Tacos
What’s a Cinco de Mayo celebration without tacos? Whether you prefer soft or hardshell, tacos are always a crowd pleaser. You can cook up some seasoned ground beef or chicken and let your guests build their own tacos with toppings such as diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, and cheese. For a vegetarian option, you can use grilled vegetables or tofu instead of meat and add some corn or black beans for extra protein and flavor.
Chips and Dips
Chips and dips are also a must-have for any Cinco de Mayo celebration. You can serve traditional salsa and guacamole or mix it up with some queso dip or bean dip. For an easy homemade salsa, chop up some tomatoes, onions, and cilantro and mix it with some lime juice and salt. For guacamole, mash up some ripe avocados, and mix it with chopped onions, garlic, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. These dips can be made ahead of time and served with some tortilla chips or fresh veggie sticks.
Enchiladas
If you want to serve a main dish that’s a little more substantial, enchiladas are a great option. You can make them with either chicken, beef, or cheese and customize the sauce to your liking. For a red sauce, blend up some tomatoes, onions, and spices and cook it down until it thickens. For a green sauce, blend up some tomatillos, garlic, jalapeños, and cilantro and cook it down with some chicken broth and sour cream. Once you have your sauce, you can assemble the enchiladas by rolling up your fillings in tortillas and pouring the sauce over the top. Sprinkle some cheese on top and bake it in the oven until it’s golden and bubbly.
Margaritas
To wash it all down, you can’t go wrong with some margaritas. You can make them with either tequila or mezcal, and mix in some lime juice and triple sec for a classic margarita. For a fruity twist, you can add in some fresh-squeezed orange juice or pureed strawberries or mangoes. Rim your glasses with salt or sugar, and serve them on the rocks or blended with ice. Just be sure to drink responsibly and limit yourself to one or two.
In conclusion, there are so many options for what to cook on the weekend of May 5th to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Tacos, chips, dips, enchiladas, and margaritas are just a few ideas to get you started. Whatever you decide to cook, be sure to enjoy the company of your loved ones and savor every bite and sip. Happy Cinco de Mayo!