Cinco de Mayo is this Friday! Are you ready for a fiesta but don’t have any plans? We have all the tips and tricks you need for throwing the best Cinco de Mayo party your friends and family have ever witnessed.
The first step to throwing the ultimate Cinco de Mayo party is deciding on a menu. Everyone loves food; it’s the center of attention at any party. With endless options to pick from, choosing a menu can be hard. Luckily, we are here to help! Simple but delicious is the key. Luckily, we are here to help! Simple, but delicious is our motto. Find something that can be prepared the day before, so when it is party time, you just have to dish up the food and reheat your protein. Check out these easy and delicious food ideas:
Mini Burritos
You will need one pound of beef, a pack of large flour tortillas, refried beans, Mexican blend cheese, taco seasoning, salsa, guacamole and sour cream. These can be easily put together the night before, kept in the fridge overnight, and then popped into the oven to warm up the day of the party. Head over to The Girl Who Ate Everything blog to for instructions on how to make these.
Chicken Enchilada Bake
This is another simple meal that can be made in only 20 minutes! The way you layer the ingredients resembles a lasagna. In a large baking dish, layer corn tortillas, green chilies, cheese, chicken, onions and green enchilada sauce. Stack the layers as tall as your dish can handle. For super easy prep, use canned chicken. If you want to get more gourmet, throw a few chicken breasts in a crockpot with some chicken broth while you’re at work. Then, shred the chicken before you put it in the enchilada bake. For more details on this recipe, click HERE!
Taco Bar
This fun idea allows your guests to create their own taco, and pick their own toppings. All you need to prepare is the meat and the toppings. Cook ground beef the night before with taco seasoning. While the meat is browning, cut up onions, tomatoes, olives and lettuce. On the day of the party, cut fresh cilantro for the perfect garnish. Reheat the meat, and throw a stack of corn tortillas in the oven to warm up. Dish up in serving containers and voila! For a detailed recipe, click HERE!
Now that you’ve picked out the main course, it’s time to choose a dessert. There are so many sweet options to choose from, but my favorite is rolled in cinnamon sugar. Whether in cupcake form or made from crescent rolls, churros are a must-have!
Every killer Cinco de Mayo party needs a festive drink menu. The signature item on this holiday is, of course, a margarita. To put a spin on this traditional drink, add some fruit juice like blogger Cassandra Monroe does in her recipe for pineapple margaritas.
If you don’t feel like making cocktails for your guests all evening long, set up a self-serve margarita bar. Pair a margarita bar with your taco bar to give your guests the freedom to choose their own drink concoctions and taco style. Click HERE to learn how to set up the perfect margarita bar.
Another way to jazz up the classic drink is to make margarita Jello shots. These are the perfect appetizer-style drink to get everyone started. Make these the night before so they are ready whenever your guests arrive. You will need 2 packets of unflavored gelatin, tequila, 1-2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or orange juice, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2-4 tablespoons sugar, 6 tablespoons water, salt and small plastic cups. Cut open a lime, and rub the juice onto the rims of the cups and dip them into salt. Follow the directions from Liv Life blog then pour it into your salt-rimmed cups. Cool the shots in the fridge until it sets, and then add sliced lime to the rim of the cup.
We can’t wait for Cinco de Mayo. If you need further inspiration, visit our Pinterest board to see more ideas for your at-home celebration. If you want to skip the planning, join us at Swinomish Casino & Lodge for live music by Big Dog Revue, great drinks and delicious eats all night long.
