Since my early 20s, I’ve been the planner and host of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations with friends. As a foodie, I love making, serving, and enjoying the foods that honor Mexican culture. For those unsure about why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in America and the best foods to serve, read on for some history about it and recipe suggestions to plan your own fiesta this year.
What To Know
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States to commemorate the Battle of Puebla that took place on May 5, 1862. On that day in Puebla, a city about 60 miles southwest of Mexico City, Mexican forces defeated French troops who were in Mexico attempting to establish a monarchy and stop U.S. power from growing in North America. Although the French were not driven out of Mexico for another five years, the victory on May 5 became a symbol of resistance. Read more about the history of Cinco de Mayo and how it differs from Mexican Independence Day, which took place almost 50 years prior.
In Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with parades and reenactments of the 1862 battle. And many U.S. cities started celebrating Cinco de Mayo around the 1950s as a way to encourage pride in Mexican heritage and Mexican immigrants.
What To Serve
Today in the U.S., many Cinco de Mayo celebrations feature mariachi bands, dancers in colorful time-honored Mexican clothing, parades, and, of course, lots of traditional Mexican foods and Mexican recipes.
The Mexican-inspired recipes I have served at my own Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the past include all the ones on this list. I love them because they’re fresh, flavorful, crowd-pleasing recipes made with simple ingredients and with lots of veggies, colors, and textures.
Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a lot like many authentic Mexican dishes in that it features a slow-cooked protein (typically pork or beef) that is shredded and saucy. It can be served in many ways, such as stuffed into tacos and burritos or on top of rice bowls or nachos.
Try these versions:
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
Carnitas
Carnitas is similar to barbacoa in cooking method, but instead of having a smoky, rich flavor, it features lighter hints of citrus and herbs. And it often gets a tender-crisp texture by broiling the slow-cooked meat after it’s shredded. I serve it in flour and corn tortillas to make tacos and quesadillas, and it’s also great over salads.
Recipes to try:
Slow Cooker Carnitas
Served with Pickled Red Onions
Fajita Recipes
Another popular main dish to consider for Cinco de Mayo is fajitas. It’s an impressive yet easy recipe where strips of meat and veggies cook quickly just until tender, then are served piping hot inside flour or corn tortillas with a variety of toppings like guacamole and sour cream.
Fajitas recipes to make:
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Mexican flavored Fajita Seasoning
Taco Recipes
No matter the variety, tacos are easy to serve at a party and easy for guests to customize. Whether it’s something trending, like birria tacos (made with chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and dried red chiles) or more traditional beef tacos, fish tacos, or salsa verde shredded chicken, this main dish is always appreciated.
Easy taco recipes:
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Crockpot Birria Tacos
Baked Ground Beef Tacos
Enchilada Recipes
A great way to capture the Mexican flavor of chiles, veggies, beans, and proteins all in one dish is by serving enchiladas. Whether it’s traditional rolled enchiladas, layered enchilada casserole, or easier stovetop versions, the flavors of enchilada sauce infuse every bite with delicious layers of mild spice.
Enchilada recipes to try:
One-Pan Chicken Enchiladas
Skillet Beef Enchiladas
Black Bean Enchiladas
Rice And Beans
No Cinco de Mayo spread would seem complete without some authentic Mexican side dishes. Mexican rice and slow-cooked beans are common additions to plates of tacos and menu features. I make side dishes of beans and rice from scratch a few days in advance, then simply reheat them before serving.
Mexican-inspired side dish recipes:
Homemade Refried Beans
Mexican Black Beans
Cilantro Lime Rice
Mexican Street Corn
Mexican street corn, or elote, dates back to pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, where Aztec and Mayan cultures served maize as a staple food. Thousands of years later, corn is still a staple in Mexico. And Mexican street corn has surged in popularity in the U.S. because of its flavorful toppings, including sliced jalapeños, crumbled cotija cheese, and lime juice.
Elote-inspired recipes to try:
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Grilled Corn Salad
Guacamole And Queso
I always make homemade guacamole and queso for a Cinco de Mayo party because they serve double duty as both appetizers served with tortilla chips and as toppings for tacos, burritos, and other mains. Another traditional topping is crema, made by mixing sour cream with fresh lime juice. It’s a simple topping that adds a lot to dishes.
Popular Mexican appetizers:
Homemade Guacamole
Dairy-Free Queso
Simple Bean Dip
Salsa
Salsa is one of the easiest party foods to make and serve, and everyone seems to appreciate that it’s available, so I never skip it. From pico de gallo to corn-based options, fresh no-cook salsas set the tone for a fiesta by providing fragrant aromas and so much good flavor. I recommend setting out a few of them!
Homemade salsa recipes:
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Tex-Mex Avocado Salsa
Black Bean And Corn Salsa
Margaritas
Believe it or not, margaritas originated in Mexico less than 100 years ago, and long after the Battle of Puebla that inspired Cinco de Mayo celebrations. But they have become a popular beverage to serve as a way to showcase Mexican cuisine. Whether or not they’re made with tequila (try my zero-proof options), they’re fresh and popular at parties. Agua fresca—made by blending fruit with water, fresh lime juice, and agave—is another drink option.
Margarita recipes to make at home:
Classic Margaritas
Blended Strawberry Margaritas
Frozen Pineapple Margaritas
Frequently Asked Questions
Common dishes served at Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. include guacamole, tacos, elote, enchiladas, fresh salsas, queso, and fajitas. For Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Puebla, Mexico, mole poblano is a traditional dish, which is made with poblano peppers and mole sauce created by blending bitter chocolate, pepitas, and spices.
If starting a Cinco de Mayo party early in the day, consider serving breakfast tacos or breakfast burritos made with chorizo.
Some traditional dessert options for Cinco de Mayo are churros (or churro-inspired desserts like bars and cookies), flan Mexicano, and tres leches cake.
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