10+ Vegan Mexican Recipes to Spice Up Your Plant-Based Meals

Trying out vegan Mexican recipes can be a fun and delicious experience. You can enjoy all the vibrant flavors and spices that Mexican cuisine has to offer, while still sticking to a plant-based diet.

Exploring these recipes lets you discover new meals that are healthy, satisfying, and full of taste.

Whether you’re a vegan or simply looking to add more plant-based options to your diet, these recipes will inspire your cooking. From tacos to enchiladas, you can recreate traditional dishes using fresh, plant-based ingredients.

Dig in and enjoy the tasty possibilities that vegan Mexican food brings to your table!

1) Vegan Chiles Rellenos

Vegan chiles rellenos are a delicious way to enjoy traditional Mexican flavors without meat or dairy. They usually feature roasted poblano peppers stuffed with a tasty filling.

You can fill them with plant-based cheese, beans, or veggies. This dish is often baked or lightly fried for a crispy texture.

You can serve these chiles with salsa or a side of rice for a satisfying meal. They are perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 poblano peppers
• 10 oz vegan cheese
• 3 large tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roast the poblano peppers until charred and blistered.
3. Peel the skin off and set aside.
4. In a pan, sauté garlic and onion until soft.
5. Mix in tomatoes and cook until blended.
6. Fill each pepper with the mixture and top with vegan cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

2) Spicy Vegan Enchiladas

Spicy vegan enchiladas are a delicious way to enjoy a classic Mexican dish. You can fill them with black beans, corn, and your favorite vegetables. A homemade spicy sauce makes them even better.

Start by preparing your sauce with tomatoes, chili powder, and cumin for that kick.

Fill your tortillas, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish. Pour the sauce over the top and sprinkle some vegan cheese.

Bake the enchiladas at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes. They’re ready when the cheese melts and the edges get a bit crispy. Serve hot with fresh cilantro on top for added flavor.

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas
• Black beans
• Corn
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Vegan cheese
• Fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the spicy sauce by mixing tomatoes, chili powder, and cumin.
3. Fill tortillas with black beans, corn, and bell peppers.
4. Roll up the tortillas and place them in a baking dish.
5. Pour the sauce over the filled tortillas.
6. Sprinkle vegan cheese on top.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

3) Vegan Birria Tacos

Vegan birria tacos are a delicious and hearty option for taco lovers. These tacos are typically filled with jackfruit or mushrooms, creating a savory filling. The combination of spices and herbs gives them a unique flavor that is hard to resist.

To enjoy these tacos, you can dip them in a spicy broth for an extra kick.

You can customize your toppings, adding avocado, onions, or fresh cilantro. Making these tacos is simple and fun!

Ingredients

• 2 cups jackfruit or oyster mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro, for serving
• Lime wedges, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the onion and garlic in a pan over medium heat until soft.
2. Add the jackfruit or mushrooms and cook until tender.
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and soy sauce.
4. Warm the corn tortillas in a separate pan.
5. Fill the tortillas with the mixture and top with cilantro and lime. Enjoy!

4) Homemade Vegan Chorizo

Making homemade vegan chorizo is simple and rewarding. You can enjoy a spicy and flavorful dish without meat. This recipe uses common ingredients and takes just a little time.

To start, you will need tofu, red onion, garlic, and various spices like chili powder and oregano. These ingredients combine to create a delicious filling for tacos or burritos.

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 2 tablespoons Mexican chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Crumble the tofu into a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft.
4. Stir in the crumbled tofu and add tomato paste, tamari, and spices.
5. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

5) Vegan Pozole Rojo

Vegan Pozole Rojo is a delicious Mexican soup made without meat. It features hominy, jackfruit, and a blend of spices. The broth is rich and flavorful, making it a comforting dish.

You can top your pozole with fresh ingredients like cabbage, radishes, and lime for extra crunch and taste. The combination of flavors will keep you coming back for more.

Ingredients

• 2 cups hominy
• 1 can young jackfruit, drained and shredded
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 dried guajillo chiles
• 2 dried ancho chiles
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh toppings: cabbage, radishes, lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak guajillo and ancho chiles in hot water for 10 minutes.
2. Blend chiles with a little soaking water until smooth.
3. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add the blended chiles and cook for a few minutes.
5. Stir in hominy and shredded jackfruit.
6. Pour in vegetable broth and oregano; bring to a simmer.
7. Cook for 20 minutes.
8. Serve hot with fresh toppings.

6) Lentil Picadillo

Lentil picadillo is a tasty and hearty vegan dish. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful meal. This recipe uses lentils to create a savory mix that can be enjoyed in many ways.

The dish is made with spices, tomatoes, and vegetables like carrots and potatoes. It gets a nice kick from chipotle and is often served with rice or in tacos. You can make it easily at home on a busy day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 potato, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add carrots and potatoes; cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in lentils, tomatoes, cumin, oregano, and chipotle peppers.
5. Simmer for 25–30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Vegan Carne Asada

Vegan carne asada is a delicious way to enjoy Mexican flavors without meat. You can use ingredients like soy curls or tempeh to create a tender and flavorful dish.

Marinating is key to bringing out the rich taste. A mixture of spices, citrus, and soy sauce will make your dish tasty. This vegan version works great in tacos, burritos, or on rice.

You can enjoy your vegan carne asada with fresh toppings like cilantro, onions, and salsa. It’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or a fun Taco Tuesday.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (8 ounces) Butler’s Soy Curls
• 4 cups vegan beef broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (optional)
• Spices (cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Rehydrate the soy curls in vegan beef broth for about 10 minutes.
2. Drain and squeeze out excess liquid.
3. Mix soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and spices in a bowl.
4. Marinate the soy curls for at least 30 minutes.
5. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook soy curls for 5-7 minutes until golden.
6. Serve in tacos or burritos. Enjoy your meal!

8) Vegan Tamales

Vegan tamales are a delicious and hearty dish that you can easily make at home. They are made using corn masa, filled with various savory ingredients, and wrapped in corn husks.

You can try different fillings like sautéed mushrooms and beans or spicy vegetables. The combination of flavors brings a taste of Mexico into your kitchen.

Cooking them in an Instant Pot also makes the process quick and simple without losing any flavor. You’ll enjoy a warm, comforting meal that everyone can appreciate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup filling (beans, vegetables, or mushrooms)
• Corn husks, soaked in warm water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix masa harina, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Gradually add vegetable broth, mixing until a dough forms.
3. Spread masa onto soaked corn husks.
4. Add filling to the center and fold the husk.
5. Steam for 1 hour at 210°F (99°C) or until firm.

9) Vegan Molé Poblano

Vegan Molé Poblano is a rich and flavorful sauce that adds a special touch to many dishes. It combines various chiles, nuts, spices, and even a hint of chocolate for depth of flavor. This dish is often seen as a pride of Mexican cuisine.

To make this sauce, you can use dried chiles like ancho, mulato, and pasilla. These chiles give the mole its unique taste and aroma. The blend of ingredients creates a delicious mix that’s perfect for tacos, enchiladas, or drizzling over rice.

Ingredients

• 3 ancho chiles
• 4 mulato chiles
• 4 pasilla chiles
• ½ cup almonds
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• 4 cloves
• ½ stick Mexican cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablet of dark chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the chiles in a dry pan for a few minutes.
2. Soak the chiles in hot water for 20 minutes.
3. Blend the chiles, nuts, and spices until smooth.
4. Heat a pan and add the blended mixture.
5. Stir in the chocolate and cook for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!

10) Mexican Ceviche

Mexican ceviche is a refreshing dish made with fresh ingredients. You can enjoy it as an appetizer or a light meal on a hot day.

The traditional version uses fish, but many delicious vegan options exist. You can create a tasty vegan version using hearts of palm, avocado, and mango.

These ingredients give a nice texture and vibrant flavor. Lime juice adds zest, while cilantro brings a lovely aroma.

Serve your ceviche with tortilla chips for a crunchy side. This dish is sure to impress your friends and family at gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 can hearts of palm, drained and diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 mango, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the hearts of palm, avocado, mango, and red onion.
2. Add the chopped cilantro and lime juice.
3. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
4. Season with salt to taste.
5. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before enjoying.