16 Drool-Worthy Trader Joe's Deals to Make Cinco de Mayo Deliciously Affordable

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a bevy of budget-friendly finds from Trader Joe’s.

You’ll get everything to make your fiesta a memorable meal while you save more on groceries at Trader Joe’s. From chips and salsa to ingredients for homemade beef burritos, TJ’s has a surprisingly wide selection of inexpensive items to make this holiday extra special.

Editor’s note: prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $3.49/bag

Talk about a great shopper’s hack. These avocados aren’t really that small, and at under $3.50 per bag (there are usually six units in each bag), you can afford to mix a few batches of guac.

Add lime, cilantro, onions, and a hint of salt to your tiny (not so tiny) avocado mash, and you’ll have an instant Cinco de Mayo appetizer.

Price: $3.49

Filled with cheesy goodness, these arepas are the perfect addition to your holiday meal menu.

Think of this arepa as a grilled cheese-plus. Instead of bread, this savory patty is made with sweet corn griddle cakes. You’ll find plenty of golden mozzarella cheese inside.

Bake these in the oven until crisp, and serve them as an entree or a side. Each box comes with two frozen arepas.

Price: $2.29

Perk up your party with this tangy tomatillo salsa. Instead of the same salsa you have every year, try this green version.

The color comes from the tart tomatillos that replace the typical red tomatoes in a classic salsa selection. This Trader Joe’s dip also includes a slight bite of fresh jalapenos. Every jar contains 12 ounces of savory salsa.

Price: $3.99

Try a new twist on the classic tortilla chip. This Trader Joe’s pick uses a stoneground blue corn that gives the chips a distinctive indigo tone.

The 16-ounce bag provides plenty of snacks to pair with any of the store’s salsas.

Price: $7.99

No time to marinate and grill chicken for your Cinco de Mayo menu? This new foodie find from Trader Joe’s will save you time and money.

The ready-cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast has a punchy taste with a twist of chili lime flavor.

You won’t have to buy a separate marinade or spend time cooking this packaged poultry. The zesty breasts are ready to heat and serve.

Price: $4.79

This flattened, stuffed corn-flour dough pocket is easy to make — and easy on your budget.

Perfectly packed with mouth-watering chicken breast/thigh meat, roasted hatch chiles, and mozzarella cheese, these pupusas have a mild flavor that the whole family will enjoy.

Each box comes with three frozen-filled tortillas, easy to heat and eat.

Price: $4.49

This frozen feast is ideal for anyone who doesn’t have time to cook an entire Cinco de Mayo party meal.

The ready-made frozen empanadas are filled with dark meat chicken, veggies, and a rich herbed chimichurri sauce. Each decadent pocket has a buttery, flaky pastry crust.

Prices: $2.99

These jalapeno pieces can add some crunch to your tomatillo soup, spice up a salad, or top a batch of burritos.

This pepper-filled accent is the perfect garnish for your Cinco de Mayo meal. With only four ingredients (jalapenos, oil, sea salt, and flour), these back-to-basics crisps have a tangy taste.

And bonus, you can eat these straight from the 5.5-ounce canister as a snack too.

Price: $3.99

The 12-ounce bag of finely shredded cheese is a bargain for under $4.

This reduced-fat cheese mix includes Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, and Queso Quesadilla. Top your party tacos with the blend, fill burritos with it, or sprinkle it on a salad.

Price: $2.49

This 8-ounce pack of tiny little tortillas is USDA organic. At less than $ $3, these soft flour shells are a value

Use these so your guests can make their own tacos without going overboard. That way, you’ll stay under budget while feeding everybody.

Price: $1.29

Fill your homemade burrito, taco, empanada, or anything else on your party day menu with the bold taste of Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Green Chiles.

The 4-ounce can may seem small, but it’s big on flavor. These chiles aren’t just a spicy add-in to your Mexican menu, they’re an easy and affordable accent that won’t take hours to prep.

Price: $6.49/pound

Trader Joe’s 80/20 blend plus your favorite seasoning equals a moist filling for your favorite Mexican fare.

If you prefer leaner meat, choose from the 90/10 or 85/15 beef options. While you won’t find the bulk buys you usually score at warehouse clubs, the price is still a bargain.

Price: $0.99

With a price tag under $1, this 1.3-ounce pack of seasoning is a bargain.

If you’re not sure how to season your steak, how to turn plain ground beef into a taco-ready taste treat, or need a dry rub for BBQ ribs, this blend of spices is the perfect add-in.

The savory packet of spices includes smoked paprika, brown sugar, onion, garlic, cumin, and of course, cayenne pepper.

Price: $2.49

Made with 100% organic ingredients, these shells pair perfectly with spicy seasoned ground beef, chile lime chicken strips, or roasted veggies and beans.

The organic stone-ground yellow corn isn’t the only ingredient that makes these tacos a flavor sensation.

A hint of lime adds a playful punch that takes the taste up a notch. Each 5.5-ounce box comes with 12 taco shells.

Price: $3.99

This zesty hot sauce is the ideal accent for your taco platter, burrito buffet, or any other Cinco de Mayo menu item.

Unlike other hot sauce options, this Trader Joe’s find is thick and has more than just a peppery taste. The garlic adds a subtle twang that turns this savory sauce into a condiment your party guests will savor.

You’ll get 10 ounces of jalapeno-based goodness in every bottle.

Price: $1.19

This classic side is a healthy addition to your Cinco de Mayo meal.

The 16-ounce can of ready-made refried beans is pure convenience. Instead of baking and frying beans all day, just pop open these fat-free fan favorites and add them to your burritos, tacos, or tortilla dip.

Each serving of beans has eight grams of lean protein, Omega-3s, magnesium, and iron.

You don’t need a big budget to host a Cinco de Mayo party. When you shop at Trader Joe’s, you can save money on everyday items as well as find fun, unique items only this store offers.

Whether you want to make a menu of apps, mains, snacks, and sides from scratch or prefer ready-made foods and a heat-and-eat approach, Trader Joe’s has everything you need.