Welcome to Mexican Made Meatless
Founded in 2016, Mexican Made Meatless has published hundreds of recipes and helped thousands of home cooks reclaim tradition and authentic Mexican flavors in plant-based form.
Founded by Nancy Lopez, a Mexican-born food writer and cookbook author specializing in authentic plant-based Mexican cuisine.
Authentic Vegan & Vegetarian Mexican Food — Flavors You Remember
Bienvenido! I’m so glad you’re here.
Mexican Made Meatless is your home for authentic plant-forward Mexican cuisine — from everyday staples to special-occasion classics like tamales and tacos.
Whether you grew up eating these dishes or are just discovering Mexican food, this site is designed to help you make flavorful, satisfying recipes that honor the soul of the cuisine — without meat.
If you’re here because you miss tamales and pozole… you’re in the right place!
What This Site Is (and What It Isn’t)
Mexican Made Meatless is:
- ✔ A recipe resource focused on vegan & vegetarian Mexican food
- ✔ A place to preserve traditional recipes with plant-forward adaptations
- ✔ A guide for home cooks, not restaurant chefs
- ✔ A community grounded in cultural respect and real kitchens
This is not:
✘ A medical or nutritional advice site
✘ A collection of diet trends
✘ A place for random fusion experiments that abandon Mexican identity
Meet The Creator
Hola, I’m Nancy Lopez — Mexican-born, Midwest-raised, and now living in Mexico. I created Mexican Made Meatless to prove one delicious thing: you don’t have to give up the flavors of Mexican food to eat plant-based.
I’m also the author of Mexican Tamales Made Meatless (and other cookbooks published under my previous name.)
Who This Site Is For
Mexican Made Meatless is for you if you:
- Love authentic Mexican flavor, even in plant-based form
- Want dishes that taste like home, not like a trend
- Miss classics like tamales, tacos, mole, and salsas since going meatless
- Cook in a real kitchen with real grocery store ingredients
- Want approachable instructions, clear substitutions, and dependable results
No elite chef skills required — just curiosity and courage in the kitchen.
As Seen In
Mexican Made Meatless has been featured in outlets such as The Guardian, HuffPost, Parade, The Spruce Eats, and Healthline.
See full press + publications here.
What You’ll Find Here
This site features:
🥑 Recipes with Roots
Traditional dishes reimagined without meat — designed to honor flavor and tradition first.
- Vegan tamales
- Birria tacos (plant-based)
- Agua frescas and vibrant salsas
- Chilaquiles that taste like abuelita’s kitchen
Each recipe is written for home cooks and tested for clarity.
🍅 Step-by-Step Techniques
Learn the building blocks of authentic Mexican cooking:
- Handmade tortillas
- Flavor balance (sal, ácido, chile, textura)
- Broths and sauces simplified without shortcuts
📚 Story + Culture
Every recipe lives in a cultural context — not as a trend but as a tradition.
How We Develop Recipes
Every recipe on Mexican Made Meatless is:
✔ Developed with respect for traditional flavor profiles
✔ Tested multiple times for reliable results
✔ Written in a clear, step-by-step style
✔ Designed for home kitchens with accessible ingredients
✔ Adapted thoughtfully, not arbitrarily
Recipes include notes, substitutions, and practical tips so you can cook confidently — even if it’s your first time with the dish.
What Makes This Site Different
Here’s what sets Mexican Made Meatless apart:
Cultural Foundations + Practical Kitchen Know-How
This site is rooted in real Mexican culinary traditions while also reflecting common home cooking environments like American kitchens, small city markets, and everyday life.
That means:
- Recipes grounded in heritage
- Techniques explained clearly
- Flavor over gimmick
- Accessible ingredients first
Intentional, Not Trend-Driven
This isn’t plant-based for clicks — this is plant-based to help you cook Mexican food with confidence and real flavor.
We honor:
- The history of the dish
- Regional sensibilities
- The way flavor actually works
So whether you want to recreate a classic or try something boldly new, you’re supported here.
Where to Begin
Not sure where to start? Start here:
Prefer to browse? Head straight to the Recipe Index.
Reader Favorite Recipes
Meatless Taco Recipes
Seasonal Favorites
Get Updates + Community Support
Never miss a recipe, kitchen tip, or seasonal collection.
Subscribe to the FREE newsletter — it’s like having an amiga in the kitchen by your side.
Gracias for Being Here
Mexican cuisine has fed families for centuries with flavor, warmth, and cultural meaning.
Mexican Made Meatless exists to make that tradition accessible — for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone curious about plant-forward Mexican food.
You’re now part of the familia and this journey… and I’m so glad you’re here.