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. 🙂
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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.
You have probably figured it out already but just click on the red highlights in the recipe list ie ‘ pork carnitas’ and it will link you straight to the page.
🙂
How do I find the recipes for this Mexican fiesta
I wish I had discovered your recipes a long time ago. I have often avoided hosting dinner parties because i have been overly worried about how things will turn out but after making a few of your recipes which have turned out brilliantly, I finally feel confident and excited to host a dinner party. I can’t thank you enough Nagi. I made your mexican feast today. I think i nailed it if i do say so myself!!! Your pictures, videos, instructions and notes are brilliant and so easy to follow. Your sense of humour and style of writing is so appealing. You certainly know how to boost someone’s confidence in making dishes which would otherwise be left to the experts to make. Thanks again Nagi 🙏
What a nice comment Symone!! Thank you so much! Made my day! N x
I agree!!! We just got back from puerto Escondido and am having a Mexican fiesta this Thursday! So excited to find your website!! I would’ve tried other things if I had seen this before we left!! You do make it so easy to follow. Love love love ❤️
Used lots of recipes off this Fiesta great for my daughter’s birthday. Food was an absolute hit and so easy to execute. Thank you so very much for this. I’m in NZ so making a Mexican feast from scratch with ingredients that I could actually recognise and find here was so helpful
Thank you so much for your Mexican Night Feast recipes ……I did a few last night and it all went down so well !! Favourites we will do again. Salsa, carnitas, pico de gallo, lime chicken, and the pickled red cabbage is my personal favourite….. although the red Mexican Rice is a close second … I’m from UK never tried any of them before but will be doing them again ! Big thank you xx
I am so glad you enjoyed it Sarah! N x
Hi Nagi,
Can I ask where you buy the ingredients for Mexican food (tortillas, salsas, smoked chilli)?
A lot of it is now stocked in major supermarkets here thankfully! N x
Made the pork, fish and fajitas with your sides for friends and finished with churros. Was amazing!! Thank you
You’re so welcome Em!! N x
I randomly googled (or giggled as it wanted to autocorrect) “full Mexican feast” and decided to click on your link. I am so glad I did. I never click on one link and use everything from one expert. I usually pick and choose from different people to make a meal that suits my taste. Your links and optional add-ons, flairs to canned food, secret to dynamite guacamole (You were right, they all LOVED it- it was gone before dinner, def will make more next time!!), and personality that oozed through your writing, made it a pleasure to sift through your well-organized work of art and determine how to plan my Mexican Fiesta with ease. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your page. I’m looking forward to spending more time here and making more of your recipes.
I made most of this menu for a pre-fiesta for friends going to Mexico. Everything was AMAZING!! Particularly loved the queso, refried beans and guac. I made the white chicken enchiladas but am dying to try the pork carnitas next. Thank you for the excellent recipes, they are ALL keepers!
WOOT! Sounds like a feast Sue! I’m so happy you enjoyed it all 🙌
Hi! We prepared the mexican fiesta menu for our New Year party and it was delicious! We had a party or 15 and everybody loved the food.
WOOT! Perfect Josie!
I am about to prepare a Mexican feast for my son’s birthday next week. Your recipes look amazing. However do you have any suggestions for a vegetarian? My son’s girlfriend is vegetarian and I don’t really want her sitting their with just a taco and cabbage. Any advice very gratefully received
Refried beans +/-
Chilli with either red or black beans and TVP(textured vegetable protein)-looks like minced meat when cooked,-soaks up all the lovely flavours of onion,chilli,garlic,tomatoes ,chocolate and coffee!- delish!
Both great vegetarian dishes.
This all looks amazing! I plan on making the entire spread for my Christmas fiesta. Are some of these recipes ones you can do in advance?
Exactly what I needed to find! This is going to be our Mothers day spread tomorrow. Thanks Nagi 🙂
Wahoo, I hope you loved it Gwen!
Hey Nagi, I was trawling the web, searching for a Mexican Fiesta menu for my son’s birthday party, and there you are! I’m kicking myself for not going to your site first. You always have the best recipes. Thanks, yet again! Margy 🙂
Thanks so much Margy!
So glad I found your website! The theme for my daughter’s bridal shower was just changed to a “fiesta”. You have made it easy for me to put together the menu. Can’t wait to make these delicious recipes.