30+ Cinco de Mayo Potluck Recipes

Looking for Cinco de Mayo potluck recipe ideas? Look no more, we’ve got you covered with a collection of mouth-watering dishes that will make your celebration hassle-free and unforgettable!

A collage with cinco de mayo potluck recipes photos and text overlayed.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the country’s victory over the French army in 1862. It’s celebrated mostly in the United States, where it’s become a popular day to honor Mexican culture and indulge in delicious food and drinks.

Cinco de Mayo potlucks are a great opportunity to share and enjoy festive and traditional Mexican dishes. Here are some popular recipes that would make a great addition to your potluck because they are easy to make, easy to transport, and don’t need to be reheated!

These recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures, making them perfect for a festive Cinco de Mayo potluck. Consider the dietary preferences and restrictions of your guests when planning your menu.

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.

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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Tostilocos recipe.

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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Sandía loca recipe cover.

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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Mexican cucumbers snack (pepinos con chile).

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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Chicharrones chips duritos. Cover image.

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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Cilantro lime rice in rice cooker recipe.

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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Mexican green rice recipe.

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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Mexican arroz con chorizo recipe.

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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Authentic Frijoles Puercos Recipe.

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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Authentic Guacamole Recipe.

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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Easy Guajillo Sauce Recipe.

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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Mexican pickled onions recipe.

Main Dishes

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with our mouth-watering main dishes! From flavorful and delicious burritos to loaded Doritos Nachos, our collection of recipes will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico.

So grab a margarita and get ready to party with these festive and delicious dishes for your Cinco de Mayo Potlucks.

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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Mexican Beef Salpicón Recipe.

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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Torta de jamón recipe.

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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Al Pastor Burrito Recipe.

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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Ensalada de pollo receta Mexicana.

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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Mexican tuna salad

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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Flautas ahogadas recipe.

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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Enchiladas Suizas Recipe.

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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Agua de mango recipe cover.

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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Mexican easy limonada recipe.

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 naranja recipe.

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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Agua de Fresa Recipe.

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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Tamarind margarita recipe.

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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Mazapán recipe.

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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Mexican Pan de Elote (sweet corn bread).

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, we 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.

Drinks:

Mexican tacos de bistec in a board with various garnishes.

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.

FAQ

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May” in Spanish, is a celebration held annually on May 5th. Contrary to popular belief, it is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Instead, it commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

What do you bring to a Cinco de Mayo potluck?

When attending a Cinco de Mayo potluck, it’s a good idea to bring a dish that represents Mexican cuisine or complements the theme of the celebration. Easily transportable dishes that don’t need to be reheated or cooked right there should be your first options.

Remember to consider the dietary preferences and restrictions of the guests when selecting a dish to bring. If you’re unsure, reach out to the host to ask for suggestions or if there’s a particular dish they’d like you to contribute.

What to bring to a potluck with tacos?

If you’re attending a potluck where tacos are the main dish, consider bringing complementary items that can enhance the taco experience or provide additional options for guests. For example, homemade corn tortillas, pickled onions, or an easy salsa recipe, we recommend this salsa roja.

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