Hola amigos! Here are my favorite Cinco de Mayo potluck recipes to try this year. All those recipes are tried and tested, some are my mom’s recipes I’ve been making for years and some are spins on classics that everyone loves. Enjoy!
I love Cinco de Mayo potlucks because they’re a great opportunity to share and enjoy festive and traditional Mexican dishes. Here are my favorite recipes that would make a great addition to your potluck because they are easy to make and easy to transport, so you can enjoy this festivity stress-free!
Snacks
Add some flavor to your Cinco de Mayo celebration with these delicious and easy-to-make snacks! From savory Tostilocos to sweet Sandia Loca, these dishes are perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Chicharrones de Harina
Chicharrones de Harina is a crispy and satisfying Mexican snack that you can easily make at home. These puffy fried wheat flour chips are perfect for snacking and go well with your favorite beverage.
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Mexican Cucumber Snack
This easy recipe uses fresh cucumbers, lime juice, hot salsa, and chili powder, giving you a delicious and satisfying treat. It's perfect for those hot summer days, and it's a great way to stay cool and hydrated while enjoying the festivities.
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Tostilocos
Start your Cinco de Mayo potluck with Tostilocos! This versatile and fun Mexican snack features layers of corn chips, salty snacks, sweet treats, and fruit drizzled with lime juice and hot sauce.
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Sandía Loca
This colorful Sandía Loca "piñata" is filled with a mix of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors, making it a fun and delicious surprise for your guests.
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Sides
Looking for some tasty and easy sides to accompany your Cinco de Mayo Potluck feast? Check out these mouthwatering recipe ideas that will take your meal to the next level.
From classic guacamole to flavorful rice dishes and spicy salsas, these sides will surely impress your guests and make your celebration unforgettable.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice is THE Cinco de Mayo recipe most wanted! This fluffy, aromatic rice is bursting with flavor and pairs perfectly with burritos, tacos, fajitas, or any other Mexican-inspired dish for a complete meal.
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Mexican Green Rice
Also known as Arroz Verde, is a fragrant and flavorful side dish that is easy to make at home. With its herbaceous and smoky taste from roasted poblano peppers and fresh cilantro, it's a perfect accompaniment for a variety of proteins.
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Arroz Con Chorizo
Arroz Con Chorizo is made with chorizo, peppers, onions, and spices. It's fragrant, fluffy, and packed with Mexican flavors. Serve it on its own or as a side dish with your favorite Mexican dishes. If you looking for a Cinco de Mayo recipe, this is it!
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Frijoles Puercos
Frijoles Puercos is a delicious and versatile Mexican dish made with refried beans, chorizo, cheese, and chilies. Originating in Northern Mexico, this creamy and flavorful dish is a party favorite and often served as a side dish or dip.
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Loaded Doritos Nachos
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these Loaded Doritos Nachos featuring chipotle chicken and classic Mexican flavors like pico de gallo salsa. This easy and crowd-pleasing recipe will be a hit with family and friends.
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Authentic Guacamole
Guacamole is a crowd-pleasing Mexican dip that's perfect for Cinco de Mayo potlucks (or any day, really!). It's made with simple ingredients like avocados, onions, tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, and salt.
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Salsa Bandera
Among Cinco de Mayo recipes, Pico de gallo (or salsa bandera) can't be missed. This simple and budget-friendly Mexican fresh salsa is made with chopped fresh ingredients and seasoned with lime juice and salt.
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Guajillo Sauce
Guajillo sauce is a must-try in Mexican cuisine, especially for Cinco de Mayo food celebrations! Made with dried guajillo chiles, tomatoes, onions, and spices, this easy recipe yields a mildly spicy and earthy-flavored salsa with a bright red color.
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Mexican Pickled Onions
These Mexican pickled onions are the perfect side dish for tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. They can also be made ahead and are so easy to transport!
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Main Dishes
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with my fav mouth-watering main dishes! From flavorful and delicious burritos to loaded Doritos Nachos, there’s something for anyone, even for picky eaters!
So grab a margarita and get ready to party with these festive and delicious dishes for your Cinco de Mayo Potlucks.
Sopes de Asada
Those sopes de asada are topped with grilled beef, refried beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese, and drizzled with salsa. Enjoy as a whole meal or serve as a tasty appetizer or snack.
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Salpicón de Res
Salpicón is a colorful and juicy Mexican salad perfect for Cinco de Mayo Potluck celebrations. Made with shredded beef, crisp veggies, and zesty lime juice dressing. Serve over tostadas!
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Torta de Jamón
Enjoy the delicious taste of Mexico with a slice of Torta de Jamón this Cinco de Mayo! Made with sweet ham, salty cheese, pickled chilies, and crunchy vegetables sandwiched between perfectly toasted bread.
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Al Pastor Burritos
Al Pastor Burritos combine the best of northern Mexican cuisine, with marinated chicken, fresh pineapple, onion, cilantro, avocado, and pico de gallo salsa all wrapped up in a delicious burrito.
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Ensalada de Pollo
Also known as Mexican Chicken Salad, "Ensalada de Pollo" is a creamy and chunky salad packed with fresh flavors and can be served on crispy tortillas or bread. Bring it to your Cinco de Mayo potlucks, and picnics, or enjoy it as a light lunch at the office.
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Authentic Enfrijoladas Mexicanas
Flavorful, creamy, and packed with nutritious ingredients, this enfrijoladas Mexicanas recipe is very easy to make at home!
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Ensalada de Atún
Ensalada de Atún is a popular Mexican tuna salad that is perfect for Cinco de Mayo Potluck celebrations. This creamy and tangy salad is made with canned tuna, mayonnaise, and vegetables, and is often spiced up with pickled jalapeños.
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Flautas Ahogadas
Flautas Ahogadas are rolled tacos stuffed with fillings like meat, cheese, or beans, deep-fried, and served with lots of flavorful salsa and toppings. The name means "drowned flutes" because they're served immersed in consomé or salsa.
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Enchiladas Suizas Verdes
These creamy enchiladas suizas are made with a green poblano sauce and lots of cheese. They can be baked in a casserole and kept warm for hours!
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Drinks
Cool down with these refreshing Cinco de Mayo Potluck drinks! Those classic Mexican beverages will quench your thirst and add a touch of sweetness to your celebration.
These recipes are easy to make and can be perfectly transported in plastic bottles to your potluck which is a great idea for easy serving too!
They are delicious and so refreshing for sipping on a warm May day along with your favorite Mexican snacks. Salud!
Agua de Mango
Agua de Mango is the perfect drink to bring to your Cinco de Mayo Potlucks! This refreshing beverage is made from ripe mangoes, water, and sugar, and is a popular way to stay hydrated during hot weather.
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Limonada
Limonada is the ultimate thirst-quenching drink for hot summer days. Made with fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water, this traditional Mexican beverage is a must-have at any Cinco de Mayo Potlucks celebration.
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Agua de Naranja (orange water)
Agua de Naranja (orange water fresca) is the perfect cooling drink for a 5 de Mayo potluck. It features only 3 ingredienst! And is also kid-friendly.
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Agua de Fresa
Agua de fresa is another must-add for your Mexican potluck recipe collection! It features fresh strawberries blended with water and a little bit of sugar. Kids love this fresca!
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Tamarind Margarita
Tamarind Margarita is sweet, tangy, and a little boozy. Make the mix at home and just serve over ice at your potluck, can't get easier than that!
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Desserts
These desserts can add a sweet and festive touch to your Cinco de Mayo celebration. They can be made in advance and are easily transportable, making them perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
Mazapán
This crumbly, peanutty, and sweet treat can be enjoyed as a dessert and is also the perfect gift for your potluck host. Kids will love it too!
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Pastel de Tres Leches
Pastel de Tres Leches is a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of three types of milk (evaporated milk, condensed milk, and whole milk or heavy cream), resulting in a moist and flavorful dessert.
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Pan de Elote
A sweet corn cake made from fresh corn kernels, sugar, and milk, resulting in a moist and delicious dessert perfect to cut into squares and bring to your potluck.
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More Cinco de Mayo potluck recipes
While the following recipes are not so easy to transport and many need to be cooked and eaten right away or at least reheated, I still think is a great idea to include some in your cooking repertoire, especially if you’re the potluck host and you have a kitchen available during your gathering.
- Tacos de Bistec.
- Turkey quesadillas.
- Cochinita pibil tacos.
- Chicken tostadas.
- Sopes de pollo.
- Instant Pot Beef Tamales.
Drinks:
- Mangonada.
- Strawberry frozen margarita.
- Michelada.
The celebration of Mexican culture and heritage is all about bringing people together and sharing good food, and I’m so glad we could do that here.
So go ahead and whip up some of these Mexican Cinco de Mayo recipes for your next gathering or simply enjoy them with your family at home. Let’s raise a glass and say Salud! to another wonderful 5 de Mayo celebration.
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Originally posted on: April 7, 2023.