35 Mexican Foods To Make For Memorial Day

Make these easy and delicious authentic Mexican Foods this weekend for Memorial Day and all summer long! These are our most popular Mexican recipes that you will absolutely love with lots of gluten-free and plant-based options.

I think one thing we can all agree on is that we love traditional Mexican food and it is the perfect thing to make for any party. Mexican cuisine is bursting with vibrant flavors and is a joy to eat. Take a look at the Mexican dishes below and gather your ingredients because these Mexican food recipes are real crowd pleasers.

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Our Favorite Mexican Foods For Memorial Day and Beyond

1. Chicharrones de Harina {Fried Mexican Wheat Crisps}

Homemade Chicharrones de Harina, the popular Mexican street food snack are quick and easy to make! Deep fried and doused in hot sauce or chili powder and lime juice these vegan snacks are irresistible. Make some for your next party and watch them disappear.

A pile of chicharrones de harina coated in a spice mix with a bowl of limes next to them in a pink tray.

2. Easy Chamoy Sauce

Looking for the best Mexican food? Chamoy Sauce is the answer. Make a batch of this sweet, sour, spicy, sauce for rimming margarita glasses or drizzling over fresh fruit to serve as an appetizer. It is really so easy to make and you’ll find a million ways to use it. Vegan and gluten-free.

A plate of sliced mango coated in Chamoy Sauce with a lime half that has been squeezed next to it on a marble table.

3. Pickled Red Onions {Cebollas Curtidas}

Looking to add a bright zing to just about anything? These Pickled Red Onions or Cebollas Curtidas add phenomenal color and crunch, not to mention sweet vinegary bite to tacos, sandwiches, and tostadas, and of course, Memorial Day hot dogs.

A dish with two hot dogs in it covered in pickle relish, avocados, and pickled red onions.

4. Vegan Ceviche with Avocado and Lime

A very good vegan ceviche recipe with creamy avocado, small bites of cauliflower, chile, tomato, and cucumber soaked in loads of lime and toasted cumin. Serve with fried corn tortillas and let your guests make their own tostadas.

A blue rimmed plate filled with vegan ceviche on a wood cutting board with a avocado halved sitting next to it and a few pita chips.

5. Seafood Ceviche

If you are looking for a more traditional Mexican food ceviche, this recipe has tons of citrus, shrimp, scallops, fish, and octopus. It is perfect for a light dinner or an impressive appetizer at your next summer get together.

A brown plate sitting on a blue and white table cloth filled with seafood ceviche and a pile of homemade tortilla chips.

6. Homemade Salsa Morita {Morita Chile Pepper Salsa}

Authentic Mexican food needs a good salsa. This Salsa Morita is a brick red spicy salsa recipe made from dried morita chiles, roasted garlic, and charred tomatoes. Vegan and gluten free! Great as a dip for chips or to top your steak tacos.

A green bowl filled with salsa morita and topped with sprouts there is a spoon on one side. The bowl is sitting on a marble table.

7. Cilantro Lime Slaw

This mayonnaise-free Slaw has crunchy thinly sliced cabbage with lots of fresh-squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and carrots. Super fresh and easy to make. Goes with all your favorite Mexican food recipes.

A blue salad platter filled with slaw made from thinly sliced red cabbage, white cabbage and carrots with two forks in it.

8. Calabacitas {Cheesy Mexican Zucchini}

Zucchini is anything but boring when when given the Mexican treatment of a quick sauté then a showering of melty cheese like this classic Calabacitas recipe. Goes great with traditional Mexican food and classic Memorial Day fare like burgers and ribs.

A brown dish filled with Calabacitas topped with melted cheese and chopped cilantro on a brown table next to a blue spoon.

9. Crock Pot Borracho Beans {Frijoles Borrachos}

You can’t have a list of the best Mexican food and not include frijoles borrachos. This is a simple, easy recipe that can be made in the Crock Pot. Even better when made ahead. No soaking necessary.

A black pot filled with frijoles borrachos and topped with cilantro with a ladle in it.

10. Sofrito Black Beans

The ultimate recipe for making restaurant-style, ultra-flavorful Sofrito Black Beans with dried black beans, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and spices. Make this recipe up to 4 days in advance and rewarm when you are ready to eat!

A table set with a white plate with chicken mole verde, black beans, steamed rice and salad with a fork in the plate.

11. Papas Con Chile {Crispy Potatoes in Red Sauce}

Papas con Chile is a simple, delicious vegan and gluten-free dish made with crispy fried potatoes cooked in a fresh tomato sauce with jalapeños. Enjoy as a side with your favorite Mexican foods or stuffed into tacos.

A close up of cubed potatoes covered in a tomato sauce garnished with sliced red onions and green scallions with a spoon in it.

12. Perfect Pot of Beans

Here’s how to make the most DELICIOUS, authentic pinto beans recipe—tender beans in a complex and flavorful broth with lots of comforting goodness. Make this on Memorial Day and everyone will be asking you to repeat it all summer long.

A white pot filled with pinto beans cooked in a brown broth with a wood spoon in the pot.

13. Vegan Refried Bean Recipe

All you need is a few simple ingredients and time for the beans to get tender for restaurant-style refried beans cooked right on the stovetop. The most requested Authentic Mexican food side. Give this healthy, vegan refried bean recipe!

A white dish with a red stripe around the rim filled with refried beans topped with avocado slices and cilantro leaves.

14. Shredded Beef for Tacos {Carne Deshebrada}

Mexican Shredded Beef for tacos, gorditas, tostadas, and more! With stove top, slow cooker, and Instant Pot instructions included. Serve in a warm flour tortilla or corn tortilla. Gluten-free and super kid-friendly.

A close up of shredded beef in a black pot with sliced cooked jalapenos and a bay leaf with a fork in one side.

15. Authentic Chile Relleno Recipe

Authentic Mexican food that everyone loves: This Chile Relleno Recipe takes you step-by-step on how to make this traditional Mexican dish of poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in egg batter and lightly fried. Serve with frijoles de olla, a crisp salad, and salsa ranchera—Ugh, so good! Want another stuffed chile recipe? Try these Chiles en Nogada.

A table set with a white plate that has a Chile relleno on tomato sauce next to a Caesar salad and pinto beans on the plate.

16. Huaraches

This plant-based Huaraches recipe takes you step-by-step through how to make this Authentic Mexican food in the shape of the traditional Mexican sandal. These heavenly bean-filled masa cakes are topped with tomatillo salsa, sautéed squash blossoms, and chipotle aioli. Gluten-free and vegan-adaptable!

A brown plate with a huarache on the plate sitting on a wood table with a lime cut in half next to it and green salsa.

17. Chicken Mole Verde

Chicken Mole Verde –A vibrant green mole made with tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeños, and thickend with pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Serve with the Sofrito black beans above and steamed rice for a delicious Mexican dinner. Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly!

A dish with a blue rim filled with chicken mole verde and a spoon sticking into the dish sitting on a white cloth.

18. Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

These richly spiced Instant Pot Carnitas are full of flavor and ready in a fraction of the time. Orange zest, cumin, and guajillo chiles make these pork carnitas exceptionally delicious. Finishing them in the Air Fryer (or under the broiler) gives incredibly crisp edges. You are going to love this recipe!

A blue rimmed dish filled with shredded carnitas topped with a pile of cilantro sitting on a wood table next to tortillas.

19. Oven-Roasted Cochinita Pibil

Delicious Mexican Cochinita Pibil anyone can make right in the oven with all the luscious flavors of this tangy, vibrant, slow roasted pork dish roasted in citrus and achiote paste. Pair with warm corn tortillas and those pickled red onions for the most incredible tacos!

Several tacos sitting on a green banana leaf topped with pickled red onions and cilantro leaves.

20. Chicken Flautas Mexicanas

Flautas Mexicanas or Authentic Mexican Flautas filled with shredded chicken and fried until golden brown and crisp. Serve over shredded lettuce with queso fresco and pico de gallo for a dinner everyone loves.

A brown plate filled with several flautas topped with sour cream, crumbled cheese, and pico de Gallo on a marble table.

21. Mushroom and Cheese Vegetarian Enchiladas

Vegetarian Enchiladas with sautéed shiitake mushrooms and a blend of creamy Oaxaca cheese and sharp Gruyere. Top with guacamole and Mexican crema for an easy, healthy Memorial Day recipe!

A white plate with mushroom enchiladas on it topped with guacamole and sour cream and a side of rice.

22. Grilled Cilantro Garlic Pork Chops

These delicious grilled Cilantro Garlic Pork Chops take just a few minutes of prep and makes for a perfect weekend barbecue recipe. We’ll walk you step-by-step through exactly how to cook perfect pork chops every time.

Three grilled pork chops on a marble cutting board the one in the front is sliced into slices with lemons in the back.

23. Easy Pork Flautas

Flautas, also known as Taquitos are crispy rolled tacos, not to mention, the BEST Mexican food. These flautas are filled with roast pork. Use chopped pork roast or shredded pork (a great way to use up leftovers). They are perfect for parties or make into dinner with shredded lettuce and sour cream on top. The entire recipe uses only three ingredients.

A white plate filled with flautas topped with shredded lettuce, avocado, and lime slices with green salsa.

24. Chicken Tinga Tacos

These Chicken Tinga Tacos are healthy, easy, and ready in under 30 minutes! This traditional Mexican food recipe could not be easier. Serve as tacos with sliced avocado and scallions or over rice.

A white plate with three chicken tacos on it that are wrapped with blue corn tortillas on a wood table with a bowl of limes.

25. Beer-Braised Beef Barbacoa

Cooked in a mixture of dark beer, and spices this Beef Barbacoa Recipe is super tender. Serve with tortillas or have your guests build their own burrito bowls with Arroz Blanco, guacamole, black beans, and salsa.

A round dish filled with shredded beef barbacoa next to a red and white cloth sitting on a wood table.

26. Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn Salsa

A terrific grilled fish tacos recipe topped with fresh sweet corn salsa. This super healthy dinner is light, fresh, and perfect for summer. Ready in 30 minutes and gluten-free!

A white baking dish filled with grilled fish tacos topped with sweet corn salsa, sliced jalapenos, and a fork in the dish.

27. Huevos Rancheros

If your weekend celebrations include breakfast, Huevos Rancheros (or Rancher’s Eggs) are the way to go. Crisped corn tortillas covered with beans topped with fried eggs and ranchero sauce is one of the best Mexican food recipes. Gluten-free and vegetarian!

A blue dish filled with Huevos rancheros topped with pico de Gallo, Cotija cheese, and cilantro leaves with a fork.

28. Chorizo and Eggs

Another weekend breakfast option: This recipe features Mexican chorizo, sautéed onions, garlic, fresh tomatoes and scrambled eggs. Serve with refried beans or as breakfast tacos.

A brown plate with chorizo and eggs and refried beans sitting on a purple and white checkered table cloth with a spoon.

29. Authentic Tres Leches Cake Recipe

This Authentic Tres Leches Cake Recipe takes you step-by-step on how to make a traditional Mexican cake soaked in three different types of milk and topped with a whipped cream frosting. Sprinkle with cinnamon and raspberries—or both! One of our most popular recipes.

A piece of tres leches cake on a white plate with red poppies on it topped with raspberries and whipped cream frosting.

30. Mangonada {Spicy Mango Slushy}

Is it a drink? Is it a dessert? The answer is yes! If you’ve ever had this sweet, sour, salty mango slushy than you know how perfect it is on a hot day. Layers of frozen mango smoothie and fresh ripe mango. A perfect place to use your homemade Chamoy Sauce.

A glass of mangonada with a Tajin rim and a few chopped mangos on top and a swirl of Chamoy Sauce with a tamarind straw.

31. Super Creamy Horchata

The creamiest, dreamiest Horchata recipe you’ve ever had, just like they make at Mexican restaurants. Perfect for picnics and backyard barbecues. The secret to this sweet rice drink is to toast the rice and cinnamon first giving it a truly complex and rich flavor.

A glass with a few ice cubes in it with a blue rimmed pitcher pouring horchata into the glass sitting on a wood table.

32. Agua de Jamaica

An easy 3-ingredient Mexican recipe you will make again and again. This Jamaica drink is essentially a sweet iced tea made with dried hibiscus flowers and fresh lime juice. A great non-alcoholic option that everyone loves. Serve with plenty of ice!

Two blue rimmed glasses filled with agua de jamaica and ice and topped with lime wedges sitting in a pink tray with yellow napkins.

33. Cucumber Margaritas with Mezcal

A summer party favorite, these are the most refreshing Cucumber Margaritas made with fresh-pressed cucumber juice, smoky mezcal, and lots of lime juice. Make a big pitcher for Memorial Day weekend!

Several glasses filled with cucumber margaritas topped with thin lime slices and lots of crushed ice on a cutting board.

34. Spicy Raspberry Margaritas

Raspberry Margarita Recipe with all natural ingredients like fresh raspberries, fresh lime juice, and a homemade spicy jalapeño-infused tequila to give a kick of heat.

Two raspberry margaritas in traditional margarita glasses topped with thin key lime slices, ice, and fresh raspberries.

35. The Best Paloma Recipe

How to make the Best Paloma Recipe! If you’ve ever lived in Mexico then you know it is the most popular cocktail in there. This is the classic recipe: reposado tequila, freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit juice and the only way to make Palomas—with Squirt. The ultimate refreshing summer cocktail.

Three Palomas garnished with lime wedges sitting on a wood table next to a bottle opener and a squirt cap.

More Authentic Mexican Foods To Try!

Have a Safe and Relaxing Memorial Day!

I hope you found a couple or 10 Mexican food recipes you plan on trying. Leave me a comment below and let me know which ones you decided to make, ‘kay?