20 Festive Cinco de Mayo Recipes
From the best-ever guac to amazing margs, these recipes round out your ultimate Cinco de Mayo party spread.
Do you struggle to find Cinco de Mayo-appropriate recipes that are both tasteful and tasty? We’ve rounded up nearly two dozen possibilities right here. All are head and shoulders above the typical cheesy dips, canned salsas, and overly sweet drinks that can drag a celebration down into the realm of the ordinary.
Not that we’ve completely abandoned traditional favorites. We do have guacamole, for example, because every party needs guacamole. And there’s a nacho recipe, too, for the same reason, but ours is a meaty version made with chopped steak and real cheese. There are tacos—lots of tacos, all with fairly sophisticated fillings like homemade carnitas and grilled fish. And you’ll find margaritas, too. But put that blender away, and the sweet-and-sour mix, too. The Sunset Margarita is served on the rocks, and has real fruit juice in it. For something even a little more unexpected, try the Thyme for Mezcal cocktail, a smoky, herby concoction that’s anything but typical.
Similarly, you’ll find next-level salsas, tortas, and chimichangas, none of which are remotely ordinary. Like enchiladas? (That’s a trick question; everyone likes enchiladas.) Our Green Chile Chicken Enchilada recipe makes a big batch, and each is filling enough to accommodate that party guest trying to make dinner out of appetizers.
And there are a few more unusual recipes, too, like boozy popsicles and a delicious caramel sundae. Party guests will also love the slightly non-traditional but deliciously creamy and sweet Tres Leches Cake with Raspberries. That’s a fantastic note on which to end a party.
Gabriel’s Guacamole
It’s impossible to imagine a Mexican fiesta that wouldn’t have guacamole on the menu. This recipe is the best version of the classic dip we’ve ever had. Serve with your favorite toritlla chips.
Recipe: Gabriel’s Guacamole
Roasted Tomato and Three-Chile Salsa
Sure, you can buy store-bought salsa for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. But if you have a little extra time to spare, making your own fresh salsa is easy and yields far deeper flavor.
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Classic Salsa Verde
Making a tomatillo-based green salsa rounds out your festive Cinco de Mayo party table.
Recipe: Classic Salsa Verde
Chorizo-Beef Nachos
Why use one type of meat when you can use two? The combo results in extra-savory flavor.
Recipe: Chorizo-Beef Nachos
Chicken Tinga Tostaditas
Add some spice to your Cinco de Mayo party menu with these delicious mini tostadas that get their smoky flavor from a chipotle-enriched sauce.
Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tostaditas
Street-Snack Tacos Verdes
These finger-food tacos pair perfectly with a Mexican lager, such as Negra Modelo.
Recipe: Street-Snack Tacos Verdes
Chile and Lime Steak Tortas
The classic Mexican sandwich gets the party food treatment in this four-bite version.
Recipe: Chile and Lime Steak Tortas
Poblano and Nopales Chimichangas
This baked version of the typically fried dish makes for a lightened-up Cinco de Mayo party appetizer.
Recipe: Poblano and Nopales Chimichangas
Baja Fried-Fish Tacos
The classic fish taco is better than ever served with a crisp cabbage-cilantro slaw and an an addictive chipotle tartar sauce.
Recipe: Baja Fried-Fish Tacos
Tacos de Carnitas
Juicy, tender, crisp-edged pork carnitas are cooked to mouth-watering perfection in this time-saving version.
Recipe: Tacos de Carnitas
Halibut Tostadas with Yogurt-Lime Sauce
For a relatively healthy Cinco de Mayo recipe, look no further than these crisp tostadas.
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are a surefire crowd-pleaser. As an online reader commented, the recipe is “FUH-lawless.”
Recipe: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Sunset Margarita
A Cinco de Mayo party without margaritas? No way! Our version has a festive, fruity finish.
Recipe: Sunset Margarita
Tequila Sunset
For this Cinco de Mayo cocktail, we put a colorful twist on the classic tequila sunrise, with plum-flavored prickly pear syrup in place of grenadine.
Recipe: Tequila Sunset
Sangrita de Toro
Add a spicy element to your cocktail offerings with this zesty libation flavored with a shake of hot sauce and chile salt around the rim.
Recipe: Sangrita de Toro
Thyme for Mezcal
Smoky mezcal pairs with fresh herbs for a unique party cocktail.
Recipe: Thyme for Mezcal
Melon Agua Fresca
Three types of melon combine deliciously in this refreshing non-alcoholic drink.
Recipe: Melon Agua Fresca
Margarita “Poptails”
Boozy popsicles? A no-brainer for a gorwn-up Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
Recipe: Margarita “Poptails”
Cajeta Ice Cream Sundaes
These buy-and-serve sundaes take only five minutes to prep (and probably even less to devour).
Recipe: Cajeta Ice Cream Sundaes
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