If you are planning your Cinco de Mayo Menu, feel like having a Mexican-style meal, or simply looking to incorporate more Vegan Mexican dishes in your weekly menu, this compilation of 25 Vegan Mexican Recipes is perfect for you.
Vegan Mexican food relies on plant-based ingredients used in Mexico for generations, such as beans, corn, squash, peppers, tomatillos, avocados, rice, and many fresh herbs. Some of these Mexican recipe are naturally vegan, while others have been "veganized".
Traditional Vegan Ingredients
Mexican cuisine has traditionally incorporated many vegan ingredients. Here are some of the essentials that you should have if you enjoying cooking Mexican-style dishes:
Beans
Beans are a staple ingredient in Mexican cuisine and a fantastic way to add plant-based protein to your meals. The most commonly used are pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans. These are used in soups, stews, tacos, burritos, and tostadas and served as side dishes.
Corn
Corn is another staple of Mexican cuisine, used fresh or dried and ground into masa flour for tortillas and tamales. Corn tortillas and tamales are the foundation for many Mexican dishes. Corn is also used to make salsa, or elotes.
Chiles
Chiles are essential for adding heat and flavor to Mexican food. Common chile peppers used include chipotle, jalapeño, poblano, serrano and habanero. Chiles are used for salsas, moles, adobos, and can be stuffed, dried or pickled.
Herbs
Herbs like cilantro, oregano and thyme are common seasonings in Mexican cuisine. Cilantro adds freshness and just like Asian dishes, we use it to garnish many Mexican dishes together with green onions.
Substitutes for Vegan Mexican Recipes
Even if many Mexican ingredients are plant-based, this cuisine also relies on animal products for many of its popular recipes. Don't worry! There are many plant-based ingredients that mimic the texture and flavor of animal products:
Cheese
We make our Vegan Queso aka cheese sauce using cashews and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast has an umami, cheesy flavor that adds a cheesy touch to enchiladas, tacos, and more. For melting, vegan cheese shreds made from coconut oil and tapioca starch are a great option.
Sour Cream
Silken tofu blended with lemon juice, salt, and vinegar makes a tangy vegan sour cream. You can also stir in a spoonful of plain vegan yogurt. Cashews or soaked raw cashews can also be pureed into smooth, rich sour cream.
Meat
We slice or shred hearty mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, to mimic the texture of ground beef in tacos and burritos. Jackfruit is another great choice, as its stringy texture is similar to pulled pork or chicken when simmered in a flavorful sauce.
Vegan Mexican Appetizers
From Classic Nachos to Vegan Ceviche, you can start your Cinco de Mayo Menu with a fantastic Mexican Appetizer that surprises your guests.
1. Vegan Loaded Nachos
Our Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos are a delicious snack to share with friends and family this Cinco de Mayo. Topped with our yummy Walnut & Cauliflower vegan "ground beef" and served with vegan queso, this appetizer is a winner dish!
2. Vegan Quesadillas with Black Beans
Start your Mexican-style Menu with these fantastic Black Bean Quesadillas. This recipe can be made in less than 30 minutes and it's really simple to prepare
3. Vegan Cauliflower Ceviche
Light and refreshing Cauliflower Ceviche is a vegan version of the traditional Latin American seafood dish. Enjoy it as an appetizer with chips or tortillas.
Vegan Mexican Mains
Tacos, Chili Beans, Tamales, or Sopa de Fideos are some of our favorite Mexican Main Dishes. Packed with fresh ingredients, plant-based proteins, and unique flavors, these recipes are definitely a must-try.
4. Oyster Mushroom Tacos
These smoky, mouth-watering Oyster Mushroom Tacos should be immediately added to your Cinco de Mayo menu or your Taco Night! The simplicity and flavors of these vegan tacos are just too good to miss. Enjoy these tacos with your favorite toppings, such as fresh salsa, avocado, pickled onions, or jalapeños.
5. Vegan Pumpkin Chili
Our Vegan Pumpkin Chili is the plant-based version of the popular Tex-Mex dish, Chili Con Carne, which translates to Chili with meat.
Our one-pot Pumpkin Chili recipe is one of those vegan Mexican recipes that are also family-friendly, and gluten-free. This is a quick and simple recipe that uses mostly pantry ingredients and fresh veggies.
6. Vegan Tamales
These tamales swap out the traditional lard and meat for a heart-healthy, plant-based fats and perfectly cooked young green jackfruit that mimics the texture of meat so well, you might just do a double-take
7. Sopa de Fideo
Sopa de Fideo - a savory Mexican Noodle Soup made with toasted noodles and a flavorful tomato-based broth. It's easy to make, requires simple ingredients, and it's budget-friendly, too! The whole family will love this hearty and comforting meal for Cinco de Mayo!
8. 10-Minute Vegan Burrito Bowl
If you are looking for an easy recipe to bring the Mexican flavors to your table in less than 10 minutes, this is it! This delicious Burrito Bowl comes packed with flavors, fresh ingredients, and has everything you need to enjoy complete Mexican Meal.
9. One-Pan Mexican Quinoa
This One Pan Mexican Quinoa is a hearty flavor-packed meal and it's a breeze to make. It's a total Cinco de Mayo winner that takes about 30 minutes on the stove, and you'll only have to clean one pan!
10. Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos
Have you tried jackfruit? It looks – and tastes – surprisingly like pork carnitas. But these jackfruit carnitas tacos are vegan and quick enough to make for dinner this next Cinco de Mayo or your next Taco Tuesday!
11. Sopa De Conchas
Mexican shell soup is a simple but filling meal that is a staple in Mexican households everywhere. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make!
12. Vegan Enchiladas
These vegan enchiladas are a fantastic main dish for the next Cinco de Mayo or a regular weekday. They’re stuffed with plant meat and cheese, smothered with red enchilada sauce, and baked for 20 minutes.
Vegan Mexican Recipes for Salsas and Dips
Salsas and dips come in infinite varieties, and most are naturally vegan. Tropical Pico de Gallo, Vegan Queso, Refried beans, or Mojo de Ajo are some of our favorites.
13. Mango Pico de Gallo
One of our favorite vegan Mexican recipes, Pico de Gallo or Salsa Fresca is a Mexican salsa made with fresh ingredients. Our Mango Pico de Gallo is sweet, tangy, refreshing, healthy and the perfect salsa to add to your tortilla chips, nachos, or tacos.
14. Vegan Queso
If you are looking for a fast and nutritious Vegan Queso Dip, this recipe is perfect for you. Our Cashew Queso Dip is somehow addictive. Made with all-natural ingredients, it tastes delicious and is suitable for the whole family.
15. Pineapple Pico de Gallo
Another Tropical Pico de Gallo from our kitchen. This Pineapple Pico de Gallo combines the sweetness of the Pineapple with the tanginess, and refreshing flavors of the vegetables and lime.
16. Mojo De Ajo
There’s really nothing better than this homemade Mojo De Ajo. It’s rich, savory, and perfect for drizzling over your veggies, tacos, and nachos. Trust me when I say you’ll want to put it on everything.
17. Refried Black Beans
These oil-free vegan refried black beans are made from scratch in the Instant Pot. Enjoy them with your favorite Mexican dishes.
18. Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
This Roasted Chili Corn Salsa is a copycat version of the one from Chipotle Mexican Grill. If you have enjoyed this delicious salsa at the restaurant, or even if you haven't ever tried it, be prepared to love this roasted corn salsa recipe.
19. Guacamole
This simple guacamole recipe is quick and easy to make. Featuring perfectly ripe avocados, fresh tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, this guacamole isn’t just a dish—it’s a vibrant experience for your palate.
Vegan Mexican Sides
Rice and beans are a classic Mexican side dish, but we also like other, more adventurous sides, such as Yuca Fries.
20. Yuca Fries
You should definitely include some Yuca Fries in your Cinco de Mayo Menu together with some other vegan Mexican recipes. Making Yuca Fries at home is easy, and the results are fantastic! Your whole family will love these. The best part? They are healthier than your regular fries!
21. Mexican Fried Rice
A Mexican-style dinner isn’t Mexican-style without this fluffy and flavorful Authentic Mexican rice! This easy recipe comes together in just half an hour and is made with basmati rice, flavorful tomato puree, and various herbs, spices, and veggies
22. Mexican Quinoa Salad with Avocado
This Mexican Quinoa and Black Bean Salad is simple to throw together and is ready in under an hour. Quinoa gets tossed in a vegan and gluten-free cilantro lime dressing and then loaded with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado.
23. Vegan Elotes
These Vegan Elote or Mexican Street Corn, are grilled to perfection, topped with a flavorful chili mayo and cashew parmesan.
Vegan Mexican Desserts
I hope you're not looking for churros! Churros are actually Spanish, so you can find them in our Spanish Recipes Compilation. You have some real Mexican Desserts here to complete your menu.
24. Buñuelos
Buñuelos are a traditional Mexican treat that goes great with tea or coffee as an afternoon snack. Imagine a delicate, crisp texture, golden in color, and a sweet aroma of cinnamon that is reminiscent of Spanish tortas de aceite.
25. Mango with Tajin
Mango con Tajin is an eye-catching and popular Mexican street snack that’s sweet, spicy, and tangy all at the same time.
This snack is super fun to eat and is an absolute must-try when you’ve got some fresh mangoes at hand.
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