Carlsbad Cravings

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

The BEST Cinco de Mayo Recipes from appetizers to side dishes to main dishes to desserts all in one place!

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and even though we’re all on lockdown, it doesn’t mean we cant fiesta-in-place! Growing up in San Diego, California, I’ve always loved Mexican food and love creating restaurant-worthy Mexican recipes at home. Cinco de Mayo is a fabulous excuse to round up the best of the best Mexican recipes and take a trip down memory lane.

It was hard narrowing down the best Cinco de Mayo Recipes from my very first post of Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Taquitos (one of the ugly ones but DELISH) when I was still working full time in corporate America, to my Fire Roasted Restaurant Blender Salsa (5 Minutes), the first recipe I shot with a new lens and nearly every photo was blurry because I didn’t know what I was doing!, to my Honey Lime Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls I made for Christmas dinner five years ago –  every recipe lives in my heart and longs to get in my belly once more.  

I am proud of all these Cinco de Mayo Recipes (even if not the photos), or in other words, I think they are DELICIOUS and worthy of your time and your heart. I hope you have fun trying some of these new Cinco de Mayo Recipes this year and continue trying them all year long! xoxoxo To see ALL of my Cinco de Mayo recipes at a glance, click here.

Cinco de Mayo Appetizers

Cinco de Mayo Recipes begin with appetizers! You can go as easy and fresh as 5 Minute Restaurant Salsa or as indulgent Carne Asada Fries:

Restaurant Salsa (5 Minutes)



 

Corn Salsa

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Sweet and smoky Grilled Pineapple salsa with not only grilled pineapple but GRILLED red bell peppers, red onions AND jalapeno! sweet and smoky and possibly the best salsa E-V-E-R alone, with chips, tacos or on fish/chicken. #pineapple #salsa #pineapplesalsa #grill

Mango Salsa

two servings spoons scooping up fresh mango salsa

Loaded Carne Asada French Fries

Forget the nachos, these Loaded Carne Asada Fries are so addictingly delicous! baked Mexican spiced French fries smothered in cheese and piled high with tender juicy steak, salsa, avocado crema, etc.

Queso Blanco

Southwest Egg Rolls

CRISPY Southwest Egg Rolls loaded with Mexican spiced chicken, beans, tomatoes, rice, avocado and cheese! These eggrolls are unreal! So much flavor and texture! And don't skip the Cilantro Lime Ranch Dip - its heaven!

Mexican Spinach Dip

This warm, creamy, cheesy Mexican Spinach Dip is easy, make ahead, bursting with fiestalicious spices and quite possibly the BEST Spinach Dip ever AKA your new back pocket crowd pleasing appetizer for every occasion!

Queso Fundido

up close of a tortilla chip dipping into Queso Fundido with gooey melty cheese

Cinco de Mayo Main Dish Recipes

Cinco de Mayo Recipes are all about the main dish event! I have SO many Mexican entrees, you’ll have to check my recipe index to see them all (because I love them ALL), but here are some of the most popular divided between slow cooker, tacos, enchiladas and favorites:

Slow Cooker Recipes

 Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken

Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken simmered with Mexican spices, salsa and green chilies for the BEST Mexican chicken perfect for tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads, etc. Couldn’t be any easier!

Slow Cooker Honey Lime Salsa Verde Chicken

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken (and Tacos!) - the flavor of this chicken is out of this world! the best "dump and run" meal I have ever made! Love the sweet, tangy spicy Mexican chicken for tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads, etc. Couldn’t be any easier!

Slow Cooker Carnitas

these are the BEST Pork Carnitas (Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork) I have ever tried! Super juicy, easy and so much more flavorful than other versions I've tried and the crispy burnt ends are the best! Great for large crowds and for tacos, burritos, or nachos!

Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Chipotle Sweet and Spicy Pork

up close of Best Cafe Rio Sweet Pork in a white bowl with gold tongs picking up pork
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Chicken
Slow cooker Fajita Chicken Recipe | Carlsbad Cravings

Taco Recipes

Carne Asada Street Tacos

showing how to assemble carne asada street taco recipe

Baja Fish Tacos

these Crispy fried Baja Fish Tacos are BETTER than any restaurant!!! I can't even believe how good these are and super easy with a one step batter. And don't skip the white sauce - its heavenly!

Tacos Al Pastor

up close of Tacos Al Pastor with chopped al pastor, pineapple, pico de gallo and guacamole

Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Chili-Lime-Chicken-Tacos-with-Grilled-Pineapple-Salsa---main2

Pork Tacos with Corn Salsa

Ground Beef Tacos

Turkey Tacos

up close top view of a row of easy turkey taco with ground turkey, taco seasoning, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes and avocados

Blackened Fish Tacos with Pineapple Slaw

Mind blowing Blackened Fish Tacos with a quick marinade and the most flavorful spice rub! These are hands down the BEST FISH TACOS ever! And the sweet and tangy Pineapple Cucumber Slaw and Avocado Crema hit this one out of the park! seriously better than my favorite restaurant!

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa and Avocado lined in a row on a brown cutting board

Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos with BLT Slaw

These are ADDICTINGLY DELICIOUS!  Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos stuffed with wonderfully juicy, flavor packed Honey Chipotle Bacon Chicken (yes BACON chicken!), piled with crispy BLT Slaw and creamified with Cilantro Lime Crema!  

Teriyaki Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa

Teriyaki Chicken Tacos smothered with the BEST easy teriyaki sauce and piled with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa will be your new favorite taco! Company worthy but everyday easy!

Buffalo Chicken Tacos with Blue Cheese Cilantro Ranch

Buffalo Chicken Tacos are bursting with flavor from the incredible chicken and the Blue Cheese Cilantro Ranch is to die for! Always a crowd pleaser!

Enchilada Recipes

Salsa Verde Honey Lime Pepper Jack Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas with BEST Enchilada Sauce

Ground Beef Enchiladas with the BEST Enchilada Sauce

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

These are the BEST Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas I have ever had!!!  They are easy to make, satisfyingly rich, cheesy, creamy and saucy - no dry chicken enchiladas here! And the homemade green chile sour cream white sauce is out of this world!

Enchiladas Verdes

top view of half eaten enchiladas verdes suzias with a spatula

Burrito Recipes

Baked Smothered Chicken Burritos

Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos AKA "skinny chimichangas" are better than any restaurant without all the calories! made super easy by stuffing with the BEST slow cooker Mexican chicken and then baked to golden perfection and smothered in most incredible cheesy green chili sour cream sauce.

Beef, Bean and Cheese Burritos

Quick, easy, comforting, inexpensive Beef and Bean Burritos stuffed with the BEST FILLING you will be eating with a spoon! #cincodemayo #30minutemeals

Wet Burritos (Customizable!)

front view of wet burrito cut open with Mexican Chicken, rice, black beans on a black plate garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream

California Burritos

Fajita Recipes

BEST Chicken Fajitas

easy Skillet Chicken Fajitas - these are the BEST chicken fajitas! the marinade is seriously the best I've ever tried - better than any restaurant! My family LOVES these this filling so much we also use it for filling in burritos, enchiladas and salads!

Steak Fajitas

The absolute BEST tender, juicy Steak Fajitas - even more flavorful than any restaurant! The secret is the rich marinade AND a spice rub - holy yum! you will never make another fajita recipe again!

Shrimp Fajitas

Sheet Pan Shrimp baked in oven with pineapple

Pork Fajitas

up close of top view of pork fajitas in a skillet with salsa verde pork, bell peppers, onions, limes, cilantro and tortillas

Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Butter

Sheet Pan Fajita Salmon with Cilantro Lime Butter - this salmon is the best I've ever tried! SO flavorful and juicy and the Cilantro Lime Butter is incredible! I serve this with rice and beans for a complete easy, delicious meal!

Salad and Bowls Recipes

Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad

I couldn't stop eating this Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco Salad!  Its bursting with tender, juicy chicken and the sweet & tangy Creamy Baja Catalina Dressing is out of this world delicious!  This combo is pure heaven!

Beef Taco Salad

BBQ Chipotle Chicken Salad with Tomatillo Avocado Ranch

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls

Chipotle Lime Shrimp Burrito Bowls

top view of Burrito Bowl with shrimp, tomatoes, avocados, corn, black beans and rice drizzled with cilantro lime dressing

Honey Lime Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls

Beef Barbacoa Taco Bowls with Hash Browns

These Barbacoa Beef Taco Bowls are SO addicting!   They are an explosion of flavor and texture in every juicy, crispy bite and make a fabulous prep ahead dinner or Game Day taco bowl bar favorite! 

Soup Recipes

One Pot Pepper Jack Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

How to freeze Chicken tortilla soup by letting to cool to before freezing

Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Soup

a bowl of slow cooker chicken tortilla soup garnished with sour cream, avocados, cilantro and tortilla strips

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Cheesy Taco Soup

Less than 30 minutes for this ONE POT Cheesy Taco Soup! This is the ultimate comforting soup packed with all your favorite taco flavors and is SO easy and great for crowds! You haven’t had taco soup until you try this version!

Caldo de Pollo

a bowl of authentic Caldo de pollo (Mexican Chicken Soup) toppd with avocadoes, cilantro and limes

Mexican Chicken Chowder

30 Minute LIGHTENED UP Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder is one of my family's favorite soups ever! Its cheesy, creamy (without any heavy cream!), comforting and the layers of flavors are out of this world!

Albondigas Soup

Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili

This is the best Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken Chili I have ever had! Its soooo creamy without heavy cream, so easy, and the layers of flavors are out of this world!

Favorite Misc. Entree Recipes

Mexican Lasagna

Best Carne Asada
Best grilled Carne Asada marinated and spice rubbed for the most juicy, tender, flavorful Carne Asada EVER! Restaurant quality!
Brazilian Steak Kabobs
Brazilian Steak Kabobs with Potatoes, Onions and Peppers- Oh my goodness, these were just as good as any Brazilian Steakhouse! So crazy juicy, exploding with flavor and super easy!

Jalapeno Popper Beef Taquitos

Crispy Jalapeno Popper Beef Taquitos bursting with irresistible creamy, cheesy spicy beef filling (customizable) all cocooned in crispy tortillas and done in less than 30 mintues! These are my husband's favorite ever appetizer and I couldn't stop eating them! Perfect game day any party appetizer!

Picadillo

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chipotle Chicken

Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Lighter Cheesy Taco Pasta

LIGHTER Cheesy Taco Pasta is my husband's absolute favorite pasta! Juicy beef, beans, pasta etc., smothered in an incredible Mexican spiced sauce is out of this world delicious! Your whole family will LOVE this and its super easy!

Cinco de Mayo Side Dishes

When you think Cinco de Mayo Recipes, you know you have to have rice and beans! Mexican sides are a quintessential part of the fiesta feast, some of our favorites include:

Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice

Top view of easy Mexican Rice in a blue skillet

Cilantro Lime Rice (and Black Beans)

Cilantro-Lime-Rice-with-Black-Beans---main

Southwest Pepper Jack Salad with Creamy Avocado Salsa Dressing

Corn Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Fresh Corn Salad mixed together in a white bowl with silver spoons

Pina Colada Fruit Salad

top view of easy Pina Colada Fruit Salad with pineapple, coconut, mandarin oranges, strawberries and blueberries in a white bowl

Elote (Mexican Street Corn

Grilled/Roasted Corn with Chipotle Honey Lime Butter

easy Roasted or grilled corn on the cob never tasted so delicious brushed with delectable Chipotle Honey Lime Butter sprinkled with cilantro and cotija cheese! Perfect for the 4th or roast year round. #corn #Mexicancorn #grilledcorn #chipotle

Corn Casserole

Cinco De Mayo Desserts

Churros with Chocolate Sauce

easy churros in a white bag standing straight up

Cinnamon Crisps “Churro Chips”

Cinnamon Crisps Recipe dipped in a delicious caramel sauce.

Tres Leches Cake

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Over 50 of the BEST Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo and all year long!

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2 Comments

  1. Ramya says

    Will be making all with few subs i never had mexican food before i dont celebrate cinco de mayo as am in Singapore perfect for my after office meals will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya

    Reply

    • Jen says

      If you’ve never had Mexican food, you’re in for a treat! I’m so excited for you to try these recicpes!

      Reply

The Face Behind the Recipes

Welcome to my food blog with all my favorite cravings! I am Jennifer, a lover of food and sharing my recipes. I am a cystic fibrosis survivor, lung & kidney transplant recipient, LOVER of life and FOOD. Start browsing recipes and subscribe to my weekly free newsletter! Read more about me here.

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