Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas

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Enjoy my Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas. If you're reading this from Mexico, you might be asking, “What's so important about celebrating Cinco de Mayo?” Well, I'm here to tell you, it's a big day in the United States.

For years in the US, it's been a day of fiestas and festivals, where Mexicans share their culture and delicious foods with each other and their neighbors. Nowadays, even non-Mexicans throw parties to celebrate!

Cinco de mayo party ideas

This post was updated on April, 2019.

If you live in the United States, or anywhere else for that matter, and plan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the rest of us, which I hope you do, I have some delicious ideas for great foods, beverages and desserts to make your job easier:

Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas

Mexican Party Foods

If you're looking for great bite-sized appetizers, tacos, molletes and quesadillas all work great. If you're hungry for something more substantial, try my pozole, you won't regret it.

Click on the title or photo of each plate below to see its recipe.

CHORIZO TACOS:

Spicy chorizo with corn and roasted onion and avocado salsa.

Chorizo tacos with green salsa

SHREDDED BEEF AND CHIPOTLE TACOS

Delicious shredded beef cooked in spices and served in a corn tortilla.

Shredded chipotle beef tacos

TACOS AL PASTOR

Pork cooked to perfection in a special blend of spices and served with pineapple, cilantro, onion, lime, and salsa. My son's favorite!

Tacos al pastor

CHORIZO POTATO BITES WITH SALSA VERDE

These little baskets are made with slices of potato and filled with a combination of potato and chorizo. Top them with green or avocado salsa.

Potato baskets with salsa - Canastas de papa con salsa de aguacate

GREEN POZOLE WITH CHICKEN

A light pozole, slightly spicy and brimming with flavor. You can make it spicier by adding more chiles. The broth gets its groove from tomatillos, serrano chiles and cilantro. Serve with tostadas (baked tortillas) and a cornucopia of traditional fixings.

Green pozole with chicken and avocado

RED POZOLE

Classic Pozole consists of a broth made from pork and a dried red chile we call “seco.” You can find it in the Hispanic section or chile section of your supermarket. Serve with lettuce, onion, radish, lime juice, and tostadas (baked tortillas).

Red pozole with lettuce and radishes

NACHO STYLE QUESADILLAS

A combination of two popular home dishes, quesadillas and nachos. Serve with chiles in vinegar and guacamole.

Nacho quesadillas with guacamole

MOLLETES

Simple, but, oh, so satisfying.

Molletes with black beans, salsa and cheese.

Salsas And Appetizers

Make sure to spread out bowls of delicious salsas, nachos and guacamole on all your tables so your guests can get at them easily. Don't forget your chips.

Click on the title or photo of each plate below to see its recipe

SALSA VERDE or GREEN SALSA

Make in minutes with tomatillos, onion, chiles, cilantro and more.

salsa verde

CHUNKY RED SALSA

Tomatoes, onion, and dried chile with cilantro and salt.

Chunky red salsa with cilantro

AVOCADO SALSA

Not to be confused with guacamole, a combination of salsa verde and guacamole. A staple in our home. Irresistible.

Avocado salsa

PICO DE GALLO

Traditionally referred to as salsa in the United States, Pico de Gallo is a fresh combination of tomatoes, onions, serrano chiles and more.

pico de gallo salsa

CHORIZO NACHOS A LA MEXICANA

Need we say more?

chorizo nachos a la mexicana

GUACAMOLE

My family's traditional recipe. Your guests will beg for more.

Traditional Mexican guacamole

MANGO SALSA

Sweet, sour, and spicy all at once. Light and fresh.

mango salsa

Beverages

Some of our favorite traditional beverages work perfectly for any Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Click on the title or photo of each plate below to see its recipe

LIME AGUA FRESCA RECIPE

This is a family favorite. My secret is to use the lime rind. Try it!

Lime agua fresca in a Mexican glass with a blue rim

PINEAPPLE COCONUT AGUA FRESCA

This recipe reminds me of the agua fresca I enjoyed at the ice cream shop in my hometown.

Pineapple coconut agua fresca in a mason jar with a white and purple straw

WATERMELON COOLER

A refreshing beverage made with watermelon and lime.

watermelon agua fresca in a glass

JAMAICA AGUA FRESCA

A classic. Deep, refreshing, sweet, and colorful.

Hibiscus flower agua fresca - Agua de Jamaica in a glass and pitcher

STRAWBERRY HORCHATA

A refreshing variation of a traditional rice-based beverage. Delicious!

Strawberry horchata

GUAVA AGUA FRESCA

Aromatic, fast and easy to make.

guava agua fresca

Desserts

Tres Leches Cake is our favorite, but flan, gelatin, and pie aren't far behind. I recommend preparing desserts one or two days before to save time and to guarantee they are well chilled before serving.

Click on the title or photo of each plate below to see its recipe

THREE MILK CAKE

The Mexican classic you've heard about. Tres Leches Cake it's very easy to make. Try it!

A slice of tres leches cake with peaches

TRADITIONAL MEXICAN CHEESECAKE

My recipe has a much lighter consistency than the cheesecake you may be used to. Serve with fruit and whipped cream.

Mexican cheesecake with whipped cream and strawberries

BLUEBERRY LEMON FLAN

I love lemon and blueberries together!

Lemon Blueberry Flan

STRAWBERRY FLAN

Another delicious variation of the popular Mexican flan.

Strawberry flan

SPICY LIME GRANITA

Cool, refreshing, and spicy!

spicy lime granita with chili powder

STRAWBERRY GINGER SORBET

The ginger gives this sorbet a little kick! I love it and so do my boys!

strawberry ginger sorbet

MILK GELATIN

Gelatin is practically the national dessert in Mexico. Simple to make, sweet and smooth. Serve with fruit and rompope. A family tradition!

Milk gelatin

PEACH AND MILK GELATIN

Very popular in my family. Beautiful and delicious.

peach and milk gelatin

TROPICAL GRANITA

Easy and fast to make at home. Try it!

Tropical granita

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE PIE

Easy, fast, flaky, creamy. Serve a la mode with vanilla ice cream.

Mexican Chocolate Pie with Cinnamon Drizzle

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Silvia Martinez
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