Easy Entertaining: Cinco de Mayo Menu

Why this menu works

• Easy prep: Each recipe can be prepared mostly in advance. Start the carnitas in time so they're finished just before they're served. The cabbage for the coleslaw and be chopped in advance, and the dressing can be made up to a week early.
• Complementary Flavors: The carnitas are salty, savory, and a little tangy. Pair those with a savory and slightly sweet corn salad and a very tangy Mexican coleslaw, and you have a well-rounded meal!
• Variety of textures and colors: Similar to the flavors, the color and texture of these dishes will ensure a table beautiful. The dark colors of the carnitas and light tortillas, with the pop of green from the coleslaw, and the beautiful yellow of the corn salad makes for a beautiful table.

Recommended Drink

Main Dish: Easy Pork Carnitas

homesick texan carnitas

Carnitas — those tender bits of pork with caramelized edges and flavor for miles that are the king of taco fillings — are ridiculously easy to make.

Carnitas Recipe

Photo credit: Deb Perelman

Side Dish: Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)

Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) Recipe

This esquites recipe offers all the delights of Mexican street corn (elotes) in salad form, and you don’t even have to fire up the grill to make it.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Veggie: Easy Mexican Coleslaw

Easy Mexican Coleslaw Recipe | foodiecrush.com

This simple Mexican-flavored coleslaw is perfect for picnics, BBQs, and potlucks since it’s mayo-free and takes no time to toss together.

Mexican Coleslaw

Dessert: Store-bought Tres Leches Cake or Flan

Head to the car and visit a local Mexican restaurant or grocery store that sells premade Tres Leches cake. Sometimes you can order Flan, a caramel egg custard that I love, as well.

Hosting Tips:

Set the table before you start cooking. Lay the whole place setting. Glasses, plates, bowls, silverware, napkins.

Put out the serving utensils in advance. If you have a number of taco toppings, be sure to have a spoon for each one.

Offer water alongside the horchata because these foods are salty!

Answering "How can I help?"

If you know guests will ask you, "How can I help?" Have a list of small, simple tasks a guest can do.

Some ideas are:

• Chop the topping for the tacos, such as cilantro.
• Toss the dressing on the coleslaw.
• Fill glasses with water.
• If you don't want or need help, acknowledge and thank them for their desire to help, then move to the next topic with a follow-up question, such as "Everything is ready, so I'd love to hear about your day!"

Elsewhere on the blog

Related: Drink inspiration for your next party

The following drinks are great pairings for this menu!