Vegan Day of The Dead Recipes

Día de Los Muertos or Mexican Day of the Dead is celebrated every 1st and 2nd of November. It’s a time to honor and celebrate our loved ones who have passed on. One very important part of the celebrations is the food.

Food is placed on the altars as part of the ofrendas, but also cooked and shared with family and friends.

I’ve listed a few of my favorite vegan Day of The Dead recipes that I think you’re going to love.

If you’d like to learn more about this special Mexican holiday and how build an altar for Dia de Los Muertos, make sure to read my guide. How to Make a Dia de Los Muertos Altar

Remember to leave me a comment or tag me on social media when you cook my recipes. I love to hear from you all and know that you enjoy the recipes, photos and videos I share with you, ones I put so much love and effort into.

Day of The Dead Food and Drinks

Amigos below I’ve listed a few of my favorite Día de Muertos food and drinks. They are all meatless and perfect for vegans, vegetarians or meat eaters.

Pan de Muerto

Pan de muerto or Day of the Dead bread is an absolute must for your celebrations. This soft, fluffy pan dulce (sweet bread) encompasses the scents and flavors of the holiday.

Vegan Pan de Muerto Recipe

Pan de muerto or Day of The Dead bread is a traditional Mexican bread served for Día de Los Muertos. This recipe is eggless and dairy free, it's a 100% vegan pan de muerto recipe and the taste is delightfully sweet, soft, airy and fluffy with hints of orange flavor. It's simply a must try! 

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Galletas de Pan de Muerto

These are a miniaturized and cookie version of pan de muerto. They’re not only adorable but incredibly delicious and perfect for those that don’t want to bake bread.

Day of The Dead Cookies

This crumbly, decadent, Mexican shortbread cookies are inspired by pan de muerto or Day of the Dead bread. These cookies have the same orange zest and orange blossom water flavors and are shaped the same way too. Don't miss out on these vegan Dia de Los Muertos cookies!

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Calabaza en Tacha

Calabaza en tacha is Mexican candied pumpkin that is slow cooked with aromatic spices. It’s served warm with milk and I like to make a syrup out of the broth it’s cooked in. Don’t miss this recipe because it’s one of the best ways to eat fresh pumpkin.

Mexican Candied Pumpkin

A Mexican pumpkin dessert simmered in a piloncillo and spices syrup then drizzled with evaporated milk. This is a traditional Day of the Dead altar ofrenda recipe.

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Mole

Mole is one of the most traditional may dishes served for Dia de Muertos. You can serve the sweet kind, mole Poblano, or make my spicy mole rojo called mole ranchero.

The BEST Vegan Mole

Mole ranchero is a delicious homemade mole sauce that is much easier to make and takes a lot less time to prepare than other types of mole. This traditional mole is common in Mexican ranches and small towns. The taste is flavorful, creamy and it pairs perfectly over vegetables and your favorite vegan proteins.

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Enmoladas

Enmoladas are enchiladas but bathe in mole sauce rather than red or green chile sauce. You can make my mole then serve it the traditional way or make enmoladas with it. Either option is delicious!

Easy Enmoladas Recipe

Enmoladas are enchiladas made with mole sauce. They are a super satisfying and flavor packed meal. The filling options are endless and they make a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family. Traditionally filled with chicken, this plant-based enmoladas recipe is a delectable and healthier option.

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Enchiladas Rojas

Enchiladas are such a classic Mexican recipe that is perfect as everyday food or for special occasions. These are enchiladas Michoacanas or enchiladas mineras and you can make them vegan or vegetarian.

Enchiladas Michoacanas Recipe

These red enchiladas or enchiladas rojas are traditionally made vegetarian and they are incredibly delicious. Made with a mild red sauce, filled with crumbled queso fresco and served with chopped potato and carrot. These are a must make!

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Enfrijoladas

Another type of enchiladas but made with a delicious creamy bean sauce. You can fill with your favorite ingredients.

Delicious Enfrijoladas

Enfrijoladas are the cousin of the enchiladas. Enfrijoladas are made by dipping corn tortillas into a creamy bean sauce. This Mexican Recipe is easy to make with pantry staple ingredients. Try my quick and easy vegetarian recipe with a vegan option.

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Tamales Rojos

Tamales are a very popular food for celebrating Day of The Dead. These are tamales rojos or red tamales and they’re made vegan. Check out the recipe to see what they’re filled with. They are a hit with meat eaters too!

Vegan Tamales Recipe | Vegan Tamales Recipe

These vegan red chile tamales recipe tastes just like the traditional Mexican tamales rojos. It's delicious and a very easy to follow vegan tamales recipe.

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Pibipollo or Yucatan Style Day of The Dead Tamales

In the southern states of Mexico, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, pibipollo are the traditional tamales served for Day of The Dead. These are very different than any other type of tamal you’ve ever had. I highly suggest making them this year.

Yucatecan Vegan Tamales for Day of The Dead (Pibipollo Vegano)

Pibipollo or mucbipollo is a traditional dish served in the Yucatan to celebrate Day of the Dead, or Hanal Pixan as it is called in the native Mayan language. This huge tamal is unlike any other and an absolute must try. This is my vegan take on a delectable ancient dish and it's guaranteed to please everyone!

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Pozole Rojo

Pozole is one of those foods that is always perfect for any special occasion or Mexican holiday. My recipe is made meatless and I use mushrooms to replace the meat, you could also use jackfruit if you’d like.

How to Make Vegan Pozole Rojo

Learn how to make vegan pozole rojo. My recipe is quick, easy and has the authentic flavors for a traditional Mexican pozole.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Caliente)

Mexican hot chocolate is unlike any other hot chocolate you’ve had. Our chocolate is richer and flavored with aromatic spices and almonds. It makes a perfect drink to go with your Dia de Muertos feast.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe (vegan)

Learn how to make traditional and authentic Mexican hot chocolate using chocolate tablets or disks. This recipe is vegan, perfect for a chocolate lover and there’s also a spiked option!

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Champurrado

Champurrado is a rich chocolate drink thickened with masa. It’s one of the most traditional Mexican drinks and you need to try it even if it’s just once in your life. I love it as a dessert when I have tamales or with pan dulce.

Champurrado Recipe

Champurrado is a warm chocolate drink that’s kind of like hot chocolate. But this drink is thickened up with masa. In my recipe I’m using maseca for those that can’t get fresh masa.

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Nancy Lopez

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…