Healthy Cinco de Mayo Mexican Recipes

Digging into a delicious spread of seasonal food is one of the most anticipated parts of any holiday. Cinco de Mayo is synonymous with celebrating all things Mexican culture and cuisine in the United States. Chips, queso, and margaritas are holiday favorites, but these dishes may not be compatible with your eating style or leave you feeling that great come May 6th.

It’s 100% possible to enjoy Mexican-inspired flavors without skimping on nutrition. You can put a healthy twist on some of the best Cinco de Mayo recipes, like nachos and burrito bowls, by making them with Chomps products.

Chomps meat sticks are a great ingredient to keep on hand for stand-alone snacking or to add protein to a variety of recipes. They come in a variety of flavors and spice levels, including Sea Salt Beef and Jalapeno Turkey, and they contain less fat than ground beef or chorizo found in many authentic Cinco de Mayo recipes.

Here are 5 healthy Cinco de Mayo recipes — made with Chomps — to include in your celebration.

1. Sheet Pan Nachos

No Mexican spread is complete without a platter of warm nachos piled high with toppings. These nachos are baked on a sheet pan to maximize the surface area of the chips. Each bite gets an even amount of Chomps, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, avocado, and jalapenos. Plus, the sheet pan nachos can go from your oven to the table and serves a crowd.

2. Keto Sweet Potato Nachos

If you love nachos but want a more nutritious or grain-free option in place of tortilla chips, you’ll love these sweet potato nachos. Sweet potato slices take the place of chips to make this recipe keto and grain-free friendly. They’re smothered in a cauliflower cheese sauce and fresh veggie toppings.

3. Taco Jerky Burrito Bowl

A burrito bowl can be a healthier choice instead of traditional tacos or burritos. They’re customizable and can be loaded up with veggies. This taco jerky burrito bowl has a rice base that’s topped with a spiced mixture of cooked onions, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and Chomps meat sticks, plus fresh romaine, avocado, and salsa.

4. Street Corn Salad

Traditional Mexican street corn is made with mayonnaise and sour cream. This healthier version is made with Greek yogurt and lots of fresh ingredients, including lime juice, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Serve it warm as a dip or a side dish.

Servings: 4 to 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 Chomps Original Beef sticks

1 tablespoon avocado or extra virgin olive oil

1 16-ounce bag frozen yellow corn

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

½ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt

Juice of 1 lime

¼ teaspoon chili powder

½ cup finely chopped red onion

1 jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped

¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves

¼ cup cotija cheese crumbles

Instructions

1. Cut and cook the Chomps beef sticks:

Cut each beef stick in half lengthwise, then chop into small pieces.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped beef sticks and cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned.

Transfer approximately ⅓ of the meat from the skillet to a small bowl and set aside.

2. Cook the corn:

Add the corn to the skillet. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the corn kernels begin to turn golden brown. Add the garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute more. Remove the skillet from the heat.

3. Make the dressing:

While the corn cooks, whisk together the yogurt, lime juice, and chili powder in a small bowl.

4. Assemble the salad:

Toss the chopped red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, yogurt dressing, and cheese into the corn and beef mixture. Transfer to a serving dish and top with reserved meat and extra chopped cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Information

For ⅔ cup:

Calories: 190

Total Fat: 9 grams

Saturated Fat: 3 grams

Cholesterol: 23 milligrams

Sodium: 340 milligrams

Carbohydrate: 20 grams

Fiber: 2 grams

Sugar: 9 grams

Added Sugar: 0 grams

Protein: 9 grams

5. Taco Bean Dip

Most warm bean dips are made with refried beans, cream cheese, sour cream, and loads of shredded cheese. You can enjoy all the flavors of a cheesy taco bean dip with this lightened up version that’s made with Greek yogurt for a touch of creaminess. Serve it with tortilla chips or crudites.

Servings: 9

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

4 Chomps Original Beef sticks

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 4-ounce can green chilis

1 14-ounce can black beans, drained

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 ½ teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

⅓ cup chopped cilantro leaves

¼ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt

¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven:

Preheat the oven to 350℉.

2. Prepare the Chomps beef sticks:

Cut each beef stick in half lengthwise, then chop into small pieces.

3. Cook meat and onion:

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped beef sticks and onion and cook for 4 or 5 minutes until the meat is browned and the onion begins to soften.

4. Add green chilis, black beans, and spices:

Add the green chilis, black beans, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder into the meat and onion mixture. Stir to combine and cook for 4 or 5 minutes more. Remove the skillet from the heat.

5. Stir in cilantro and yogurt:

Add the chopped cilantro and yogurt into the mixture. Stir to combine.

6. Top with cheese and bake:

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the skillet and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro or green onion, if desired, and serve immediately with tortilla chips and/or crudites.

Nutrition Information

For ⅓ cup:

Calories: 137
Total Fat: 7.5 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Cholesterol: 21 milligrams
Sodium: 282 milligrams
Carbohydrate: 11 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Sugar: Less than 1 gram
Added Sugar: 0 grams
Protein: 9 grams

We hope you’ll make these easy Cinco de Mayo recipes part of your holiday festivities. Not only are they healthier options, they’re full of flavor and easily customizable.

Looking for a spicy and refreshing cocktail for Cinco de Mayo? Try our Mason Jar Jalapeño Margaritas.

No matter what you’re cooking, there’s a Chomps product that can work with your flavor and spice preference. Chomps meat sticks come in beef, venison, and turkey. If you prefer mild flavors try Original Turkey and for maximum spice try Cranberry Habanero Beef.