Cinco de Mayo is here, and it’s time to plan your festive meal. In the U.S., it can sometimes feel like Cinco de Mayo is all about the margaritas—and I do always love a frosty marg!—but there are so many other delicious flavors and dishes to make on Cinco de Mayo to celebrate Mexican food and culture.
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of Mexico’s victory over France in 1862 and is usually commemorated mostly with ceremonial parades and battle reenactments. In the U.S., it’s come to be a celebration of Mexican-American culture that usually involves gathering friends at a local Mexican restaurant. If you’re like me and also love to cook, it’s a fun time to try some traditional Mexican recipes and Mexican-inspired fare in your own kitchen.
This menu features everything from homemade salsa and margaritas to elotes and tres leches cake. We’ve got homemade chicken enchiladas for our main dish (with some taco suggestions if that’s more your thing!) that are so good and easy, you might even add them to your weekly dinner rotation. For the most delicious Cinco de Mayo meal, stop by your local Mexican grocery market to pick up fresh and authentic ingredients!
Restaurant-Style Salsa
Sure, you could just buy the jarred stuff, but it wouldn't quite taste as good. Fresh lime juice and herbs make all the difference, flavor-wise. Just combine everything in a blender and you’ll have homemade salsa in just a few minutes. Pair it with some chips warmed in the oven and a cold margarita for a great start to your Cinco de Mayo celebrations. If you’re looking for something in addition to a classic salsa, try this Roasted Tomatillo and Poblano Salsa.
Get the recipe for Restaurant-Style Salsa.
Locomotive Margarita
If you’re looking for a new and fun margarita to make this Cinco de Mayo (we’ll never say no to a classic marg!), give this easy sipper a try. Perfect for warmer weather, this margarita is a delightful burst of flavors, including jalapeño and fresh pineapple. With fresh lime juice, a splash of simple syrup, and tequila, this marg is one you’ll enjoy all spring long and throughout the summer as well. This Blood Orange Margarita is also one we love for Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Get the recipe for Locomotive Margarita.
Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas
Following the chips and margs, our main Cinco de Mayo dish is a batch of warm and cheesy chicken enchiladas. (If you’re looking for some taco recipes to make this Cinco de Mayo, might I suggest Carrot-and-Black Bean Crispy Tacos or Steak Tacos With Blackberry Salsa.) What’s great about this recipe is that it includes a homemade enchilada sauce, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand. You can also make things easier by using a rotisserie chicken, which also makes this recipe a great option for any weeknight of the year.
Get the recipe for Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas.
The Casa Wedge Salad
We love a good wedge salad for dinner, and this Tex-Mex inspired version isn't just good, it's great! Mexican Cotija cheese is the perfect option for Cinco de Mayo, and the creamy avocado dressing just can't be beat. A wedge salad makes this a super easy side dish that comes together quickly. This Green Salad with Pepitas and Queso Fresco is another great side dish option for Cinco de Mayo.
Get the recipe for The Casa Wedge Salad.
Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
Elotes, a general Central American term for corn, is also the word we use for Mexican-style street corn—a highly flavorful grilled corn that's been covered in mayo, sour cream, spices, lime juice, and cheese. If you’ve had elotes from a local restaurant or Mexican market and want to try your hand at making them yourself, I really can’t recommend them enough. If you’re able to find fresh corn at your grocery store, give these a try for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Get the recipe for Elotes (Mexican Street Corn).
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
To round out this Cinco de Mayo menu, we had to go with a rich and delicious tres leches cake. (You could also whip up this Margarita Cheesecake!) Tres leches cake is usually a soft sponge cake that is covered with a mixture of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk (or heavy cream) while the cake is still warm. This mixture soaks into the cake, making it a decadent treat and the perfect way to end your Cinco de Mayo festivities.
