The BEST Vegan Mexican Recipes
Going vegan doesn’t mean having to give up the delicious and traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine. This collection of authentic vegan Mexican recipes is incredibly delicious and preserve the richness of traditional Mexican food.
Authentic Vegan Mexican Recipes
If you recently started following a vegan diet or have been wanting to but are afraid that you’ll have to give up traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine, amigo/a, don’t worry you won’t!
Mexican Made Meatless has always had a mission to show the World that we can still enjoy traditional Mexican dishes without the meat.
This collection of vegan twists on traditional Mexican dishes honor the authenticity of the cuisine and also celebrate the diversity of plant-based eating.
Authentic Mexican food is a rich tapestry of flavors and traditions. From pre-Hispanic times there has been countless plant-based options. In modern times too, the traditional flavors are preserved as well as made into modern vegan twists.
From crispy potato tacos, veggie filled enfrijoladas, and modern vegan takes on traditional caldo de res and arroz con leche, the options are endless.
Mexican cuisine actually flows perfectly with a vegan lifestyle.
If you’re taking part in the yearly Veganuary event, these Mexican recipes will help make your 31 days so much easier.
So here, let me share with you some cruelty-free, mostly healthy, and easy to make vegan Mexican recipe options.
1. Vegan Pozole Rojo
Traditionally made with pork or chicken, this hearty red pozole is made with mushroom or jackfruit.
2. Vegan Pozole Verde
Green pozole can be made with either pork or chicken. For my vegan pozole verde it replaces the meat with shredded oyster mushrooms which work perfectly! If you don’t like mushrooms you can use jackfruit instead.
3. Vegan Potato Tacos
Tacos de papa are such a classic recipe. You can easily swap out the traditional dairy ingredients for vegan alternatives. I have delicious vegan crema and vegan cotija cheese recipes to top your tacos with.
4. Vegan Tamales Rojos
Tamales (and pozole) are one of the most popular and traditional Mexican foods. You can’t be vegan and not have tamales! You’ll love these vegan tamales rojos, a fan favorite on the blog.
5. Vegan Tamales Verdes
Green tamales are another classic and making them vegan is incredibly easy! This vegan tamales verdes recipe is made with a mushroom and jackfruit filling. You’re going to love them!
6. Vegan Arroz con Leche
Mexican rice pudding is creamy and dreamy. Making a vegan arroz con leche dessert is easy and you’re whole family will love it.
7. Vegan Birria Tacos
Birria is a very meaty dish that became all the rage a few years ago. It’s such an easy recipe to make vegan, and you’re going to love it!
8. Vegan Caldo de Res
A Mexican mom favorite no matter the time of year, caldo de res is a very popular dish. Making a vegan caldo de res version is incredibly easy and so satisfying too. It’s Mexican comfort food!
9. Vegan Espagueti a la Crema
Mexican spaghetti with a cream sauce and chopped ham – but 100% vegan, of course!
10. Vegan Mexican Picadillo
Picadillo is traditionally made with ground beef, but with my vegan picadillo you can use TVP or lentils instead.
11. Torta de Milanesa
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches and a torta de milanesa is among the most popular ones. I make a vegan version that’s so delicious and satisfying. I also have a vegan ham torta recipe.
12. Frijoles De Olla
Mexican pinto beans from scratch is a must know recipe for everyone. They are traditionally made without any animal products.
(I also have a black beans recipe and a frijoles peruano recipe.)
13. Vegan Arroz a la Mexicana
Mexican red rice, or arroz rojo, is traditionally made with chicken broth. But my recipe uses vegetable broth instead to make it fully vegan.
I also have a vegan arroz blanco recipe.
14. Vegan Mole Ranchero
Mole ranchero is a traditional red mole that I grew up eating in the state of Jalisco. My mom would make it with chicken meat and broth, I make mine mole 100% vegan!
Serve with arroz rojo and warm corn tortillas, or make enmoladas with the sauce instead.
15. Authentic Vegan Refried Beans
Frijoles refritos or refried beans are traditionally made using lard, but you can swap it for oil or completely omit it for an oil-free refried bean recipe.
I also have a refried black beans recipe.
16. Vegan Cochinita Pibil Tacos
Cochinita pibil is traditionally made with pork, but you won’t believe what these vegan cochinita tacos are made of! You can even use this recipe to make tamales with.
17. Vegan Frijoles Charros
Frijoles charros are one of the most popular bean dishes of Mexico. I grew up eating them and they were always present at family cook outs. This vegan version is so satisfying and people won’t notice there’s not meat!
18. Vegan Chorizo con Papas
Chorizo with potatoes is another classic of Mexican cuisine. This is made using vegan chorizo from the store, but I promise to have a homemade recipe for you soon. Use it for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, pambazos or gorditas.
19. Vegan Strawberry Tamales
These dessert tamales are not to be missed. Made with vegan butter and homemade strawberry jam, they are quite the sweet treat.
20. Vegan Huevos Revueltos a la Mexicana
Mexican style scrambled eggs are made with tomato, onion and chile pepper. It’s a hearty breakfast and so easy to make vegan. Serve with warm corn tortillas and your favorite sides.
21. Vegan Choriqueso Dip
Choriqueso or chorizo con queso is a popular dip in Mexico. It’s a perfect party appetizer or for game night too. Vegan choriqueso is so easy to veganize! Serve with tortilla chips or warm flour tortillas.
22. Vegan Cauliflower Ceviche
Ceviche is traditionally made with fish or seafood, this one is made with cauliflower. As someone who thinks cauliflower is just ok, let me tell you that it works amazingly in this vegan ceviche. Give it a try!
23. Vegan Flour Tortillas
There’s nothing quite like a warm homemade flour tortilla. Many traditional cooks use lard to make theirs, but we’re swapping it for a plant-based friendly fat.
24. Vegan Steak Tacos
Tacos de bistec are an absolute must for veganizing – because no one should ever miss out on delicious tacos. These vegan steak tacos are meaty, flavorful, easy to make, and satisfy those taco cravings.
25. Vegan Mexican Tuna Salad Tostadas
Before going vegan, tostadas topped with creamy Mexican tuna salad were a favorite of mine. This vegan version always satisfies my cravings every time.
26. Mexican Lentil Soup
My mom’s traditional Mexican sopa de lentejas was fully vegan. This hearty and comfort food is easy to make and perfect for feeding a whole family. It’s also very budget friendly.
27. Sopa de Fideo
Sopa de fideo is a Mexican noodle soup cooked in a light tomato broth. Traditionally many people use chicken broth but it can easily be swapped for vegetable broth and no one will notice.
28. Bionicos
Bionicos are a type of Mexican fruit salad served with granola, nuts, and drizzled with a sweet cream sauce. In my vegan bionicos recipe I swap out all the dairy for non-dairy ingredients. It’s even more delicious!
29. Vegan Crema (Sour Cream)
We Mexicans love drizzling and cooking with crema. My homemade Mexican vegan sour cream is so easy to make and tastes amazing. Drizzle over tacos or make a creamy vegan spaghetti sauce with it.
30. Vegan Enfrijoladas
Enfrijoladas are similar to enchiladas except that instead of being drizzled with chile salsa, they have a creamy bean salsa. Just like
31. Camotes or Mexican Sweet Potatoes
Camotes is the Mexican word for sweet potatoes. One of the most popular ways to eat them is “enmielado” which means sweetened or cooked in a syrup with aromatic spices. Once cooked they are drizzled with milk or sweetened condensed milk. It’s a must try recipe!
32. Pico de Gallo Salsa
If you’re new to Mexican salsa or just want a quick and easy recipe, then pico de gallo what you need. Made with just a few basic ingredients yet exploding with flavors. Eat with tortilla chips or use to top any dish.
33. Vegan Chicharron in Salsa Verde
Chicharron is traditionally pork crackling, but this vegan one is either with soy crackling or with tofu. Don’t miss it!
34. Mexican Black Beans
Frijoles negros are quite popular in the southern parts of Mexico. They are traditionally vegan and are quite easy to make. You can use them whole, blended for enfrijoladas, or make refried black beans.
35. Vegan Espagueti Blanco
This is a creamy alfredo spaghetti but with a Mexican touch. It’s so easy to veganize and makes a delicious main meal or side dish.
Check Back Often
Remember to check back often as I’m always adding new authentic vegan Mexican recipes to the blog. You’ll find them on their own dedicated page here Vegan Mexican Recipes.
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If you ever have a request don’t hesitate to send me a message letting me know.
Have a beautiful day and happy cooking, amigos!
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
