If Cinco de Mayo has you thinking about tacos, queso, fresh salsa, and something cold to sip, this list has everything you to need to build an amazing menu without overthinking it. You will find creamy dips, fresh salsas, tacos, fajitas, hearty dinners, simple sides, and a few sweet recipes to finish the meal.
Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s independce day, but that’s not true, it actually marks the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. If you are cooking for the day, this list is here to help you build a thoughtful menu to celebrate Mexico’s culture through food.
How to Build an Easy Cinco de Mayo Menu
This list is set up so you can choose recipes based on how much you want to cook. Keep it simple with queso, guacamole, tacos, and rice, or build a fuller menu with fajitas, enchiladas, beans, agua fresca, and dessert. Here are some ideas:
- For an easy taco night, start with guacamole, shredded chicken tacos, cilantro lime rice, and agua fresca.
- For a cozy baked dinner, choose ground beef enchiladas, Mexican rice, pinto beans, and sopapilla cheesecake.
- For a lighter spread, make shrimp ceviche, salmon tacos, pineapple salsa, Mexican fruit salad, and agua fresca.
- For a grill focused meal, choose carne asada, fajita chicken kabobs, Mexican street corn salad, salsa verde, and churro bites.
- For a mostly hands-off meal, make slow cooker queso, slow cooker carnitas, crock pot pinto beans, and fruit salsa with cinnamon chips.
Appetizers, Dips, and Salsas
1
Slow Cooker Queso
This warm and creamy dip is made for scooping with tortilla chips. The slow cooker keeps it soft and melty, so you can set it out and let everyone help themselves.
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2
Cowboy Caviar
I love how this salsa brings color, crunch, and fresh flavor in every scoop. It is loaded with beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and lime, so it's super fresh and really easy to make.
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3
Best Guacamole Recipe
Homemade guacamole is superior! It's so simple to make and better than anything you can buy at the store because it's fresh, creamy, but also chunky at the same time.
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4
Mexican Street Corn Salad – Equites
I love how this tasty Mexican Street Corn Salad disappears so fast every time I make it! It gives you all the creamy, cheesy, limey flavor of elote in an easy bowl-style appetizer.
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5
Ground Beef Nachos
Bold, cheesy, and everyone loves these! Pile the toppings high and serve as an appetizer or a lighter meal for a crowd.
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6
Chicken Nachos
I crave these chicken nachos often, and you can fully trust me when I tell you that this is the best recipe! They come out hot from the oven with crisp chips, melty cheese, and tender chicken in every layer. So good!
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7
Shrimp Ceviche
I love the freshness of a ceviche. It's so easy to chop everything up and let it marinate until you're ready to serve. Serve it with chips or tostadas.
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8
Pico De Gallo
This fresh salsa is a must-make whenever I am serving Mexican-inspired food. I never skip it! It is simple, juicy, and so much better when it is made fresh.
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9
Mexican Salsa Verde
I love a salsa and chip sitation, and this tomatillo salsa is one I would always make from scratch. It has that fresh flavor that works with chicken or steak, but honestly, my favorite way to eat it is still with a bowl of crunchy chips.
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10
Pineapple Salsa
Sweet and tangy salsa with juicy pineapple in every bite. It makes tacos, grilled meats, and even a bowl of chips feel more fun.
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Tacos, Fajitas, and Grilled Mains
11
Grilled Chicken Fajitas
These grilled fajitas bring juicy chicken, peppers, and onions together with smoky flavor from the grill. Do not skip the homemade fajita seasoning, it's so simple to make and tastes your fajitas to the next level.
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12
Steak Fajitas
I make steak fajitas with flank steak that I marinate overnight, then cook in a cast iron skillet until medium along with sliced peppers. My husband loves this recipe so much, and it's always on rotation in our house.
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13
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
These Shrimp Fajitas cook quickly on one sheet pan with peppers, onion, fajita seasoning, lime, and cilantro. They are so quick to make, as they cook in just 8 minutes.
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14
Baked Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Make these if you want the flavor of fajitas without standing at the stove. Everything cooks together in one pan, which keeps prep and cleanup easy.
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15
Fajita Chicken Kabobs Recipe
This is a tasty grilled skewer option made with chicken, peppers, and onions. Very simple, and the presentation is so fun!
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16
Shredded Chicken Tacos
This recipe is one of the most popular recipes on my site, and they are loved by everyone for a good reason. The chicken is always so tender, and the flavor is 10/10!
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17
Baked Chicken Tacos
Crunchy, cheesy, and so good! These tacos are baked in one pan and come out warm with gooey, melty cheese. A great family-friendly choice.
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18
Chicken Tinga Tacos (Pollo de Tinga)
Tender shredded chicken smothered in a smoky tomato sauce. I love the chipotle peppers here because they give the chicken a deep, savory flavor without making the recipe complicated.
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19
Mexican Shredded Beef Recipe
You can either slow cook the beef, or quickly cook it in the pressure cooker for a flavorful melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef that you can serve on tacos, or nachos.
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20
Birria Tacos
These tacos are rich, juicy, and perfect when you want a main dish that feels extra special. The beef can be made in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop, which gives you room to plan around your schedule.
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21
Carne Asada
Carne Asada might be my favorite recipe in this list because it’s super flavorful. The steak is marinated, grilled, rested, and sliced thin for tacos, rice bowls, or plates with salsa and lime.
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22
Slow Cooker Carnitas
These turn out so tender and flavorful after a long, slow cook, then crisped at the end for golden edges. That final step is what makes them so good in tacos, bowls, and nachos.
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23
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
If you love shrimp, make these shrimp tacos with the best seasonings. Serve them with slaw, a fresh salsa, lime, and a creamy sauce for an easy taco night option.
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24
Salmon Tacos
These Tacos are a lighter fish taco option with tender seared salmon and creamy fish taco slaw tucked into warm tortillas. They are ready in just 25 minutes.
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25
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
These Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos are all about flaky grilled fish, warm tortillas, crunchy slaw, and that creamy sauce that is so simple to make.
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Mexican Dinner Ideas
26
Ground Beef Enchiladas
These enchiladas are cheesy, saucy, and easy to serve from one baking dish. They make a filling dinner with Mexican rice, pinto beans, and a fresh salsa on the side.
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27
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This Chicken Enchilada Casserole gives you the flavor of enchiladas with the ease of a slow cooker meal. The chicken, tortillas, sauce, and cheese cook together into a cozy dinner that is simple to scoop and serve.
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28
Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet
An easy one skillet dinner made with ground beef, rice, corn, black beans, taco spices, and cheese. It is a simple option when you want taco flavor without setting up a full taco bar.
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29
Mexican Picadillo
Mexican Picadillo is really loved by my readers! So many of you have made this without fail, and it's so good when served over rice with tortillas on the side.
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30
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup is warm, flavorful, and easy to top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, lime, and tortilla strips. It is a nice choice if early May still feels cool where you live.
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31
Chicken Enchilada Soup
This soup tastes like chicken enchiladas but better! It is a great choice when you want the comfort of enchiladas without rolling tortillas. Seriously, so good!
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32
Chicken Fajita Bowl
This is a fresh and relaxed dinner option made with seasoned chicken, peppers, onions, rice, and toppings. It is a great option when you want everyone to build their own bowl.
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33
Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
This Mexican-inspired skillet recipe is made with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, black beans, bell pepper, and Tex-Mex seasonings that are cooked together into a colorful skillet meal that feels fresh, filling, and easy to pull off on a busy night.
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Side Dishes and Desserts
34
Mexican Rice
You can never go wrong with Mexican rice! It is one of the best side dishes to serve with tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and burrito bowls. I give you all the tips on how to get the perfect flavor and texture.
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35
Cilantro Lime Rice
Fresh, bright, and easy to pair with grilled chicken, shrimp tacos, carne asada, or fajita bowls. It also works well as a base for leftovers the next day.
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36
Crock Pot Pinto Beans
Hearty, budget friendly, and easy to make. They cook until tender and make the meal feel more complete without needing much attention.
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37
Mexican Pasta Salad
You will love this creamy and colorful pasta salad. It's packed with corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, cotija, and a taco-spiced dressing. A great side when you want something filling that can be made ahead and served cold.
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38
Lime Crema Recipe
When sour cream gets an upgrade, it becomes lime crema! It's creamy, zesty, and perfect on tacos.
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39
Sopapilla Cheesecake (Churro Cheesecake)
This cheesecake has a creamy filling, a cinnamon sugar topping, and a buttery crust. It is simple to make, easy to slice, and always a good choice when you want a dessert that feeds a group.
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40
Churro bites
Small, warm, and so delicious to serve after dinner. They are a fun option when you want something cinnamon sugar coated without making full size churros. Plus, they are baked, not fried!
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41
Mexican Fruit Salad
This fruit salad is refreshing after a rich meal. It is a great way to add fruit to the table without making another heavy dessert.
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42
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
Perfect for scooping! This salsa works well as a lighter dessert or as a sweet snack.
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43
Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is a cool fruit drink made with fresh fruit, water, lime juice, and a little sweetener. Serve it chilled to balance all the bold flavors on the table.
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I hope these Cinco de Mayo recipes help you plan a meal that feels easy, colorful, and full of good food. Most of all, I hope you have a wonderful time sharing it with your family and friends!
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