26 Recipes That Make Cinco de Mayo the Best Food Day of the Year

Cinco de Mayo isn’t just a day on the calendar—it’s a full-on food event. These 26 recipes bring the bold flavors, crowd-pleasing dishes, and festive energy that turn it into the best food day of the year. From party-ready bites to big, shareable plates, each one brings something worth celebrating. Get ready to fill the table and keep the good times rolling with every single dish.

A tex mex casserole in a baking dish. — Tex Mex Casserole. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Raspberry Mojito Cocktail

Raspberry Mojito Cocktail adds bright berry flavor and minty freshness to a Cinco de Mayo drink spread. Light, refreshing, and easy to sip, it’s perfect for sunny celebrations. It comes together fast, making it a smart choice for busy hosts. This is the cocktail that keeps the crowd gathered near the drink table.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Mojito Cocktail

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Cilantro lime chicken on a plate next to avocado and cilantro garnish. — Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice packs the bold flavors of a fiesta into a single skillet. Juicy chicken, lime, and tender rice make it the kind of meal that feeds a crowd without slowing down the party. It’s simple enough to make ahead but flashy enough to impress. This is the dinner that brings everyone back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Virgin Moscow Mule

Virgin Moscow Mule cools the crowd with a kick of ginger and a splash of lime, no alcohol needed. It’s quick to build and perfect for guests who want something festive without the booze. The refreshing combo makes it a no-brainer for Cinco de Mayo parties. This drink keeps everyone sipping, whether they’re celebrating big or keeping it chill.
Get the Recipe: Virgin Moscow Mule

Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita

Two cadillac margaritas in front of a bowl of citrus fruit. — Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita brings the bold citrus punch and top-shelf feel that a Cinco de Mayo party deserves. With reposado tequila and fresh lime, it’s a classic way to kick off the celebration. It mixes up quickly but feels like something special. This is the margarita that keeps everyone’s glass full and the party moving.
Get the Recipe: Jenessa’s Cadillac Margarita

Grilled Rockfish Tacos

Grilled Rockfish Tacos deliver smoky flavor and fresh toppings perfect for a Cinco de Mayo grill-out. Cedar-planked fish topped with salsa and slaw feels built for outdoor gatherings. They’re light enough to keep the party rolling but filling enough to count as dinner. These tacos are the reason guests camp out by the grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos

Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into a layered dip in a glass bowl. The dip consists of chopped tomatoes, green onions, cheese, beans, guacamole, and sour cream, arranged in visible layers. The bowl is on a marble surface, with more chips in the background. — Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip stacks classic Cinco de Mayo flavors into a chilled, colorful dish that’s built for crowd scooping. Beans, guac, salsa, and sour cream make each chipful worth the wait. It’s simple to prep and perfect for parking by the snack table. This dip disappears long before the second round of drinks is poured.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

Beef Quesadillas

Beef Quesadillas bring crisped tortillas, melty cheese, and seasoned beef into snack-sized bites perfect for Cinco de Mayo grazing. Fast to prep and impossible to resist, they hit the plate hot and don’t last long. Easy to batch and even easier to love. These are the wedges that vanish before the tray hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

Breakfast Chorizo Burrito

Breakfast Chorizo Burrito brings bold, spicy flavor wrapped in a handheld form perfect for late-night or early-morning partying. Chorizo, eggs, and cheese create a filling meal that doesn’t need a fork. They’re easy to make ahead and even easier to devour. This burrito keeps the celebration alive well past midnight.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Chorizo Burrito

Mexican Steak Pizza

Mexican Steak Pizza layers steak, cheese, and spice over a crispy crust, creating a mash-up meal perfect for Cinco de Mayo crowds. It’s easy to cut, share, and devour without slowing down the fun. Hot, cold, or somewhere in between, it’s always a win. This is the pizza that earns a second—and third—slice fast.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Steak Pizza

Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa

Two black bean tacos on wooden board. — Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa prove that plant-based can pack a punch at a Cinco de Mayo feast. Hearty black beans and vibrant salsa make each bite bright and filling. They’re quick to prep and even quicker to vanish. These tacos win hearts and plates without even trying.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Tacos With Sweet Pepper Salsa

Spicy Tofu Tacos

Side view of tacos on a plate, one with bite taken out. — Spicy Tofu Tacos. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Spicy Tofu Tacos pile high with crispy tofu, slaw, and bold crema for a fiesta-ready main that doesn’t miss the meat. They’re quick to make, easy to hold, and packed with flavor that punches through the noise. Serve them hot or cold—they’ll fly either way. These tacos show up strong and leave nothing behind but smiles.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tofu Tacos

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen. — Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas load tortillas with saucy, shredded chicken and melty cheese for a party tray that feeds a crowd without the stress. They’re easy to assemble and even easier to love. Set them and forget them until the fiesta kicks off. These enchiladas bring serious flavor with zero drama.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Best Salsa

Salsa in a container with chips around. — Best Salsa. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Best Salsa lives up to the name with juicy tomatoes, fresh lime, and enough heat to keep every chip coming back for more. Quick to prep and strong enough to stand alone, it’s a must for any Cinco de Mayo spread. Fresh, bright, and gone in minutes. This is the salsa that doesn’t stick around long enough for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Best Salsa

Carne Asada in the Oven

Slices of baked carne asada on small wood cutting board. — Carne Asada in the Oven. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Carne Asada in the Oven brings big grill flavor indoors, with tender, marinated beef ready for tacos, nachos, or straight-up snacking. It’s juicy, bold, and perfect for a Cinco de Mayo crowd. Marinate ahead and roast just before guests arrive for maximum flavor with minimal effort. This is the meat that clears plates faster than you can carve it.
Get the Recipe: Carne Asada in the Oven

Air Fryer Churros

Air Fryer Churros bring the fiesta vibes to the dessert table with crispy shells and soft centers dusted in cinnamon sugar. They bake fast, eat faster, and keep the mess to a minimum. Perfect with chocolate sauce or on their own. These are the sweets that start disappearing as soon as they’re set down.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Churros

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Shrimp stuffed into soft corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side. — Camarones al Mojo de Ajo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo puts garlicky shrimp front and center, ready to wow the Cinco de Mayo crowd. They cook quickly, serve faster, and pack enough flavor to satisfy without needing anything more. Hot or chilled, they’re always a win. These shrimp are the ones guests remember after the party’s over.
Get the Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa brings smoky meat and bright fruit flavors together for a bold centerpiece. The grill marks mean business, and the salsa brings the perfect punch. It’s easy enough for casual gatherings but big enough for center stage. This is the dish that gets carved straight to the plate, no resting time required.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa

Mexican Tostones

Overhead view of tostones with salt. — Mexican Tostones. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Mexican Tostones show up golden, crisp, and ready to scoop up all the dips on the table. Pan-fried to perfection, they add texture and salt that balance out the richness of tacos and enchiladas. Fast to make and faster to disappear, they’re party fuel. These bites are the ones everyone fights over at the snack spread.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Tostones

Cheese Bacon Nachos Chips

Cheese Bacon Nachos Chips are baked, bold, and built to hold every last bit of salsa, queso, or guac on the table. They’re sturdy enough for heavy scooping and flavorful enough to eat straight. Make a double batch—they’ll still disappear. These chips turn any party platter into prime real estate.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Bacon Nachos Chips

Spicy Jalapeño Guacamole

Mexican dip in a dark bowl with avocados and jalapenos. — Spicy Jalapeño Guacamole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Spicy Jalapeño Guacamole takes classic guacamole to the next level with just the right amount of heat. It’s creamy, bold, and built to survive even the longest parties without browning. Serve it with chips, tacos, or straight from the bowl. This guac becomes the center of attention fast and stays there.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Jalapeño Guacamole

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Plate of bacon-wrapped peppers filled with cheese, garnished with parsley, next to a grated cheese block and grater on a wooden board. — Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers turn up the heat with melted cheese and crispy edges, minus the mess of frying. Perfect for passing around or stacking on trays, they disappear faster than you can refill the platter. They bring just enough spice to keep things exciting. These are the poppers people reach for even before they find their drinks.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Enchilada Meatballs

Cheesy mexican meatballs in a skillet. — Enchilada Meatballs. Photo credit: Litlle House Big Alaska.

Enchilada Meatballs combine all the saucy, cheesy flavors of classic enchiladas into hand-held, party-ready bites. Quick to prep and perfect for passing, they’re the MVPs of the snack spread. They hold heat like pros and reheat without fuss. These meatballs turn every plate into a party plate.
Get the Recipe: Enchilada Meatballs

Mango Pico de Gallo

Mango Pico de Gallo strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy that brightens every Cinco de Mayo plate. Spoon it over grilled meats, pile it on tacos, or just scoop it with chips. It’s fast to whip up and impossible to stop eating. This is the topping that makes even simple chips feel special.
Get the Recipe: Mango Pico de Gallo

Easy Ground Beef Nachos

A close-up of a hand holding a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese, meat, beans, and green onions. The chip is pulled from a tray of loaded nachos, with strings of cheese stretching from the tray. — Easy Ground Beef Nachos. Photo credit: My Mocktail Forest.

Easy Ground Beef Nachos hit the table hot, loaded, and ready to feed a crowd without slowing down the fun. Seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and crunchy chips create a fiesta in every bite. They’re fast to build and even faster to clear out. This is the dish that becomes the center of the party without trying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Nachos

Quesabirria Tacos

Quesabirria Tacos bring the big cheese pulls and crispy tortillas that make any Cinco de Mayo party legendary. Dipped, drippy, and loaded with rich beef, they’re everything you want on your plate. Make a big batch and watch them go. These are the tacos that crash Instagram feeds and clean off trays.
Get the Recipe: Quesabirria Tacos

Tex Mex Casserole

Tex-Mex Casserole pulls together beef, beans, cheese, and spices into a baked dish perfect for Cinco de Mayo potlucks. It’s hearty enough for dinner and casual enough to scoop right from the pan. Quick to prep and easy to love, it’s a natural crowd-pleaser. This casserole brings all the fiesta energy in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Tex Mex Casserole