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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
These Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos are made with beef chuck roast that's cooked until tender! It's shredded and served with chipotle coleslaw.
Check out this recipe
Slow cooker barbacoa beef tacos with slaw on corn tortillas.
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.
Grilled Southwest Poblano Burgers
These Grilled Southwest Poblano Burgers are juicy, made with ground beef and topped with smoky roasted poblanos along with avocado guacamole.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Southwest poblano burgers with avocado guacamole and 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 Turkey Stuffed Peppers
These Southwest Turkey Stuffed Peppers are healthy and flavorful! They're made with ground turkey, black beans, cheese, and enchilada sauce.
Check out this recipe
Southwest turkey stuffed peppers with cheese and cilantro in baking dish.
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
These Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos are healthy and ready in 20 minutes! They're topped with fresh Pico de Gallo salsa and Mexican lime crema.
Check out this recipe
Sheet pan shrimp taco with sliced avocado and lime crema on corn tortilla.
Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Lime Crema
These shredded adobo Chipotle Chicken Tacos are healthy and flavorful! They're made in a skillet on the stovetop and topped with lime crema.
Check out this recipe
Shredded chipotle chicken tacos with lime crema, avocado, and cilantro on corn tortillas.
Chipotle Chicken Panini
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 made with spiced roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado salsa. A great easy and healthy vegan meal!
Check out this recipe
Sweet potato tacos with avocado salsa 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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