Food and holidays go together like apple pie and ice cream. People love to celebrate with breaking bread together, but it can be hard to enjoy holiday food in a healthy way. In a 2021 survey, 51% of people reported being tempted by holiday treats and losing steam in their attempts to eat healthily. 

Luckily, not all delicious holiday food will get you off the health-conscious track. Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to indulge in mouthwatering food without any added guilt. With the right recipes, Cinco de Mayo holiday fare can be loaded with vitamins, low in fat and high in flavor. 

For a quick and easy health cheat, you can’t go wrong adding salsa to any Cinco de Mayo dish: Add salsa to a variety of dishes for massive flavor induction, with the added benefit of nutrition from fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions and peppers.

Here are three recipes that are sure to please your palate and satisfy your belly:

Chicken fajitas with a red chili salsa kick

Healthy food doesn’t have to be bland, and your chicken fajitas will be anything but flavorless with some spicy chili salsa. Research shows that spicy food can actually give your health a boost, and these fajitas have just the right amount of fire. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flour tortillas.
• Chicken breasts.
• Olive oil.
• Salt.
• Pepper.
• Bell peppers.
• Onions.
• Red chili salsa.
• Homemade guacamole.

To prepare the chicken, lightly oil a sauté pan or grill. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté or grill until it is cooked through. Set the chicken aside, then slice the peppers and onions into thin strips and sauté until tender. Place the sliced chicken into a flour tortilla and top with the sautéed vegetables, some homemade guacamole and red chili salsa.

Shrimp tacos with mango pineapple salsa

Pescatarians, eat to your heart’s delight with these delicious shrimp tacos paired with the sweet heat of a mango pineapple salsa. Shrimp tacos are an exceptionally delicious and guilt-free way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Shrimp is high in protein and low in fat, making it the perfect topping for health-conscious tacos. First, gather the following ingredients:

• Canola oil.
• Shrimp.
• Garlic.
• Cumin.
• Pepper.
• Salt.
• Avocado.
• Fresh lime.
• Mango pineapple salsa.
• Corn tortillas.

Sauté the shrimp in canola oil, add garlic to the mix, and season with cumin, salt and pepper. Then, load up your corn tortillas with shrimp and sliced avocado and top with delicious mango pineapple salsa. Squeeze some fresh lime juice onto the tacos and enjoy your creation.

Green salad with roasted tomatillo chicken

You’ll need to start some of the prep work for this salad the night before, but that extra time will be well worth it. First, make sure you have the following ingredients:

• Mixed green lettuce.
• Roasted tomatillo salsa.
• Chicken breasts.
• Canned corn.
• Canned black beans.
• Shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
• Pico de gallo.
• Cilantro lime vinaigrette.
• Tortilla chips.

Coat the chicken breasts in roasted tomatillo salsa and marinate for at least 12 hours. Then, grill or sauté the chicken and slice it into thin strips. Rinse and strain canned black beans and corn. Put mixed green lettuce in a salad bowl, then add vegetables, chicken and shredded cheese. Toss the salad with cilantro lime vinaigrette and top the salad with pico de gallo and crushed tortilla chips.

Try out these amazing dishes for a healthy way to elevate your Cinco de Mayo celebration. These simple recipes can work for a variety of diets and can easily be made gluten-free if needed. Your favorite salsa is a fantastic, flavorful addition to these meals and any others you plan to introduce to your party. Salsa is a nutritional powerhouse that can stand on its own as a dip for tortilla chips or bring a side or dinner recipe to a whole new incredible level.

SalsaQueen is a salsa connoisseur based in Salt Lake City. 

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