Healthy Cinco de Mayo Recipes: Mexican Black Bean Salad, Steak Tacos, Spicy Pico de Gallo, and More

9 Healthy Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate Mexican American culture and food with these delicious spins on some favorite recipes.
9 Healthy Mexican Recipes for Cinco de Mayo
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Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has become America’s new St. Patrick’s Day: a one-time cultural celebration turned into an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. A survey of 2,000 people found that a quarter had plans for Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of the Mexican army's victory over the French empire (not, as many people believe, Mexican independence day).

While Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture in general, food does play a central role, as is often the case with holidays. While many traditional Hispanic foods are healthy, celebrations for the May 5 holiday often tend to follow more Mexican American dietary patterns, piling on saturated fat–heavy dairy products and skimping on nutrient-rich vegetables. But you still have options, whether you decide to dine out or celebrate the day with friends and family at home. These healthy spins on some favorite Mexican dishes are a good way to enjoy the day without losing sight of your nutritional goals.

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Kelly Kennedy, RDN, LDN

Medical Reviewer

Kelly Kennedy is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in digital media. She previously managed and oversaw nutrition content, recipe development, meal planning, and diet and nutrition coaching at Everyday Health. She developed and reviewed various meal plans, books, slideshows, and online tools, and oversaw the creation of more than 500 unique recipes. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a master's degree from the State University of New York College at Oneonta.

Kennedy enjoys anything that takes her outside, from gardening and playing in the yard with her kids to hiking and even feeding her pet chickens.

Jill Waldbieser

Author
Jill Waldbieser is a journalist and recipe developer who has worked in professional test kitchens, including for the Campbell Soup Company. She was a culinary moderator for the Food Network and the food and nutrition director at Women’s Health magazine for a decade. She has been published in The New York Times, on Oprah Daily, in Runner's World, on HuffPost, in Cooking Light, and many others. Her work for Everyday Health has been awarded two Digital Health Awards, and she has been featured on Longreads.

Waldbieser has had the pleasure of cooking in Italy, Alaska, and Spain, as well as in her own backyard in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When she’s not cooking or eating for work or pleasure, she volunteers at her local farmers market or blood donation center. She was elected as a school board director and is a student of American Sign Language.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Schmall T. Majority of Americans Have No Clue Why Cinco de Mayo Is a Holiday. SWNS Digital. April 2019.