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Cinco de Mayo Recipes

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Time to get the Cinco de Mayo menu ready. Make the best ground beef taco meat and use it for world-class tacos or nachos. Or makes some excellent enchiladas, fajitas, or carnitas. Add some homemade guacamole, Mexican rice, or Pineapple Mango Salsa. Choose what you like from my top 15 recipe picks for this year.

Graphic for Cinco de Mayo—Image copyright depositphotos and lukeruk—licensed 2022
Image copyright Depositphotos and lukeruk—licensed 2022.

Table of Contents

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Introduction

Cinco de Mayo is coming in a few days, and I admit, it is one of my favorite food holidays. I love turkey, filet, and lasagna but well-done tacos and fajitas are near the top of my list.

We all deserve some great Mexican food. Here are 15 of my favorite recipes, all with easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions.

Cinco de Mayo is a food holiday, if you didn't know. The food screams with incredible flavor and everyday life—all for only a little work and cost. Plus, unlike Thanksgiving, no need to spend all day cooking.

Cinco de Mayo was a victory in battle over the French and is not the Mexican Independence Day which is September 16th. I'm sure our French friends will join us on the food side of the celebration and wish our Mexican neighbors a happy holiday.

This year I'm picking my personal favorites, not by page views, not by comments. Just what I would cook for us.

🇲🇽The Best Mexican Recipes

You can call me pedestrian, but these are my personal favorites. I make a 2-3 pound batch of taco meat at least once per month. Rarely do we freeze any. It is all consumed by two of us in 3-4 days. I included four more of my favorite recipes.

large plate of nachos
The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat in 25 Minutes
Great Mexican for all—taco Tuesday will never be the same. Once you have the best taco meat, make the best tacos or excellent nachos, or use it in many other ways.
Check Out This Recipe
taco meat on nachos
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
This easy sour cream chicken enchiladas recipe is packed with chicken and melted cheese and features creamy white enchilada sauce. An easy casserole will become a favorite quick dinner recipe at your home.
Check Out This Recipe
bite of enchilada over a white plate with an enchilada.
Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole in 60 Minutes
Easy chicken enchilada casserole features homemade enchilada sauce, fresh chicken, plus it is done in 60 minutes. That equals a great Mexican recipe for a healthy dinner "from scratch.” No pre-cooked chicken or canned enchilada sauce is needed.
Check Out This Recipe
image of Chicken Enchilada Casserole on a plate
Pineapple Mango Salsa
Sweet and spicy fresh pineapple mango salsa is the perfect change of pace to everybody's favorite side dish. An easy-to-make fresh fruit salsa will go with fish, chicken, tacos, or used as a dip.
Check Out This Recipe
pineapple mango salsa on a corn chip
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - Quick & Easy
Flavorful and easy sheet pan chicken fajitas make a simple, perfect weeknight dinner but great for a casual company meal. Just some chopping, seasoning and baking—so wonderful.
Check Out This Recipe
Chicken Fajitas on blue plate
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♨️Crock Pot Mexican

Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
The easiest Chicken Enchilada Casserole you will ever make. Full of tender chicken, homemade sauce, and lots of cheese. No rolling enchiladas or standing at the stove. Let your crock pot do the work for some great healthy Mexican tonight.
Check Out This Recipe
chicken enchilada casserole on blue plate
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
With only three ingredients, a crock pot, and 5 minutes of prep, you can make delicious shredded chicken tacos or nachos. So simple, cheap, and healthy, you will repeat this recipe over and over.
Check Out This Recipe
Chichen taco meat on a chip
Salsa Verde Chicken Chili
Making this great change of pace chili is easy in a crock pot or on the stovetop. With just a few pantry ingredients and precooked chicken, everybody will be impressed with the results.
Check Out This Recipe
spoonful of Salsa Verde Chicken Chili over a white bowl
Crock Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
Homemade great shredded beef tacos, nachos or burritos with almost no work. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
shredded beef nacho
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Easy Chicken Fajitas
These easy chicken fajitas with moist and tender chicken and sauteed vegetables make a great weeknight dinner in about 30 minutes. Cook your favorite Mexican at home today.
Check Out This Recipe
Close up image of a chicken fajita on a white plate
Easy Oven Carnitas
Pork carnitas are simple. Cut up the pork butt, add a few spices, and a lime. Pop them into the oven for a slow roast—no big fuss or mess. Have one of your favorites at home today.
Check Out This Recipe
image of a carnitas on a orange plate
Chicken Carnitas AKA Carnitas de Pollo
Do a much healthier version of carnitas. This low-fat chicken version is packed with flavor and spicy goodness. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
chicken carnitas on white plate
Easy Beef Fajitas
Great beef fajitas start with a great marinade. Add strips of sirloin steak, onion, and bell peppers then cook to perfection until they are melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy. Finally, serve it all sizzling hot with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Check Out This Recipe
Beef Fajitas on tortilla and white plate B
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🥣Mexican Sided Dishes

Simple Homemade Guacamole
Nothing is better than this simple homemade guacamole. An authentic recipe using only fresh ingredients and ready in about 10 minutes.  Everybody will love it for a party but easy enough for everyday meals.
Check Out This Recipe
Guacamole on a chip over a bowl
Easy Mexican Rice
Mexican rice is the perfect side dish to complete your homemade Mexican dinner. So easy and quick to make, you will never buy a package again. Taco Tuesday just got so much better.
Check Out This Recipe
Mexican rice on a fork

There you have my personal favorites. All are easy with great taste.

For a complete listing of all our Mexican offerings, please visit our Mexican Recipe Category.

Let's all join together in wishing our neighbor to the south Happy Cinco de Mayo (AKA Victory Over the French) Day. I'm sure the French would agree, at least on the food side.

DrDan

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Editor's Note: Originally published April 29, 2017. This roundup post is a "recurring" post meaning it is updated and reused yearly for a special occasion so that some comments may be older.

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  1. Joy

    They all sound yummy! We may need to celebrate more than one day so we can try them all. 😊

    Reply