If you think Cinco de Mayo is the only time to enjoy Mexican food, think again. These 21 recipes are so good, you’ll want to make them all year long. From tacos to enchiladas, each dish brings bold flavors that are perfect for any occasion. Get ready to add some excitement to your meals with these easy-to-make favorites.
Dessert Nachos
Shake up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with dessert nachos. Crispy cinnamon sugar tortillas are layered with decadent chocolate drizzle, juicy berries, and a dollop of whipped cream, offering a sweet surprise that’s both fun and delicious. This playful treat is guaranteed to spark conversation and laughter, making your celebration even more memorable.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Chicken Tamales
Bring a traditional touch to your Cinco de Mayo with chicken tamales. The tender chicken, wrapped in masa dough, offers a savory bite that’s both satisfying and comforting. These tamales are easy to make and are sure to be the standout dish at your fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamales
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Add flavor and convenience to your Cinco de Mayo with semi-homemade chicken empanadas. The golden, flaky crust combined with a savory chicken filling makes for the perfect handheld treat, ideal for snacking or sharing. These easy-to-make empanadas are a delicious and impressive addition to any celebration.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Honey Habanero Tacos
Spice things up with honey habanero tacos this Cinco de Mayo. The sweet and spicy ground beef adds a bold twist to your traditional taco, making it a standout dish at your celebration. These tacos are quick to prepare, and their exciting flavor will keep everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Put a twist on your Cinco de Mayo menu with crockpot Mexican beef in masa cups. Tender, spice-infused beef pairs perfectly with crispy masa cups, creating a satisfying mix of textures that’s both flavorful and comforting. This easy, hands-off recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Simplify your Cinco de Mayo dinner with semi-homemade chicken enchiladas. Using rotisserie chicken, these cheesy, saucy enchiladas are quick to prepare and packed with flavor. This hassle-free recipe guarantees a comforting meal that’s perfect for your fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Make feeding a crowd a breeze with cheesy beef and rice casserole for Cinco de Mayo. Ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese come together to create a hearty, satisfying dish that everyone will love. This easy-to-make casserole is the perfect addition to your celebration, ensuring no one goes hungry.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Take your Cinco de Mayo spread to the next level with homemade nacho cheese. This smooth, cheesy dip with a hint of spice is perfect for drizzling over chips, tacos, or any snack that needs a flavorful boost. Quick to make and sure to please, this dip will be a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Refried Beans
No Cinco de Mayo feast is complete without refried beans. Creamy, flavorful, and versatile, they’re the perfect side dish to accompany any Mexican meal. These beans are easy to make and will bring a delicious depth of flavor to your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Mexican Triple Chocolate Cookies
Satisfy your sweet tooth this Cinco de Mayo with Mexican triple chocolate cookies. The deep chocolate flavor, combined with a hint of heat from spices like cinnamon, creates a perfect balance that’s both comforting and exciting. These cookies are a simple yet irresistible treat that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Triple Chocolate Cookies
Red Enchilada Sauce
Give your Cinco de Mayo dishes a flavorful kick with homemade red enchilada sauce. Made with pantry staples, this sauce is perfect for drizzling over enchiladas or adding depth to other Mexican dishes. It’s quick to make and will bring just the right amount of spice to your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Red Enchilada Sauce
Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Surprise your guests with Mexican sheetcake brownies this Cinco de Mayo. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and chili powder, these brownies offer a sweet and spicy twist on a classic favorite. They’re the perfect dessert to end your fiesta on a flavorful note.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Sheetcake Brownies
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Add a burst of fresh, tangy flavor to your Cinco de Mayo celebration with roasted tomatillo salsa. The zesty combination of roasted tomatillos, garlic, and lime creates a refreshing dip that pairs perfectly with chips, tacos, or any dish needing a flavor boost. Quick to make, this salsa will brighten up your fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Try something healthy and delicious with Mexican skillet quinoa for Cinco de Mayo. Full of protein from quinoa and beans, and bursting with flavors from salsa and corn, this one-pot dish is both satisfying and nutritious. It’s quick to prepare and a perfect addition to any fiesta, offering a fresh, gluten-free option for your spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Warm up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with chicken tortilla soup. This hearty soup is filled with tender chicken, beans, corn, and a flavorful broth that’s perfect as an appetizer or a main dish. It’s easy to make and guarantees a comforting start to your fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Spanish Rice
Make your Cinco de Mayo meal complete with flavorful Spanish rice. This seasoned rice adds a rich layer of flavor to any Mexican dish and is quick to prepare, making it the perfect side dish for your celebration. Simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s a great complement to your fiesta spread.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Carnitas
Make your Cinco de Mayo unforgettable with carnitas. The tender, flavorful pulled pork is perfect for tacos, burritos, or salads, bringing authentic Mexican flavors to your spread. Easy to make and versatile, this dish will be a hit at your fiesta, offering endless possibilities for serving.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Add a savory touch to your Cinco de Mayo with puff pastry beef empanadas. The tender beef filling wrapped in a flaky, golden crust creates a satisfying bite that’s perfect for snacking or serving as an appetizer. These empanadas are quick to make and sure to impress at your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Mexican Meatball Sandwiches
Turn your Cinco de Mayo into something special with Mexican meatball sandwiches. The savory, spiced meatballs combined with a flavorful sauce create a unique twist on the classic meatball sandwich. Simple to make and bursting with flavor, these sandwiches are sure to be a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Meatball Sandwiches
Tamale Pot Pies
Bring comfort and creativity to your Cinco de Mayo with tamale pot pies. These individual pies, filled with savory chicken and wrapped in a masa crust, offer a fun and flavorful twist on traditional tamales. Easy to make and perfect for serving at your fiesta, they’re sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Chunky Guacamole
No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without chunky guacamole. With ripe avocados, zesty lime, and roasted tomatoes, this fresh and flavorful dip is perfect for pairing with chips or tacos. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s a must-have for your fiesta.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole