40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun!

May 1, 2013
A festive collection of 40+ scrumptious food & drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo fun!  Or hey, enjoy these tasty recipes ANY day of the year.
40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun Image

Oh, baby, with all the jalapenos and spice flying around in these tasty dishes, it's getting hot in here!

There is never a shortage of jalapeno peppers in our house.  They're a staple -- much like flour, sugar, and milk it seems.  Though I have to admit, I didn't really realize how much of my cooking is inspired by Mexican and spicy flavors until I pulled together this collection of Cinco de Mayo food and drink recipes.  We sure do love our spicy and Mexican-inspired food.

If you love it too, here are 40+ fabulous recipes for some Cinco de Mayo fun.  Click on the hyperlinked title of each dish to get the recipe.  Enjoy!


Snacks & Dips:


Love jalapeno poppers?  Filled with a tasty combination of sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and flavorful spices, these Baked Jalapeno Poppers pack a wonderfully delicious spicy punch without the fat or mess of frying.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Baked Jalapeno Poppers Image


2. Cheesy Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups
Loaded with a creamy, cheesy ground beef taco filling that's oh so tasty, Cheesy Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups deliver up great flavor, offer make-ahead convenience, and are easy to make, too.  What more could you ask for in a tasty little bite?  They're just perfect for Cinco de Mayo nibbles and snacking.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Taco Tortilla Roll-Ups Image


Creamy, delicious, and super simple to make, this dip is a crowd-pleasing family-favorite.  It's perfect for just about anytime - from Cinco de Mayo, to game day, to party time fun.  Or, it's so easy to make you won't mind whipping some up for just a random Tuesday night!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Queso Sausage Dip Image


4. Easy Restaurant-Style Salsa
This salsa whips up in no-time flat with the aid of a food processor or blender.  It's a family favorite, for sure!  With just a few simple ingredients and a few whirls in a blender or food processor, you've got yourself  a batch of tasty & easy restaurant-style salsa in minutes.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Easy Salsa Image


5. Jalapeno-Lime Deviled Eggs
These Jalapeno-Lime Deviled Eggs aren't your mamma's deviled eggs!  Packed full of chopped fresh jalapeno, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and lime zest, Jalapeno-Lime Deviled Eggs deliver up a zippy little spicy-yet-refreshing flavor punch.


40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Jalapeno Lime Deviled Eggs Image


6. Pico de Gallo
This is our at-home version of a restaurant favorite.  With just some chopping of fresh ingredients, it's super easy to make.  And believe me, it's so flavorful it'll be gone in a flash!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Pico de Gallo Image


7. Easy 3-Ingredient Guacamole
When it comes to great guacamole, keeping it simple is best. And easy 3-Ingredient Guacamole is about as simple as it gets!



8. Creamy Bacon Guacamole Dip
Give guacamole a tasty new twist ... by changing it up into Creamy Bacon Guacamole Dip!  Bacon adds such wonderful flavor to this Cinco de Mayo favorite.


40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Bacon Guacamole Dip Image


9. Creamy Bacon Guacamole Potato Bites
Tender roasted baby potatoes are topped with bacon-laced guacamole to create these fun & festive creamy Bacon Guacamole Potato Bites ~ just perfect for Cinco de Mayo, game day, or party time snacking!


40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Bacon Guacamole Potato Bites Image


10. Black Bean Salsa
A colorful and tasty salsa that gets it's zing from fresh jalapenos and red wine vinegar ... great as a simple salsa, salad, or side.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Black Bean Salsa Image


11. Grape Salsa
Grab your grapes and mix up this totally tasty and unique Grape Salsa.  It's wonderful with good ol' tortilla chips, and spooned over grilled chicken or fish.  Not to mention with it's purple and green colors, it's quite pretty too.


40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Grape Salsa Image



12. Roasted Corn, Black Bean, & Mango Salsa
This stuff is just sooooo good.  The sweetness of the mango and roasted corn pairs so well with the smoky spicy-ness of chipotle peppers.  Enjoy this one with chips, as a salad, or spooned over chicken or fish dishes.  It's dee-lish.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Roasted Corn Mango Salsa Image



Goodness, this is such a great dip.  Using canned Mexicorn makes baking this up so easy, and gives the dip amazing flavor.  It's always the hit of the party!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Hot Corn Dip Image


Spice up those classic sausage balls with Pepper Jack and pickled jalapeno! Jalapeno Pepper Jack Sausage Balls bring the heat to everyone's favorite little party nibble.






Main Dishes & Sides:


15. Tamale Pie Casserole
Spicy ground beef or ground turkey and vegetable filling, topped with a thick-and-delicious layer of golden cornbread.  Tamale Pie Casserole is a delicious dinner dish that's just perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, or everyday dinner.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Tamale Pie Casserole Image


Replace tortillas for noodles & swap salsa for sauce to create Spicy Tortilla Lasagna, a delicious alternative to traditional lasagna.  Such an easy dinner recipe idea!  It's a go-to recipe in our house ... and the ingredients can so easily be changed up to suit personal preference.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Tortilla Lasagna Image


Family taco night just got a little easier!  Instead of stuffing those taco shells, whip up this Layered Taco Salad instead.  It's just perfect for lower-fuss taco night prep, or for whipping up a tasty salad for a crowd.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Layered Taco Salad Image


Add some spice to dinner with Cheesy Fiesta Corn Casserole!  Ready for the oven in just 10 minutes, this easy creamy corn goodness adds just the right kick to any meal.  And it truly couldn't be any easier to prepare.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Fiesta Corn Casserole Image


With their chicken & cheese filling seasoned simply for just the right flavor "oomph" and moistness, these are our family-favorite enchiladas.  Make a pan for your Cindo de Mayo feast, and one to freeze for later!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Simple Chicken Enchiladas Image


Is Homemade Enchilada Sauce worth the effort?  Yes, it absolutely is!   With just a few pantry staples and a handful of spices, you can have amazingly flavorful homemade enchilada sauce done in about 20 minutes.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Homemade Enchilada Sauce Image


There's no need to buy that grocery store packet. -- Make your own taco seasoning instead!  Taco seasoning is super easy to make, using a handful of spices you most likely have in your pantry.  Plus, making your own gives you flexibility to control the seasoning's spice and heat.




Skip the tortilla and enjoy that fabulous burrito filling as a quick, easy, and flavorful skillet dinner!

Ground Beef Burrito Bowl Skillet Image


Loaded with cheese and slathered with a creamy green chilies sauce, Chicken-&-Spinach Enchiladas are a great make-ahead, freezer-friendly dish to feed a crowd.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Chicken Spinach Enchiladas Image


Easy, cheesy hamburger and macaroni comfort food your family will love, all with the convenience of one-pot cooking.  This Tex-Mex favorite is a great family-friendly choice for your Cinco de Mayo main dish.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Chili Cheese Mac Image


Chock full of cumin-spiced saffron rice, black beans, prepared salsa, and Pepper Jack cheese, these Southwestern Stuffed Poblano Peppers are a spicy little flavor party in your mouth.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Stuffed Poblano Peppers Image


26. Sweet-&-Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa
This pork tenderloin, marinated in a mixture of brown sugar and spice, is a go-to dish at our house.  It pairs just beautifully with fresh mango salsa.  But it's also darn great on it's own if you're not in a mango kinda mood.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Sweet Spicy Pork Tenderloin Image


For a quick side dish Cinco de Mayo, whip up a pan of these Seasoned Black Beans ~ loaded with flavor, packing a good dose of heat, and on the table in under 15 minutes.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Seasoned Black Beans Image


Mixed up with your favorite chunky salsa, these Spicy Salsa Muffins are one quick, easy, and tasty side ~ just perfect with any Tex-Mex dinner dish.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Salsa Muffins Image


Not your average grilled cheese sandwich.  Roasted fresh jalapenos kick up the heat in this delicious Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese.  It's a perfect creamy, cheesy sandwich for any jalapeno popper lover!  And these can be made with roasted fresh jalapeno peppers, or a "cheater method that's faster but just as tasty.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Image


Until I made these grilled cheese sandwiches, I had no idea sharp cheddar cheese and guacamole were such a wonderful flavor combination!  This truly is one surprisingly delicious sandwich that's just perfect a quick and easy Cinco de Mayo meal.



Want a hearty option for sandwich night?  Give spicy open-faced Guacamole Shrimp Melts a try! Loaded up with guacamole, spicy shrimp, melty cheese, and bacon crumbles, they're definitely a tasty warm sandwich treat.






Desserts:

Take one ultra tender vanilla sponge cake, soak it with a sweet mixture of three milks, top it with a simple whipped cream frosting, and you've got yourself one totally fabulous amazingly delicious Tres Leches Cake.  Tres Leches literally means "three milks," and it's this three-milk syrup that provides the cake's namesake and makes it distinct.  And believe me, that three-milk syrup makes this cake distinctly delicious, too.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Tres Leches Cake Image


The perfect combination of crunchy-on-the-outside and cool-and-creamy on the inside, you can whip up this classic Mexican restaurant treat right at home.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Fried Ice Cream Image


34. Margarita Cupcakes
Want a Margarita sweet treat to top off that Cinco de Mayo meal?  How about Margarita cupcakes!  Hint-of-lime cupcakes topped with a scrumptious Margarita buttercream are oh-so-yum.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Margarita Cupcakes Image



And Don't Forget the Drinks!:

Classic red-wine sangria is just perfect for Cinco de Mayo and summer sippin'.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Sangria Image


Prefer white wine over red (like me)?  This lighter White Sangria will be right up your alley!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - White Sangria Image


Red wine and brandy combine with fresh lemon, lime, and orange to deliver up this refreshing and delicious Triple Citrus Sangria.  We love this one even more than the classic.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Triple Citrus Sangria Image


Fresh Strawberry Sangria made with white or rose wine is total spring and summer refreshment!  It's such a fabulous way to enjoy those beautiful fresh strawberries in one fabulous Cinco de Mayo drink.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Fresh Strawberry Sangria Image



39. Virgin White Sangria
Looking for a special beverage treat for your little ones?  Give Virgin White Sangria a try!  It's a tasty, beautiful, no-alcohol version of sangria perfect to make those kiddos feel extra special.  And hey, the grown-ups will love it, too.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Virgin White Sangria Image


Ah, there's not much I love more than a good Margarita on the rocks ... with the key word there being GOOD!  Margaritas, if not made well, can certainly be a disappointment.  But this Top Shelf Margarita, actually crafted with "middle class" tequilas to not break your bank, most certainly will NOT disappoint.

Top Shelf Margarita {without breaking the bank} Image


Champagne Margaritas combine the wonderful flavors of champagne and margaritas in one fun cocktail ~ perfect for adding a unique fun twist to your Cinco de Mayo celebration.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Champagne Margaritas Image


Is it a Margarita?  Is it a Jell-o shot?  Is it cake??  It's all three!  Yes, with Margarita Cake-n-Jello Shots, combine Margaritas, cake, and a Jell-o shot all into one fun-and-festive little party bite.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Margarita Cake Jello Shots Image



Add pizazz to your Margaritas with homemade citrus syrup ~ freshly made, delicious, and quite possibly the foundation of the best margarita around, thanks to Emeril's Fresh Margarita recipe!

Emeril's Fresh Margarita with Homemade Citrus Syrup Image


Mix up your own Homemade Margarita Mix with fresh lime and lemon instead of using the bottled stuff from the store.  It's a fun way to put a fresh twist on your Margaritas!

Jar of Homemade Margarita Mix Image


Follow these simple steps on how to make Mojitos and you'll be whipping up the best darn Cinco de Mayo cocktails in town!  With its refreshingly well-balanced combination of ingredients, everyone will be asking you for your Mojitos recipe.  Whether you're willing to share your secrets? ... Now, that's up to you.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Mojitos Image


Ditch the margaritas, and enjoy a refreshing Coconut Mojito for your Cinco de Mayo ... or any day ... sipping.  Such a delicious combination of fresh mint, lime, & coconut!

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Coconut Mojitos Image


Don't waste that watermelon juice that collects when you cut up a whole melon ... Use it to whip up an easy Watermelon Mojito instead!  It's certainly a tasty way to enjoy some Cinco de Mayo fun.

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun - Watermelon Mojitos Image


Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone.  Enjoy!

Check out these other tasty recipe collections:

40+ Food & Drink Recipes for Cinco de Mayo Fun! ~ A festive collection of scrumptious food & drink recipes for Cinco de Mayo fun!  Or hey, enjoy these tasty recipes ANY day of the year.  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

11 comments

  1. Thanks so much for sharing my fudge!

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  2. Wow! What a list! Now I'm hungry!!!!

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  3. You just made my menu easy for my October Thirsty Girls........ I was planning on cooking Mexican, now it is in one easy place to reference. You do know that your roots are from the south west.....guess all that hot food I ate made an impression on you :)!

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    Replies
    1. I guess my south west origin DID make an impression on my taste buds! Glad I could help you out with your October party planning ... though keep in mind that our favorite top-shelf margarita recipe isn't in this list. :-)

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  4. What a lot of wonderful foods and such to have for Cinco de Mayo or anytime you are hungry for these foods. Thank you!

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  5. Wow! Well, I have to say that I got sucked in by the salsa picture but then scrolling through the rest I started to get really hungry! All of this stuff looks amazing! :) Great round up for Cinco de Mayo. Thanks Tracey.

    Krista @joyfulhealthyeats

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  6. It is my great pleasure to visit your website and to enjoy your excellent post here. I like that very much.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those foods are so delicious but the certainly are not going to help with my skin tightening quest.

    ReplyDelete

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