Plan Your Entire Cinco de Mayo Menu Around Tequila

Of course, you could just shake up a margarita. But we've got main dish and dessert options that boast tequila too.
Food Network Kitchen’s Ice Cream Maker Margaritas for One-Off Recipes, as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s Ice Cream Maker Margaritas for One-Off Recipes, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

We know you'll be thinking about margaritas come May 5 (and we've got a pretty genius recipe for them below!). But that's not the only dish that is served well by tequila. With these ideas for cocktails, main dishes and desserts, you can celebrate tequila's unique flavor throughout an entire meal.

For a margarita with the perfect slushy consistency, grab your ice cream maker (you know, the one that's been gathering dust since your wedding). It's a great party trick, and if you chill the base ahead of time, the cocktails will be ready even quicker.

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Photo by: Dave Lauridsen ©copyright dave lauridsen 2014

Dave Lauridsen, copyright dave lauridsen 2014

All it takes is half of a jalapeno pepper to give a pitcher full of Marcela Valladolid's fruity drink a little extra zip.

It's not just for cocktails, folks. Tequila (combined with orange juice, lime juice, garlic and bit a of spice) is a vibrant, flavorful marinade for Ina Garten's grilled chicken. And the acidic elements in the mixture help tenderize the chicken too.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Guy's steak marinade also relies on tequila as a tenderizer and flavor-booster. His recipe also has soy sauce, cumin, lime juice, peppers and cilantro for lots of boldness.

If it's a little too early for grilling season in your neck of the woods, get festive with Ree Drummond's Mexican-inspired soup. She marinates the shrimp in a mixture of tequila and spices, and then she adds a little tequila to the soup itself for extra punch.

Food Network Kitchen’s Margarita Pie for Year of Oats/Drunk Pies/Diners, as seen on Food Network.

FNK_MargaritaPie_H

Food Network Kitchen’s Margarita Pie for Year of Oats/Drunk Pies/Diners, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

More of a dessert person than a cocktail person? Have your margarita and eat it too with this confectionary take on the classic drink — Food Network Kitchen even added salted limes on top for the perfect finishing touch.

Aarón Sánchez says this extra-fluffy version of a frozen margarita is "basically an adult snow cone." Sign us up.

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Start summer early with these tequila-spiked pops from Tyler Florence. Bonus: You can make a version that skips the booze if you know your kids will have their eyes on this pretty dessert; just substitute a little more water and lime juice for the alcohol.

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