Mexican-Inspired Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

A roundup of my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo. Sauces, dips, meats, and more.

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(Updated post.) We are just over a week away from Cinco de Mayo. I'm already planning some Mexican-cuisine-inspired dishes I'll be cooking for our own little fiesta to honor the occasion.

I feel that I should disclose something: I am not even a tiny bit Latina. Even so, I am deeply appreciative of Latin American food and culture.

Why this gringa celebrates Cinco de Mayo

This came about, in part, because I had an especially fantastic Spanish teacher in high school. In addition to the language, he taught extensively about Mexican culture. He even led a traditional Mexican dance group—El Ballet Folklórico Xochitl, Portland OR—which I joined during my junior year.

Later, during graduate school, I enjoyed being immersed in Latin American culture during several field trips to Mexico and South and Central America. Of course, being able to speak conversational Spanish during these trips made my experience much more meaningful (thank you, Don Pepe!).

A (tiny) Cinco de Mayo history lesson...

Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. But, THAT date—the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence against Spain—is September 16, 1810.

General Zaragoza and the Battle of Puebla

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the 1862 victory of General Zaragoza's wildly outnumbered Mexican army over the forces of Napoleon III during the Battle of Puebla. The victory inspired hope and patriotism for French-occupied Mexico. Even so, it would be many more years before Mexico would be free of the French occupation.

The Battle of Puebla is reenacted each year on Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, Mexico.

Cinco de Mayo in the US

Cinco de Mayo is not a huge holiday in Mexico itself. However, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Celebrations include parades and festivals featuring Mexican food, artwork, traditional dress, music, and dance. Like the many other cultural festivals held throughout the year, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the rich cultural diversity that is an essential part of the stuff that makes a country great.

Our favorite recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Without further ado, I'll share a sampling of my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. We will be enjoying Mojo Carnitas this year with all the fixings—with a side of margaritas.

Enchiladas and Burritos

First up is my most recent addition to the blog, Lightened-Up Smothered Burritos. Mixing black beans and sweet potatoes into the ground turkey filling is a strategy that brings a ton of health bennies to the table. Besides, this meal is also very budget-friendly!

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes

Next up are my Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas. These decadent enchiladas are the perfect way to use up leftover roast turkey or chicken. Topped with a delicious, creamy sauce your whole family will love!

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Total time: 1 hr, 10 minutes

Another Mexican comfort food favorite is Red Enchiladas or Chilaquiles. You can use either my from-scratch Red Enchilada Sauce or Quick Smoky Red Enchilada Sauce (see under "Salsas, snacks, and more" below).

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes

Next up in our Cinco de Mayo roundup: Enchiladas Suizas. If you don't feel like dealing with rolling enchiladas, you can layer the tortillas casserole-style—or use chips instead to turn the enchiladas into chilaquiles.

• Prep time: 20 minutes (this includes enchilada assembly)
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour

Meats

Slow-Cooker Mojo Carnitas make an easy "set-it-and-forget-it" weeknight meal. But they're still flashy enough for a weekend dinner party. I love to serve the carnitas buffet style, with a DIY taco bar featuring warm tortillas, salsa, garnishes, and condiments.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 8 hours (hands-off in the slow-cooker)
• Total time: 8 hours, 15 minutes

Carne Asada: if you do the meal prep in advance, this is a lightning-fast meal with succulent meat and vibrant fajita vegetables. Plus, you have the option to cook the meat in a skillet or on the grill!

• Prep time: 4 hours, 10 minutes (this includes a minimum 4-hour marinating time, but you can marinate the meat overnight!)
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 4 hours, 25 minutes

Another of our favorite carne options is Pork Salsa Verde (Green Chile Pork). The pork is easy to make in the slow-cooker using an authentic Salsa Verde. Leftovers are great in quesadillas, tacos, or enchiladas.

• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Cook time: 8 hours (hands-off in the slow-cooker)
• Total time: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Next, One-Pan Arroz con Pollo is my easy riff on the classic dish that is ubiquitous throughout Latin America. Serve with Easy Pickled Red Onions for a meal that is a veritable riot of color, flavor, and texture.

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Soups and Stews

Pozole is a traditional Mexican stew, with as many variations as there are pozolerias. Because my Green Chile Chicken Pozole (also known as Pozole Verde de Pollo) starts with leftover roast chicken, this soup comes together very quickly. Loaded with flavors and piled high with garnishes, this is a healthy bowl you'll be sure to enjoy!

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 25 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes

Next up, Caldillo: Green Chile Pork Stew is a spicy, hearty dish with roots in Mexican and New Mexican cuisine. Let your slow-cooker do the work!

• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Cook time: 8 hours (hands-off in the slow-cooker)
• Total time: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Another favorite soup is Slow-cooker Black Bean Soup with Avocado Crema, an easy, hands-off meal that lets your crockpot do most of the work. The avocado crema adds a delightful, tangy creaminess to the soup. A perfect lunch, light dinner, or side-dish.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 8 hours (hands-off in the slow-cooker)
• Total time: 8 hours, 10 minutes

Salsas, snacks, and more

Fiery Mango-Habanero Salsa is perfect served with tortilla chips or as a garnish for fish and meats. Besides, using flash-frozen mango chunks not only simplifies the prep, but it also means that you can enjoy this salsa any time of year!

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes

Cheesy Picante Chicken Quesadillas are a perfect spicy, cheesy, delicious party snack. They're also a perfect way to use up leftover roast chicken!

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 8 minutes
• Total time: 18 minutes

Also great for snacking is Fresh Salsa Verde. This salsa gets its great flavor from charred green peppers, tomatillos, and onions. It makes a fantastic dip for chips. In addition, it serves as the base for such wonderful meals as Green Chile Pork and Huevos Rancheros Salsa Verde.

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes

AND, to put your leftover Salsa Verde to good use...

You can't celebrate Cinco de Mayo all day unless you start in the morning, am I right? Therefore, I give you Salsa Verde Huevos Rancheros. This super-easy version of the classic involves only a sunny-side-up egg, a toasted tortilla with avocado schmeer, and delicious salsa verde.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes

Authentic Red Enchilada Sauce is made from scratch with rehydrated guajillo chiles. It's totally worth it: freeze the sauce, or use right away in Red Enchiladas or Chilaquiles or Lightened-up Smothered Burritos!

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 55 minutes

Pico de Gallo is zippy, spicy sauce made with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro, plus lime juice, salt, and pepper. So easy, but you won't be able to stop dipping!

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: no cooking!
• Total time: 25 minutes

Quick Smoky Red Enchilada Sauce involves only a few ingredients and is done in under 20 minutes. You'll love it in Red Enchiladas or Chilaquiles and over Lightened-Up Smothered Burritos!

• Prep time: 2 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 17 minutes

Another great snacking option is Feisty Chile con Carne Queso Dip, an addicting snack for parties. It’s cheesy, spicy, and full of taco-ey beef goodness. The dip reheats well without breaking and will stay smooth and delicious.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

Finally, I'll leave you with Easy Cutting-Board Guacamole. This guac is made just like it sounds—right on the cutting board! You simply mash the avocados and fold in the chopped vegetables. We've eaten it right off the cutting board. Besides, it's fresh, vibrant, and absolutely delicious.

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: no cooking!
• Total time: 5 minutes

I hope you've enjoyed this collection of our favorite Mexican dishes, sauces, and snacks. If you celebrate the holiday, have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!

—xoxo Michelle

I'm sharing my Cinco de Mayo recipe roundup with #CookBlogShare, hosted this week by Easy Peasy Foodie.