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 ⬇
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.
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.
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!
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.
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)!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Crispy Beer Battered Fish Tacos
These Beer Battered Fish Tacos are light and crispy with a killer sauce that brings all the flavors together!
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.
Chili Relleno Casserole
This Chili Relleno Casserole has a layer of beef, onion & cumin with roasted peppers and a layer of gooey cheese.
Easy Fish Taco Bowls
Fish Taco Bowls have all the fixins of your favorite fish tacos but are much simpler to make and eat!
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.
Instant Pot Parmesan-Crusted Carnitas Quesadillas
Tender, juicy carnitas in a parmesan crusted tortilla. These quesadillas are easy to make and absolutely delicious.
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!
One-Pan Salsa Chicken & Vegetables
This simple and healthy Salsa Chicken cooks in just 30 minutes with only one pan to clean!
Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Jalapenos
An easy recipe for killer Chicken Enchiladas. Makes a great use out of leftover turkey, too!
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.
Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas
Tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce and a fried-until-perfectly-crispy shell. These Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas are the ultimate comfort food!
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.
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.
Healthy Black Bean Enchilada Soup
This black bean enchilada soup is super flavorful with Mexican spices, and it's healthy too!
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!
Albondigas Soup
Albondigas Soup is a flavorful Mexican soup made with meatballs and a delicious, hot broth that will warm up your insides!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
21 Mexican Dessert Recipes
Many of these popular Mexican dessert recipes are authentic with a few thrown in with fun and delicious twists.
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!
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!
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
- 80+ Taco Toppings - March 20, 2024
- 150+ Pizza Topping Ideas - February 20, 2024
- Lentil Soup With Ham - February 14, 2024