Tips for Planning a Cinco de Mayo Party
- Create a guest list and send out email or snail mail Cinco de Mayo invitations
- Plan your Cinco de Mayo menu a couple weeks before the party
- Prep what you can ahead of time (this includes food and drink, music, decor and yourself!)
- Put out infused citrus water so guests stay hydrated
- Make sure to have snacks and appetizers ready in case folks arrive hungry (chips & dip!)
- Iry making homemade tortillas (see how to do it here)
- Use vibrant decor and think with color in mind
- Make a fun playlist and be ready to boogie
- Add pops of color with fresh flowers and small potted cacti
- Have games or coloring books set out for the little ones
- Stock up on the hot sauce, salsa and guac
- Set up a photo booth with props
- Send guests home with a special gift (like a homemade jalapeño jam)
- Have fun!
Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Of course, one of the most important parts of your gathering is the food. When it comes to Cinco de Mayo party food, the most important rule of thumb is to have fun with it! Here are some of our favorite flavor-filled ideas for starters, mains, drinks and desserts.Starters
When guests arrive, make sure to have starters available so they have something to munch on alongside a cold beverage. Get the tunes going, whip up one (or both) of these recipes and let the festivities begin!
Cashew No-Cheese Sauce
Get the Cinco de Mayo party moving by starting with a big batch of nutritious nachos. This recipe for Cashew No-Cheese Sauce is dairy free and made with Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast, cashews, salt, water, garlic powder and lemon juice. The end result is warm, cheesy goodness fit for any gathering (but especially for those that take place on May 5th).Avocado Cashew Dip
When it comes to dips, nothing compares to the creaminess of this zesty Avocado Cashew Dip. It’s made with classic flavors like jalapeño, cilantro and lime, and is the perfect party dip for your Cinco de Mayo festivities. In addition to serving it as a starter with tortilla chips or crackers, it can also be added to nachos, tacos and burritos. The cumin and cayenne give it just the right amount of kick for standout dishes.Main Dishes
The options for main dishes on Cinco de Mayo are endless, and from enchiladas to tacos, they’re all pretty delicious, too. Here are some of our favorite recipes to make for a group. Choose one or go for them all!
Black Bean Burger Recipe with Yucca and Guacamole
Chef Billy Parisi gives his burgers a unique twist in his Black Bean Burger Recipe with Yucca and Guacamole. Instead of traditional meat, he uses a mix of Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal, portobello mushrooms, red bell pepper, sweet onion, black beans, Bob’s Red Mill Cornmeal and olive oil to create his patties. From there, he tops his dish with a brilliant mix of yucca, vegan butter, homemade guacamole, corn, tomatoes, watercress and chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. The creative end result is one that, true to Chef Billy’s style, will leave guests in awe.Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Corn Tortillas
These Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Corn Tortillas use our Organic Golden Masa Harina as a tortilla base and build from there. With shrimp marinated in a mix of spices and a colorful slaw that incorporates ingredients like jalapeño, red and green cabbage and sriracha, this is a delicious main dish for a party. In fact, make it a group effort and set out a taco bar for an interactive evening. With big bowls of guac, salsa (you can even have your guests do a DIY salsa bar), tortillas and meat options, guests will enjoy bringing their own creations to life.Chicken Taco Casserole
This Chicken Taco Casserole is a great way to go for a party, as it can be prepped the day before or the morning of (meaning you won’t be running around the kitchen and getting dishes dirty right before guests arrive). Another recipe from Chef Billy Parisi, this one calls for our Cornbread Mix, along with rotisserie chicken, green bell pepper, canned tomatoes, spices and cheese. Garnish with salsa, sliced green onions and chopped cilantro and voila! Dinner is served. You can serve this as a main dish or do what Billy does and use it as a chip dip for an appetizer!Crockpot Shredded Chicken Fajita Chili
Crockpots and parties go hand in hand, because you can throw the ingredients in, sit back and let the crock pot do the work! This divine recipe for Crockpot Shredded Chicken Fajita Chili came to us from Julia Mueller of The Roasted Root. It smells amazing. It tastes amazing. And it will make your evening overall—just amazing.Drinks
When we think of Cinco de Mayo party ideas, our minds can quickly drift to fresh squeezed margaritas and ice cold beers with lime wedges. Though those are definitely an important component of a fiesta, consider offering your guests something else in the beverage realm, too.
Habañero Strawberry Chia Fresca
This Habañero Strawberry Chia Fresca is beyond refreshing and colorful. It was inspired by our friends at GloryBee, who sent us over a jar of habañero-infused honey. This is an excellent choice for a warm weather gathering, and as the recipe headnote states, you can even add a shot of tequila for cocktail hour.Avocado Lime Smoothie
For something a little more decadent that could even be served post-dinner, try this Avocado Lime Smoothie. For the nutrition enthusiast at the Cinco de Mayo party, this one is made with Bob’s Red Mill Protein & Fiber Nutritional Booster, avocado, baby spinach, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, coconut water and ice. If guests are full after their meals, try serving these in tiny glasses as a fun after-dinner sipper.Desserts
No Cinco de Mayo gathering would be complete without an assortment of sweet treats and luckily, we’ve got a few we’re itching to share!
