Cinco de Mayo: Recipes for Parties and Fun Family Meals - NYCM Insurance Blog

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May 2, 2023

Cinco de Mayo: Recipes for Parties and Fun Family Meals


Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Whether you celebrate the holiday for cultural reasons or just enjoy the festive vibe of the day, there is one thing we can all look forward to on this Mexican holiday: the food. Aside from being delicious, Mexican cuisine provides a lot of great options for different settings, such as parties with friends or fun gatherings with family. While you’re aware of the holiday, you may be wondering...

What is Cinco de Mayo?

As you probably already know, “Cinco de Mayo” translates to the fifth of May and - as you can probably guess - is celebrated every year on May 5. Historically, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Another term for Cinco de Mayo is Battle of Puebla Day. Beyond the history of the holiday, Cinco de Mayo has also evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture. The holiday is celebrated in different parts of Mexico as well as in the United States.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Food

Whether you’re hosting a Cinco de Mayo party this year or are planning a fun, themed dinner at home with your family, you’re probably thinking about one very important celebration piece: the food! Check out some of our favorite celebratory Cinco de Mayo recipes below which are great for serving in group settings with limited cutlery.

Classic Homemade Salsa


Who doesn’t love salsa? This recipe is easy to put together and features a blend of authentic Mexican spices that makes its taste much more advanced than it is to put together! Whip out the food processor and get ready to have everyone asking you for the recipe. Side note: Don’t forget to grab some of your favorite tortilla chips to serve alongside your salsa (we recommend grabbing extra - it’s going to be popular)!


Mocktail Margarita


This mocktail recipe for virgin margaritas is perfect for serving up at Cinco de Mayo parties where people will be driving home after the fun, or to invite your kids to participate in the festivities with you. On a similar note, it’s also great for when Cinco de Mayo falls on a weekday and you have to go to work the next day! Download the recipe and click on the button at the bottom of this article to watch a video on how to put this festive drink together. Serve your margarita in themed glasses for an extra dose of fun! 



Mexican Street Corn Nachos


Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like a giant plate of nachos to go with your mocktail margarita! This nacho recipe features authentic cotija cheese for an especially festive flare. If you have young chefs around, this is a great, simple recipe to make together and - in doing so - make fun memories in the kitchen.


Beef Empanadas



These fan-favorite beef empanadas are the perfect finger-food for parties and an easy way to add some protein to your menu! If beef isn’t your thing, you can also swap out the filling for spiced chicken or pork. Their versatility also extends to how you cook them - bake them in the oven or air-fryer depending on what else you’ve got going in the kitchen. Your guests will love the authenticity of this recipe and kids will love that they get to dig in with their hands! 


Whatever you’ve got planned for Cinco de Mayo, we hope it’s full of fun and good food!