5 Easy Mexican Dinner Recipes with 5 Steps or Less for Cinco de Mayo

The month of May is full of celebrations - celebrating Mom and all the wonderful things she does for her family, enjoying the first day of summer and, of course, Cinco de Mayo, which is what this blog is all about. Recognizing the Battle of Puebla in 1862, this holiday is celebrated through dance, beautiful bright colors, quality time with loved ones and delicious food. 

So, as you get ready to observe Cinco de Mayo with your family, we want to give you some tasty ideas for Mexican-inspired foods you may want to try this holiday. From quick and easy tacos and stuffed avocados to a zesty side dish, these five Mexican dinner recipes have one big thing in common - they can all be made in five steps or less. That means not only are they flavorful, but they’re also so easy to make! 

What are we waiting for? Let’s jump into the recipe ideas, starting with an easy chicken taco dish. 

1) Easy Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos

Get your slow cooker ready for this easy Mexican dinner recipe, where the flavors of the roasted salsa verde really make this chicken taco dish stand out above the rest. Throw all of the ingredients into your slow cooker, including chicken strips, salsa verde, garlic powder, oregano and salt, and let the magic work.

After a couple of hours, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken ready for shredding and topping on corn or flour tortillas. It’s that easy to make these Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos! Serve with sauteed peppers and onions or some smoky and sweet grilled corn. And that brings us to our next recipe for Cinco de Mayo - Mexican Grilled Corn! 

2) Mexican Grilled Corn

What could pair better with your Cinco de Mayo meal than the classic street food - Mexican Street Corn? Plus, who doesn’t love biting into tasty grilled corn on the cob? So, grab the ingredients below and then fire up the grill! To make this recipe for Mexican Grilled Corn, besides fresh corn on the cob, you’ll also need:  

• Mayonnaise
• Lime
• Four seasonings - chili powder, garlic powder, paprika and salt
• Butter
• Feta or cotija cheese

And once the corn is cooked, the seasoned mayo is spread and the cheese is added on top, you’ll sprinkle just a little more chili powder and this zesty corn recipe is ready to enjoy for your Cinco de Mayo festivities with your family! \

3) Taco Stuffed Avocados

It’s true - tacos are totally delicious, but with this Mexican dinner recipe, we’re rethinking tacos a bit and using avocado halves in place of your taco shells. It’s a low-carb version, but you can rest assured that you and your family won’t miss the tortilla. After all, this dish is packed with flavor and extra creamy with a dollop of sour cream and the avocado’s natural creaminess.

But, if your avocados aren’t quite ripe, we have a quick tip to help speed up the process. Simply place them in a paper bag on your kitchen counter. How does that work? Avocados release natural gas and, when contained in a bag, causes them to ripen faster than if you were to simply leave them out on the counter or in a produce bowl.

Ready to make this Mexican-inspired recipe? Check out the complete list of ingredients and step-by-step directions here!

4) Sweet-and-Spicy Grilled Shrimp

It’s true - hamburgers and hot dogs taste amazing grilled, but they probably aren’t the foods you want to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo. So, for another tasty grilled protein, try our easy Sweet-and-Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe that features a delicious marinade with Mexican flavors like chipotle and cumin. That means these shrimp are perfect for fajitas or in burritos or tacos. 

If you choose tacos, we have some ideas for toppings that you may want to try, including:

• Grilled pineapple slices (diced)
• Jicama
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Chipotle mayonnaise
• Cilantro
• Fresh lime juice

Although, if you have your taco go-to’s, feel free to utilize those and maybe just throw in one of our ideas above, too, for a slight twist. That’s one of the great things about tacos - you can make them to your exact preference. 

5) Beef Tostadas

Our last Mexican dinner recipe idea for Cinco de Mayo is a different way to enjoy seasoned taco meat - Beef Tostadas. With a crunchy tortilla base, layered with some of the most-loved taco toppings, including shredded cheese, beans, lettuce, avocado, tomato and onion, as well as some sour cream and enchilada sauce, this dish is packed with all of the scrumptious taco flavors you know and love. 

Want to switch up the protein? Use shredded rotisserie chicken with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chili powder or grill a batch of the Sweet-and-Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe above. You can’t go wrong with either choice. 

With these five Mexican dinner recipes, you’re ready to plan the perfect evening meal to enjoy with your family. No matter which one you choose, you can rest assured that they are quick and easy to make since each one required five or fewer steps. Good food and simple preparation? Two more reasons to celebrate! And when you shop at your neighborhood Food Lion for your Cinco de Mayo mealtime essentials, you’ll find what you need at low prices.