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Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Updated: Jul 30, 2025 · Published: Apr 16, 2023 by Heidi Deal · Leave a Comment

Every year on May 5th, we celebrate Cinco De Mayo. This annual celebration commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, so it is also sometimes referred to as the Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla. In the State of Puebla, the day is observed with parades, speeches, and battle reenactments. In America, it is observed with the consumption of the food and drink of Mexican origin. Tacos are usually involved.

Some people may confuse Cinco De Mayo with Mexican Independence Day, which actually falls on September 16, and dates back to 1810.

Cinco De Mayo will be celebrated on Monday, May 5, 2025.

Scroll Down for the Cinco De Mayo Recipes ⬇

Cinco De Mayo

Brief History Of Cinco De Mayo Celebrations

Cinco De Mayo originated in Mexico in 1862. Despite the attention that it seems to get, it is not a Federal holiday in Mexico. It is believed that the first celebrations in America were actually political rallies led by Mexican-Americans living in California as a way to support the war efforts in Mexico.

The observance of Cinco De Mayo gained a bit of popularity after President Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy, which was intended to improve relations between America and Mexico. It gained attention again as ethnic studies professors used the observance as a way to create a bridge between Mexican and American cultures.

The observance again gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to beer companies like Corona used the day of celebration as a marketing tool to increase product sales.

How To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo

The obvious answer to this is to eat Mexican food. And we approve of that message. But before we get to all the fantastic food options, here are a few other ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo.

  • Visit a museum dedicated to or with exhibits that highlight Hispanic culture or artists.
  • Learn to paint or craft with techniques and characteristics common to Hispanic/Latin art.
  • Attend a local parade or festival celebrating the occasion.
  • Decorate festively with traditional décor.
  • Eat the food.

Best Food For Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

Mexican food is best enjoyed literally any day of the year. But on May 5th, you can break out all your favorite recipes and the ones that you save for special occasions. We've got a list of some of our favorite Mexican-inspired recipes for you to make for your Cinco De Mayo celebration. And if you want tacos, check out our list of 22 Taco Recipes!

The Best Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Try some of these delicious Mexican-style recipes for your Cinco De Mayo Celebration.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Pepper Recipe

These Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers are incredible! Lots of fresh summer vegetables and mashed potatoes then topped with perfectly cooked shrimp.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Hot Mexican Corn Dip

Cheesy, gooey and so tasty – with loads of crunchy, sweet, fresh summer corn! This Hot Mexican Corn Dip is THE go-to party dip!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers with Mexican Chorizo & Smoked Gouda

If you like a little spice mixed with smokey, gooey cheese and the best-tasting sausage around, you’re going to want to give these stuffed jalapeño poppers a try.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Jose Peppers Espinaca Dip Recipe

This is a copycat recipe of Jose Peppers Espinaca Dip recipe. It’s cheesy with so much flavor (and uses homemade Velveeta)!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Classic Pico de Gallo Recipe

Pico de Gallo is that chunky, liquid-less salsa you’ll find in most Mexican taco stands and restaurants, especially in Baja, Mexico. And it's so satisfying with salty chips and an ice cold Mexican beer.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Choriqueso (Queso Fundido with Chorizo)

Choriqueso is mexican chorizo topped with cheese, garnished with tomato, white onion and cilantro and served in charred tortillas. Muy bueno!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Imitation Crab Ceviche Recipe

This quick and easy imitation crab ceviche recipe is loaded with fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro; all marinated in fresh lime juice.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Queso Dip with Roasted Hatch Chiles

This fantastic yet easy queso dip is made with hatch chiles and a blend of cheeses. But you can substitute almost any other pepper or just leave them out if you prefer.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

How to Make Nachos in the Oven

Super easy, cheesy, sheet pan Mexican Nachos!! I’ll show you how to make nachos in the oven with just a few ingredients in just 20 minutes.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Roasted Tomato Salsa

This Roasted Tomato Salsa couldn’t be easier but has a wonderfully smoky flavor, both from roasting the tomatoes and from smoky chipotle peppers.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Crispy Beer Battered Fish Tacos

These Beer Battered Fish Tacos are light and crispy with a killer sauce that brings all the flavors together!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Walking Taco Casserole

This Walking Taco Casserole recipe is an easy weeknight meal that has all the flavors of tacos with the crunch of corn chips, too.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Chili Relleno Casserole

This Chili Relleno Casserole has a layer of beef, onion & cumin with roasted peppers and a layer of gooey cheese.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Easy Fish Taco Bowls

Fish Taco Bowls have all the fixins of your favorite fish tacos but are much simpler to make and eat!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Easy Shrimp Ceviche

A quick and easy shrimp ceviche that is made with pre-cooked shrimp instead of raw shrimp, avocado and marinated in pico de gallo.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Instant Pot Parmesan-Crusted Carnitas Quesadillas

Tender, juicy carnitas in a parmesan crusted tortilla. These quesadillas are easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Grilled Boneless Pork Chops with Mexican Corn Salad

These delicious Grilled Boneless Pork Chops with Mexican Corn Salad is perfect for an easy, healthy family dinner or for your barbecue crowd!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

One-Pan Salsa Chicken & Vegetables

This simple and healthy Salsa Chicken cooks in just 30 minutes with only one pan to clean!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Cheesy Mexican Gourmet Hot Dogs

Mexican Gourmet Hot Dogs – cheesy, a little spicy and SO delicious!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Jalapenos

An easy recipe for killer Chicken Enchiladas. Makes a great use out of leftover turkey, too!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Mexican Quinoa Casserole

This Mexican Quinoa Casserole is incredibly flavorful and super healthy to boot! It’s easy to make ahead of time or double the batch and freeze one.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas

Tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce and a fried-until-perfectly-crispy shell. These Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas are the ultimate comfort food!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

shredded pork tacos with avocado, quick pickled onions and queso fresco

A good taco doesn’t need more than three or four ingredients to knock your socks off. Start with tender, flavorful meat, add a few well-chosen toppings and maybe a cold beer and you’re done. Cielo.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Crab Tacos with Avocado Sauce

This crab taco recipe uses fresh crab and takes just 15 minutes to make. The key is to use the freshest ingredients possible and nice big lumps of crab.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Healthy Black Bean Enchilada Soup

This black bean enchilada soup is super flavorful with Mexican spices, and it's healthy too!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

This easy Taco Soup recipe comes together in no time at all yet has so much flavor. With just 5 minutes prep time, you’ll make this one often!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Albondigas Soup

Albondigas Soup is a flavorful Mexican soup made with meatballs and a delicious, hot broth that will warm up your insides!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Hatch Chile Soup with Fresh Summer Corn

Hatch Chile Soup with Fresh Summer Corn & Cilantro Lime Shrimp – so easy to make and so much flavor!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Seriously good Chicken Posole

Posole is a traditional Mexican soup, and this delicious version is made with hominy and chicken, and comes together in no time!

Amazing Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe with Hatch Chiles

This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe has the most flavorful broth you will ever try. The trick is pureeing the tomatoes, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Enchilada Sauce Recipe with Hatch Chiles

This Hatch Chile Enchilada Sauce Recipe has incredible flavor and can be used in any recipe calling for enchilada sauce. Substitute poblanos if you prefer.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Sopapilla Cheesecake Recipe

A creamy cheesecake filling that pairs with a slightly crunchy top from a mix of butter and cinnamon & sugar. Learn how to make a Sopapilla Cheesecake that everyone will rave over!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

The BEST Instant Pot Refried Beans

Starting with dried beans makes a much better tasting dish. These Instant Pot refried beans are the perfect recipe for your Mexican dinner!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

21 Mexican Dessert Recipes

Many of these popular Mexican dessert recipes are authentic with a few thrown in with fun and delicious twists.

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Mexican Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocados

Mexican Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocados have just a few ingredients, are super healthy and they taste SO good. You can also stuff tomatoes!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Mexican Salad with Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto

This Mexican Salad with Cilantro Jalapeño Pesto is healthy and you won’t believe the amazing flavor of the pesto!

Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Fish Taco Salad with a Creamy Chipotle Dressing

The tender, flaky fish, crunchy greens, flavorful sauce…the flavors and textures are just so perfect together.

See More Delicious Food Holidays and Observances

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Heidi Deal
Heidi Deal
Heidi Deal is an editor, mother of two, and seasoned home cook who enjoys experimenting with new recipes and teaching her kids how to prepare family meals. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
Heidi Deal
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