10 Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Published Apr 28, 2021•Updated Nov 08, 2023

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recipes for cinco de mayo

How on earth is it almost May!? After a very chilly spring here in Kansas City (including our late April snow), I’m so ready for warmer weather, summery meals, and plenty of time outside. The start of May also means Cinco de Mayo which is a fun reason to break out some of your favorite Mexican and Mexican-inspired weeknight meals.

These dinner recipes for Cinco de Mayo are truly always a favorite in our family, so I wanted to share a few of my top pics this year. You can also check out all of my Mexican-inspired recipes here.

1. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Forget the messy stovetop method, Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas are simple and satisfying, and cook to tender perfection in just 10 minutes under the broiler.

2. Slow Cooker Green Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker Green Salsa Chicken is one of those dishes that has endless possibilities. Use the tender shredded chicken in quesadillas, tacos, nachos, fajita soup. This is my favorite way to make it, and it barely needs a recipe – just chicken with green salsa (salsa verde) and a few seasonings to make it a weeknight favorite.

3. Sheet Pan Tacos

Want to make crispy tacos for a crowd? Try baking them on a sheet pan! When making Sheet Pan Tacos, the taco shells get crisp and golden while the cheese melts. Pile on the fresh toppings and they’re ready to serve. Top these tacos with store-bought salsa or take them up a notch with Slow Roasted Tomato Salsa.

4. Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken Enchilada Pasta takes the flavors of classic enchiladas and transforms them into a hearty and cozy one-pan pasta. This family meal uses pantry / freezer staples and can be made in about 30 minutes.

5. Baked Green Rice (Arroz Verde)

Green Rice (Arroz Verde) is rice flavored with garlic, fresh herbs, and lime. The result is a flavorful side dish to serve with Mexican or Tex Mex meals. This version is baked in the oven for a hands-off dish that cooks while you prepare the rest of your meal.

6. Taco Soup with Ground Beef

With savory spices, seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes, Taco Soup with Ground Beef is a soupy twist on taco night. Add your favorite toppings to finish these colorful bowls.

7. Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

Even better than Chipotle version, you can make Chicken Burrito Bowls in the Instant Pot in under 30 minutes. This recipe uses the Pot-in-Pot Method to cook the chicken and rice together at the same time. Finish the bowls with all of your favorite toppings!

8. Slow Cooker Tex Mex Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Stuffed Peppers are filled with a mix of spices, rice, and beef. Make a complete meal out of this dish by serving the peppers with sour cream, guacamole, and tortilla chips for scooping.

9. Chicken Fajita Quinoa Bowls

Chicken Fajita Quinoa Bowls are the sort of lunch that I look forward to all morning. Spiced chicken, blackened peppers, and smoky salsa are piled on top of a bed of kale and quinoa.

10. Slow Cooker Taco Meat

Slow Cooker Taco Meat is made using lean beef and, thanks to cooking low and slow, comes out super tender with absolutely incredible flavor. In this super simple recipe that uses only two ingredients, it’s the method that matters.

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