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35 Authentic Mexican Recipes to Serve for Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo (or any taco night) with these delicious Mexican recipes. From classic tacos to vibrant salsas, creamy guacamole, savory mains, and refreshing drinks, this collection has everything to build a memorable fiesta.

Carnitas tacos featured for Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

Why You’ll Love These Cinco De Mayo Recipes

Growing up in Southern California I fell in love with Mexican food early on, and Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse to celebrate with bold flavors. While the holiday commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862 rather than Mexico’s independence, it’s become a joyful way to honor Mexican cuisine and culture here in the U.S. This roundup includes:

  • Classic appetizers—guacamole, salsas, black bean dip and other crowd-pleasers to start the meal.
  • Hearty mains—foolproof meats and seafood like carne asada, carnitas, birria, barbacoa, and flavorful chicken recipes.
  • Drinks for every taste—from ice-cold margaritas to alcohol-free agua frescas and horchata to keep everyone refreshed.

Best Mexican Recipes For Dinner

Sliced carne asada on a wooden board

1

Carne Asada

A tried-and-true carne asada marinade packed with citrus, garlic, and spices gives steak amazing flavor. Perfect for slicing and topping tacos, bowls, or simply serving with rice and beans.

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Carnitas on a plate next to tortillas.

2

Carnitas

Slow-cooked until tender and finished under the broiler for crispy edges, these carnitas are juicy, flavorful, and ideal for tacos or burritos.

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A white bowl of birria.

3

Birria

Rich, spicy, and slow-cooked, birria makes incredible shredded beef for tacos or quesabirria with melty cheese and a bold consommé for dipping.

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4

Barbacoa

Tender, juicy barbacoa works beautifully for tacos, bowls, and salads. It’s full of aromatic spices and slow-cooked flavor.

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Cilantro lime chicken thighs with lime slices.

5

Cilantro Lime Chicken

A bright marinade of cilantro, lime, garlic, and a touch of honey creates juicy, golden chicken that’s fantastic on tacos, salads, or rice bowls.

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Chopped Chipotle chicken recipe.

6

Chipotle Chicken (Best Copycat Recipe)

A smoky, charred, and juicy copycat version of the popular restaurant chicken—perfect chopped into bowls, tacos, or burritos.

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A bowl of taco soup with avocado

7

Taco Soup

A comforting, hearty soup that tastes like a taco in a bowl—easy to make with pantry staples and bold taco seasoning.

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A white bowl of black bean soup

8

Black Bean Soup

A layered, spiced black bean soup finished with cilantro, red onion, and avocado for a satisfying side or starter.

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The Best Taco Recipes

A plate of carne asada tacos next to tortillas and cheese.

9

Carne Asada Tacos

Sliced, seasoned steak topped with guacamole, cilantro, onions, and cotija—simple and classic.

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A plate of carnitas tacos with limes.

10

Carnitas Tacos

Meltingly tender pork with cilantro, chopped red onion, and a squeeze of lime—my favorite taco build.

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A plate of beef birria tacos.

11

Birria Tacos

Quesadilla-style tacos filled with melty cheese and shredded birria, served with a spiced consommé for dipping.

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Two shrimp tacos on a plate with cilantro lime slaw.

12

Shrimp Tacos

Baja-inspired shrimp tacos with cilantro-lime slaw and lime crema—bright and perfect for summer.

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Barbacoa tacos on a plate with cilantro and lime wedges.

13

Barbacoa Tacos

Simple toppings—diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and lime—highlight the tender, flavorful barbacoa.

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Easy Fajita Recipes

Chicken fajitas in a black skillet.

14

Chicken Fajitas

Juicy chicken, seared peppers and onions, and a tangy fajita seasoning make a weeknight favorite that’s quick to prepare.

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A skillet of a shrimp fajitas recipe.

15

Shrimp Fajitas

Quick-cooking shrimp tossed with peppers and onions for an easy, flavorful fajita option.

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A skillet of steak fajitas

16

Steak Fajitas

Grilled flank steak marinated and served with sautéed fajita veggies for a satisfying summer meal.

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Sauteeing fajita veggies in a skillet.

17

Fajita Veggies (Just Like Chipotle)

Sear bell peppers and onions with fajita seasoning for a perfect taco or burrito filling—great as a vegetarian main or side.

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Mexican Sides and Appetizers To Complete Your Meal

Guacamole recipe in a bowl next to tortilla chips.

18

Best Guacamole Recipe

Creamy, chunky, and bright—this guacamole is made with ripe avocados, lime, cilantro, onion, and a pinch of salt for balance.

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A bowl of pico de gallo and chips.

19

Pico de Gallo Recipe (Easy & Authentic)

A fresh, chunky salsa of tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lime—an essential topping for tacos and chips.

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A metal sheet pan with the ultimate nachos

20

Ultimate Nachos Recipe

Loaded nachos with seasoned beef, cheese, avocado, jalapeños, and all your favorite toppings—perfect for sharing.

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A white bowl of ceviche

21

Ceviche

A bright seafood appetizer marinated in citrus with crunchy veggies—refreshing and ideal for summer gatherings.

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Red salsa in a bowl with chips.

22

Restaurant-Style Salsa

A roasted salsa that tastes like your favorite Mexican restaurant—smoky, tangy, and perfect with chips.

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Best salsa verde recipe.

23

Simple Salsa Verde

A tangy roasted tomatillo salsa perfect for enchiladas, pollo, or chilaquiles—versatile and vibrant.

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A bowl of the best black bean dip recipe.

24

Black Bean Dip

A creamy, savory dip that’s great with chips or as a side—full of robust bean flavor and spices.

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Mango salsa recipe.

25

Mango Salsa

Sweet and slightly spicy, mango salsa pairs beautifully with seafood or grilled meats.

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Best chipotle sauce recipe.

26

Creamy Chipotle Sauce

A smoky, creamy sauce made with chipotles in adobo—great for tacos, bowls, and sandwiches.

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Lime crema in a bowl.

27

Lime Crema

A zesty, creamy finish for tacos—tangy and smooth, perfect for dolloping over fillings.

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A plate of elote with cheese and lime

28

Elote Recipe (Authentic Mexican Street Corn)

Grilled corn slathered with mayo, lime, cotija cheese, chili powder, and cilantro—an authentic and crowd-pleasing side.

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Mexican rice in a pan.

29

Best Mexican Rice

Tomato-forward, fluffy Mexican rice that pairs perfectly with beans and grilled meats.

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Cilantro lime rice with fresh limes.

30

Cilantro Lime Rice (Chipotle Copycat)

A lighter, refreshing rice option with bright cilantro and lime—great as a side or in bowls.

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Refreshing Mexican Drinks

Two glasses of margarita with limes.

31

Classic Margarita

A timeless margarita—tequila, fresh lime, and orange liqueur—shaken and served over ice for a perfectly balanced cocktail.

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A glass of mango margarita.

32

Fresh Mango Margarita

Sweet, tropical, and refreshing—this mango margarita is perfect when mangoes are in season.

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Frozen strawberry margarita cocktails.

33

Easy Strawberry Margarita Recipe

A frozen, fruity favorite that’s quick to make in a blender—ideal for parties and warm-weather sipping.

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Horchata in a glass with ice.

34

Easy Horchata Recipe

A creamy, cinnamon-infused rice drink that’s cooling and sweet—perfect for kids and adults alike.

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Several different flavors of agua fresca.

35

Agua Fresca Recipe (Several Flavors!)

Blend seasonal fruit, water, and a touch of sweetener for refreshing agua frescas—watermelon, hibiscus, or cucumber are favorites.

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I hope you, your friends, and your family enjoy these Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo or any time you’re craving bold, fresh flavors. If you try any of the recipes, leave a comment on the original posts—I love hearing how they turn out!

Recipe roundup originally posted April 2020; updated with new recipes.