Cinco de Mayo recipes for every occasion

It’s easy to please just about everyone on Cinco de Mayo. Just take a look at these SheKnows recipes, perfect for any Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Everyone celebrate!

Mexican-inspired meals for many occasions

Potluck at work? The boss will be impressed. Kiddos who need dinner? They’ll ask for seconds. Ready for a barbecue with friends? Fire up the grill. For Cinco de Mayo meals, there are a lot of variables, depending on your lifestyle. But not to worry. SheKnows has pulled together several Cinco de Mayo recipes you can use for just about any situation!

If you think your kids are picky eaters, these recipes for Cinco de Mayo might change their minds! Perfect for the short crowd, take a look at these Mexican-inspired dishes that will get your kids in on the celebration, too.

Mexican tortilla soup recipe

This soup is healthy, tasty and hearty — perfect for a main dish. You’ll be happy to know that it’s easy to put together. Your kids will love the twist on traditional chicken soup, served with more of a Mexican flare.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel sweet corn, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 (6 ounce) package cooked chicken breast strips, diced
• 4 corn tortillas
• Chopped cilantro and lime wedges (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil and chili powder over medium heat just until it is sizzling.
2. Add corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, chicken and one cup water and simmer for five minutes.
3. While the soup is cooking, heat the tortillas in a toaster oven or carefully over a flame. Cut the tortillas into strips or tear them into small pieces and place them in the soup bowls.
4. Ladle the soup over the tortillas. If you like, sprinkle with cilantro and serve lime wedges for squeezing into soup.

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Chunky avocado dip recipe

Get the kids’ party started with dip! Not just tasty,  it’s a great way to provide veggies and protein-packed black beans. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or raw veggies like carrots, celery and cucumber. Perfect for a Cinco de Mayo special occasion.

Yields 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 (14 ounce) can corn, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 4 avocados, peeled and diced

Directions:

1. Combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, corn and black beans in a large bowl. Gently toss in the avocado and serve.

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Mexican rice pudding recipe

This dessert recipe will delight both kids and adults! Mexican rice pudding is perfect for a celebratory treat on a night like Cinco de Mayo, but here’s a little secret: if you make extra, you can warm it up and eat it for breakfast later in the week.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup long-grain white rice
• 1-1/2 cups water
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Ground cinnamon for dusting

Directions:

1. Bring rice, water, salt and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Increase heat to medium and stir in milk and sugars and cook, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring continuously, until rice is tender and mixture thickens.
3. Remove pudding from the heat, stir in the vanilla and raisins, and remove the cinnamon sticks. Ladle into dessert bowls and dust with cinnamon. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Next page: Cinco de Mayo recipes perfect for the office or neighborhood potluck >>