All the recipes and meal planning tips you need to throw a killer Mexican fiesta dinner menu. Pick and choose recipes that fit your party vibe, traditional or contemporary. Everything from tacos and tamales to pozole and salsas.
Almost a whole month after Christmas, but I finally got around to putting this post together. The other day I finally shared my recipe for tamales even though the tamale season, Christmas and New year, has already passed.
For this dinner I started prepping about 4 days in advance. Don’t call me crazy or say you don’t have time. Just listen.
The things I prepped that far in advance were the salsas, taqueria style jalapeños and carrots, pico de gallo, and the pickled red onions. All things that just get better the longer the sit and ferment.
Buy a bunch of Ball 16 oz. mason jars and just seal those puppies up. Your guests can also take home a jar of salsa or pickled jalapeños as a parting gift. I won’t fault you if you keep them for yourself though.
A killer Mexican fiesta dinner menu needs lots of options and toppings. You will also need to stock your fridge with all the other typical toppings:
Shredded Lettuce
Guacamole
Shredded Cabbage
Limes
Sour Cream
Queso Fresco
Mexican Shredded Cheese
Tomatoes
Radishes
Tortilla Chips
Flour or Corn Tortillas
Cilantro
White Onion
Those are seriously just a few of the toppings we had on hand for the tacos and pozole. Don’t forget you’ll need all the hot sauces too!
Once it gets maybe like two days before the event, it is time to make the pozole and the tamales. The recipe I used for the red pozole is so worth the extra effort of starting with dried chilies. I also included an easier green pozole that uses canned ingredients.
Tamales take a bit more time and effort. I assembled and then steamed them ahead of time. Store them in the fridge and then re-steam them the day of the party. Since you are making them in the Instant Pot, you can keep them on warm until dinner is served.
The day before it is time to make the meats!
I like to serve up carnitas, or short ribs, or an easy basic chicken. Try to make sure if you have one spicy meat, you offer a milder option as well.
The day of the party all you have to do is reheat everything on low in the oven until you’re ready to eat. I also save the beans and rice for the day of because otherwise they overcook or dry out.
I hope all these suggestions help you to plan an epic Mexican fiesta!
Mexican Fiesta Dinner Menu
All the recipes you need to make the perfect Mexican dinner party!
Fluffy steamed tamales with a lot of flavor and less fat made int he Instant Pot. all you have to do is choose the filling!
Roasted Roma tomatoes, tomatillos, and jalapeño pepper are pureed with onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, salt, and pepper for one amazing homemade salsa.
Homemade restaurant style salsa made with canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, lime juice, garlic, onion, jalapeño pepper, and spices all in your food processor.
A skinny low carb margarita made using infused tequila, a small amount of sweetener, and a little lime juice.
