Gluten-free Cinco de Mayo food and menu ideas are in high demand for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to gluten. You may not be able to have the traditional burritos and flautas, but you can still enjoy gluten free Mexican recipes on this festive holiday or on any Taco Tuesday. Celebrate effortlessly and with as much fun as possible, with these gluten-free Cinco de Mayo food and drink ideas!
Those burritos and fajitas in flour tortillas might be off the table. You can’t pop open a Corona or other Mexican beer and need to watch out for recipes that use it in the marinade or sauce. Chile Rellenos and fried ice cream are out of the picture. And wheat flour sometimes even sneaks into things like chipotles in adobo sauce and even those packets of taco seasoning. And let’s not forget about the cross-contamination risk at restaurants.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an epic Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Just make it at home! That way you can watch out for foods that contain gluten and still enjoy the dishes you love!
What to use to make gluten free Cinco de Mayo recipes:
Gluten Free Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This information is solely based on my research and personal experience, and I provide it as a courtesy to my readers. Please consult your doctor or medical professional for any questions as it relates to your needs, particularly if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy or intolerance. Products, manufacturing facilities, and ingredients change frequently, so you should always contact the manufacturer for the latest information.
- For tacos, you can use corn tortillas.
- Nachos are usually a great option to make at home as many bags of tortilla chips are gluten free. Be sure to read the labels though. While most are made from corn tortillas, there are multi-grain varieties and some made from flour tortillas.
- Once you find those gluten free chips, enjoy all the chips and salsa or guac you like.
- Ground beef, chicken, shrimp, fish, and other meats you put in tacos and enchiladas are naturally gluten free, so as long as you choose seasonings and sauce that are gluten free, you can make an epic taco bar. Just put out bowls of cheese, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, or other favorite toppings.
- Rice bowls are also a favorite, and you can even keep them low carb by using cauliflower rice.
- And yes, most of the traditional sides like rice and beans are gluten free.
- Of course, we can’t forget tequila. Since it is made from the agave plant, in most cases it is gluten free. You can easily make margaritas by choosing a brand like Don Julio, Cabo Wabo, Jose Cuervo, Patron, and Suaza. Be sure to double check, as this information is subject to change.
Gluten Free Mexican Food ideas for your fiesta…
Easy Gluten-Free Mexican Food and Cinco de Mayo Menu Ideas
Whether you are hearing up for Taco Tuesday or a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, these recipes will inspire you with kicked up dishes from morning to night with recipes for:
- Breakfast and Brunch
- Appetizers and Snacks
- Main DIshes
- Side Dishes
- Drinks and Desserts
Cinco de Mayo Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Start your day with a fiesta for your tastebuds.
Breakfast Tostadas
An easy recipe made with refried beans, melted cheese, and soft fried eggs layered on top of crisp tortillas. Ready in ten minutes, you can customize them with your favorite cheese and other toppings to make them a favorite family meal in your house.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Oatmeal
Chocolate for breakfast with a little bit of a spicy twist is a tasty and healthy way to start your day.
Salsa Egg Tacos
Eggs, salsa, and your favorite tortillas and taco fixin's are all you need for the ultimate Tex Mex breakfast, brunch, or brinner.
Breakfast Bacon Enchiladas
A savory, salty, not too spicy, and of course, insanely delicious breakfast or brunch filled with cheese and bacon.
Mexican Mocha Hot Chocolate
A cross between coffee and hot cocoa, this is caffeine with a kick to jumpstart your day. Plus there are easy options to make it lower in calories or carbs.
Chorizo Sweet Potato Tortilla Bites
The perfect bite sized sweet, smoky, spicy twist on the classic Spanish tapas recipe, tortilla Espanola.
Fiesta Appetizers, Sides, and Snacks
Get the party started with these tasty dips and dishes.
Sheet Pan Nachos with Chicken and Black Beans
Start with super simple slow cooker Mexican chicken, then add layers of chips, toppings, and plenty of cheese. Pop it in the oven, then top it all off with salsa, sour cream, and even a delicious Avocado Lime Crema!
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
Crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and healthier and less greay than the original fried version.
Mango Avocado Salsa
Sweet and tangy, with just a hint of spice, this quick and easy fruit salsa is perfect for chips, of course. But it is also great with fish tacos, or on top of grilled chicken or steak.
Kid-Friendly Guacamole Recipe
Not only super simple to make, but it isn’t full of those chunks of raw onions and peppers that turn off some little tastebuds. It has only 6 ingredients, isn’t too spicy (unless you want it to be), and it still tastes super yummy
Easy Cheesy Mexican Dip
Rip open that bag of tortilla chips and get ready to scoop up ooey-gooey layers of cheese and salsa and more cheese and more salsa. It doesn’t get any simpler or more crave-able than that.
Cinco de Mayo Dinner Ideas
Gather the family around the table for your favorite Mexican meal.
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Skillet
The best part of the enchiladas in an easy 30-minute meal. Serve over cauliflower rice to keep it low carb, or spoon it into corn tortillas.
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
A fun and easy flexible meal for the entire family. Make the easy Mexican chicken in your crockpot, pile it on top of rice or cauliflower rice, then add your favorite fixin’s.
Cheesy Mexican Hot Dog Taquitos
This easy recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and uses just four ingredients. Rolled up in corn tortillas with cheddar cheese, then popped in the oven or air fryer, these Tex Mex franks are a kid-friendly favorite.
Chili Lime Steak Bites
Pack plenty of spicy and zesty flavor into tender pieces of beef. A fiesta for your mouth that is ready in less than 15 minutes.
Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos
Grab or make your favorite gluten free fish sticks for a fun twist on fish tacos.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Black Bean Tacos
Just toss three ingredients into your slow cooker to make moist, tasty chicken for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, salads, rice bowls, lettuce wraps, and more.
Chicken Taco Corn Chowder
A soul-warming and satisfying soup that’s easy, healthy, and gluten free, plus has a little kick, you’ll love the mashup of two comfort food favorites.
Mango Avocado Quinoa Chicken Salad
For a cool dinner or lunches all week, make a big batch of rich and healthy, sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice, super colorful twist on chicken salad. Great for meal prep.
Mexican Pineapple Black Bean Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes
A sweet and spicy meatless filling for sweet potatoes, though you can use it for vegetarian tacos too.
Authentic Carne Asada
Marinated flank or skirt steak is grilled to perfection for the best carne asada ever. This tender, grilled meat is full of authentic Mexican flavor.
Side Dishes for a Mexican Dinner
No dinner is complete without a little something on the side.
Chili Lime Corn
A simple side dish that’s just a little smoky and spicy. Roast or grill some ears and whip up this quick recipe.
Brown Butter Cauliflower Rice
While this isn't really a Mexican dish, it's a great base low carb meals when you pile your steak, chicken, or fish on top.
Mexican Pepper Jack Cauliflower Tots
A little spicy kick is added to this healthier version of tater tots, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. It’s fiesta time with these cheesy bites.
Homemade Refried Beans
Only a handful of ingredients. These are the perfect side dish for a Tex Mex or Mexican meal.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Cilantro and lime juice transforms plain cooked rice into a lively side that's an ideal accompaniment for Mexican main dishes.
Chili-Lime Sweet Potato Home Fries
Crispy baked sweet potato slices with a bit of spice and a hint of lime that the whole family will love.
Drinks and Desserts for Cinco de Mayo
Skinny Grapefruit Margarita
Adds something sweet and sassy to the classic margarita recipe, with bursts of lemon, grapefruit, and lime.
Pina Colada Mule Cocktail and Mocktail
Combine two favorite cocktails into one refreshing. You can also make it a cocktail. It’s the bright and refreshing combination of pineapple and coconut from a classic pina colada infused with the zingy spiced goodness of the ginger beer and lime from the traditional Moscow Mule.
Flourless Mexican Chocolate Cookies
Sweet and tender with deep, dark chocolate and the perfect kick of warm spices. This easy cookie recipe inspired by Mexican Hot Chocolate is loaded with chocolate chunks and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and just a hint of cayenne pepper.
Glazed Mexican Chocolate Popcorn
A sweet, crunchy snack that has a bit of chocolate and just a little kick. As an added bonus, it's healthy, too.
Mexican Chocolate Spice Mix
Add this simple blend of warm spices with a little kick of heat to your favorite chocolaty treats.
Gluten-Free Tres Leches Cake
A sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon. You are going to love this traditional Mexican gluten-free dessert.
Horchata
A creamy, refreshing, cinnamon flavored drink that will knock your socks off with flavor! It's festive and perfect for any occasion.
Gluten-Free Churros
Light, fluffy inside with a golden-brown cinnamon-sugar outside make these gluten free churros irresistable.
And you can also check out 21 Healthy Recipes for Your Favorite Mexican Food!