I think it’s about time I shared some HEALTHY Cinco de Mayo recipes, amirite? Anyone need a few?
Let’s do this!
Um… sooooo….. if I’m not allowed to have a margarita [or ten] this year, then you guys are going to have to step it up and drink a few for me, okay?
It’s tragic enough that I had to behave on New Years Eve… and my birthday… and St. Patrick’s Day… and OHMYGOSH GUYS, I can’t drink on Arbor Day either!
The horror!
My pregnancy days are numbered thankfully and I’ve decided I will 100% be sneaking booze into the delivery room.
While tomorrow’s Arbor Day festivities aren’t typically celebrated with tequila and lime, next Sunday marks the 5th of May in which margaritas before 5pm are not only acceptable, they’re encouraged!
I simply couldn’t let Cinco de Mayo slip by without it’s own post. In fact, it’s somewhere in the unwritten contract of food bloggerly duties, I’m sure of it. Luckily I’m a bit of a hussy when it comes to Mexican food.
Healthy Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Let’s get our mex on with a few healthy cinco de mayo recipes! I’ll group them into appetizers and mains so you can easily find exactly what you need for your Mexican-inspired menu.
For the remaining 364 days of the year, these recipes earn top billing for Taco Night and as speedy dinner options during the week. Love them so!
Healthy Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Appetizers
These scrumptious starters are the star of any party!
Flautas and taquitos are forever a favorite of ours! The great thing about this crowd-pleasing appetizer is that they can be made in bulk and frozen for a later date. I love making my own freezer appetizers as they’re fast food I can feel good about!
Here are a few more to try:
I have an ongoing obsession with salsa verde. It’s dreamy! Not only does it make an excellent appetizer, but leftover salsa can be used to season tortilla soup, taco meat/veggies, and even mixed into guac to amp up the flavor! Give your taste buds a kick with this deliciously spicy salsa!
With 50+ rave reviews, my Black Bean Salsa is another must-try appetizer to share with friends. The recipe is easy to make and leftovers are AMAZING the next day!
This Black Bean Salsa is perfect as a dip, taco topper, party appetizer, and even as a taco salad mix-in too! We love the simple ingredients and big flavor.
More scrumptious salsa recipes:
Another appetizer that always gets rave reviews from family and friends, is my vegetarian taco cup recipe. They’re super easy to customize with all your favorite toppings and you can even set up a little “taco cup bar” situation for everyone to add their own extras into each tasty taco cup!
Of course it isn’t a Cinco de Mayo party without some tasty guac! Here’s my all-time favorite guacamole recipe:
Healthy Cinco de Mayo Dinners
Need a main dish for dinner? These healthy recipes are ready to rock your plate!
Freeze leftover filling or pop it in the fridge to use in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and more! Lentil taco bowls, burrito bowls, and salads are also a tasty spin on the typical lentil tacos. Here are some of my favorites:
A few more favorites:
Thinking of trying Minimalist Baker’s Vegan Queso this year as well, for something new! I feel like it would be amazing on my Vegetarian Sheet Pan Nachos!
If you get a chance to try any of these healthy Cinco de Mayo recipes, let me know! Leave me a comment below (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your tasty creations. Trust me, we know how to party =)
Have a great weekend kids! I expect a report back about that margarita!
hahaha, “things to eat while you pound margaritas”
i’m drooling all over my computer screen now, will be making some of these for our cinco de mayo party this weekend!!
Perfect Timing! I was just planning a Cinco de Mayo party for next weekend and making my grocery list! I’m definitely going to give a couple of these a try!
Oh my goodness, although your recipes look absolutely divine and totally ROCK, that ending photo definitely puts the cherry on a great post. Have a great weekend!
any excuse to eat mexican is fine in my book – awesome recipes! i’ll definitely be having enough margaritas for 6 of us…
Perfect food holiday, I mean who doesn’t love Mexican (other than my stepdad who clearly doesn’t know what he’s missing). I love the photo edit too 🙂
Clearly I am a sucker for Mexican food since all of this looks SO good!!
I just had to stop by and congratulate you on your exciting news! Yay for little girls!!! I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to write until now … I was busy delivering my own little girl a week ago! 😉 But I’m so excited for you! Congrats!!!
this is great! My birthday is on Cinco de Mayo and I’m having a big party at my house, I needed some food inspiration and now I have it!!!
Loving your roundup! I’m checking out like every recipe. Love that last photo of your man! You got some great photoshopping skills, I always want to do stuff like that but have no clue how lol. Oh, and I’ll drink a few extra margaritas for you 🙂
I just ate Mexican for the past 3 days and no sign of getting sick of it. I think I should test this out and see how many days I can go!
Yum that food looked amazing 🙂
I love Mexican food too!
Haha! I was just thinking, “damn Jenn is a Mexican whore!” Wow, that didn’t sound quite as rude in my head. Oops! 😉
I love all your spicy, cheesy, drizzled with hot sauce creations! And I SWEAR to you, one of these days I’ll actually make something! Lol
PS, totally dying over the maraca edit!
Any excuse to eat lots of Mexican food and drink even more margaritas is a winner in my book!
I could eat Mexican food all day every day for the rest of my life and be a very happy person. These recipes look so good.
Yum, yum, yum, yum! I want all of these! Is it May 5th yet??
Mexican food is the absolute best! I love all these recipes. Sign me up for one of each.
I’m instagramming the birth.
Blackmail. I’ll get some. Be warned =)
Hahaha! I laughed out loud when I read your post title! Too funny. All these recipes look so good – I love me some Mexican food!
They should really just rename it to national margarita and drunk food day =) right?
****CELEBRATE WITH ME??******
I have a guest room :0)
Done deal! <3 See you next weekend!
Wow. Those recipes look amazing! I’m debating getting up and leaving for lunch now, even though it’s not even 11. Thanks for sharing!
haha thank you!
Oh I LOVE Cinco de Mayo & I totally didn’t realize it was on a Sunday this year. I’ll start drinking margs super early just for you 😉
Yess! You’re the best!
Wow! BOOKMARK – all of these recipes look amazing! Last night, I had a
‘rita Trio at Outback.. try that!!
Next Cinco de Mayo I’m all over that!
Any excuse to eat Mexican food, and have an extra drink (for you of course 🙂 ) requires no second thoughts in my book!
haha thanks Sarah!
I’m sooooo happy Cinco de Mayo is uno day after my competition. Though I’d actually rather have red wine… either way, I’ll drink one for you!
or two =)
it’s funny. I’m part Mexican but only enjoy making a few favorite dishes because it’s what I’ve always done. I think it’s time to expand my culinary experience. 😉 All those eats up there look really good!
I make the same ones on repeat so many times too… which is supposedly this huge food blogger faux pas? Let’s get our butts back in the kitchea and whip up something new! =)
I cannot believe it is almost May!! Holy cow time flies….Definitely will have to try some of these recipes for Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
And I’m actually hosting a Cinco de Maya themed baby shower on the 5th so this lovely list of yours is very much appreciated. Now I need to figure out how to make a virgin margarita for the mommy to be.
Thanks love, perfect timing.
eeeeee! perfect! happy to help darling! =)
Gosh I Love Mexican inspired food. Good thing avocados are always cheap here in Cali!
Lucky! =) I’m moving in!
Oh my goodness….everything looks delish! Love the pictures, especially that last one!
Thanks Kim! That last one needs to be framed I think…
You guys are so cute. Your secret is safe with us, kind of like that time I took a photo of my hubs asleep on the train to NYC with a wide open mouth and posted it on Facebook…………………..
You’re my hero
They all sound yummy. If we click on the picture of Paul, will it take us directly to him?? 🙂
bahaha!
I love ANY reason to eat guacamole – all of your Mexican recipes are so colorful! 🙂
Thanks Claire! =)