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Over 20 Fabulous Gluten-Free Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Shirley Braden

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Happy almost Cinco de Mayo, folks! If you’re looking for gluten-free Cinco de Mayo recipes to enjoy at your own fiesta—Fiesta! Sin Gluten—you’re going to find many “delicioso” recipes to choose from here. Over 20 of them. Almost 30 in fact, and that doesn’t count all the recipes included in the best gluten-free tortilla recipe roundup that I’ve included.

You may even be inspired to decorate your table as my friend Johnna (In Johnna’s Kitchen) did a few years ago when she hosted an amazing fiesta at a gluten-free retreat at my house. (By the way, be sure to check out Johnna’s highly praised (and rightly so!) cookbook, Gluten-Free Baking for Beginners! You can read more from Johnna herself here.)

These are some of my favorite Mexican recipes—gluten-free Cinco de Mayo recipes—some from gfe and some from other talented gluten-free friends. I was happy to update this collection of recipes with even more festive deliciousness for you! And I’ve got you covered with recipes in every category—from appetizers, soups, and main dishes, to beverages.

I’ll admit that the beverages are my favorite. Haha! Oh, how I love a really good margarita, some excellent sangria, or a special Mexican hot chocolate moment!

Favorite Gluten-Free Cinco de Mayo Recipes from gfe

~ Chicken Enchilada Casserole  ~ gluten free, egg free, with dairy-free option

We enjoy this recipe all year long. It’s one of my very favorite ways to use leftover chicken or turkey.

Gluten-Free Chicken (or Turkey) Enchilada Casserole from Gluten Free Easily

~ Chocolate Tamales ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan

If you enjoy tamales, don’t forget this divine dessert version!

Chocolate Tamales! Gluten free and vegan, and cause for celebration this holiday season for sure! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]

~ Green Chile Chicken Casserole ~ gluten free, egg free

One of my most popular recipes of all time, my version is only slightly adapted from the original from my New Mexico “born and bred” friend, Tavie.

Green Chile Chicken Casserole--No special ingredients, but a special dish! Naturally gluten free.

~ Easy Mexican Casserole ~ gluten free, egg free

This casserole is nice and hearty, and yes, easy to put together.

gluten-free casserole recipes, gluten-free Mexican casserole, ground beef casserole recipes, ground turkey casserole recipes, venison casserole recipes, gluten free, recipes, gluten free easily

~ Pantry Black Bean, Corn, and Salsa Soup  ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, sugar free, with vegetarian and vegan options

Just like the name says … so easy to pull the ingredients for this one out of your pantry, and it’s really good!

Black Bean, Corn, and Salsa Soup with Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Paleo Bread

~ Sangria  ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan

This Sangria is my friend Tavie’s recipe … really, really good and pretty inexpensive to make, too.

Homemade Sangria for Cinco de Mayo or Any Time

~ Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken from Kalyn’s Kitchen ~ gluten free, grain free, egg free, sugar free, low carb

You need just a handful of ingredients to create this delicious and mouth-watering dish!

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken in glass baking dish on striped dish towel. One of the gluten-free Cinco de Mayo recipes featured on gfe.

~ Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from Kalyn’s Kitchen ~ gluten free (if you use gluten-free tortillas), dairy free, egg free, sugar free

If you’re a fan of sheet pan meals, this is a terrific one to add to your repertoire!

Sheet pan chicken fajitas cooked on baking sheet ready to eat. One of the recipes features on gfe for Cinco de Mayo.

~ Taco Popover Supper ~ gluten free

The crust is on top; you flip over each piece on the plate before you serve. It’s another easy, fun, and tasty dish!

Gluten-Free Taco Popover Casserole for Cinco de Mayo

~ Tortilla Soup ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free

This recipe is terrific with chicken and chicken broth or made as vegetarian/vegan.

Tortilla Soup Close-up Gluten Free Easily

You’ll also want to check out the Top 30 Best Gluten-Free Tortilla and Wrap Recipes. (These recipes are part of my Bountiful Bread Basket series. Find many more bread-y recipes here.)

Trust me ... you'll never want to buy ready-made tortilla and wrap recipes again! Top 30 Best Gluten-Free Tortilla and Wrap Recipes!

More Gluten-Free Cinco de Mayo Recipes from My Friends

~ 10-Minute Enchiladas ~ gluten free, egg free

The only thing that can make enchiladas better is getting them on the table in 10 minutes, right? Thank you, Flippin’ Delicious!

~ Favorite Burrito Bowls ~ gluten free, egg free, with dairy-free option

Is your mouth watering? Mine sure is! Talk about a bowl of fresh goodness from Mama Knows Gluten Free!

~ Festive Red Chile Enchiladas (Casserole Style) ~ gluten free, egg free

Melissa of Gluten Free for Good gives you the scoop on getting that “from scratch” taste with a frozen red chile puree and how she changes up this “launching pad” recipe for different occasions.

Red Chile Enchilada Casserole from Gluten Free For Good

~ Mexican Lasagna~ gluten free, egg free

You won’t believe how easy this tasty dish from Gluten-Free Homemaker is to make! (Linda’s site is no longer active so I have linked to her recipe via the Wayback Machine.)

You're going to love how easy it is to make this delicious Mexican Lasagna! Ideal for Cinco de Mayo. Gluten free.

~ Jalapeno Popper Casserole ~ gluten free

Although you might have seen this casserole recipe shared on other sites, Alea of Premeditated Leftovers is the originator of this recipe. Stick with the original and you won’t be disappointed!

Tater tot and jalapeno popper lovers will think they've died and gone to heaven when they sample this Jalapeno Popper Casserole recipe! A hit every time!

~ Mexican Cauliflower Rice Skillet ~ gluten free, grain free, egg free, keto

Carolyn of All Day I Dream About Food said she worried that her kids would turn up their noses at a cauli-rice dish, “But mixed with ground beef, taco seasoning and cheese? They absolutely devoured it!”

~ Mexican Street Corn Salad ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Esquites, Elotes … what do you call it? Everyone seems to have very specific rules on the usage of those terms. All I know is that I call this salad from In Johnna’s Kitchen, “AMAZING!”

Mexican Street Corn Salad. Esquites, Elotes.

~ Margarita Cupcakes ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan

I’ve never been big on cupcakes before … until NOW! These cupcakes—with just a bit of tequila “infusion”—are heavenly creations from In Johnna’s Kitchen.

Here's a very fun and tasty way to get your margarita fix for Cinco de Mayo or any time a margarita craving hits! Margarita Cupcakes

~ The Only Margarita Recipe You’ll Ever Need ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan

Need I say more? Well, you know me … I just have to! There’s one surprise ingredient that Sarah of Celiac in the City says makes these classic margaritas very smooth. I like smooth in so many things, just not men. LOL

The Only Margarita You'll Ever Need Celiac in the City

~ Jalapeno Margaritas ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan

As Kristina of Spabettie says: this is “everyone’s favorite summer cocktail with a spicy kick! naturally sweetened, this no-mixer margarita will be your summertime staple!”  I say try one right now to “warm up” before summer arrives!

Jalapeno Margaritas! From Kristina of Spabettie: "Everyone’s favorite summer cocktail with a spicy kick! naturally sweetened, this no-mixer margarita will be your summertime staple!"

~ Spicy Hot Chocolate ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, vegan

Here’s another way to warm up—one that I love! This delicious recipe comes from Valerie of City | Life | Eats.

This Spicy Hot Chocolate will warm you up in two ways! It's a winner for when you can't get warm enough by drinking basic hot chocolate.

~ Super Quick and Easy Mexican Rice ~gluten free, dairy free, egg free, sugar free, vegetarian, vegan

Even rice lovers need a new version to spice things up from time to time and this version from In Johnna’s Kitchen makes a fabulous side dish, especially for a Mexican-themed meal!

~ Taco Shell Salad ~ gluten free, egg free

Did you know you can make your own Taco Shell Salad using a gluten-free tortilla? Carol Fenster tells you how here.  Carol uses a fluted tortilla shell pan, also known by some as a taco salad mold. You can probably find one at a local store, but you can also order them online. I love this idea as well as Carol’s recommendations on which ready-made gluten-free tortillas worked best!

Taco Shell Salad Carol Fenster

~ Tres Leche Cake ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Jeanne of Art of Gluten-Free Baking first made this recipe for a Cinco de Mayo potluck and reported that everyone had at least two pieces—wow! Luckily, as Jeanne noted, the recipe makes a 9 x 13 sheet cake.

The following is just one review of this Tres Leches Cake: “I just made this yesterday to take to a party. WHAT A HIT!!! No one could tell it was a gluten free recipe.” … “the texture and flavor were excellent."

~ Tres Leches Cake from Mama Knows Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Audrey describes her Tres Leches Cake: “Authentic homemade 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!”

Gluten-Free Tres Leches Cake from Mama Knows Gluten Free. One slice on white plate with bite taken out of it and another slice behind it with a bowl of strawberries beside both.

~ The Tot-Tada–A Waffled Tater Tots Tostada ~ gluten free, egg free, sugar free, vegetarian

If you have or can get tater tots, you should definitely give this recipe a go!

Buen precho! Salud!

p.s. If you need more dessert options for your festivities, check out my gluten-free Cinco de Mayo dessert recipes. There are even some last-minute options, which we all need occasionally, right? 

Originally published May 3, 2016; updated May 2, 2022.

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Filed Under: Cinco de Mayo, Links and Roundups, Main DishTagged With: cinco de mayo, gluten-free Cinco de Mayo cocktails, gluten-free Cinco de Mayo desserts, gluten-free Cinco de Mayo dinners, gluten-free cinco de mayo recipes, gluten-free enchilada recipes, Mexican recipes18 Comments

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Gluten-Free Mexican Lasagna Casserole »

Comments

  1. Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says

    May 2, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Oh how I love Mexican/Latino cuisine! I can’t wait to try that margarita recipe – I never would have guessed her secret ingredient. 😉 Thanks for another great round up, Shirley! Have a great weekend!
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      May 3, 2014 at 8:46 pm

      Yes, I know … you’ve been creating some amazing recipes in this style of cooking lately! 🙂 Sarah’s secret ingredient really surprised me, too. That’s not an ingredient I usually keep on hand, but I’ll have to do that for the summer. 😉

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting, dear! xoxo,
      Shirley

      Reply
  2. Molly (Based on a Sprue Story) says

    May 2, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Great roundup! I haven’t decided just what yet, but I will definitely be making some sort of corn-tortilla-based vegetarian meal for Monday. Skipping the margarita because I’m in the midst of my annual “stop-drinking-for-no-particular-reason-until-an-arbitrary-end-date” time, which will end on my birthday celebration at the end of the month. Margaritas will definitely be in order then!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      May 3, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      Hey Molly–Thanks! I kind of go on those abstinence periods, too. It makes margaritas after the period is over taste even better. 😉 And enjoying one once again on your birthday sounds like the best idea ever! There’s no shortage of delicious vegetarian dishes that will work for Cinco de Mayo, so I’m sure you will have a terrific Monday dinner. 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    May 2, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    These all look great, and I love the variety of recipes here. Thank for sharing my casserole. It’s a great meal any day!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      May 3, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks and you’re welcome, Linda! It was hard to call it quits with this roundup, but I wanted to get it up quickly. And I agree your casserole would be delicious any time! 🙂

      Shirley

      Reply
  4. Ina Gawne says

    May 4, 2016 at 7:53 pm

    Wow Shirley…another round up of wonderful yummy looking recipes. I love anything Mexican – so much flavor! Must check back to go through these recipes again, the Margarita cupcakes are calling my name!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 5, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      Thanks, Ina! Mexican food is just so much more fun, so festive, too, I think. 🙂 Yeah, those Margarita cupcakes are beautiful and I love the flavors in them.

      Shirley

      Reply
  5. [email protected] freeA-Z Blog says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:06 am

    Hi Shirley,
    I love your roundups and find so many good recipes and blogs!
    The margarita cupcakes, tortilla soup, and spicy hot chocolate are calling my name.
    I’ve been to Mexico about 15 times and never tire of the fabulous flavors! Happy Cinco de Mayo

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 5, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      Hi Judee–I always appreciate your sweet feedback! I think your choices are good ones. We never get tired of Tortilla Soup around here, and sometimes the Spicy Hot Chocolate is just what I need. I’ve yet to try the Margarita Cupcakes, but I LOVE everything that Johnna makes so I’m sure they’re great!

      Wow, 15 times on Mexico! You are a veteran for sure. We’ve been several times, but not nearly as many as you, dear. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

      Shirley

      Reply
  6. Ricki says

    May 6, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Funny how Cinco de Mayo was never a “thing” here in Canada until recently! I just love all the guacamole that’s circulating this time of year! 😉 Looks like a great roundup (and that lasagna is getting my mind spinning a little. . . ). Hope you had a good one (and Happy Mother’s Day to you, too, this weekend!) xo

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 7, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Ricki–I think anything becomes a “thing” when it can generate more sales and I don’t mind because I love celebrations. 🙂 And good guacamole, of course. 😉 Hmmm on the lasagna, I’ll look forward to seeing what Linda’s recipe inspires you to create. 🙂

      Cinco de Mayo was good! Today is Kentucky Derby and tomorrow we have Mother’s Day. Plenty of celebrations and that’s fine with me!

      Thanks for the Mother’s Day wishes, dear! Hoping yours is wonderful, too! xo,
      Shirley

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    May 3, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    This round up is always a fave!! So many fun options… may have to switch things up with that sangria and margarita cupcakes!!!

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 6, 2020 at 12:42 am

      Thanks so much, Sarah! If you didn’t make the sangria today, definitely plan to make it in the near future. It’s so good and so easy! hast, Happy birthday to little miss!!

      Shirley

      Reply
  8. judee says

    May 3, 2020 at 8:31 pm

    Shirley,
    Another nice collection of recipes. The vegan lasagna and the taco shell for the salad look like things I might try. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 6, 2020 at 12:40 am

      Hi Judee–I love giving folks options! We’re planning to make vegan lasagna here soon but a traditional one vs one that would work for Cinco de Mayo.

      Shirley

      Reply
  9. Judee says

    May 5, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    I’m always interested in recipes for Cinco de Maya- wonderful selections.. thanks

    Reply
    • Shirley Braden says

      May 7, 2021 at 11:40 am

      You’re welcome, Judee. Cinco de Mayo is always a fun and delicious (and usually spicy!) celebration for sure!

      Shirley

      Reply

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