Recipe Roundup

Our 41 Best Cinco de Mayo Party Recipes

These recipes, both traditional and Mexican-inspired, are worthy of a fiesta.

April 24, 2018

Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
1/41
Party Posole Rojo
When we entertain, we want everyone to have fun—including the host. Enter posole, one of the tastiest, prettiest one-pot dishes on earth. Make ahead and all that's left to do is ice some beers and set out all the toppings. This is no-stress party food for the win.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
2/41
3-Ingredient Grilled Orange Margarita
Grilling the oranges infuses this refreshing drink with slightly sweet, slightly bitter notes and smoky flavor, balanced by bright lime juice and aged tequila.
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Photo by Linda Xiao
3/41
Double-Pork Carnitas
A combination of pork belly and pork shoulder, slow-cooked to tenderness and then crisped in a pan, yields carnitas with unparalleled texture and richness.
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Photo by Ted Cavanaugh, Food Styling by Ali Nardi, Prop Styling by Martin Bourne
4/41
Margarita
Not exactly classic, but certainly alluring, this margarita leaves out Triple Sec for a simplified version of the cocktail.
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Photo by Alex Lau
5/41
Skirt Steak Tostadas With Cashew Salsa and Red Cabbage Slaw
A sheet-pan salsa and quick-cooking tostadas make this multi-component meal easy to pull off.
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Photo by Alex Lau
6/41
Tajín-Seasoned Vegetable Spears
This recipe for raw vegetables is the only conscionable thing you can serve right before sitting down to a heavier meal.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
7/41
Herby Ricotta-Poblano Tacos
If your only experience with ricotta has been smothered inside lasagna or ravioli, you need to try this simple, herby, green-chile studded ricotta taco.
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Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li
8/41
Braised Birria
Though Birrieria Zaragoza uses goat, this deeply spiced braise is equally good with lamb.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
9/41
Aguachile de Camarón (Shrimp Cooked in Lime and Chile)
Of all the ceviche relatives, this one is arguably the easiest and most refreshing (not to mention, as many Mexicans will tell you, a great hangover cure).
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
10/41
3-Ingredient Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Make this street-food favorite at home with flavor-packed chipotle mayonnaise and crumbly Cotija cheese.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle
11/41
Creamy Rice and Beans in Three Classic Flavors
Cooking the rice and beans in a rice cooker means this dish couldn't be easier to make.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
12/41
Frozen Raspberry-Ginger Margarita
Add sweet-tart flavor and a hint of spice to a slushy margarita with frozen raspberries and grated fresh ginger.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, and Ali Nardi
13/41
Grilled Corn, Zucchini, and Black Bean Quesadillas
Packed with vegetables, beans, and cheese, these meatless quesadillas are no less satisfying.
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Photo by Nicole Franzen
14/41
Green Posole with Cod and Cilantro
The lighter, herbier counterpart to porky posole rojo, this brothy stew is perfect when early May is still a bit chilly.
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