18 Vegan and Vegetarian Mexican Recipes

Meat-free and Mexican recipes to try tonight

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/24/20
Vegetarian Mushroom Fajitas

 Valeria Bismar/Getty Images

Plenty of Mexican dishes are already vegan and vegetarian. The indigenous cultures of the region developed what's known as three sisters farming: the cultivation of corn, squash, and climbing beans together. This farming method has long been the building blocks of meals throughout the Americas. Fast forward to the present day, and the migration patterns of the past few hundred years have brought even more plant-based foods to Mexican cuisine. We've collected our favorite, easy, delicious vegan and vegetarian Mexican food recipes you can prepare at home.

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  • 01 of 18

    Vegetarian Mushroom Fajitas

    Vegetarian Mushroom Fajitas

     Valeria Bismar/Getty Images 

    Savory mushrooms and crunchy bell peppers, plus spices from your pantry, give these easy vegetarian fajitas plenty of flavor and nutrition. Make them vegan easily by omitting the optional sour cream topping, or using a non-dairy substitute.

  • 02 of 18

    Chile and Cheese Flautas

    Chile and Cheese Flautas

     John E Kelly/Getty Images 

    Flautas are deep-fried stuffed tortilla "flutes" filled with cheese, corn, and green chiles. They make a wonderful snack after school or work, and are always a popular party appetizer. Whip up a big batch in 15 minutes with this easy recipe.

  • 03 of 18

    Ten Minute Vegan TVP Tacos

    Ten Minute Vegan TVP Tacos

     Jolinda Hackett/The Spruce Eats

    Enjoy a vegan taco night with these easy, tasty, and filling meat-free tacos. Cook them up for dinner in only 10 minutes, using TVP (a meat substitute made with textured vegetable protein), store-bought salsa, and your favorite Mexican toppings.

  • 04 of 18

    Vegetarian Portabella Mushroom Enchiladas

    Vegetarian Portabella Mushroom Enchiladas

     Brett Stevens/Getty Images

    Bake up a super-satisfying family dinner with this saucy, savory, cheesy vegetarian enchiladas recipe that bakes in only 30 minutes. It's a meatless meal with plenty of hearty flavor and texture from healthy portobello mushrooms and vegetarian mock meat.

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  • 05 of 18

    Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

    Spicy Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

     Jolinda Hackett/The Spruce Eats

    Quick and easy homemade tortilla soup makes a tummy-warming meal for busy families. Make this spiced Mexican vegetable soup that gets plenty of protein from kidney beans, with a garnish of crunchy tortilla strips. It's on the table 30 minutes for busy weeknights.

  • 06 of 18

    Grilled Mexican Street Corn

    Grilled Mexican Street Corn

     Leah Maroney

    This grilled Mexican street corn recipe will wow you with its salty-sweet flavors, and crunchy, creamy texture. Corn ears are roasted on the grill, rolled in a garlicky lime cream, Parmesan and fresh Mexican cheeses, and finished with chopped fresh cilantro and chili powder.

  • 07 of 18

    Vegetarian Bean and Rice Burritos

    Vegetarian rice and beans recipe

    ​The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Black bean and rice burritos make a fantastic, easy, protein-rich, hand-held vegetarian lunch or dinner any day of the week. They're also a great way to use up leftover rice in the fridge. Feel free to add some chopped bell pepper to this nutritious filling for extra flavor and crunch.

  • 08 of 18

    Mexican Day of the Dead Bread (Pan de Muerto)

    Mexican Day of the Dead Bread (Pan de Muerto)

     The Spruce Eats

    Enjoy this bread that is a traditional part of Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations in November. The recipe yields a sweet, yeasty loaf, decorated with glazed strips of dough shaped to look like bones.

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  • 09 of 18

    The Best Homemade Guacamole

    The Best Homemade Guacamole

     Juanmonino/Getty Images

    Guacamole makes every party better! Whether you're serving it with a bowl of chips, or adding it to tacos and burritos, this is the essential, citrusy homemade Mexican guacamole recipe you need.

  • 10 of 18

    Nachos with Homemade Vegan Cheese Sauce

    Nachos with Homemade Vegan Cheese Sauce

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    These nachos feature a vegan cheese sauce made with soaked cashews, onion, garlic, spices, and nut milk that is deliciously creamy. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without the dairy. And while it looks like a lot of ingredients, all you have to do is blend it up and top with beans, salsa, and guacamole.

  • 11 of 18

    Vegetarian Oven-Baked Cheese and Bell Pepper Quesadillas

    Cheese and bell pepper quesadilla

    The Spruce Eats / Emily Hawkes

    Even picky kids will gobble up these easy, cheesy vegetarian quesadillas, with healthy veggies hidden inside. Crispy quesadillas are oven-baked instead of pan-fried, for a healthier school lunch or afternoon snack.

  • 12 of 18

    Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Tacos with Cauliflower

    Vegan Chickpea and Vegetable Tacos with Cauliflower

     Betty Crocker

    Roasting brings out the natural nutty sweetness of cauliflower and chickpeas in this unusual but delicious vegetarian taco recipe. The crunchy, healthy filling gets plenty of zing from dried spices, jalapenos, and freshly squeezed lime juice.

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  • 13 of 18

    Vegan Mexican Rice

    Vegan Mexican Rice

     Jolinda Hackett/The Spruce Eats

    Use this Mexican rice as a filling in vegetarian burritos, or enjoy it on its own as a flavorful side dish. White rice is lightly toasted in a pan with garlic, onion, and spices, then simmered with canned or fresh tomatoes until tender. 

  • 14 of 18

    Oven-Baked Refried Bean and Cheese Taquitos

    Oven-Baked Refried Bean and Cheese Taquitos

     Jolinda Hackett/The Spruce Eats

    Nutritious, oven-baked vegetarian taquitos (similar to flautas) are lower in calories and fat than their deep-fried cousins. They still have all the Mexican flavors you crave, with refried beans, cheese, and hot sauce, folded inside corn tortillas. 

  • 15 of 18

    Quick Microwave Nachos

    Quick Microwave Nachos

     The Spruce Eats

    Need a quick party appetizer, or an after-school snack that kids can make themselves? Vegetarian nachos are ready to eat in five minutes flat, thanks to your microwave oven. Feel free to load on all of your favorite toppings to make this recipe your own!

  • 16 of 18

    Mexican 7-Layer Dip

    Mexican 7-Layer Dip

     photokitchen/Getty Images

    Party-pleasing 7-layer dip makes a perfect game day snack, or winning potluck contribution. Fresh avocados and store-bought salsa are layered with refried beans, cheese, green onions, lettuce, and tortilla chips, plus olives, sour cream, and taco seasoning.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below.
  • 17 of 18

    Vegan Mexican Chocolate Cake

    Vegan Mexican Chocolate Cake

     Shawna Lemay/Getty Images

    Vegan chocolate cake inspired by the richness of Mexican hot chocolate is a fabulously decadent, dairy- and egg-free treat, with a pleasantly spicy kick from cayenne and cinnamon in the batter.

  • 18 of 18

    Vegetarian Mexican Casserole With Black Beans

    Vegetarian Mexican Casserole With Black Beans

     boblin/Getty Images

    Give your kids something to smile about when you serve this cheesy, one-dish Mexican tortilla casserole for weeknight dinner. It is packed with healthy veggies, and protein from beans and cheese. Prepare it in under 30 minutes from start to finish.