Three Mexican-Inspired Cinco de Mayo Recipes

While tacos, guacamole and fresh salsa are the most obvious choices for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, we recommend branching out and trying something new this year! We’re giving you three healthier takes on traditional Mexican-inspired dishes.

Ceviche

Whether you’re making ceviche for tacos, lettuce cups or over a bed of dressed greens, this simple and delicious recipe will take center stage at your celebration. With fresh fish tossed in cilantro, cured with lime juice and topped with avocado, it can be served as a meal or a light appetizer.

Ingredients:

1/2 a red onion, very thinly sliced

1 pound fresh fish — your choice of sea bass, red snapper, corvina, dorado, escolar, mahi-mahi or tilapia — diced into 1/2 inch cubes.

2–3 garlic cloves very finely minced (use a garlic press)

1–1 1/2 teaspoon salt, start with 1 and add more to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4–1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 fresh serrano or jalapeño pepper seeded and very finely chopped

3/4 cup lime juice (4–6 limes), freshly squeezed

1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1 cup diced cucumber

1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

1 semi-firm avocado, diced (optional)

Get the full recipe on Feasting at Home.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

This salad is a healthier take on the traditional Mexican street vendor version of corn on the cob! Whether you prefer to serve it straight from the grill or chill it and serve it cold, this Mexican Street Corn Salad is the perfect dish to bring to barbecues and potlucks this summer.

Ingredients:

Dressing:

1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cumin

Salad:

Splash of oil

4 ears of corn (about 3 cups of kernels) shucked and kernels removed

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (use feta cheese as a substitute)  

Get the full recipe on Live Eat Learn.

Fresh Mango Salsa

A different take on traditional salsa, this fresh mango salsa is sweet, spicy and absolutely delicious. Serve it with chips, on top of your tacos or eat it by itself — it’s that good.

Ingredients:

3 ripe mangos, diced

1 medium red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1 large lime, juiced (about 1/4 cup lime juice)

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste

Get the full recipe on Cookie and Kate.