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Budget-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Party Spread for 8 Easy Recipes

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A vibrant and budget-friendly Cinco de Mayo party spread for 8 that combines simple ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavors, perfect for festive gatherings without breaking the bank.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and minced
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 4 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 large flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
  • 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (optional)
  • 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • Butter or oil for cooking
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Tortilla chips (for serving with dips)
  • Fresh limes for garnish and extra zest
  • Sour cream or Mexican crema (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the guacamole: In a large bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until creamy but still chunky. Add the chopped onion, diced tomato, minced jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine. Set aside and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent browning.
  2. Prepare salsa fresca: Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to meld flavors.
  3. Make black bean salad: In another bowl, toss black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
  4. Cook quesadillas: Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil. Place one tortilla in the pan, sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese evenly, add shredded chicken and veggies if using, then top with another 1/4 cup cheese and a second tortilla. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden and cheese starts melting. Flip carefully and cook another 3 minutes. Repeat for all quesadillas. Cut into wedges before serving.
  5. Final assembly: Arrange guacamole, salsa fresca, black bean salad, and quesadilla wedges on a large serving platter. Add tortilla chips and lime wedges around the edges for easy grabbing.

Notes

Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole to prevent browning. Toast tortillas before assembling quesadillas for extra crunch. Use room temperature ingredients for even cooking. Keep cooked quesadillas warm in a low oven wrapped in foil. Prep salsa and black bean salad a day ahead to enhance flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cinco de Mayo, party spread, budget-friendly, guacamole, salsa fresca, quesadillas, black bean salad, easy recipes, Mexican food

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/budget-friendly-cinco-de-mayo-party-spread-for-8-easy-recipes/