Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture and heritage around the world. People fill this beloved holiday with colorful decorations, music, and delicious food. It’s a great time to gather with family and friends, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate this rich cultural holiday. In keeping with tradition, it’s time to start the party with mouthwatering Mexican recipes. From tacos and enchiladas to nachos and guacamole, here are 20 traditional Cinco De Mayo food recipes to make your celebration even more delicious!
Do you know why this day is Celebrated? Cinco de Mayo, which translates to May 5th in Spanish, commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. Although this battle was not decisive, it symbolizes the strength and resilience of the Mexican people.
If you’re hosting a party or want to celebrate in your home, we also have Vegan Cinco de Mayo Food Recipes and Cinco De Mayo Traditional Desserts. These will diversify your menu and ensure all your guests are satisfied.
Here are the recipes:
Pozole
Source: Becca Ink
Pozole is a Mexican dish made with pork loin, neck bones or ribs, hominy, vegetables, chiles, and spices in a brothy stew. It is an excellent addition to the menu for special occasions or holidays. I recommend simmering the pork and hominy for 3-4 hours to get that nice, hearty flavor.
Cochinita Pibil
Source: Serious Eats
Try using a marinade and grilling the meat in banana leaves to recreate the delicious and earthy taste of food cooked in an underground oven. The banana leaves will help retain moisture and make the pork tender.
Chilaquiles Rojos
Source: My Delish
Chilaquiles is a Mexican dish made with freshly made salsa and fried tortillas. There are many ways to enjoy them, such as plain, topped with eggs, mixed with shredded chicken, or sautéed shrimp. This recipe is an authentic Mexican recipe that you’re sure to enjoy!
Raspados
Source: Broke Bank Vegan
A classic way to cool off during a Cinco de Mayo celebration is to indulge in sweet shaved ice cones. You can choose from various fruity syrups to top off your treat and beat the heat. The flavors are endless, so you can make this a fun experience for everyone!
Related Post: Refreshing Cinco De Mayo Cocktail Recipes
Tlacoyo
Source: Mexico In My Kitchen
A popular Mexican snack filled with beans, cheese, chicharron, and other fillings is made using blue corn masa and served in various places. Its origin dates back to the arrival of the Conquistadors. It’s best to consume this torpedo-shaped pocket soon after cooking as it can become complicated and mealy if left too long.
Birria
Source: My Latina Table
This spicy goat stew is a traditional dish from Jalisco, often served during special events such as weddings and Holy Week festivities. People also believe it effectively cures hangovers, making it an excellent option for Cinco de Mayo or other festive occasions where alcohol is involved.
Elotes
Source: Kitchen Gidget
A quintessential Mexican snack, elotes is a traditional street food made with roasted corn. The ears of corn are slathered with mayonnaise and then sprinkled with cheese, cilantro, and chili powder. Its simple ingredients make it easy to whip up in no time!
Esquites
Source: My Latina Table
If you’re wondering about esquites, they are a tasty Mexican street food made primarily of corn kernels. Sometimes, people add broth to give more flavor and often pair it with accompaniments like mayonnaise, lime, cotija cheese, and chili powder.
Tamales
Source: Tastes Better From Scratch
Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish. They make tamales with corn masa and fill them with savory ingredients like cheese, beans, chiles, and veggies. The dough is then wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf and steamed until cooked. Tamales make a great addition to any party!
Carne Adovada
Source: The Spruce Eats
Carne Adovada, also known as Adobada, is an excellent option for a taco filling. It’s a baked dish made of pork cubes marinated in a chili blend and simmered at low heat to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.
Chicken Flautas
Source: Allrecipes
Flautas are a popular Mexican snack made with rolled-up tortillas and filled with chicken, beef, or vegetables. People usually fry them until crispy, but you can also bake them to reduce fat. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an appetizer that’s sure to be a hit!
Related Post: Healthy Burrito Recipes
Tlayudas
Source: Authentic Food Quest
This type of pizza is also known as Mexican pizza or Oaxaca-style pizza. They make it with only four ingredients: a crispy corn tortilla, refried black beans, quesillo or Oaxaca cheese, and strips of meat on top.
Mole Poblano
Source: Tastes Better From Scratch
Mole is a sauce created by toasting and blending various sweet and earthy ingredients and spices, such as dried chiles, peanuts, sesame seeds, chocolate, cinnamon, and anise. You can serve it as a main course over chicken or with enchiladas, tacos, and burritos.
Licuados
Source: The Lemon Bowl
Licuados are a beverage common in Latin America, which entails blending fruit, ice, and milk. People make an ideal refreshing drink with ripe fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, peaches, and many others.
Huaraches
Source: Mari Cruz Avalos
Learn about a classic Mexican dish with a rich history and try an effortless yet delicious recipe to prepare it at home. This authentic food is perfect for anyone looking to explore the most beloved dishes of Mexican cuisine and savor a flavorful snack anytime.
Sopes
Source: Isabel Eats
You can make delicious Mexican Sopes with only four ingredients. You can bake or fry these and layer them with your favorite toppings like chicken, beef, beans, lettuce, cheese, and salsa. The process only takes a few minutes to complete.
Tostadas
Source: My Latina Table
Discover how to prepare authentic and traditional Mexican tostadas, which are great for impressing your guests at your next party. Additionally, tostadas are a budget-friendly option since all you need are beans, ground beef, vegetables, and tortillas, which makes them ideal.
Chicken Enchiladas
Source: Gimme Some Oven
I have a favorite recipe for chicken enchiladas that is simple to prepare, and you can customize it with your preferred fillings. Use special homemade enchilada sauce to make it even more delightful. This dish is a popular choice among guests, and it’s also ideal for meal prep and freezing.
Chalupas
Source: Garlic & Zest
If you’re thinking of traditional Mexican dishes, you might immediately envision tacos, burritos, and salsas. However, remember chalupas! They’re just as deserving of a spot on your plate. This recipe for chalupas is simple and even includes instructions for making the crispy shell. If you’re a fan of authentic Mexican cuisine, you will be satisfied with this recipe.
Taquitos
Source: Tastes Better From Scratch
People usually fill taquitos with beef or chicken, cheese, and spices, then roll them in a corn tortilla before frying them. It’s a great appetizer you can serve at any party; children also love it! You can serve them with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
Quesadilla
Source: Simply Recipes
Offer delicious toasted tortillas at your Cinco De Mayo party with melted cheese cooked on a griddle using our unique technique. You can customize it by adding your preferred toppings and ingredients. Quesadillas are a great appetizer or snack that everyone will enjoy.
Related Post: Best Cheese Quesadilla Recipes
Chicken Empanada
Source: Sunday Supper Movement
Cook the chicken with caramelized onions and enclose it in a buttery and flaky crust. You can easily make these hand pies in advance and bake them later for a hassle-free celebration.
Carne Asada Fries
Source: The Forked Spoon
You can make Carne Asada Fries at home by baking crispy french fries and topping them with grilled steak, pico de gallo, melted cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. This recipe is a great way to use leftover steak and is perfect for serving as a meal or appetizer at Cinco De Mayo parties.
Tacos
Source: House Of Yumm
Tacos are one of the most iconic Mexican dishes. You can fill them with various ingredients, such as beef, chicken, fish, and vegetables. One great way to enjoy tacos in Cinco De Mayo is by using soft tortillas and making them just like they do in Mexico!
Related Post: Delicious Homemade Taco Recipes
Nachos
Source: Simply Recipes
For the best Tex-Mex nachos, bake the chips briefly before adding toppings like seasoned beef, refried beans, guacamole, salsa, and plenty of cheese! This dish is perfect for a snack, appetizer, or casual dinner. Be sure to avoid soggy nachos by following this method.
Burritos
Source: RecipeTin Eats
This recipe is a true game-changer, packed with perfectly seasoned beef, fluffy rice, and your choice of other delectable fillings. And the best part? You can make them fresh for an instant flavor explosion or freeze them later. But here’s the secret: our homemade Mexican seasoning is divine, leaving those store-bought packets in the dust.
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Some Cinco De Mayo Decorations You Can Buy
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