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Southwestern Recipes For Cinco de Mayo

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These 18 Festive Southwestern Recipes are perfect for Cinco de Mayo! Plan your next fiesta with these Tex Mex tacos, appetizers, and sides.

After 3 years of blogging I realized that I have a healthy number of Southwestern and Tex Mex recipes (my love of tacos is REAL, folks).

Last weekend I got a request for more Menu Planning posts as opposed to just posts that feature single recipes.

I thought this the perfect opportunity to compile a collection of Mexican-inspired recipes just in time for Cinco de Mayo! This recipe roundup is full of dishes with a Southwestern flair. From main dishes to sides to drinks - I've got you covered.

What Is Southwestern or Tex Mex, Anyway?

Tex Mex cuisine refers to what we in America think of as 'Mexican' food. It's actually more of a Mexican-American fusion that started in Texas and has spread across the country. Tex Mex or Southwestern cuisine is much different than actual Mexican food.

The cuisine of Mexico is diverse and complex - There are elements of it in many of our favorite Tex Mex dishes but it's important to remember that they are not the same thing.

I am by no means an expert in Southwestern, Tex Mex, OR Mexican food but I have a hefty appreciation for all of it!

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that has morphed into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in America - I remember the Cinco de Mayo festival being a favorite memory of my time living in St. Paul, MN.

These recipes are great for a fiesta any time of year!

Barbacoa Tacos with Chipotle Slaw
This Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos recipe is smoky and spicy. Beef chuck roast is made in the crock pot and then topped with chipotle coleslaw!
Check out this recipe
Barbacoa tacos with chipotle slaw, avocado, fresh cilantro, and jalapeno peppers.
Southwest Ground Turkey Egg Rolls
These Southwest Ground Turkey Egg Rolls are a festive appetizer! It's made with corn, black beans, cheese and a guacamole dipping sauce.
Check out this recipe
Southwest Baked Egg Rolls
Mexican Rice Bowls with Shrimp
This Mexican Rice Bowls recipe is topped with garlic sautéed shrimp, avocado, beans, and a homemade sour cream cilantro lime dressing!
Check out this recipe
Mexican shrimp rice bowl with red peppers, lettuce, avocado, and cilantro lime cream sauce with queso fresco cheese.
Poblano Burgers with Avocado Guacamole
This juicy Southwest Poblano Burgers recipe is grilled and topped with smoky roasted poblano peppers, avocado guacamole, and fresh cilantro.
Check out this recipe
Poblano burgers on buns with avocado guacamole and fresh cilantro.
Roasted Veggie Tacos
These vegan Roasted Veggie Tacos are a great healthy meatless meal! They're made with beans and topped with a creamy cashew cilantro sauce.
Check out this recipe
Roasted veggie tacos with cashew cilantro sauce.
Cheesy Spanish Rice (One Pot)
This Cheesy Spanish Rice recipe is an easy side dish made in one pot and feeds a crowd! It's made with corn, peppers, and cheddar cheese.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Spanish rice with sliced avocado and lime wedges in white bowl.
Southwest Black Bean Corn Salad
This Southwest Black Bean Corn Salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish! It's made with avocado and a creamy cilantro lime dressing.
Check out this recipe
Southwest black bean corn salad in ceramic bowl with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Tacos
This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is tender and juicy! Pork shoulder is cooked in the pressure cooker, shredded, and served on tacos.
Check out this recipe
Pork carnitas tacos on corn tortillas with guacamole, cilantro, and sliced jalapenos.
Southwest Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey
This healthy gluten free Southwest Stuffed Peppers recipe is made with ground turkey, black beans, and baked in red enchilada sauce.
Check out this recipe
Southwest stuffed peppers with queso fresco, cilantro, and limes on white plate.
Baked Rice Balls with Chipotle Sour Cream
These oven Baked Rice Balls are a great gluten free appetizer! They're crispy, cheesy, and served with chipotle sour cream for dipping.
Check out this recipe
Baked rice balls dipped into chipotle sour cream.
Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
This Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail is an easy bright and festive drink recipe! It's sparkly and flavored with lime and garnished with mint.
Check out this recipe
Pomegranate mojitos in mason jars with fresh mint.
Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas
This Cheesy Ground Beef Enchiladas recipe is a great easy weeknight dinner! It's made with refried beans, corn, cheese, and enchilada sauce.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy ground beef enchiladas with fresh cilantro and avocado slices on white plates.
Poblano Avocado Sauce
This Poblano Avocado Sauce is a great flavorful dip for chips or topping for tacos! It's made with roasted poblanos, cilantro and lime juice.
Check out this recipe
Tortilla chip dipped into white bowl of poblano avocado sauce.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos with Pico de Gallo
This gluten free Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos recipe is ready in 20 minutes! It's topped with homemade pico de gallo salsa and Mexican crema.
Check out this recipe
Sheet pan shrimp tacos with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Lime Crema
This skillet Chipotle Chicken Tacos recipe is a great for dinner! It's topped with smoky shredded chicken, avocado, and Mexican lime crema.
Check out this recipe
Chipotle chicken tacos with lime crema, radishes, avocado, and fresh cilantro on white surface.
Chipotle Chicken Panini with Avocado
This Chipotle Chicken Panini sandwich recipe is great for lunch! It's toasted and made with zesty mayo, avocado, spinach, and melted cheese.
Check out this recipe
Chipotle chicken panini cut in half and stacked on white surface.
Sweet Potato Tacos with Avocado Salsa
These Sweet Potato Tacos are healthy and easy to make! This vegan recipe is made with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocadoes.
Check out this recipe
Sweet potato tacos with black beans, avocado, and spinach on corn tortillas.
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
This Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw recipe is made with breaded cod or walleye that is pan seared and topped with spicy cabbage coleslaw!
Check out this recipe
Fish tacos with cilantro lime slaw, bell peppers, avocado, and cilantro.

More Recipe Roundup

About Christine

My name is Christine Rooney. I live in rural Minnesota with my husband. I own and operate The Rustic Foodie and work as a freelance photographer and writer. I like my food to be like anything else in life - down to earth and full of flavor.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheryl

    Thanks for the round up of Tex Mex recipes. And double thanks for the many vegetarian inclusions! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply

    • Christine

      Hi Cheryl - So glad you are enjoying it. Yes, it's always nice to have tasty vegetarian options. Happy Cinco de Mayo to you as well! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats

    I bet you had an amazing Cinco de Mayo with all these delicious treats. That cheesy Spanish rice is definitely calling my name.

    Reply

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