

What food is usually eaten on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Cinco de Mayo, as celebrated in the United States, shares some similarities to St. Patrick's Day: a mainstream marketing fiasco that's evolved out of an authentic celebration of cultural heritage. The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas.

What are Cinco de Mayo traditions? ›

How is Cinco de Mayo celebrated? Usually, there are various parades and battle reenactments on Cinco de Mayo, along with folkloric dancing and the promotion of Mexican food and music.

What holiday is normally confused with Cinco de Mayo? ›

Happy #CincoDeMayo! Commonly mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day, the holiday actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla, which took place not long after the American Civil War. The time is used to showcase pride in Mexican culture and heritage.

What is a Mexican traditional holiday food? ›

Mexican Christmas food spans enchiladas, pozole, tamales, and plenty of desserts. These are our favorite recipes for flavorful versions of those dishes from Mexican chefs, along with a few festive drinks. Start a tamale making tradition, warm up with pozole this winter, and enjoy enchiladas everyone will love.

What food item accompanies almost every meal on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Expert-Verified Answer. The food item that accompanies almost every meal in Mexico is tortilla. A common dish in Mexico, tortillas are manufactured from cornmeal. They can be used to make other foods like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas or eaten simple or filled with a variety of ingredients.

What do Americans consume on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Americans consume a crazy amount of avocados on Cinco de Mayo.

What would Cinco de Mayo Party consist of? ›

The holiday is often celebrated with delicious Mexican food, tasty libations, and hardy Mexican traditions. While you may not be fortunate enough to spend the day in Mexico, there are plenty of ways to celebrate May 5th with Cinco de Mayo food, decorations, and friends.

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