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52 Mexican-Inspired Party Ideas Perfect For Cinco De Mayo

Let's party (respectfully! no sombreros allowed).

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marinated, grilled skirt steak, piled into a corn tortilla with salsa verde, cilantro, red onion, cotija, and radish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Look, we need to give you a bit of history food-for-thought before we kick off this party: Cinco de Mayo originally celebrates an important Mexican victory over French forces, which is why it's such a bummer that it's too often trivialized into a cheap happy hour featuring white-washed foods and caricatures of Mexican culture. So, no matter if you’re having a big get-together or celebrating solo, we want to remind you that it’s totally possible to respectfully celebrate AND have fun by making some Mexican-inspired party foods at home. From easy dips and bites to more involved dinners that’ll feed a crowd, we’ve got something here for everyone.

Let’s talk tortillas. They’re the ultimate basis for all our favorite party foods, so grab a bag of the best ones you can find (or make your own flour, corn, or keto ones). The easiest thing you can do is make tacos (or a taco bowl!), like our fish taco bowls, our tequila-lime chicken tacos (you’ve probably already got the margarita-themed ingredients!), or our carne asada tacos, but you can also use them to craft more involved party foods. Try our chicken flautas, spicy chicken taquitos, or green chile chicken skillet enchiladas for impressive dishes that only look difficult to make.

If you’re looking for party food that’s less hands-on, you gotta go nachos. Buy a big bag of tortilla chips (or make your own chips if you’ve got extra tortillas), and you’re halfway to a crunchy, cheesy appetizer or meal that’ll please a crowd. You can assemble and serve them straight off the sheet pan, no plates or utensils needed (but a big yes to lots of napkins). Hot tip: Our carne asada fries are proof that nacho toppings can go on anything, so get creative.

If you make nothing else, you’ve got to have chips and dip or salsa. Guacamole is the classic, of course (buy those avocados early so they’re sure to be ripe!), but it’s not the be all, end all for Cinco de Mayo. Try our salsa rojo or verde for something straightforward, or our queso fundido, our sikil p’ak (sort of like salsa verde x hummus), avocado salsa if you want to have the best of both worlds—they’re all sure to impress more than store-bought. Bonus: If you’re going heavy on the meat for the rest of your party menu, these help add a little freshness to your spread.

And don’t forget about drinks and dessert! Check out our lists of our favorite Mexican sweets, our top tequila cocktails, and our best Mexican drinks too.

1

Chicken Taco Torta

shredded chicken, veggies, and tortilla chips between two slices of bread
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Made with rolls called bolillos or teleras, which are crusty-chewy on the outside with a soft and tender crumb, these sandwiches are piled high with all sorts of meats and cheeses, often accompanied by a thick layer of rich refried beans, slices of avocado, and a handful of pickled jalapeños. This iteration of the torta is inspired by the Americanized version of the chicken taco, complete with shredded cheese, taco seasoning, and a layer of crunchy tortilla chips as an homage to the beloved hard shell taco.

Get the Chicken Taco Torta recipe.

2

Tamales

tamales
Andrew bui

Tamales aren’t just fun to eat, they’re a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook. Make it a party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.

Get the Tamales recipe.

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3

Grilled Chicken Street Tacos

grilled chicken street tacos with cilantro lime crema
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Nothing beats a street taco—super-juicy, tender grilled meat in a quick grab-and-go format, typically made possible by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas. This makes them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere! They're no frills yet tend to be some of the most crave-able tacos around.

Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.

4

Pozole

pozole with pork shoulder topped with cabbage and radishes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Don't let the time commitment on this fantastically flavorful Mexican soup scare you. It's as easy as bringing water to a boil and letting it simmer away while you multitask on other things. With time, the meat will turn tender, soft, and buttery, the aromas will deepen, and the color will become as rich as the soup tastes.

Get the Best-Ever Pozole recipe.

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5

Elote: Mexican Street Corn

grilled corn topped with a creamy mixture, cotija cheese, chili powder, cilantro and lime
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Elote is an unbelievably popular antojito (little craving) that you can find sold on the street in Mexico. It's often served on a stick, though you could skip the skewer and make it the same way you'd boil or oven bake regular corn on the cob.

Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.

6

5-Ingredient Black Bean Tostadas

tostadas topped with black beans, cheese, and avocado slices
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

You can always add on additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions, but here we keep things simple. With ingredients you're likely to have on hand, these tostadas make for a last-minute, easy meal you'll have on repeat.

Get the 5-Ingredient Black Bean Tostadas recipe.

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7

Tres Leches Cake

tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and cinnamon
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A tres leches (which means "three milks" in Spanish) cake is a sponge cake that contains three different types of milks to make it extra moist and tasty. It's basically the original poke cake, and you're going to be obsessed.

Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe.

8

Carne Asada

sliced carne asada with pico de gallo, limes, and salsa verde
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Carne asada is an undisputedly delicious, classic Mexican preparation for steak in which the marinade is as important as the meat. There are as many marinades for carne asada as there are taquerias that turn them into tortas or tacos. This recipe employs the must-haves of garlic, cilantro, citrus, and chipotle chiles in adobo.

Get the Carne Asada recipe.

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9

Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas

green chile chicken skillet enchiladas
ERIK BERNSTEIN

Craving homemade enchiladas and being in a hurry aren't really compatible since the classic Mexican dish requires many steps and a fair amount of time. Enter: this skillet recipe, a quick take on the dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for a party.

Get the Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas recipe.

10

Homemade Churros

churros on a platter with chocolate dipping sauce
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

We don't often feel like getting a deep fry going, but when you have an churro recipe this delicious, it's absolutely worth it. They only take a few minutes to fry and will actually still taste good at room temp, making them a great party dessert!

Get the Homemade Churros recipe.

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11

Carne Asada Tacos

marinated, grilled skirt steak, piled into a corn tortilla with salsa verde, cilantro, red onion, cotija, and radish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

This flavorful handheld food has it all—tender marinated carne asada, an aromatic corn tortilla, and all of the classic street taco toppings. Served for lunch or dinner, these are delicious with a hearty side of refried beans and rice, or you can keep it light with corn salad.

Get the Carne Asada Tacos recipe.

12

Homemade Salsa

homemade salsa with tortilla chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Salsa has been around for a very very long time. The origins date back to the Incas and Aztecs. To make ours the most flavorful salsa ever, we use both cherry tomatoes and fresh off-the-vine tomatoes. We also roast some of the ingredients to intensify their flavors and make this salsa POP!

Get the Homemade Salsa recipe.

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13

Chicken Quesadillas

chicken quesadillas
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: LIBERTY FENNELL

You don't really need a recipe to make this insanely popular Mexican dish. Top a tortilla with cheese (and whatever else you've got), then fold it in half and cook until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melty. But if you're looking for some guidance, especially in cooking up some quick and easy chicken to stuff inside, this recipe won't let you down.

Get the Chicken Quesadilla recipe.

14

Chicken Enchiladas

chicken enchiladas

When the craving for satisfying comfort food meets the need for a straightforward dinner, chicken enchiladas are a guaranteed winner. They’re easy, filling, and take less than an hour to prepare from start to finish.

Get the Chicken Enchiladas recipe.

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15

Chocoflan

chocoflan with chocolate cake on the bottom and flan on top
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Chocoflan’s beautiful contrasting layers of chocolate cake and flan are totally mind-blowing. During the bake, the batters switch places, which can seem like magic. The end result is a distinctly layered dessert with moist chocolate cake as the foundation, a creamy set flan on top, and a caramel drizzle to crown it all.

Get the Chocoflan recipe.

16

Mexican Street Corn Flatbread

flatbread topped with corn, cheese, and cilantro
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We’ve riffed on Mexican street corn more ways than we can count—nachos, tacos, even enchiladas—and we’ve loved every version, but this Mexican street corn flatbread is our new go-to. Here, we’re taking the creamy tangy sauce that usually goes on the corn, spreading it over pre-made pizza dough instead, and loading it up with corn, more chili, and lots of cheese. Twenty minutes later, it’s crispy, corny perfection.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Flatbread recipe.

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17

Chalupas

chalupas with ground beef beans onions cojita and salsa verde
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Chalupas are a classic Mexican street food snack that are crispy, savory, and fun to eat. Usually chalupas are served like a tostada, but because we know you might be looking for the fluffy fry bread-like taco shell, we decided to create a version that was the best of both worlds.

Get the Chalupas recipe.

18

Bean & Cheese Taquitos

bean and cheese taquitos
ERIK BERNSTEIN

These crispy, cheesy Mexican taquitos are quick and easy to make—even if you don’t want to bust out the big bottle of oil. Instead, brush them with a little oil, then bake them at 450° for around 15 minutes.

Get the Bean & Cheese Taquitos recipe.

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19

Chiles En Nogada

chiles en nogada
Brittany connerly

This festive dish is often served in September for Mexican Independence Day, but due to the variety of spiced fruit and nut fillings, we think it’s ripe for improvisation to be served year round. Try zucchini and peaches for summer, or you could lean into its inherent wintery vibes by changing up the raisins for dried cherries or cranberries. Just don’t skip those pomegranate seeds!

Get the Chiles En Nogada recipe.

20

Best-Ever Guacamole

guacamole with diced red onion, cilantro, and with chips
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Whether you serve it as a simple dip, load it on top of your tacos, or smear it on a bun as a burger topping, we can all agree—it’s not a party without Mexico’s most famous dip. Keep it simple, like we did, or go wild with your mix-ins—just be sure to make extra, this'll go fast.

Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.

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