Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday that celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of the Puebla, on May 5, 1862. This Holiday is more often celebrated north of the border and has taken on a different significance, that of Mexican-American culture, which began in California as early as 1863. Mexican celebrations of Cinco de Mayo are much more ceremonial and feature things like military parades or battle reenactments.
Here in Canada, we celebrate the day with our favourite Mexican-inspired food & drink!
This year, celebrations will have to take place at home so we’ve complied a few of our favourite recipes that are super simple to make & we’ve included lots of substitutions to hopefully minimize your trips to the grocery store!
Recipes:
Margaritas Two Ways
Ground Turkey Tacos
Pork Carnitas (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
Quick & Dirty Pickled Onions
Before you get started on dinner, get in the mood with a delicious Margarita!
We’ve got two awesome margarita recipes, depending on how well-stocked your home bar is.
For a Classic Margarita you’ll need Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Lime Juice, & Simple Syrup.
If Orange Liqueur isn’t something you keep on hand check out our second recipe for a liqueur-free option!
To make simple syrup:
Heat one part water and one part sugar over medium heat until dissolved.
Pour into bottle or jar and let cool.
Keep in refrigerator up to one month.
It’s best to make your simple syrup ahead of time so that it is fully cooled when you add it to the other ingredients. If you wish, you can substitute homemade simple syrups for agave nectar OR give your Cinco de Mayo a Canadian twist and use pure maple syrup!
CLASSIC MARGARITA
- 1.5oz tequila
- 0.5oz Organe Liquore (Triple Sec/Cointreau/Grand Marnier)
- 0.75oz Fresh Lime (sub Agave Nectar or Pure Maple Syrup)
- 0.25oz Simple Syrup
- Ice
- Lime Wedge/Round*
- Himalayan Sea Salt*
*Optional
Use lime wedge to wet the rim of your glass and dip in sea salt
Add ice to rimmed glass
In a shaker (or large mason jar) add ice cubes.
Pour tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup over ice & shake.
Strain into prepped glass & garnish with lime wedge or round
Enjoy!
PURE MEXICAN MARGARITA (Orange Liqueur-free!)
(Serves 2)
- 2oz Tequila
- 1oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.75oz Agave Nectar (Sub Simple or Pure Maple Syrup)
- 0.75oz Cold Water
- Lime Wedge/Rounds*
- Kosher Salt*
*Optional
Use lime wedge to wet the rim of your glass and dip in kosher salt
Add ice to rimmed glass
In a shaker (or large mason jar) add ice cubes.
Pour tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and water over ice & shake.
Strain into prepped glass & garnish with lime wedge or round
Enjoy!
Now that you have your margarita to sip on it’s time to get started on your main course
This year Cinco de Mayo happens to fall on Tuesday so the most obvious, and delicious option for dinner is TACOS!
We suggest mixing things up a bit if your used to making boxed beef tacos with either our super simple & customizable Ground Turkey Taco or our Easy InstantPot Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions (Big thanks to PlatingsandPairings.com for the original Carnitas recipe!)
Keep things simple and super family friendly with our homemade twist on boxed tacos!
These are a great alternative to the average beef tacos but could be made with beef if desired.
All toppings are customizable for each taco with makes for a fun family meal that everyone can enjoy!
GROUND TURKEY TACOS
- 1 Package Ground Turkey (can sub for beef if desired)
- Mexican Spice from RubthatRubs.com
- Hard or Soft Taco Shells
Toppings (Optional)
- Grated Cheese
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
- Pickled Jalapeños
- Lettuce
- Chopped Onion
Cook turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring to break up clumps, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in Mexican spices to taste and add 1/2 cup water.
Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed
Transfer to serving bowl
Build tacos with desired toppings!
If you’re looking for something a little different, try these amazing Pork Carnitas Tacos with homemade Pickled Onions!
PICKLED ONIONS
- 1/2 large red onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/8 - 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon kosher salt
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Place onion slices in medium bowl
Boil water and pour over onions until completely covered. Wait 10 seconds and drain water. Set onions aside
Add remaining ingredients to small sauce pan and heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
Pour over onions and wait until completely cooled
Serve!
Keep in sealed jar/container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
PORK CARNITAS
- 4-6 lbs. pork shoulder cut into smaller pieces
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 oranges sliced in half
- 1 lime sliced in half
- 1 Jalapeno pepper
- 1 cup water
- Soft Tortillas
TOPPINGS (Optional)
- Pickled Onion
- Sliced Avocado
- Chopped Cilantro
- Jalapeno Crema
Mix spices, evenly coat pork pieces and place in InstantPot**
Slice oranges and limes and squeeze juices over pork. Place the fruit halves on top of pork, pulp side down.
Slice jalapeños into quarters and remove seeds. Place slices on to of pork. Add water.
Place the lid on InstantPot, making sure the sealing ring is in place and set the steam release knob in the “Sealed” position.
Use the “Manual” setting to set the InstantPot for 40 minutes on high pressure.
It takes about 10 minutes to reach full pressure then the 40 minute pressure cook begins, after the 40 minutes allow natural pressure release for about 15 minutes then manually release any excess pressure.
Preheat the oven broiler.
Remove the citrus and peppers from the InstantPot and discard.
Remove pork and shred on cooking sheet.
Pour some of the excess cooking juices over pork.
Broil shredded pork until tips of meat are browned and slightly crispy adding juices as desired
Serve Immediately with any toppings you wish!
**If you do not have an InstantPot you can make your carnitas in a slow cooker. They will need to cook on low for 8-10 hours to achieve the tenderness for shredding.
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