Best Cinco de Mayo Recipes: 25 of Our Favorite Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo by Donna John

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. 

For many people, Cinco de Mayo also means a reason to enjoy the best Mexican food with a festive frozen drink in one hand. What's not to love about that? We have so many Mexican recipes that it's hard to choose our favorites, but we tried! 

Here are 25 of our best easy Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo to help you celebrate the special day of May 5:

1. Mexican Beef Taco Soup: Loaded with ground beef and beans, this easy Mexican beef taco soup recipe is a must for chilly nights (or any night). Let everyone customize their soup by putting out an array of toppings.

2. Chicken Ranch Tacos: Have leftover chicken? With this easy chicken tacos recipe, you can have a kid- and adult-friendly meal on the table in minutes.

3. Cilantro Rice: We think Spanish rice rocks, but it'll turn green with envy over this cilantro and lime rice recipe. What a great way to spice up taco night!

4. Slow-cooker Barbacoa Tacos: Barbacoa is an authentic Mexican dish that is made with goat, beef or lamb. This easy barbacoa recipe is made with a chuck roast and cooked low and slow in a slow cooker. It's flavorful and a perfect filling for tacos.

5. Refried Beans: Up your game on taco night by making homemade refried beans. If you've never made refried beans before, this is an easy recipe to try.

7. 7 Layer Mexican Dip: This seven-layer dip is a party (and family) favorite. Stick to the classic seven layers, or add a layer of Spanish rice or savory cilantro rice. Yep, you just invented the eight-layer dip. So delicious!

8. Easy Pork Carnitas: This easy pork carnitas recipe is loaded with authentic flavors and is so versatile. Use the shredded pork for tacos, burritos, enchiladas or serve with cilantro rice and some tasty refried beans.

9. Chipotle Guacamole: Not to be one-upped by Disney, which released its official Dole Whip recipe, restaurant chain Chipotle has shared its guacamole recipe. Serve with tortilla chips or make your own taco bowl or taco salad at home – and you won’t have to pay extra for the guac.

10. Mexican Potato Casserole: The combination of creamy potatoes layered with spicy seasoned ground beef, corn and cheese is heavenly. This Mexican potato casserole recipe is all you need on your plate.

11. Grilled Mexican Street Corn: Skip the refried beans or Spanish rice this week and serve this easy Mexican corn on the cob (elote). If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, simply wrap the corn in foil and keep warm in the oven.

12. Chicken Posole Verde: Pozole, which means "hominy," is a traditional Mexican soup. This verde (green) version gets its color from tomatillos and cilantro.

13. Carne Guisada: Chef Sylvia Casares' carne guisada recipe is authentic, rich, hearty and just plain delicious.

14. Polvorones: Mexican shortbread cookies, also called polvorones (prounounced pohll-vuh-rohn-ays), come in all shapes and sizes, but pink and yellow are traditionally offered at Mexican bakeries. They’re fun and easy to make with your kids for Cinco de Mayo.

15. Lime Margaritas: A lot of people want to have a margarita in hand on Cinco de Mayo. Here's a classic margarita recipe.

16. Sheet Pan Nachos: Some days, there's just nothing like a heaping plate of nachos. But what about an entire pan? Loaded with ground beef, black beans and cheese, and topped with tomatoes, onions, avocado, salsa and more, we're pretty sure your entire family would devour these easy sheet pan nachos.

17. Smoked Queso: Fire up that grill and make this easy smoked queso recipe. The ingredients can be adjusted to suit your family's tastes. Delicious!

18. Skillet Beef Fajitas: The grill doesn't have to be fired up to make beef fajitas. Serve this easy fajita recipe with guacamole, fresh salsa, shredded cheese, sliced or grilled avocados, sour cream, chopped cilantro or whatever toppings you enjoy.

19. Mexican Hot Chocolate: In Mexico, hot chocolate is serious business. The spicy chocolate is served in a hand-made clay hot chocolate server and whipped by hand until frothy with a wooden molinillo. Here's a recipe for the home cook.

20. Pico de Gallo: Pico de gallo, also known as salsa fresca, is one of the easiest salsa recipes to make. In fact, it's so easy, it may not even qualify as a recipe. But boy, is it delicious.

21. Jamoncillo de Leche (Mexican Milk Fudge): Jamoncillo de Leche, or Mexican milk fudge, is a traditional Mexican confection that's made with brown sugar, butter, milk and vanilla. The result is a creamy fudge-like candy that's heavenly.

22. Beef Enchiladas: Two of these beef enchiladas have around 400 calories. Not bad. Just remember, the more toppings you add, the more calories! But if you're not watching your weight, if it's cheat night or if you're the honey badger (and just don't care!), pile on the guacamole and sour cream.

23. Oven-Baked Chicken Fajitas: These oven-baked chicken fajitas are a quick way to enjoy Mexican food any day of the week. No grill required.

24. Chicken Flautas: Crispy, ooey, gooey and cheesy. This easy baked chicken flautas recipe has it all. Why not make a batch and dunk them in that guac?

25. Tempura Fish Tacos With Serrano-Avocado Sauce: Savory pieces of fish, a little dressed cabbage slaw and a creamy, delicious dressing folded into a warm tortilla.

26. Mole Chicken Enchiladas: This easy mole chicken enchiladas recipe has a simplified mole sauce to make it easier for home cooks to recreate the dish in less time. And it's delicious!

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