Recipes for Cinco de Mayo -- From smoky guacamole and fruit-filled salsa, to spicy lettuce-wrapped tacos and fresh ceviche, these Latin inspired recipes are over-the-top delicious, and always a hit!
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is typically thought of as Mexico’s Independence Day, but it's not. Mexico’s Independence Day is actually September 16th.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates a victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Not widely celebrated in Mexico, in the United States the commercialization of the holiday has taken off and is mostly about food.
If you're celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or just want Mexican-inspired dishes, here are a handful of absolutely scrumptious recipes.
While these are not all authentic Mexican recipes, they're all inspired by them and are loaded with the Mexican flavors we love so much.
I could feast on each one of the below recipes day and night -- special holiday or not! I'm hoping you'll feel the same way.
Why This Recipe Collection is Great
- There is something for every type of eater here. The list includes meat, chicken, fish, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Some of the recipes are fabulous to serve to a large group -- especially the enchiladas, salsas and guacamole.
- A couple of the recipes are lovely for a smaller gathering, like the blackened salmon and cremè brûlée.
Top Cinco de Mayo recipes . . .
Roasted Tomato Poblano Salsa
The smoky flavor and fresh ingredients in this salsa make it superb for chips, tacos, burritos, or to top meats, chicken and fish. And after all, you can't really celebrate Cinco de Mayo without salsa! Right?
Spicy Potato Soft Tacos
Potato Tacos are absolutely incredible vegetarian tacos. They’re a tad spicy, tangy, sweet, and super hearty and satisfying. Easy-to-make, they always draw a crowd and everybody loves them!
Puerco Con Salsa Verde
With succulent pieces of juicy pork, coated with a fresh, spicy Salsa Verde recipe, this popular Mexican dish, Puerco Con Salsa Verde, will have you licking your plate clean.
Roasted Poblano-Lemon Guacamole Recipe
Hands down, my favorite guacamole of all time! It's fresh and smoky all at once.
Pepper Jack Turkey-Pickled Onion Lettuce Tacos
These bundles of lettuce are packed with superb spicy, savory flavors, and are perfect for a lighter meal to go alongside the salsa and guacamole!
Tomatillo Shrimp Ceviche
This is the perfect starter for your Cinco de Mayo festivities this weekend! It's fresh, light, and packed with delicious Latin flavors!
Blackened Fish Tacos
These soft tacos have an amazingly delicious flavor combination. They're spicy, cool, soft, crunchy, hearty and a touch sweet — all at once. You simply won’t be able to get enough.
Marinated Achiote Chicken
This beautiful, Marinated Achiote Chicken Recipe, also called Pollo Pibil, is juicy, succulent, and full of rich, deep Mexican flavors.
The Best Vegetarian Enchiladas
These are the Best Vegetarian Enchiladas Ever! They have an unexpected "secret" ingredient that puts them over the top!
Blackened Mexican Salmon with Lime
This salmon is flavored with lime and an aromatic blackened spice crust made of Ancho chile, garlic, onion and oregano. It's super easy to put together and always a hit.
Mexican Black Beans From Scratch
Mexican Black Beans from scratch are easy to make and great to have on hand for a delicious side dish, and for adding to all sorts of other recipes. A fine Mexican herb, Epazote, makes this recipe extra special.
Poblano Rice Pilaf
This rice side dish is a festival of Mexican flavors, and the perfect side dish to almost any meal with a Latin flair.
Mango Avocado Chipotle Salsa
Beautiful and crazy delicious, easy and versatile, it’s wonderful in so many different recipes and it will brighten up your summer barbecue or dinner party.
Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles
These Spicy Mayan Chocolate Truffles are a sweet and spicy delectable combination, and the perfect way to finish a Cinco de Mayo meal.
Mexican Chocolate Crème Brûlée
Mexican Chocolate Crème Brûlée is a fabulous Cinco de Mayo dessert. Every rich, chocolatey bite is subtly spiced with cinnamon, and the creamy texture is over the top! Whether you serve this for the holiday, or any day, it’s sure to make you happy.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies These little bites of joy include melted chocolate, a subtle kick of heat from spices, and a whole lot of sweetness. They're a fun Cinco de Mayo dessert, or dessert any day!
I hope you love these scrumptious Cinco de Mayo recipes as much as my family and I do!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
What a fabulous collection!! I'd be quite happy with any of those recipes...for Cinco de Mayo or whenever!! So many delicious, fresh flavours! Happy Monday 🙂
valentina
Thanks so much, Dawn. I love this sort of food all year long. 🙂 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
We are very much into ceviche recipes at home — much easier than trying to find ones in restaurants that don’t make me queasy! The shrimp ceviche looks amazing and will be on our menu tomorrow for Cinco de Mayo. It actually might be our entire dinner!
valentina
How fun, David. My favorite local restaurant has a delicious ceviche and I always make a meal of it. It's the only place I order it.One day they'll open again. Until then, it's this yummy recipe. Hope you love it, too! 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook
Oh dear ! I have completely forgotten about Cinco de Mayo while isolated !!!! I appreciate your reminder and such a beautiful collection dear !
valentina
Thank you. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
priya
I am loving this collection. my first try will be that smokey guacamole. I am looking forward to that tacos too.
have a great day ahead!
valentina
Thanks, Priya. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange
OMgoodness! I want them all! I'm a huge fan of guac! It sounds so refreshing! Pinning for tomorrow! 🙂
valentina
Thanks, Kim! 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced
We didn't do much to celebrate Cinco de Mayo here yesterday as it was chilly (what the heck!) and a Tuesday (bah.). But we've been talking about a belated celebration this weekend! And I think that roasted poblano salsa will need to make an appearance...it sounds delicious! 🙂
valentina
Hope it was lovely belated. 🙂 Thanks, David. ~Valentina
Liz
Oooh, I want to eat at your house next Cinco de Mayo! Every dish looks amazing!!!
valentina
Thanks so much, Liz! 🙂 ~Valentina
John / Kitchen Riffs
We love Mexican dishes, so Cinco de Mayo is a high feast day for us. Terrific recipes here -- thanks.
valentina
Thanks, John. We are huge Mexican food fans, too. Never enough. 🙂 ~Valentina
Jeff the Chef
Well, cinco de mayo kind of passed me by unnoticed, but I love food like this all year long. So thank you!
valentina
Me too! I never need a holiday as an excuse for the foods I want. 😉 Hope all is well, Jeff. ~Valentina
Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!
I love that opening picture! I can't believe it's already going to be May 5 tomorrow! I need to make some salsa, pronto!
Valentina
Hope you had a delicious 5th of Mayo, Jeff! 😀 ~Valentina
mimi rippee
These all look so good! Mexican cuisine has to be our favorite, as well as Southwestern inspired food. It's just so fresh and flavorful.
Valentina
Definitely at the top of my list too. Thanks, Mimi! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cathy
Everything looks and sounds amazing.
Hard to decide which to start with.
Valentina
Awww, thanks, Cathy! Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina