Mexican Cooking centers around simple, plant-based ingredients: corn, rice, beans, peppers, and avocado. While many traditional recipes will contain meat, seafood, or dairy, there are plenty of ways to create 100% vegan dishes. Plus, you can easily ditch the oil for oil-free cooking.
Essentials of Mexican Cooking
Authentic Mexican recipes focus on fresh flavors. Tortillas are used to make tacos, enchiladas, and tostadas. Dried chili peppers make smoky, spicy salsas. Cilantro and lime add bright finishes that make you feel like your soaking up the sun on a warm Oaxacan day.
While many traditional dishes will use chicken, pork, or the local seafood, you can make simple swaps to fit a plant-based diet. These are some of my favorite vegan, oil-free Mexican dishes. They honor the rich history of Mexican cuisine, with techniques and ingredients characteristic of the region. Yet, they are adapted to fit a whole foods, plant-based diet.
For more reading: Mexican Cooking 101: Chef’s Guide for Delicious Plant-Based Authentic Recipes
Plant-Based Mexican Entrees:
Red Quinoa Enchiladas Rojas
Dried Ancho chilies bring smoky heat to this authentic Mexican entrée. Healthy, gluten-free red quinoa provides the base for the hearty filling. This makes the perfect vegan dinner for a crowd – they’ll be begging for more!
Vegan Green Chili Potato Tacos
These spicy green chili potato tacos are quick and easy to make. Take some help from the microwave for a one-pan dish. Topped with a simple vegan avocado slaw. The perfect whole foods, plant-based weeknight dinner.
Easy Vegan Lentil Tacos
Hearty lentils are cooked with flavorful Mexican spices for these easy, oil-free vegan tacos. Serve these on a busy weeknight with salsa and diced avocado. Or use them as a starting point for a plant-based Taco Bar with Guacamole, Salsa, and Stewed Black Beans. These are crowd-pleasers!
Salsa Verdes Black Bean Enchilada Mexican Plant-Based Casserole
Full of authentic Mexican flavor – your family will devour this healthy, Salsa Verder Enchilada casserole! With a hearty, plant-based filling of black bean and potatoes, this makes a satisfying weeknight meal.
Charred Mushroom Poblano Tacos
Hearty Portobello and Cremini mushrooms and spicy Poblano peppers come together for these easy, gluten-free vegan tacos. Everything is grilled for smoky, charred flavor, perfect for summer. Top with Watermelon Salsa, or Pickled Red Onions.
Oaxacan Mole Mexican Vegan Buddha Bowl
This spicy vegan Buddha bowl has Mexican flavor with Oaxacan Mole sauce. With oil-free roasted sweet potatoes, mushrooms, black beans, and black forbidden rice. A delicious, plant-based meal!
Oaxacan Baked Tostadas with Tomatillo Serrano Guacamole
Based on a classic Oaxacan dish, this vegan version of tostadas uses smoky bulgur for healthy flavor. Skip the grease and deep-frying by simply baking the tortillas in the oven. A dollop of creamy, spicy Tomatillo Guacamole knocks this out of the park! Serve these at your next party, enjoy for a Mexican breakfast, or simply enjoy for an easy, plant-based dinner!
Easy Red Enchilada Black Bean Mexican Casserole
All of your favorite enchilada flavors…layered into an easy casserole. This is plant-based Mexican satisfaction to the max! Full of healthy black beans and corn, this makes a hearty weeknight meal.
“Tartas Pastores”: Mexican Shepherd’s Pies with Smoky Sweet Potato Crust
The traditional Shepherds Pie gets a Mexican twist with this spicy vegan recipe. An oil-free filling of black beans and corn is topped with a smoky plant-based sweet potato crust for a comfort food dinner your family will love.
5-Minute Raw Walnut Mushroom Vegan Tacos
Too hot to fire up the oven? You can make a quick batch of these raw vegan tacos. Walnuts and mushrooms substitute ground meat for this simple plant-based Mexican recipe. Serve in lettuce cups for a healthy, plant-based meal.
Tex-Mex Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
This recipe for Tex-Mex Quinoa Stuffed Peppers makes a hearty plant-based dinner. Simple spices flavor the satisfying stuffing of beans, corn, and quinoa. This is a vegan crowd-pleaser the whole family will love!
Plant-Based Mexican Side Dishes:
Stewed Black Beans
Black turtle beans are simmered with onion, garlic, bay, and dried chipotle pepper for this easy, essential Mexican recipe. The smells will transport you to el casa de una mujer en la puebla. This is an essential recipe and pure comfort food.
5 Minute Guacamole: Essential Vegan Recipe
Nothing says fiesta quite like simple Guacamole, an essential Mexican recipe. This healthy 5-ingredient recipe comes together with fresh flavor from avocados, lime, and cilantro. Enjoy this oil-free recipe with jicama chips or use over Mushroom Poblano Tacos, Southwestern Black Bean Burgers, or a big bowl of Hearty Lentil Chili.
5 Minute Pico de Gallo
Nothing says fiesta quite like simple Pico de Gallo, an essential Mexican recipe. This healthy 5-ingredient recipe comes together in just 5 minutes for fresh authentic flavor. Use the freshest tomatoes for natural delicious flavor. Enjoy it over Mushroom Poblano Tacos, Easy Vegan Lentil Tacos, or a big bowl of White Poblano Chili.
Spicy Pasilla Pepper Sauce
This spicy salsa uses dried Pasilla peppers for smoky, spicy heat. You can experiment with any dried chilies for different levels of heat, sweetness, and smokiness. Make a batch of this salsa and use on tacos, tostadas, or simple rice and beans.
Spicy-Sweet Raw Pineapple Salsa
Who says salsa is only for tomatoes? Swap out the tomatoes for golden pineapple. The natural sweetness of the fruit works well with the Mexican trinity of cilantro, lime, and spicy jalapeno in this refreshing, easy recipe.
Plant-Based Mexican Soups and Salads:
Vegan Tortilla Soup with Hominy
Fire-roasted tomatoes and hominy make this an easy pantry meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Authentic flavor comes from a Mexican sofrito: sautéed onion, garlic, lime zest, and spices. Naturally gluten-free and packed with spicy flavor, this soup will help cure any sickness…or tequila overdose.
Chipotle Black Bean Soup
Smoky, creamy, satisfying black bean soup — there’s nothing quite like it. This easy, healthy, fat-free vegan recipe gets smoky spice from dried chipotle peppers and Mexican flavors from cumin and marjoram. Packed with healthy vegetarian protein and gluten-free fiber, make a big batch of this in your Slow Cooker for a future meals.
Guaca-Jica: Quick Corn, Bean, Jicama, and Avocado Salad
Crunchy, creamy, spicy, sweet – this salad has it all! Take your typical guacamole recipe and give it a boost with crunchy jicama, sweet corn, and healthy black beans. This oil-free, gluten-free vegan recipe is full of healthy plant-based Mexican flavor. Enjoy this has over chopped lettuce for a new take on taco salad, or serve as a dip for baked tortilla chips
Quinoa Fiesta Bowl with Beans, Pico de Gallo, and Avocado Lime Dressing
Mexican toasted quinoa, stewed black beans, fresh Pico de Gallo and oil-free Avocado Lime Dressing come together in this delicious bowl. This is an explosion of flavors and textures! Serve over crunchy Romaine lettuce for a satisfying, gluten-free, plant-based meal.
5-Minute Mango Corn Black Bean Salad
Sometimes food just doesn’t need to be complicated. Mango, black beans, and a splash of vinegar: It’s so simple, yet so good. This easy, healthy salad is a great example of how Mexican flavor can come together quickly.
Moon and Stars Watermelon Calypso Bean Salad
Watermelon and beans? Yes! Moon and Stars Watermelon is named for its “celestial” rind, with a design that looks like a star-filled night. Heirloom Calypso beans add even more beautiful color. The sweet flavor and crisp texture of the melon balance the rich, hearty flavor of the beans. A spicy kick from jalapeno and fresh lime give this a Mexican flair. Enjoy this healthy, gluten-free, oil-free salad as a side dish for any summer party. Or use as a plant-based filling for vegan tacos and lettuce cups.
Plant-Based Mexican Desserts and Treats:
Spicy Mexican Chocolate Sauce with Pineapple
This vegan Chocolate Sauce recipe gets some Mexican spice with cinnamon and chipotle powder. Natural sweetness from dates and a side of pineapple make this a healthy, satisfying treat. It’s gluten-free, oil-free, with no added sugars or syrups: Sophisticated flavor and guilt-free indulgence.
Spiced Up! Mexican Date and Black Bean Vegan Brownies
Add some devilish heat to your dessert platter with these Mexican Spice Black Bean Brownies. This oil-free, plant-based vegan recipe is the perfect chocolatey treat. Naturally sweetened with dates, they are both nutritious and delicious. With Mexican spices Ceylon cinnamon and chipotle powder.
Vegan Pineapple Coconut Piña Colada Smoothie
This vegan pineapple coconut Piña Colada smoothie has all the flavors of your favorite tropical cocktail…but none of the alcohol. With natural, whole foods sweetness from frozen pineapple, banana, and dates, this makes the perfect summer drink. Make up a batch and get the plant-based party started!
Simple Broiled Bananas with Cinnamon and Cocoa Nibs
Broiling bananas brings out their natural sugars and adds a crust reminiscent of campfire marshmallows. A dusting of cinnamon and a crunch from bittersweet cocoa nibs finishes this easy, healthy, gluten-free, vegan dessert.
Want to Learn More?
Mexican Cooking 101: Chef’s Guide for Delicious, Plant-Based Authentic Flavor
Black Beans, Pinto, Mayo Coba, Giant Lima, and More: 16 Delicious Oil-Free Vegan Bean Recipes
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Mexico City…that Even Foodies Will Love
Quinoa Cooking: Rinsing, Oil-Free Toasting, and How to Know When It’s Done
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