These are the Best 35 Mexican Appetizer Recipes for Cinco De Mayo or for any party or holiday. Included are easy recipes that make great party appetizers for your Mexican fiesta!
Since Cinco De Mayo is right around the corner, I thought it was a great time to share these favorite easy Mexican appetizers because each one is such an easy recipe, yet loaded with so much delicious flavor! You can’t go wrong with Mexican Food!
Jump to:
Whether you love the creamy, sour cream or cream cheese-based dips, black beans and corn salsa, or cheesy nachos loaded with refried beans, you are bound to find your favorite Mexican Food Appetizer Recipes on this list!
These appetizers make a delicious prelude to your Mexican Food main course. So whether you are having a party or a weeknight dinner, these Mexican recipes will wow your family and friends, and everyone will be asking you for the recipe.
Party Starter Recipes
Some recipes scream “let the fiesta begin” when you look at them. Others are foundational recipes necessary to enjoy other recipes, like tortilla chips, which act as our dippers.
Shrimp Cocktail
Pair this fancy Shrimp Cocktail with a tropical drink with a tiny umbrella and you’ll feel like you’re on a tropical Mexican vacation!
This zesty Shrimp Cocktail is great for parties because it can be made ahead and refrigerated. Be sure to serve it in fun, pretty margarita glasses!
Homemade Tortilla Chips
With so many dips and salsa that require “dippers”, I’m including a recipe for Homemade Tortilla Chips because they are an absolute necessity to serve with dips and salsas, and they are so darn easy to make!
Pair these tortilla chips with any of the dips and salsas below for a crispy crunchy contract to cheesy or creamy dips!
Dip Recipes
Dips are a requirement at parties. They are casual, meant to be shared, and can be conversation starters! You’ll love these delicious dips because we have everything covered from queso to guacamole and more.
Skillet Queso
Come on! It’s not a party without queso! That glorious spicy, melty cheese dip that goes oh so good with the crispy tortilla chips, and can be a meal unto itself.
Be sure to make lots of it because often this Velvet Skillet Queso is the first appetizer guests dip into and the first one to reach the bottom of the bowl or skillet.
Chorizo Jalapeno Mexican Dip
Another type of queso, this one had chorizo and jalapeños added to the creamy, cheesy dip. It gives it that extra meaty flavor boost that everyone will love!
Friends and family have reached out to me and thanked me for this recipe because it is so good.
Homemade Guacamole
Creamy, slightly spicy made with fresh avocados, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños and more, this homemade guacamole will be one of the favorite party appetizers.
It is one of the handfuls of appetizers that are healthy yet still delicious and full of flavor. It is certain to be a favorite of your guests.
Spicy Shrimp Dip Recipe
Cool, creamy, and spicy, this delicious make-ahead Spicy Shrimp Dip is super easy to make, especially when you can make it a day ahead of the party and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. It is oh so good!
Cheesy Beef Enchilada Dip
Who doesn’t love a hearty, beefy, cheesy dip? Get out those Frito or Dorito dippers and dig in!
Salsa Recipes
I’ve included numerous freshly made salsas that are perfect for your Cinco de Mayo or other summer parties. Whether you serve them as an appetizer or side dish, or as a taco topping, you will certainly find several that you will love!
Pico de Gallo Salsa
A true Tex-Mex salsa. This is one that I always keep on hand to serve with everything! I think you will love this fresh salsa too!
Fresh Peach Salsa
Using fresh peaches, tomatoes, and jalapeños, this refreshing peach salsa recipe adds a fruity zip to chicken, shrimp, fish, or your favorite grilled recipes.
Mexican Corn and Black Bean Salad / Salsa
Colorful, fresh, and vibrant, this salad or dip makes a mouthwatering appetizer that everyone is sure to love!
Watermelon Salsa
Sweet and refreshing, perfect on seafood, such as salmon or Mahi Mahi. This fresh fruit salsa will rock your world!
Pineapple Salsa
How about giving your salsa a tropical Hawaiian flare? This lovely Pineapple Salsa can be a delicious fruit salsa or a topping to your fresh fish summer main dish or your fish tacos.
Mango Habanero Salsa
This sweet and spicy fresh fruit Pico De Gallo is made with fresh sweet mangoes and very spicy habanero peppers. This salsa is not for the faint of heart, but if you love the sweet and spicy flavors, then you will love this Mango Habanero Salsa.
Corn and Zucchini Salsa
A true summer salsa because it takes advantage of summer produce, including, corn, zucchini, and tomatoes. A super healthy and zesty summer salsa. Be sure to try this one.
Empanada Recipes
This lovely handheld, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, hand pies called empanadas can be stuffed with any of your favorite fillings. I’m sharing several of our favorite empanada recipes. I hope you find several that you like.
Chicken Empanadas
Stuffed with shredded chicken, corn, and cream cheese, these savory appetizers are perfect for a party!
Potato and Chorizo Empanadas
Probably my favorite savory handheld empanada recipe. The spicy chorizo gives it so much flavor and goes perfectly with the potatoes. A hearty, filling empanada that everyone will love.
Baked Green Chile Chicken Empanadas
Stuffed with spicy green chile-flavored chicken, cheese, and sour cream, these Green Chile Chicken Empanadas are a taste-tingling delight!
Crab Cake Mac and Cheese Empanadas
Loaded with crab filling and macaroni and cheese, and then rolled up in a flaky crust, these Crab Cake Mac and Cheese Empanadas are delicious inside and out!
Vegetarian Empanadas
Loaded with a variety of vegetables, such as corn, bell peppers, as well as beans, and spices, make for delicious vegetarian empanadas!
Mexican Caramel Stuffed Empanadas
Filled with sweet, creamy Mexican caramel, all tucked inside a sweet, cinnamon-sugar-covered crispy crust, these Caramel Empanadas make a delicious sweet treat!
Nacho Recipes
We learned with the dips and salsas above that everything is better on a tortilla chip! Do you know what really takes it over the top? Heat ’em up and get that melty cheese on top! Nachos have the toppings with gooey melted cheese and luscious toppings! What’s not to love?
Slider Recipes
Sandwich lovers, we have you covered too with these amazing miniaturized slider recipes with delicious fillings between two halves of a Hawaiian roll!
Soup Recipes
Soup makes an excellent meal starter. Warm and cozy to light and appetizing, these soups, or sopas in Spanish, will impress your guests with their warm, earthy flavors.
Quesadilla Recipes
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
Got leftover chicken fajita meat? This recipe is perfect for use for that. Maybe you want that cheesy gooey taste of the quesadilla instead of tacos. Either way, it is delicious.
Shrimp Quesadillas
This Shrimp Quesadillas Recipe is a low-carb appetizer option that is made with low-carb tortillas, shrimp, onions, peppers, and cheese!
