Few things, including Cinco de Mayo, scream ‘holiday’ like a festive dinner gathering.

Commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over French forces, Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture, including Mexican cuisine.

With varying tastes and diets, there isn’t one right way to prepare a Cinco de Mayo feast. Perhaps yours has a regional twist, healthier swaps, cheaper options, or vegetarian alternatives. Here are a few meal suggestions to help you determine what kind of Cinco de Mayo meal is right for your gathering.

Give Your Cinco de Mayo a Southwest Spin With Barbecue

Tex-Mex has become its cuisine, adding a smoky barbecue flair to Mexican classics. Brisket tacos, green chile pulled pork enchiladas, and BBQ shrimp tacos are some Southwest-style Mexican recipes on the Stubbs BBQ site, or check out Schweid and Sons’ collection, which includes Mexican burgers, albondigas, and chipotle chilaquiles con carne.

Southwest Cinco de Mayo Menu

Appetizer – Stubbs BBQ’s bar-b-q bacon jalapeno poppers

Main – Schweid and Sons’ albondigas

Side – Stubbs BBQ’s bar-b-q nachos

Dessert – Chili Pepper Madness’ candied jalapenos

Opt For A Lighter Cinco de Mayo With Healthy Swaps

As tasty as fried chimichangas and greasy tortilla chips are, many Cinco de Mayo food options are heavier. If you’re looking for clean-eating Cinco de Mayo options, look no further than Cece’s Veggie Co., which includes healthy swaps like riced veggies instead of carbs or flavored cauliflower instead of red meat for a taco filling. For more carb-smart swaps, try Crepini, a healthy crepe option to replace traditional tortillas. Check out their site for Crepini recipes like mahi mahi, carne asada butternut squash tacos, southwestern and salmon tostadas, and vegan quesadillas.

Healthy Cinco de Mayo Menu

Appetizer – Crepini’s chicken taco salad bowls

Main – Crepini’s mahi mahi tacos

Side – Cece’s Veggie Co.’s riced broccoli

Dessert – Crepini’s cheesecake “churros”

Create a Cinco de Mayo Meal Without Breaking The Bank

Preparing a holiday feast isn’t always easy on the wallet, and with spring shopping and summer vacation coming up, every penny saved counts. If you’re searching for cheap recipes, Budget Bytes and Spend with Pennies have excellent selections, including sandwiches. Get yourself some tacos that clock in at less than $1.50 per serving or enchiladas for under $1 each!

Budget Cinco de Mayo Menu

Appetizer – Budget Bytes’ easy taco soup

Main – Budget Bytes’ green chile chicken enchiladas

Side – Spend With Pennies’ 5-minute taco dip

Dessert – Spend With Pennies’ churros

Cater to Special Diets With A Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Menu

Mexican food isn’t just carne asada and al pastor; give veggies some love this Cinco de Mayo with meatless mains like Createkidsclub’s bean and cheese burritos, refried beans and nacho bowls or Dinner At Midnite’s kale tacos, lentil burritos, and Mexican fried rice.

Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Menu

Appetizer – Simply Ingrid‘s mango tomatillo guacamole

Main – Dinner at Midnite’s lentil burritos

Side – Createkidsclub’s refried beans

Dessert – Dinner at Midnite’s Mexican hot chocolate brownies