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If you’re looking for easy Cinco de Mayo recipes for your gathering, this list that I’ve put together has you covered. These recipes use simple ingredients and bold flavors, and they’re meals you can actually make without much fuss.

collage for cinco de mayo recipes.
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Is Cinco De Mayo a fun celebration for you, but you often worry over what you will be making? I usually keep things pretty simple for Cinco de Mayo, and I think you can totally do the same. I don’t make anything that’s too complicated (sometimes I am just lazy), just a few recipes that I know everyone will eat without complaints.

Tips From My Kitchen

  • Prep whatever you plan to make ahead of time. Wash and chop the veggies ahead, make whatever sauces you will be using, and store them in the fridge the day before, so you save a lot of time the day of.
  • Try to keep it simple and less complicated. You don’t need a huge spread, just a few main recipes that pair well together.
  • Use fresh toppings like cilantro, lime, avocado, and salsa to make everything taste better.

I’ve put together the list below based on what you may be interested in. Whether you are looking for tacos, bowls, salsas & Dips, or Classics. There is something for everyone.

Cinco De Mayo Tacos

Here are some of my favorite taco recipes that I make all year round, but really shine during occasions like Cinco de Mayo.

Chicken street tacos fully assembled with diced chicken, salsa, and guacamole, served on a white plate.
5 from 1 vote

Chicken Street Tacos

These juicy chicken street tacos are bursting with flavor thanks to a zesty, citrusy marinade that takes just minutes to mix up.
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top view round white plate with two chicken birria tacos
5 from 1 vote

Chicken Birria Tacos

Incredible Chicken Birria Tacos are a filling, flavorful dinner the whole family will love. The chicken is perfectly seasoned, seared, and then baked in a tasty sauce.
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top view of Salmon Tacos With Corn Salsa side by side on a plate
5 from 2 votes

Salmon Tacos With Corn Salsa

This simple Salmon Fish Tacos recipe features deliciously spiced salmon fillets, grilled to perfection, served with an amazing corn salsa that’s bold and flavorful.
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top view cauliflower tacos with sauce on the side
5 from 1 vote

Cauliflower Tacos

These Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower tacos are vegetarian-friendly, easy to make, and served with a delicious homemade coleslaw salad.
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Cinco De Mayo Bowls

If you want something simple but still flavorful, these bowls are a great option. You can mix and match ingredients and build them just how you like.

top view of a burrito bowl with sliced grilled chicken, rice, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and half avocado in the middle
5 from 35 votes

Chicken Burrito Bowl

This Easy Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe is loaded with juicy grilled chicken, corn, beans, and other fun toppings.
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carne asada burrito bowl recipe
5 from 1 vote

Carne Asada Steak Bowls

These Carne asada Steak Bowls are hearty, filling, and the best way to enjoy steaks. The perfect weeknight dinner recipe made with the perfect combination of fresh flavors and juicy steak slices.
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top view shrimp burrito with avocado, cauliflower rice, tomatoes, and corn
4.70 from 10 votes

Shrimp Burrito Bowl

This shrimp burrito bowl is fresh, filling, and packed with flavor. Juicy, seasoned shrimp served over black bean cauliflower rice with all your favorite toppings.
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close up view of burrito bowl with ground beef, rice, beans, and corn
5 from 5 votes

Beef Burrito Bowl

This Easy Beef Burrito Meal Prep bowl recipe is made with lean ground beef, brown rice, sweet corn, and black beans, and then topped with a delicious Avocado Cream sauce.
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Cinco De Mayo Favorites

You can’t go wrong with the classics. These are the go-to recipes that always show up and always get eaten first.

a spoon in a baking dish with chicken fajita, topped with sliced avocado.
5 from 2 votes

Chicken Fajita Casserole

This Chicken Fajita Casserole is an easy, hands-off meal that’s full of flavor and made in one dish!
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top view enchilada roll ups with zucchini and topped with melted cheddar cheese
5 from 3 votes

Healthy Chicken Enchiladas

You’ll love these healthy chicken enchiladas because they’re super easy to make and taste amazing.
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side shot of chicken quesadilla stacks next to each other
5 from 1 vote

Easy Chicken Quesadilla

This easy-to-make chicken quesadilla is to die for. It is so delicious and comforting you would want to have more than one.
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front view of shrimp quesadillas with parsley and lime wedges
5 from 1 vote

Mexican Shrimp Quesadilla

This easy Mexican shrimp quesadilla recipe is filled with savory and healthy ingredients!
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Salsas and Dips

These salsas and dips add that extra layer of flavor that takes everything up a notch. Simple, fresh, and easy to serve.

a round bowl with pico de galo salsa and tortilla chips around it.
5 from 1 vote

Pico De Gallo

This recipe for Copycat Chipotle Pico de Gallo is fresh, simple, and light with a hint of spice. Packed with juicy tomatoes, sweet red onion, and fragrant jalapeño, it’s easy to make and ready in 10 minutes.
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a greed round bowl with mango salad and a few tortilla chips.
5 from 1 vote

Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa is one of my favorite salsas to serve as an appetizer with some tortilla chips, or over grilled chicken, and in tacos.
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top view of queso dip made with cottage cheese in a bowl topped with pico de galo and surrounded by tortilla chips
5 from 2 votes

Cottage Cheese Queso Dip

Deliciously creamy Cottage Cheese Queso dip tastes like something that would be served at your favorite Mexican restaurant, but is made with high-protein cottage cheese.
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top view of taco dip in a dish with tortilla chips on the side
5 from 2 votes

Easy Taco Dip

This easy Taco Dip recipe is packed full of mouthwatering Mexican flavors! It’s made with a blend of cream cheese, yogurt, feta, tomatoes, red onion, black olives, jalapeños, taco seasoning, and shredded cheese.
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Common Questions

What should I serve for a small group?

If I am having a small group over, I like to stick to 2 to 3 main dishes and a couple of sides. You don’t need a big menu to make it perfect.

What are traditional Cinco de Mayo foods?

Some popular dishes for Cinco De Mayo include tacos, enchiladas, guacamole, rice, beans, and fresh salsas. Simple, flavorful meals are usually the focus.

Can I make these recipes ahead of time?

Yes. Many sides, like salsa, dips, and slaws, can be made a day in advance. Proteins can be prepped early and reheated.

collage for cinco de mayo recipes.

More Recipe Roundups

Thank you so much for being here and for cooking along with me. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and rating below.

About Rena Awada

Hi, I’m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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