30+ Healthy Mexican Recipes Perfect for Cinco de Mayo
Looking for healthy Cinco de Mayo recipes? I’ve got you covered! Cinco de Mayo is my favorite foodie holiday and as a Southern California native, I’m slightly obsessed with Mexican food.
Interestingly enough, some mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day, but it’s not. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican military over France in 1862 and in fact, it’s not widely celebrated in Mexico.
But in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has morphed into a heritage and cultural celebration of Mexico and I think that’s something to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with healthy Mexican recipes, fiestas, mariachi music and perhaps a margarita.
Healthy Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo
Below is a list of my Mexican or Mexican-inspired recipes (I do take some liberties to make things Downshiftology appropriate). Case in point, the use of cassava flour to replace more traditional flour tortillas. But trust me, everything is delicious and gluten-free!
Mexican Appetizers, Dips and Snacks
- Best Ever Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Mango Salsa
- Carne Asada Fries
- Cassava Flour Tortillas
- Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
- Creamy Pico De Gallo
- Herbed Cassava Tortilla Chips
- Pico De Gallo Stuffed Avocado
- Lime Crema
Mexican Main Courses
- Carne Asada
- Carne Asada Tacos
- Carnitas
- Carnitas Tacos
- Taco Soup
- Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken and Avocado Burritos
- Grilled Fish Tacos with Citrus Carrot Slaw
- Mexican Chicken Zucchini Noodles
- Pulled Pork Street Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro, Lime and Bacon Slaw
- Steak Fajitas with Cassava Flour Tortillas
- Mexican Rice
- Taco Seasoning
- Fajita Seasoning
- Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Black Bean Mexican Pizza (vegetarian)
- Huevos Rancheros (the best breakfast!)
Mexican Drinks
Many of these recipes have tutorial videos, so make sure to check out my YouTube channel as well. Have more healthy Mexican recipe favorites? Let us know in the comments below. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
30+ Healthy Mexican Recipes Perfect for Cinco de Mayo
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together in a bowl. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
Lisa's Tips
- You can easily double, triple or quadruple this recipe to make a larger batch. Then, in the future just use two tablespoons of your taco seasoning mix per one pound of ground beef.
- I don't add any onion powder to this mix because I typically add freshly diced onions to ground beef recipes. But feel free to add that spice as well, if you'd like.
- To see inside my own spice drawer, don't forget to watch my spice drawer organization video.
- For another delicious homemade seasoning, check out my brisket dry rub.
The lime Crema was fantastic! I couldn’t get enough of it and I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!
Hi Vicki- Wonderful! Now you can enjoy the lime crema with tons of Tex-Mex recipes :)
This is such a great round-up, I can never have enough Mexican food! So many great ideas here and I love that they are healthy too!
Thanks Michelle! Can’t wait for you to give some of these recipes a go!
Oh wow – so much delicious choice. I really want the taco with the egg on it.
Oh yes, huevos rancheros is the best for breakfast! You’ll definitely have to give that recipe a try.
Mexican is my ultimate favourite cuisine!! I could eat something from this awesome collection every single day. So many ideas here and plenty of flavour packed dishes, I can’t wait to try a couple of them!
Hi Adrianne- It’s my favorite cuisine as well! You can’t go wrong with any of these dishes :)
Having moved to New Zealand from the states many years ago, good Mexican food is one of the things I miss most. We always make it ourselves and welcome new recipes. Lots of options to choose from here, but I am starting with either your pulled pork or shrimp tacos. Yummy! Thanks for all these options.
Hi Rhonda- Luckily New Zealand is full of fresh ingredients, where these Mexican recipes can easily be made right at home! The pulled pork and shrimp tacos are a great start to this list :)
Pantry staple and affordable recipe. Thanks for sharing.
looks amazing
Thanks, Daphne! They’re all really delicious! :)
I love anything with a Mexican inspired twist, especially when they’re better for me. Can’t wait to try these out over the weekend!! Thanks for sharing :)
I’m with you, Deanne! I’ll gladly eat all the Mexican food. ;) Hope you enjoy a few of these recipes!
Mexican is my favourite!! I especially love the Black Bean Vegetarian Pizza, it sounds fabulous.
The Black Bean Vegetarian Pizza is one of my favorites! Thanks for the kind comment, Adrienne! :)
I’m a huge fan of Mexican ingredients and I’m always happy to discover new recipes, especially healthy ones!
Thanks, Corina! Yep, these recipes are all delicious Mexican or Mexican-inspired dishes!
This is a great collection! Thanks so much for sharing!
Of course! Thanks for the kind comment, Courtney!
All of these Cinco De Mayo recipes look amazing! I really love the mango margarita and Carne Asada Fries.
Thanks, Erin! Both are very delicious! :)