Should I use fresh or dried chiles?

This recipe uses fresh jalapeños. Dried chiles like guajillo or ancho give a deeper, more earthy flavor and need to be rehydrated first. For this style, fresh chiles keep it brighter and closer to what you’d get at a taquería.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo always gives us an excuse to make a spread of our favorite Tex Mex and Mexican-inspired dishes. We usually start with something easy to snack on, like Spicy Pico de Gallo, Green Chile Salsa, or Hatch Queso, especially if people are coming and going. A nacho bar is another fun option for groups, and our 20 Toppings Every Nacho Bar Needs guide makes it simple to set everything out without overthinking it.

Tacos are the heart of most of our Cinco menus. Carne Asada Street Tacos, Red Chile Chicken Street Tacos, and the Leftover Pulled Pork Street Tacos all come together quickly, and Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa adds something fresh. If you want to keep things even easier, the Carne Asada Bowl, Carne Asada Quesadilla, and Sheet Pan Nachos Supreme work well for casual gatherings.

It can’t be a celebration without a few cocktails. Mangonada Margaritas, Frozen Spicy Watermelon Margaritas, Strawberry Margaritas, and St. Germain Margaritas are easy to mix for a crowd, and the Make Ahead Freezer Margaritas save time when you’d rather focus on the food. For something savory, a Michelada is simple to make and fits right in.

Whether you’re planning a full menu or just pulling together a few favorites, these recipes make Cinco de Mayo feel festive without turning it into a project.