Cinco de Mayo Menu
Why go out when the best fiesta in town is in your own kitchen? This Cinco de Mayo, we’re helping you ditch the crowds and level up your home cooking. We’ve pulled together our favorite Gran Luchito recipes—guaranteed to impress your friends and keep the tacos flowing all night long.
Head Chef Susy V on Cinco de Mayo in Mexico
Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May) commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
At the time, Mexico was struggling financially and defaulted on debts to European governments. France, ruled by Napoleon III, saw this as an opportunity to invade and establish a monarchy in Mexico. On May 5th, a ragtag, outnumbered Mexican army of about 2,000 soldiers faced off against 6,000 well-equipped French troops—the premier military force of the time.
Against all odds, Mexico won the battle. While it didn’t end the war, the victory became a massive symbol of resistance, unity, and Mexican pride.
Today, it is a global appreciation of Mexican culture—meaning the music, the vibrant traditions, and, of course, the incredible food and drink.
Why should you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? By early May, the UK is finally seeing some sunshine. It’s the perfect time to kick off “Al Fresco” season with bright, zesty flavours including lime, coriander, and chillies. Mexican food is the king of social, communal eating. Whether it’s building your own tacos or sharing a giant bowl of guacamole, it’s the easiest way to host a fun, low-stress gathering at home.
Scroll down for my recommended Cinco de Mayo meal plan of starters, mains and sides. In the spirit of Mexican warmth and culture, we hope you have fun if you choose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo Starters
Homemade Guacamole
No Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without Tortilla Chips and Guacamole. Here’s our recipe which uses our Tomatillo Salsa for a flavourful and fresh tasting Guacamole.
Queso Fundido
Queso Fundido is the perfect starter for bringing people together. Who doesn't love melted cheese cooked with chorizo, onions, and Gran Luchito Crunchy Salsa Macha. Serve with warmed Soft Taco Wraps to scoop up the melty goodness.
Chipotle Margarita
Chipotle Margaritas with the signature smoky flavour of Gran Luchito Chipotle Paste definitely take the classic margarita up a notch!
Everything you need to make Cinco de Mayo recipes at home
Gran Luchito has everything you need to make these delicious Cinco de Mayo party food ideas!
You will need some of our small Soft Taco Wraps for most of these Mexican main dishes. They are the perfect base for carne asada tacos, pork belly tacos, chicken enchiladas, and so on!
Some of our Chipotle Tortilla Chips would make an amazing spicy base for nachos, but also just for dipping into guacamole as a starter or snack before your main meal. For a milder version, our Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips are the bee’s knees, and everyone agrees!
You will also need something to marinate your chosen meat or veg, and make it Mexican! Other than Gran Luchito Chipotle Paste (as shown in the image on the left), you could go for one of our Mexican sauces. Our Tomatillo Salsa is amazing in chicken enchiladas, or try our Chipotle Salsa in your steak fajitas.
Cinco de Mayo Main & Sides
Carnitas
Carnitas is one of the most epic, celebratory dishes you find in Mexico! Tender and flavourful slow cooker pork carnitas gets crisped up. Perfect for wrapping up in Soft Taco Wraps.
Refried Beans
Refried Beans are a classic side dish for crispy pork Carnitas and with Gran Luchito's Chipotle Refried Beans it's easy to make a really flavourful side dish with little time and effort so you can enjoy time with your guests! Serve with Gran Luchito Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips for dipping and salsas
Beef Tacos
Make crunchy beef tacos at home for a quick and tasty Tex Mex fiesta! Easy to follow with simple ingredients and delivers a delicious combination of flavours and textures.
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Mexican section
Homemade Guacamole
We have stripped things back to basics but dialled up the attitude, pairing buttery, creamy avocados with tangy, mild tomatillos and a sharp kick of jalapeño. It is vibrant, punchy, and completely unmissable. You need this on your table....
Pork Belly Tacos
Tacos you will crave! What could be better than crispy and succulent pork belly tucked into tacos?! Lovingly cooked in beer and spices and coated in our divine Chipotle Paste...
Carne Asada Tacos
A warm tortilla wrap filled with thinly sliced grilled steak, onions, guacamole, and our Chipotle Salsa. There is so much to love about this Carne Asada Tacos recipe. ...
Carnitas
Authentic, caramelised pork cooked low and slow and then crisped up - yum! The carnitas are then served over warm tortillas with finely chopped raw onion, coriander and salsa...
Tlacoyos
We think you'd like to try these tlacoyos at home as the perfect appetizer alongside some refried beans and tomatillo salsa for the perfect Mexican snack! ...
Chicken Nachos
The perfect movie night in nacho! Delicious nachos layered with flavourful chipotle chicken thighs, Refried Beans, cheese and a salsa that packs a punch....
Vegan Pozole
Vegan pozole is a traditional Mexican soup crafted without animal products, replacing pork with ingredients like hominy, vegetables, and flavourful spices. It offers a rich, hearty taste, complemented by the essence of herbs and chilli peppers....
Mexican Coleslaw
Crisp, colourful and packed full of chipotle flavour - this Mexican coleslaw recipe is perfect for topping tacos or as a side dish at your next BBQ...
Queso Fundido
This irresistible, bubbling warm cheese dip with crispy chorizo is perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or tortilla wraps, a delicious snack or starter for you and the family to enjoy!...
Mexican Rice With Chipotle
Authentic, restaurant style Mexican rice is easier than you think to make at home and goes with just about any Mexican meal, ours has a delicious dollop of Chipotle...
Chicken Taquitos
A sure fire way to get the party started is to whip up a batch of our easy chipotle Chicken Taquitos! These can be made as a starter, party snack or tasty dinner!...
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
Our Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef recipe is yet another reason to love the slow cooker! It cooks beef to perfection, full of flavour and so tender it falls apart....
Elotes
One of the very best street snacks you’ll find in Mexico! Our delicious Elotes are smothered in creamy chipotle mayo, lime juice, fresh coriander and crumbly cheese....
Michelada
Part beer, part cocktail, this "beertail" is full of flavour and fun. Like a Bloody Mary, Micheladas are perfect for hangovers, and very refreshing on a hot summer's day....
Chipotle Margarita
The margarita is a guaranteed party starter. With a touch of smoky Chipotle Paste, tequila, and balanced with zesty lime and orange liqueur, it's got a zing to get you going...
Gran Luchito Mexican
Cinco de Mayo FAQs
Please see here for our most frequently asked questions regarding Cinco de Mayo. Feel free to leave a question in the comments section of any recipe page. If you would like to learn more about Mexican cooking check out the Gran Luchito Youtube Channel.
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is usually marked with parades and celebrations of Mexican culture, culminating with the consumption of lots of Mexican food and margaritas.
Mole Poblano may be the most consumed dish in Puebla for Cinco de Mayo. Other than that, carnitas, tamales, barbacoa, chilaquiles, street corn and elotes, tacos al pastor, tortilla chips and margaritas.
Decorate your house with colour, and wear bright clothing! Especially the colours of the Mexican flag, green, white or red skirts with long sleeves, but you can go with orange, blue and bold prints or patterns. Bring Mexican food to the table. Talk and teach people about Mexican history.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo isn’t a federal holiday, which means businesses, including banks and stores, are open. In fact, outside the town of Puebla, the day isn’t widely celebrated in the country, making this more of an American holiday anyway. In the US Cinco de Mayo is an optional national holiday. In the US, they began to celebrate it because they also wanted to commemorate their acts of resistance during the US-Mexico war, but also holding their own after incorporation.