One-Pan Cinco De Mayo
It’s Cinco De Mayo! It is definitely time to celebrate this Mexican tradition with this easy dish of meat, vegetables, and cheese in a skillet. Now, I’m excited to share my first Mexican-inspired dish with you, One Pan Cinco De Mayo.
This dish is sheer inspiration from the stovetop version of Johana’s Alambre de Res in a Yelp cook-along program. I made this just using ingredients that I have on hand, yet the big flavor and texture variety is unmistakable. This version calls for easily accessible ingredients and can be done in less than 30 minutes. This makes me happy.
You will want to make this One Pan Cinco De Mayo dish on days you want to celebrate the namesake without the fuss of making your kitchen look like a hurricane’s been through because of copious dirty dishes and pots etc. All you need is one pan, a skillet or cast iron (my favorite), ingredients, and 30 minutes if you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesdays without the fuss. Then drink with Agua Fresca Con Tequila to cheers with because there are fewer dishes to pick up.
A few facts about Cinco De Mayo that’s interesting
Cinco De Mayo is not THE Mexican Independence Day! Mexican Independence Day falls on September 16.
This day celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
The victory was short-lived; France eventually took over. BUT, the European’s occupation was also quick.
And I was surprised to read that this is a minor holiday in Mexico celebrated only in Puebla.
In the US, this is widely celebrated. This started in the sixties with the Mexican activists who wanted to honor their culture and heritage.
After that historical tidbit. we move on to the reason you’re here: food!!! 🙂
What is Alamabre de Res?
Although Spanish in sound, this dish has Alambre De Res has Lebanese roots. The Lebanese immigrants in Mexico adapted their Shish Kabobs, and Alambre means wire in Spanish (also the same for Filipino) for skewers, while res means beef. So this dish is skewered beef, the Mexican version of Shish Kabobs.
Now, it is rare to find this dish grilled or served in skewers. This dish is popular in Mexico City, Oaxaca, and some parts of the US. Wiki mentioned this so, please don’t quote me. hahaha
What makes Alambres distinct is the meat, bacon, peppers, and Oaxacan cheese combination.
Mine is not traditional but equally bold in yumminess. That’s why I called it One Pan Cinco De Mayo. It’s almost like a fajita but no need for multiple dishes and assemblage.
Ingredients of One Pan Cinco De Mayo
The birth of this dish is due to my home cook dogma: shop your pantry first.
ground beef
soy sauce. Not traditional, but trust me, it will have that Mexican flavor profile!
lime
chili powder
vegetable oil
garlic
multicolor mini bell pepper, cut into thin strips fajitas style
Vidalia onion cut into thin strips or any sweet onion
ground cumin
salt to taste
pepper to taste
Queso Oaxaca. This has been a staple in our house ever since that cook-along class. It’s very similar to Mozarella but stringy.
Alternative to Soy Sauce, lime, and chili powder is the Maggi Seasoning.
The absence of bacon is obvious: I do not have one on hand. But this will not prevent me from munching on Mexican goodness.
How To Make One Pot Cinco De Mayo
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Marinate the beef with soy sauce, chili powder, lime, and garlic.
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Chop the veggies. Heat the cast iron or skillet.
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Saute onions and bell peppers until it softens. Then add garlic.
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Add beef and cumin. Toss until beef is cooked.
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Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
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Add torn Oaxaca cheese. Cover to let it melt. Turn off heat.
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Meanwhile, warm up tortillas.
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Serve with salsa and lime.
Tips
Traditional Alambres de Res uses steak. Please refer to Joha’s Table’s recipe for the more traditional take on the dish.
If using bacon, rendering the fat should be the first cooking step, then proceed with Step 3.
You can replace beef with shrimp and bell peppers with zucchini. Zucchini has a lot of moisture, so make sure to sear it well. Also, cook shrimp and veggies separately. Toss together when it’s time to melt the cheese.
One-Pan Cinco De Mayo Meat-Free
To make this Meat-free, substitute meat with mushrooms of choice.
Pin this for your Taco Tuesday Meals and Cinco De Mayo Boards!
You will enjoy this with the perfect dessert, Leche Flan, the Filipino style of the Mexican flan. Happy Cinco De Mayo!
Let us connect!
You can find me on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Pinterest, and working my way on more YouTube videos.
Use #BeWithMia when you replicate the recipe so I can find you. I love to hear from you.
MAY FAITH, FOOD, AND LOVE FILL YOUR LIFE.
HAPPY COOKING!
MIA
One Pan Cinco De Mayo
It’s Cinco De Mayo! It is definitely time to celebrate this Mexican tradition with this easy dish of meat, vegetables, and cheese in a skillet. Now, I’m excited to share my first Mexican-inspired dish with you, One Pan Cinco De Mayo. To enjoy this Mexican-inspired dish, sprinkle immensely with Oaxacan cheese until it melts. Serve with tortillas, salsa, and lime.
Equipment
- cast iron or skillet
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups multicolor mini bell pepper cut into thin strips 12 mini bell peppers
- 1 cup Vidalia Onion cut into thin strips or any sweet onions
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- Queso Oaxaca or Mozarella cheese
- Serving:
- Corn or flour tortilla
- 1 lime
- salsa
Instructions
- Marinate the beef with soy sauce, chili powder, lime, and garlic.
- Chop the veggies. Heat the cast iron or skillet.
- Saute onions and bell peppers until it softens. Then add garlic.
- Add beef and cumin. Toss until beef is cooked.
- Adjust taste with salt and pepper.
- Add torn Oaxaca cheese. Cover to let it melt. Turn off heat.
- Meanwhile, warm up tortillas.
- Serve with salsa and lime.
Notes
Traditional Alambres de Res uses steak. Please refer to this link for the more traditional take on the dish.
If using bacon, rendering the fat should be the first cooking step, then proceed with Step 3.
You can replace beef with shrimp and bell peppers with zucchini. Zucchini has a lot of moisture, so make sure to sear it well. Also, cook shrimp and veggies separately. Toss together when it's time to melt the cheese.
Nutritional value doesn't include corn tortillas and salsa.
