This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I use and love. Read the full disclosure here
Cinco de Mayo is all about bold flavors, festive colors, and food that makes you want to dance. Whether you’re throwing a backyard fiesta or simply craving something zesty, these 20 dishes bring the celebration straight to your kitchen.
From crispy street-style bites to slow-cooked classics and refreshing sides, each recipe brings something unique to the party. Grab your apron and let the mariachi music play—this menu turns your home into the hottest cantina on the block.
1. Carne Asada Tacos
Juicy, smoky, and straight off the grill. These tacos are pure flavor fireworks.
Recipe: Marinate skirt steak in lime juice, garlic, orange juice, cumin, and chili powder for at least 1 hour. Grill on high for 3–4 minutes per side, then slice thin.
Serve in corn tortillas with chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa. Top with lime juice.
Prep time: 15 minutes + marinating. Cook time: 10 minutes.
2. Chicken Tinga
Spicy, saucy, and packed with punchy flavor. Perfect for tacos, tostadas, or rice bowls.
Recipe: Sauté onions and garlic, then add shredded chicken, chipotle peppers in adobo, tomatoes, and oregano.
Simmer for 20 minutes until thick. Serve over crispy tostadas or rice with crema and avocado.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
3. Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Sweet, smoky, and slathered in goodness. You’ll never want plain corn again.
Recipe: Grill corn cobs until lightly charred. Brush with mayo, sprinkle with cotija cheese, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime.
Top with cilantro and hot sauce. Serve hot on skewers.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes.
4. Pork Carnitas
Crispy edges, juicy inside—pure taco perfection. A slow-cooked classic that’s always worth the wait.
Recipe: Simmer pork shoulder in orange juice, garlic, onion, and spices for 2–3 hours. Shred meat and crisp in a skillet or broil for 5 minutes.
Serve in tacos or burrito bowls. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 3 hours.
5. Shrimp Ceviche
Cool, citrusy, and incredibly refreshing. An ideal starter with tortilla chips or tostadas.
Recipe: Dice shrimp and “cook” in lime juice for 30–45 minutes. Mix with diced tomato, red onion, cucumber, jalapeño, and cilantro.
Chill and serve with avocado slices. Prep time: 20 minutes. Marinate time: 30 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
6. Chiles Rellenos
Melty cheese inside smoky poblano peppers. Crisped and sauced to perfection.
Recipe: Roast and peel poblano peppers. Stuff with cheese, dip in egg batter, and pan-fry until golden.
Serve over warm tomato salsa and garnish with crema. Prep time: 25 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
7. Tostadas de Tinga
Crispy, crunchy, and built to impress. The perfect handheld dish with serious flavor.
Recipe: Top crisp tostadas with warm chicken tinga, shredded lettuce, crema, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with pickled onions or hot sauce.
Serve immediately for max crunch. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
8. Queso Fundido
Hot, gooey cheese meets spicy chorizo. The ultimate party-starting dip.
Recipe: Cook chorizo and set aside. Melt Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese in a skillet.
Stir in chorizo and serve hot with warm tortillas or chips. Optional: add roasted poblanos or mushrooms.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
9. Sopes with Refried Beans
Thick, chewy, and layered with flavor. Taco meets mini tart—so fun to top!
Recipe: Form small rounds from masa harina dough. Pan-fry until golden and press the edges to form a rim.
Top with refried beans, meat or veggies, crema, lettuce, and salsa. Serve warm.
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes.
10. Guacamole with Grilled Pineapple
Creamy meets smoky-sweet. A twist on a classic that’ll wow your guests.
Recipe: Grill pineapple slices and dice them. Mash ripe avocados with lime, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, and pineapple chunks.
Chill and serve with chips. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 5 minutes (for pineapple).
11. Mole Chicken Enchiladas
Rich, deep, and full of chocolatey spice. This dish is a labor of love—and totally worth it.
Recipe: Blend rehydrated chiles with tomatoes, garlic, almonds, chocolate, and spices into a thick mole sauce. Fill corn tortillas with shredded chicken, roll, and place in a baking dish.
Cover with mole and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Top with sesame seeds and crema.
Prep time: 30 minutes. Cook time: 25 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
12. Chorizo and Potato Tacos
Savory, spicy, and totally satisfying. These tacos are bold in every bite.
Recipe: Sauté diced potatoes until crispy. Add chorizo and cook until browned.
Serve in warm tortillas with onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Top with hot sauce.
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
13. Agua Fresca Trio
Bright, fruity, and super sippable. These drinks are refreshing enough to steal the spotlight.
Recipe: Blend watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber with water and lime juice separately. Sweeten each to taste and strain if desired.
Serve chilled over ice with fresh herbs like mint or basil. Prep time: 15 minutes. Chill time: optional.
14. Taco-Spiced Stuffed Peppers
Low-carb, high-flavor. All the taco vibes without the tortilla.
Recipe: Halve bell peppers and roast at 375°F for 10 minutes. Fill with cooked taco-seasoned beef or turkey, black beans, corn, and cheese.
Bake 15 more minutes. Top with sour cream and avocado.
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 25 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
15. Mexican Caesar Salad
Crunchy, creamy, and peppery. This isn’t your average side salad.
Recipe: Toss romaine with a dressing made of lime juice, anchovy, garlic, cotija, mayo, and chili powder. Add roasted pepitas and tortilla strips.
Finish with extra cotija and cilantro. Serve chilled.
Prep time: 15 minutes. No cooking needed.
16. Pozole Rojo
Hearty, spicy, and made to feed a crowd. A soul-warming soup for every celebration.
Recipe: Simmer pork shoulder with onion and garlic until tender. Blend rehydrated guajillo chiles with broth, strain, and add to pot with hominy.
Simmer 30 more minutes. Top with cabbage, radish, lime, and oregano.
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 2.5 hours.
17. Tamale Pie
Cornbread on top, party underneath. It’s tamales—minus the wrapping.
Recipe: Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, corn, and beans. Pour into baking dish, top with cornbread batter and shredded cheese.
Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes until golden. Serve with sour cream.
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
18. Grilled Fish Tacos with Slaw
Fresh, flaky, and beach-vibe perfect. Light but packed with zing.
Recipe: Marinate white fish with lime, chili, and cumin. Grill 3–4 minutes per side.
Serve in tortillas with cabbage slaw, crema, and mango salsa. Garnish with lime wedges.
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes.
19. Tres Leches Cake
Soft, spongy, and drenched in deliciousness. This dessert is the definition of indulgent.
Recipe: Bake sponge cake and poke holes all over. Pour over a mix of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and cream.
Chill overnight. Top with whipped cream and berries.
Prep time: 25 minutes. Chill time: 6–8 hours.
20. Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins
Sweet, spicy, and totally snackable. Perfect as a side—or a midnight bite.
Recipe: Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, milk, egg, corn kernels, and chopped jalapeños. Scoop into muffin tins and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Serve warm with honey butter. Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
More from Bullock’s Buzz
- Microplastics Can Increase Dementia Risk. These 18 Foods May Have Microplastics in Them
- The Top 21 Best Bourbons Out There
- 21 Diabetes-Friendly Foods You Should Be Eating Every Day
- 21 Foods That Can Spike Blood Pressure—And What to Eat Instead
- 22 Liquors You Should Avoid at All Costs
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.