It’s Mexican FIESTA TIME!!!! We never need an excuse for Mexican food, so gather your amigos and get ready for a feast with this EASY Mexican menu!
Mexican Food Fiesta!
If you really twisted my arm and forced me to choose, I’d say Mexican is my favourite food……… along with Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Southern, Italian and Middle Eastern food. 😂😂😂
This feast you see is in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo which is on Saturday, 5 May 2018. It marks the anniversary of Mexico defeating the French invasion in 1862, but ironically, is more widely celebrated in the States than in Mexico.
Albeit for some, it seems like an excuse for eating tacos and drinking margaritas!!!
So I present to you a simply fabulous Mexican Fiesta menu plan, jam packed with my favourite Mexican food. A base taco menu plus plenty of options to switch out and add ons. Bring it on!
A big Mexican Fiesta that’s easy to make at home
Pork Carnitas (pictured in Fiesta) – that elusive combination of golden crispy meets juicy in shredded pork. The best of the best of Mexican food, 5 minutes prep, freezer friendly — every taco lover’s dream come true!
Carnitas not your taco filling of choice? Not to worry – any of the following make just as brilliant alternatives!
More Taco Fillings
Unforgettable Guac (doubles as dip and dolloping in tacos)- The secret to a great guacamole is starting with a paste made with onion, coriander/cilantro, jalapeño or serrano chilli, and salt. And if you find this guac recipe on my Instagram feed, you’ll also see plenty of messages validating the claims of authenticity! This is the real deal. No one can ever put their finger on why it tastes so good, they just know it’s better. 🙂
Simple Pickled Red Cabbage (from my Fish Tacos recipe) – such a great side for a taco spread! It adds a burst of freshness in or on the side of the taco, not to mention how much I love the vibrant colour. 🙂 This one’s a real quick pickled cabbage I use in Fish Tacos – just scale it up (use the slider).
Also pictured in the Mexican Fiesta Spread:
Charred warm corn and flour tortillas, grilled corn sprinkled with chipotle powder (contemplated doing this Mexican Grilled Corn or Mexican Corn Salad but thought simpler was better, already enough flavours going on), homemade tortilla chips (just deep fry corn tortillas), quick Restaurant Style Salsa (doubles as dip and sauce for tacos), sour cream, a dish of chopped white onions (not as sharp as brown onion, very commonly used in tacos in Mexico), coriander/cilantro and lime wedges.
Want to go even bigger for your fiesta food spread? Here are extra hit dishes to add to your menu for a truly decadent Mexicano banquet!
More Fiesta Dishes!
Other optional extras: Pico de Gallo, Refried Beans (I dress up canned, it’s in this recipe here), bowls of shredded cheese, Mexican hot sauces, sliced jalapeño.
Oh, also included in the Fiesta photo – fake shots of tequila (water…. too early for real tequila!!) and light beer I use solely for photos (having purchased a carton for a gathering thinking surely there would be some sensible people will drink it. How wrong I was.)
What I should have included in the photos – margaritas!
More Fiesta Drinks
And something sweet to finish – I suggest Churros, which I know isn’t strictly Mexican (it’s actually Spanish) albeit very popular in the touristy areas of Mexico. 🙂 20 minutes to make (you will be amazed!) and great for making ahead!
I know you’re probably sick of seeing this photo, but because it took the better part of a day to cook, style and clean up after a single photo, let me get more mileage out of it – so here it is one last time! – Nagi xx
PS I know this Mexican Fiesta isn’t a recipe but I consolidated it all into one handy little printable recipe for you. 🙂
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Mexican Fiesta Menu
Ingredients
Mexican Fiesta menu plan (as pictured in post):
- Pork Carnitas
- Restaurant style salsa (doubles as taco sauce + dip)
- Authentic Guacamole
- Pickled red cabbage (Note 1)
- Warmed tortillas
- Homemade tortilla chips (see below)
- Grilled corn (See below)
- Sour Cream
- Chopped white onions (Note 2)
- Coriander/cilantro leaves (whole or chopped)
- Lime wedges
Other Protein options:
Other Side options:
- Pico de Gallo
- Queso Dip (stays silky when cool!)
- Mexican Corn Salad
- Avocado Corn Salad
- Mexican Grilled Corn with Chipotle Adobo Sauce
- Pig Out Salsa (Chorizo and Corn)
- Mexican Red Rice
- Refried Beans (Note 3)
- Shredded Cheeses
- Avocado Slices (instead of guac)
- Hot Sauces
- Sliced Jalapeno
To Finish:
- Churros (quick, and great for make ahead)
Instructions
- Choose one or two proteins, then sides of choice. See linked recipes for directions (except tortilla chips and grilled corn, see below).
- Main Taco Filling Selection: The most convenient big batch protein is Pork Carnitas because it freezes great and only requires a quick pan fry to freshen up, and stays good for several hours (tips are in Carnitas recipe notes). The Shredded Chicken and Beef are almost as good (pork is slightly juicier) and stored similarly. The next simplest is Fish Tacos because it’s very quick to cook, then just put them in a serving dish and break into chunks with fork. If you want to use one of the chicken recipes to make ahead, use boneless thigh fillets, cook, then keep whole, cover and cool, reserve every drop of leached juice. Before serving, chop/slice, cover and microwave reheat.
- Taco Fixings: I like to have at least one fresh thing to stuff in tacos (pickled cabbage is my choice in this Fiesta), + a sauce (the Restaurant Style Salsa,) + avocado in some form (guac or slices or in Pico de Gallo) + coriander/cilantro. Chopped white onion is very common in Mexico, and Tex Mex fans such as myself will almost always have sour cream and shredded cheese too!
- Other Sides: Tortillas + things to stuff in tortillas usually makes for a satisfying meal in itself, but to round things out I usually provide a salad or vegetables of some form. Plain grilled corn is very on theme!
Directions (for items listed above without recipe link):
- Homemade Tortillas Chips: Chop corn tortillas to desired shape, fry in oil until crisp and light golden. Transfer for paper towel, sprinkle with salt while hot.
- Grilled Corn: Grill corn on BBQ over high heat until nicely charred. Brush with melted salted butter and sprinkle with chipotle powder (or chilli or cayenne, to taste)
Recipe Notes:
LIFE OF DOZER
Before:
And 2 minutes later: Dozer did “something”, was limping heavily and in visible distress, but even worse was the grinding, cracking and popping noise.
With the help of kind strangers, he was carried to the car and I dashed to the vet to learn he had ruptured his ACL*. I’m told it was a ticking time bomb – he’s had knee problems for a while now.
He’s unable to bear any weight on his rear leg though thankfully he’s not in pain. He’s going in for surgery as soon as I return from the States (I shortened the trip especially) and it’s going to be a long road to recovery.
Discomfort aside, the worst part is that he’s confined to a small space for the 6 weeks or so – at least. It’s going to be such torture for this beach loving boy affectionately called “psycho” by fellow dog owners for the ridiculous high energy he has!
Be prepared for some sad photos in the coming months. 😩 But also hopefully some hilarious ones as I get creative to keep his spirits up!!!❤️
* The ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament which holds the knee together so basically his knee joint is sliding all over the place so he can’t put any pressure on it. Once the ACL is snapped, it won’t heal without surgery.
Our dog ripped his ACL by running after the cat. They were having so much fun with their nightly chase but this time the cat decided to take a shortcut and jumped over the back of the couch so the dog did too. I think the neighbors several doors down would have heard his yelps had the windows been open. Pitiful. That keeping a dog quiet thing…ACK! Gives new meaning to the term mission impossible. Thanks for collecting the links one page. All the best to you and that sweet pooch.
Ohhhh your poor pooch! I can just imagine the torture of keeping him from resuming his nightly cat chasing after the surgery…. 😂 N xx
Thanks so much for the wonderful recipes, so hard to choose which ones to make!. ALL of your recipes are awesome!
I’m so sorry to hear/see about Dozer, honestly besides your recipes HE is one of the reasons I love coming to your website. Poor baby, he is just so sweet, I am praying for the best for him, and a speedy recovery.
Thank you for the lovely message Regina! Truly brought tears to my eyes reading all these beautiful messages. 😘 N xx
Hi, Nagi,
Well, you sure have gone all out with this fiesta! Everything looks so good! We love Mexican food and we’ll be making a few of those dishes for the two of us. Just got a lovely pork shoulder….mmmm
Nagi, I know it’s too late to ask for this year, but do you have a recipe for homemade flour tortillas? We had some from a little Mom & Pop place in Colorado, and they were to die for. They were thicker, softer and puffier than store bought.
So sorry “our” Dozer is hurting, but you are a fantastic mom to him and you were right on top of things and got the care he needed quickly. Enjoy SLC and try not to worry about Dozer. He will be all right while you’re away, and in a couple of months he’ll be as good as new. I bet he will be missed very much by the beach pups! Sending love and hugs!
HI Kin! I use this recipe -> https://thecafesucrefarine.com/best-ever-homemade-flour-tortillas/. It’s the best I”ve found and it’s easy! Thanks for the Dozer best wishes!! N xx
Thanks very much! 🙂 Your Mexican fest needs a great flour tortilla. BTW, flour tortillas can also make great snack chips. I use a pizza cutter and fry the triangles in olive oil until they are puffy and crisp. They are too fragile for dipping, but they taste great with just a sprinkle of sea salt…or cinnamon sugar! 🙂
Hi – I hope posting this link is okay with Nagi…She actually referenced this other food blog once before and I have found wonderful recipes there. That being said…Nagi is still my go to chef!
Since she has her hands filled with poor Dozer – and I have made these tortillas and can highly recommend them – here is the link:
https://thecafesucrefarine.com/best-ever-homemade-flour-tortillas/
I apologize in advance if this isn’t okay….
Of course I don’t mind! I love sharing other recipes on my site – and it’s so funny, that is the one I use too! I love that website, it’s so good. Great recipes! N xx
Wow, Allyson! Those look AMAZING! Exactly what I wanted! 😀 Thanks so much! I’m sure Nagi won’t mind. I look at it this way…all those fab recipes need a fab tortilla. I really don’t like the ones from the stores. Thanks again! 🙂
OMG of course I don’t mind! That’s the one I use too!!! N xx
I live 20 minutes from SLC and might just fan girl scream if I happen to run into you!! You are now warned;) Thanks for making our family meals eleventy-billion times better♡ Heal quickly Dozer!!!
You definitely won’t fan girl scream if you see me!! I am totally not scream worthy!! 😂😂😂 N xx
All the best for you and your poor sweet boy! Hope all will be well and he will have the speediest recovery ever 🙂
Have a great and safe trip!
Thank you for the well wishes Nicole! N xx
AWWWW!! Poor Dozer! I hope his surgery goes well and his recovery is SPEEDY!! Nagi, your Mexican Feast Menu looks yummy. We will be making it tomorrow. have a wonderful and safe trip to the USA!
Thank you Bev!! He is going to be fine – just will be frustrating trying to keep him quiet!!! N xx
I know the feels…we had a big, energetic boy we had to keep quiet for a while. Not quite as long as your baby will have to be quiet, though. Good luck to you and Dozer – we’ll be thinking of you.
Poor Dozer, he looks so sad. And, poor you, as you had to cut your trip short and pay the vet bill.
Your fiesta looks great. I so miss good Mexican food here.
He’s been putting it on big time all weekend. He’s always been great at the forlorn face!!!😂😂
Poor Dozer!! This has to be incredibly difficult for both of you. You are amazing! Can’t believe you were able to take care of Dozer, prepare for an international trip and put this amazing Mexican food spread together in very short period of time. Dozer will undoubtedly make a full recovery, just hope it doesn’t completely wear you out. You are such a wonderful mama! Take care, try to enjoy your trip as much as possible under the circumstances and know that your readers love you both because you are a very special person and Dozer is a very special pup.
Thanks so much for the message Barb! Cheered me up reading this – and all the other messages. The trip is going to be GREAT!!! And Staying for the weekend was a good move., I know he’s going to be fine. Just had to get in a new routine! N xx
Oh can’t wait to try all of these ….sorry to hear about dozer. Poor baby…hope he gets better soon.
Thanks Taz!! All these messages have gone a long way to lift my spirits that’s for sure! N xx
🐶 So sorry to hear about your boy! prayers for him (and you too you!) You will need them! 🐶
Thanks Ginger!! I know he will be fine – just going to be a loooong few months!! N xx
Sounds delicious! Good luck with Dozer’s recovery. Our Labrador has just completed 4 months recovery after his ACL op – I’m feeling for you all!
It’s so good hearing from others who have been through this! How is your lab now! Back to normal after 4 months? Is he highly active like Dozer? N x
and the recipes look yummy 🙂
Thanks Kim! N xx
I hope Dozer recovers well, its a long process, and he needs to stay confined as much as he will want to get out. give him lots of kisses and cuddles.
It’s so hard!! I have a pen for him but even in a small enclosed space he prances around when he gets excited!! 🙄
I look forward to trying some of your Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo tomorrow.
I wish Dozer a speedy recovery and you are such a good mom for taking such good care of your fur baby.
He’s a valuable company asset…. 😂😜 N xx
CUANTO LAMENTO POBRE DOZER . DESEO SE REPONGA PRONTO
gracias por el mensaje encantador !! N xx