30 Festive Cinco de Mayo Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Whether you’re having a party or just want to enjoy some delicious Mexican dishes for dinner, I’ve got you covered with 30 easy recipes! For the main course, try grilling up some juicy carne asada and serve it with homemade salsa and guacamole for a flavor-packed meal. For dessert, whip up some sweet and crumbly Mexican wedding cookies, or go all out with tres leches cake with a dulce de leche glaze. With tacos, enchiladas, margaritas, and more, these recipes have everything you need to celebrate Cinco de Mayo deliciously.

Chicken Fajitas

These chicken fajitas make a fun family dinner and will rival your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant.
Guacamole

Easy to make and good for you, this is my go-to guacamole recipe.
Baja Fish Tacos

These Baja fish tacos are made from crispy beer-battered cod tucked into corn tortillas, topped with a cabbage slaw and smoky chipotle sauce.
Carne Asada

Ever wonder why your skirt steak isn’t as tender as the one from your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant? Find out why and get the recipe for the best carne asada ever!
Mexican Rice

Infused with garlic, onions and spices, this Mexican rice tastes just like the one from your favorite Mexican restaurant.
Burrito Bowls

These protein-packed chicken and quinoa burrito bowls are a healthy alternative to traditional fajitas and tacos.
Chicken Enchiladas

These light and fresh chicken enchiladas are filled with smoky chicken, cheddar cheese, and a tangy tomatillo sauce.
Chicken Tacos

These chicken tacos are a healthier spin on traditional beef tacos — and they’re just as good, if not better.
Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas

Filled with gooey melted cheddar, shredded chicken, and a smoky chipotle-tomato sauce, these are the ultimate quesadillas.
Breakfast Burritos

Filled with sausage, eggs, cheese and fresh avocado salsa, these bodega-style breakfast burritos are delish any time of day!
Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa

These shrimp tacos are perfect for a casual backyard gathering. They also make a fun (and easy!) weeknight dinner.
Chicken Nachos

Loaded with spicy pulled rotisserie chicken and ungodly amounts of cheese, these chicken nachos are hearty and satisfying – and everyone is happy when you say, “Nachos for dinner!”
Salsa Verde

Made from tomatillos, this roasted salsa verde is tangy, fiery, chunky, and good enough to eat with a spoon.
Black Bean and Corn Salad with Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette

This make-ahead black bean and corn salad is a real crowd-pleaser. Bonus: it doubles as a dip!
Chicken Tortilla Soup

This chicken tortilla soup is a silky mix of vegetables, tortillas & spices with tender chunks of grilled chicken mixed in.
Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken

Also known as “margarita chicken,” this tequila lime chicken is loaded with bright Southwestern flavor.
Street-Style Shrimp Tacos with Corn, Bacon and Lime Crema

These street-style shrimp tacos with corn, bacon, and lime crema make a fast, fun, family-pleasing feast!
Margaritas

Citrusy and slightly sweet, these margaritas go down easy.
Coconut-Lime Mexican Wedding Cookies

These adorable melt-in-your-mouth cookies are flavored with lime, coconut, and ground pecans.
Tres Leches Cake with Dulce de Leche Glaze

A stunning tres leches cake with a rum-spiked dulce de leche glaze.
Flan Recipe

Flan is a rich, sweet custard topped with caramel sauce. It looks fancy, but it’s actually quite simple to make.
Green Pea Guacamole

Peas add a little sweetness and chunkiness to the guacamole; they also intensify the green color of the dip.
Vivian Howard’s Cilantro Lime Sweet Corn

Spicy and buttery, this is the perfect make-ahead corn dish for a summer cookout.
Black Bean Shrimp Salad with Corn & Pickled Onions

This flavor-packed black bean shrimp salad is the perfect light weeknight dinner.
Copycat Recipe: Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

This tastes just as good as the original.
Beef Enchiladas

Filled with chile con carne and cheese, these beef enchiladas are the ultimate Mexican comfort food.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

Slathered with a creamy, tangy sauce and dusted with chili powder and cotija cheese, this Mexican street corn takes your corn on the cob up a notch.
Cilantro Lime Rice

This cilantro lime rice tastes just like what you get at Chipotle, and it’s a snap to make.
Chicken Quesadillas

Winner, winner, weeknight dinner! These melty, crispy chicken quesadillas deserve a spot in your rotation.
Salsa (Restaurant-Style)

Whip up a restaurant-style, chip-worthy salsa in just 10 minutes using canned tomatoes and a blender.