Cinco de Mayo is a fun time to celebrate Mexican culture with friends and family. This year, say no to fancy restaurants and try making easy Mexican-inspired meals at home. We’ve got recipes for everything from savory snacks to delicious main dishes, all sure to bring the fiesta flavor to your kitchen.
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Skip the drive-thru and make restaurant-quality empanadas at home! These savory pockets are filled with ground beef and have a flaky, golden crust. They’re easy to grab and go for a satisfying lunch or afternoon snack.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Punch up your next Mexican feast with this homemade salsa. Made with roasted tomatillos, it’s got a fresh, tangy flavor that complements chips, tacos, and burritos perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Chunky Guacamole
Calling all avocado lovers! This chunky guacamole is the perfect party dip. It’s made with fresh, creamy avocado chunks, a squeeze of zesty lime juice, and roasted veggies that really make this into the best guacamole you can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole
Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Short on time but craving a hearty meal? This Mexican Skillet Quinoa is your answer! Packed with protein-rich quinoa and black beans, along with sweet corn and tangy salsa, it’s a dish that’s both nutritious and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Skillet Quinoa
Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas use rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful meal. The cheesy chicken filling and soft tortillas are sure to be a hit with the whole family and an easy to enjoy Cinco de Mayo meal when you are crunched for time.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
This recipe lets your crockpot do the work. Savory beef simmers with spices until tender, then gets spooned into crispy masa cups for a delicious and easy Mexican meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups
Chicken Tamales
Experience the taste of Mexico with these homemade chicken tamales. Tender chicken is wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection. They’re perfect for an authentic Cinco de Mayo celebration, and taste way better than store-bought!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamales
Spanish Rice
Spanish rice is the perfect side dish to take your Mexican meal to the next level. This easy recipe is tastier than what you get at most restaurants and goes great with any protein.
Get the Recipe: Spanish Rice
Dessert Nachos
Forget boring chips and salsa! These sweet nachos are loaded with cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce, and fresh berries. It’s a fun twist on a classic that’s perfect for parties or a sweet ending to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Honey Habanero Tacos
Spice up your Taco Tuesday with these honey habanero tacos! The ground beef filling is quick to make, but the sweet and spicy flavor is a delicious twist on classic tacos.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Crockpot Carnitas
Crockpot carnitas are a busy cook’s dream. Toss in the pork with spices, let your slow cooker work its magic, and come back to juicy, flavorful shredded pork perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas
Tamale Pot Pies
Tamale pot pies are a fun and unique way to enjoy Mexican flavors. These individual pot pies are filled with savory shredded chicken, corn, and spices, all wrapped in a delicious masa crust. It’s like having tamales and pot pie in one delicious bite!
Get the Recipe: Tamale Pot Pies
Refried Beans
Refried beans are a Mexican kitchen staple for a reason! This creamy recipe is easy to make at home and adds a hearty and flavorful element to any dish. Liven up your tacos, burritos, or enchiladas with a dollop of these refried beans.
Get the Recipe: Refried Beans
Homemade Nacho Cheese
Leave the store-bought cheese sauce behind and make this homemade nacho cheese for your next gathering! This smooth and cheesy dip is packed with flavor and perfect for dipping chips, nachos, or anything else you can imagine.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Nacho Cheese
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This chicken tortilla soup is a comforting and flavorful meal any time of day. It’s surprisingly easy to make and packed with protein from the chicken and beans. Add some shredded cheese and avocado for an extra burst of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
Forget the complicated tamale recipe! These ground beef skillet tamales are a quick and easy way to enjoy tamale flavors. They’re skillet-cooked for convenience and every bite is bursting with savory ground beef and spices.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Skillet Tamales
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
These chicken empanadas are incredibly easy to make. Flaky puff pastry surrounds a savory chicken filling, creating a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas