Our Favorite Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Blender Salsa

I always include a classic red salsa on my Cinco de Mayo menu, and this one is ridiculously easy. The blender does the work, and you get that fresh, restaurant-style flavor in minutes. It's perfect for chips, but I also love it spooned over tacos and rice bowls.

Guacamole

No Cinco de Mayo spread in my kitchen is complete without guacamole. This one is chunky, bright, and perfectly seasoned. It's a must for chips, but I also pile it onto Instant Pot Barbacoa, shredded chicken tacos, and sweet potato tacos for a creamy finish.

Homemade Salsa Verde

Salsa verde is my secret weapon for making my Cinco de Mayo spread feel next-level. It's tangy, vibrant, and adds instant punch to chicken, pork, or veggie tacos. I'll often make it ahead so it's ready and waiting.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This Black Bean and Corn Salsa is one of those recipes that earns a permanent spot on the Cinco de Mayo table. It's fresh, colorful, and works as both a side and a topping, which means it's doing double duty all night long.

Pineapple Mango Salsa

If you want one salsa that makes people stop mid-bite and ask what's in it, this is the one. With sweet fruit, tangy lime and a little heat, this is such a fun twist on the usual. Perfect on fish tacos, shrimp tacos, or scooped up with corn chips.

Refried Bean Taco Dip

Taco dip is one of those things that disappears before the party even really starts. It is creamy, cheesy, and finished with a fresh topping makes it standout as a keeper.

Taco Meat

Classic taco meat offers maximum flexibility with minimal effort. It's perfect for anyone who may want tacos one minute a rice bowl the next. It's a smart, safe base that pulls the whole Cinco de Mayo spread together.

Crockpot Carnitas

These carnitas are a party dream because the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting and the flavor is spot on. You can throw the meat under the broiler to crisp, but when entertaining a large crowd, I like to keep the meat warm in the crockpot and let everyone dish out as desired. My Instant Pot carnitas recipe is just as good (and easy!)

Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef

If you a dish with wow factor that requires very little effort from you, this barbacoa is it. The beef turns fall-apart tender with bold, smoky flavor that's perfect tucked into warm tortillas or served over rice. Bonus: it holds warm for hours. Perfect for guests that like to graze.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is the ultimate hands-off Cinco de Mayo main. Dump, cook, and come back to tender, saucy chicken that's ready to pile into tacos. Serve it with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings, and it'll be the first thing to disappear from the table.

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

When I need Cinco de Mayo to be easy, this is the taco filling I make. It's truly dump-and-cook, and it turns out juicy and flavorful every single time, even when starting with frozen chicken. And most importantly, it is always a crowd pleaser!

Sofritas

Sofritas is my go-to pick for anyone at the table who's skipping the meat. It's bold, satisfying, and honestly holds its own against any of the other options. It works well for tacos, salads, burritos, nachos and more.

Shrimp Tacos

When I want Cinco de Mayo to feel special, but am rushing in the door at 5 PM, these shrimp tacos are my go-to. They're ready in about 15 minutes and taste fresh, bright, and a little fancy. I especially love these with corn salsa or pineapple mango salsa for a sweet-spicy contrast.

Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas

This one is anything but ordinary. A sweet and tangy honey lime marinade takes the place of traditional seasonings, and grilled corn swaps in for the usual peppers and onions. It brings a bright, slightly spicy twist to your Cinco de Mayo party that guests absolutely rave about.

Veggie Fajitas

The portabello mushrooms makes this feel hearty enough for a vegetarian entree, but expect these veggies to be loaded onto even the carnivores' plates. They are a topping everyone will want on their tacos and burrito bowls.

Chicken al Pastor

This Chicken Al Pastor delivers all that sweet, smoky, slightly charred goodness of classic Al Pastor flavor with a sheet pan and minimal effort. Just be warned, everyone will ask you for this recipe.

Mexican Lasagna

If you are looking for a hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole, you have have to try this Mexican Lasagna. It has all the bold, layered flavors you love in a format that feeds a group without any fuss. Put out toppings of your choice and your spread is complete.

Salsa Verde Enchiladas

These Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas are the kind of dish that are perfect if you are looking to serve one entree. The salsa verde does all the heavy lifting on flavor, and with chicken already in the mix, it's a satisfying main that feeds a crowd without a lot of fuss. Paired with chips and a few salsas and your spread feels complete.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Tender chicken, caramelized peppers and onions, all tossed together with fajita seasoning and bright lime juice on one sheet pan for the easiest prep! I love throwing this in the oven and prepping the toppings while it bakes, and in about 20 minutes, I am ready to serve my guests.

Stacked Beef Enchiladas

This Beef Enchilada Casserole delivers big, bold flavor in a stacked casserole that feeds a crowd. Pair with your favorite toppings, chips and salsa on the side, and maybe a Pina Colada smoothie and you have quite the Cinco de Mayo feast.

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup has got all the bold, familiar flavors of Cinco de Mayo in a bowl, and it's a great way to feed a crowd without adding much work to your day. Set out some toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla strips, and people will be ladling themselves seconds before the tacos are even gone. Equally delicious, is my Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is one of those sides that quietly steals the show. It's bright, fresh, and the perfect base for taco bowls or a scoop alongside everything else on the table. The Instant Pot makes it completely hands-off, which is exactly what I need when I'm juggling multiple dishes on a busy Cinco de Mayo spread.

Instant Pot Refried Beans

Refried beans are a must for a taco party menu, and homemade makes such a difference -- and the Instant Pot keeps it easy! No soaking required, just dump, cook, and then blend until creamy and smooth. Serve them as a side, spread them on tortillas, or use them as the base for dips and nachos.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

This is the creamy, tangy, slightly smoky side that disappears faster than anything else on the table. I love that it can be served as a salad, a dip, or even a taco topping. If you only add one extra side to the menu, make it this one.

Instant Pot Spanish Rice

The name is a bit misleading…but this boldly seasoned rice is similar to what you get at a local Mexican restaurant. It is perfect for as a side or making burrito bowls with barbacoa, carnitas, or chicken.

Mexican Quinoa Salad

With protein-rich quinoa, hearty beans and a tangy, smoky dressing that pulls it all together, this grain salad works just as well as an unexpected side as it does for a filling vegetarian entree.