Tips And Tricks

18 Actually Authentic Mexican Food Ideas for Cinco de Mayo

Since Cinco de Mayo is a huge holiday here in the United States you probably already have some pretty epic plans, but if you don’t you’re in luck! I wanted to give everyone a way to celebrate without the stereotypes and appropriation. It’s a misconception that Cinco de Mayo represents Mexican Independence Day (that’s actually September 16th). Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the war between Mexico and France where, through many difficulties, Mexico rises victorious over France. Interestingly enough, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more heavily in the States than in Mexico, which is often a surprise to native Mexicans.

We often see people using the holiday to consume excessive amounts of tequila, which is fine, but if you’d like to celebrate Mexico’s defeat over France, there are better ways. Food is the center of every culture so it only makes sense to highlight the incredibly delicious food of Mexican culture. Food is tied to the values of the culture and in Mexican culture, it’s not uncommon to find the cousins in the kitchen with grandma making tamales or your tios reminiscing on their childhood while around the grill. On the list, you’ll find something for everybody and for any time of the day. Put down the sombrero (come ON, guys) and pick up the comal! Here are 18 traditional dishes to eat all day long!

1. Chilaquiles

My absolute favorite breakfast item is a super simple dish called Chilaquiles. Consisting of eggs, fried tortillas, a salsa of your choice (I like a salsa verde), and sprinkled with Cotija cheese, this dish is a no-brainer. It’s easy to make and will definitely make for a delicious breakfast. Find recipe here.

2. Huevos Rancheros

So this Mexican breakfast classic is a fried tortilla or tostada layered with refried beans, a tomato-chile sauce, an over-easy egg, and avocado. The crunch of the tortilla with the mix of egg yolk and beans make this dish undeniably tasty. Find recipe here.

3. Pan Dulce

If you’re not a big breakfast person, maybe opt for a cup of piping hot coffee and some pan dulce, or sweet bread. These come in many variations but the most widely known one is the concha. Find recipe here.

4. Fruit Con Chile

If you need a little pick-me-up between meals, fruit with chile and lemon is your best bet! Mangos or pineapple make for the best combination, but watermelon or apple slices are also delicious. Most of us use Tajin, a chile seasoning mix, to sprinkle onto the fruit! The sweet and spicy flavor of this snack makes it hard to stop eating.

5. Tamales

Tamales are a Mexican comfort food. Huge batches are made for the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but you can honestly eat them all year round. A moist masa filled with green chile and cheese are my go-to tamales. Find recipe here.

6. Agua Fresca

Agua fresca is a fresh, light fruit juice and it’s so refreshing. Walk into ANY Mexican restaurant and they’ll have an array of flavors. I’d go with pepino limon or jamaica. That’s cucumber-lime or hibiscus flavored. Yum x 1,000! Find recipe here.

7. Elote

Elote, known as “street corn”, is boiled or roasted corn smothered in mayonnaise, queso fresco, chile powder, and lemon juice. Toppings vary depending on who’s making it, but that’s the variation I grew up with. Find recipe here.

8. Horchata

If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, I’d go with a large cup of horchata. This cinnamon rice milk drink will always be one of my favorite things to drink!

9. Margarita

It is a holiday, and I did mention tequila, so order yourself a classic margarita! Or if you’re a little more daring, a mango-jalapeño margarita, esta buenisima! I prefer on the rocks, but go ahead and order a blended one if that’s your vibe.

10. Carne Asada Plate

Another classic is a carne asada plate. Carne asada is a piece of highly marinated streak that’s grilled and charred, commonly served with rice, beans, grilled green onions, and fresh salsa! It’s a super simple dinner but it’s so fulfilling and a staple in Mexican households. Find recipe here.

11. Posole

Another comfort food is chicken posole. This flavor-packed stew is really quite simple, but a favorite among the community. It’s made with shredded chicken, a light broth, and hominy. Topped with onions, cilantro, and dried oregano this dish will leave you warm and fuzzy. Find recipe here.

12. Sopes

Sopes use a thick tortilla-style base made of masa that has a small border to hold in all the ingredients. Most sopes are piled high with refried beans, a meat of your choice, cabbage, and fresh salsa. It’s a mouthful and messy to eat, but completely worth it. Find recipe here.

13. Nopales

A Spanish word for cactus, nopales refers to the “pads” that grow from the middle of the plant. I grew up eating them grilled and tossed with sauteed onions, tomatoes, serrano chiles, and finished with a little lemon juice. It’s a nice, light salad dish to enjoy by itself or on a plate. Find recipe here.

14. Flautas

Flautas are like taquitos but made with flour tortillas so they’re a little bigger and more satisfying. Also, where taquitos are completely fried, flautas are left softer with a crunch. What you choose to fill them with is up to you, but I prefer shredded chicken or papas (potatoes). Find recipe here.

15. Campechano

The Mexican version of a shrimp cocktail, this refreshing seafood dish consists of tomato sauce, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, Tabasco, shrimp, and coarsely chopped avocado. Typically eaten with saltine crackers, this dish is best served chilled. Find recipe here.

16. Tacos

Tacos. You’ve had them. Tacos are staples in every Mexican household and every family has their own way of doing it. The great thing about tacos is the customization of toppings and tamales are the ultimate comfort food. I love some tacos al pastor on a homemade tortilla with fresh salsa. Find recipe here.

17. Chile Verde

This is another one of my personal favorite dishes. It’s a salsa verde base with lots of cilantro and chile. Cubes of tender pork are left to simmer in the sauce and is perfect with warm tortillas and rice. It’s also amazing the next morning with a fried egg. Find recipe here.

18. Arroz Con Leche

Families all have their unique recipes, but I grew up with this rice pudding made with tons of cinnamon, raisins, and orange zest. It was delicious whether it was warm, straight off the stove or cooled in the fridge the next day. Definitely a comfort dessert. Find recipe here.