How To Celebrate Cinco de Mayo At Home
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Are you thinking about celebrating Cinco de Mayo at home this year? If so, here are recipes and authentic ways to do so.
What Is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo, celebrated annually on May 5th, commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
While it is a minor holiday in Mexico, it’s a more significant celebration in the U.S., particularly among Mexican-American communities.
Appetizers:
Street Corn Nachos
These Street Corn Nachos are cheesy, savory, salty, fresh, and zesty with a kick of spice.
Keto Mexican Shrimp Appetizer
Each cup contains a creamy avocado dip, refreshing pico de gallo, and two large succulent shrimp.
Street Corn Queso
Street corn queso is freshly grilled corn slathered in mayo, spiced with lime, with a crumble of cheese.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations often feature parades, music, and various cultural events, reflecting Mexican traditions.
Cinco de Mayo Main Dishes:
Tacos Al Pastor
Cook these Mexican tacos on a grill, stove, or oven. They can be served on warm corn tortillas with tender beef, grilled pineapple, pickled red onions, and cilantro.
Rotisserie Chicken Enchilada Skillet
This recipe uses a rotisserie chicken to simplify the dish for one-pot cooking.
Hawaiian BBQ Beef Taquitos
These beef taquitos are smothered in spicy, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce, mixed with cheddar cheese, and then rolled in a tortilla and broiled to crispy perfection.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy boosted the holiday’s popularity in the US, aimed at improving relations with Latin America. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in Puebla.
Desserts:
Tres Leches Cake
Tres Leches Cake is a soft vanilla cake soaked in three milks and topped with whipped cream.
Easy Arroz con Leche
Mexican rice pudding is made with cinnamon, cloves and the addition of plump, chewy raisins.
Homemade Churros
Churros are soft and tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Cinco de Mayo Beverages:
Frozen Margarita Recipe
These frozen margaritas are cold and delicious and perfect for a hot summer day. This recipe is made with only 5 ingredients.
Watermelon Jalepeno Margarita
This watermelon jalapeno margarita recipe is easy and filled with sweet, fruity flavor.
Paloma Tequila Cocktail
This is a tequila-based cocktail that is served on the rocks and is most commonly prepared by mixing tequila and lime with a Mexican grapefruit-flavored soda called Jarritos.
Cinco de Mayo should not be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16th.
Do’s & Don’ts For Cinco de Mayo:
- Wearing sombreros or mustaches as a costume can trivialize Mexican culture.
- Learn about authentic Mexican culture and heritage
- Avoid using your high school Spanish, especially with native Spanish speakers.
- Enjoy traditional Latin drinks, but don’t use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink too much.
- Do support Mexican-owned or Latinx-owned businesses and restaurants.
How To Celebrate Cinco de Mayo At Home:
- Put up festive colorful decor
- Serve Mexican dishes
- Use colorful drinkware
- Add fresh flowers to tables
- Participate in cultural events, parades, and celebrations that honor Mexican heritage
- Enjoy the holiday with authentic Mexican food, drinks, and music
What Is Papel Picado:
Papel picado means “punched paper.”
Papel picado represents air, from the way it moves in the wind. Candles, water, and foods, or flowers can be used to represent fire, water, and earth.
The practice of papel picado is rooted in the cultural contact between indigenous people of Mexico and the Spanish in the 16th century.
Papel picado is commonly used for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Mexico and other parts of the world. It’s a traditional Mexican folk art form involving intricately cut paper banners, and it’s a popular decoration for festive occasions, including Cinco de Mayo.
It is believed that the holes in the tissue paper make it possible for the souls to travel and visit us.
Have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo!
I was thinking of going out for tacos on Monday night. Or at least picking them up to go. It’ll probably be pretty busy. Some people l like to do taco Tuesdays. I’m perfectly happy having tacos both days!
Great post! I love the colorful punched paper banners. Walmart sells two sizes that are pretty & made of plastic, so more durable. I used them on fences in my last garden for a pop of color. The enchilada skillet sounds scrumptious! I look forward to trying it.
Yummy. I’ll have a margarita please!!
I am hoping to find a tasty, not so hot you get scalded lips and mouth, chicken tamale. Would likely be in frozen section. Wonder if you or anyone out there has a suggestion? Chicken is about the only meat I can eat these days. I realize one could make them but they are very labor intensive and I simply do not have time right now. We used to eat a lot more Mexican food…but old age has meant I have to make most of it myself in order to get it mild enough for our older bodies.
Apparently, some companies sell and deliver tamales. I’d Google it. I can’t do spicy either.
Thanks Brenda…will see what I can find out.