10+ Vegetarian Mexican Recipes to Spice Up Your Meatless Meals
Vegetarian Mexican recipes offer a vibrant blend of flavors and colors that can make any meal exciting. These dishes are not only delicious, but they also provide healthy options for those looking to enjoy Mexican cuisine without meat. From spicy tacos to savory enchiladas, there are countless ways to create satisfying meals using fresh vegetables and rich spices.
Exploring vegetarian options allows you to discover new ingredients and cooking techniques that can elevate your dining experience. Whether you are a long-time vegetarian or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your life, you’ll find that these recipes are both easy to prepare and full of taste.
1) Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas
Veggie black bean enchiladas are a tasty choice for a vegetarian meal. You can pack them with black beans, corn, and your favorite vegetables for added flavor. Top them with a homemade enchilada sauce for a delightful taste.
To start, prepare your fillings by mixing black beans, chopped bell peppers, and fresh spinach. You can also add onions for extra flavor.
Once the filling is ready, fill each tortilla, roll them up, and place them in a baking dish. Then, pour the enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes until bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy this delicious dish!
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 cup spinach
- 8 tortillas
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 1 cup cheese (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix black beans, corn, bell pepper, and spinach in a bowl.
- Fill each tortilla with the mixture and roll it up.
- Place rolled tortillas in a baking dish.
- Pour enchilada sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy!
2) Fideo Seco
Fideo Seco is a delicious and comforting dish from Mexico. This recipe uses thin pasta, often vermicelli, cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s a great option for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
To start, you’ll want to gather your ingredients. Fideo Seco can easily be made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chili for a little heat. This dish is often served with toppings like fresh cilantro and cheese.
This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or a family gathering. You’ll enjoy how simple and tasty it is!
Ingredients
- 8 nests of angel hair pasta or vermicelli
- 2 medium tomatoes
- ½ small white onion
- 1 pasilla chili (stem and seeds removed)
- 1 garlic clove
- Olive oil
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Blend tomatoes, onion, pasilla chili, and garlic until smooth.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
- Add pasta and sauté until golden brown.
- Pour in the tomato mixture and simmer until cooked through.
- Season with salt and serve warm.
3) Chiles Rellenos
Chiles Rellenos are a delicious and popular Mexican dish. You start with poblano peppers, which are roasted and peeled to bring out their flavor. These peppers are then stuffed with cheese, beans, or other fillings to create a satisfying meal.
You can enjoy Chiles Rellenos baked or fried, depending on your preference. Baking them is a healthier option that still retains great taste. Adding a savory sauce on top can elevate the flavors even more.
This dish is perfect for vegetarians looking for hearty meals. It combines nutritious ingredients while offering a burst of flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 poblano peppers
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1 onion, chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tomato sauce or Rancheros sauce
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roast the poblano peppers until the skin is charred.
- Remove the skin and slit the peppers open.
- Stuff each pepper with black beans and cheese.
- Place them in a baking dish and drizzle with tomato sauce.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes until heated through.
4) Vegetarian Taco Skillet
The Vegetarian Taco Skillet is a delicious and easy meal you can make in just one pan. It’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can customize it with your favorite vegetables and spices.
This dish typically features beans, quinoa, and cheese, giving you plenty of healthy protein. The mix of flavors will satisfy everyone at the table.
Serve it with your choice of toppings like avocado, salsa, or sour cream for added taste. This skillet makes clean-up a breeze too, as everything cooks in one place.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- Olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft.
- Add quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
- Cook until heated through and quinoa is fluffy.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and let it melt before serving.
5) Avocado Hummus with Cucumber Pico de Gallo
Avocado hummus is a creamy and tasty twist on traditional hummus. It blends smooth avocado with chickpeas for a rich flavor. You can pair this dip with cucumber pico de gallo for a refreshing crunch.
To make the cucumber pico de gallo, chop cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes. Add lime juice, salt, and cilantro for a zesty kick. This topping adds freshness to the smooth hummus.
Serve this dish on tostadas or with tortilla chips. It’s perfect for parties or a light snack at home. Enjoy this vibrant dish that’s sure to please everyone!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 clove garlic
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- Chopped cilantro (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- In a blender, combine avocados, chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- In a bowl, mix cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Serve the avocado hummus topped with cucumber pico de gallo. Enjoy!
6) Sopa de Lentejas
Sopa de Lentejas is a warm and hearty Mexican lentil soup. It’s perfect for any day and is packed with flavor and nutrients. You will love how easy it is to make!
This soup includes lentils, vegetables, and spices. You can add your favorite toppings like cilantro or avocado for extra taste. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 serrano chile, chopped (optional)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Rinse the lentils under cold water.
- In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft.
- Add tomatoes, serrano chile, and spices. Stir well.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and lentils.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with cilantro.
7) Vegan Chorizo
Vegan chorizo is a tasty and spicy alternative to traditional meat chorizo. You can use it in tacos, burritos, or even pasta dishes. It adds great flavor and texture to your meals.
To make vegan chorizo, you typically use ingredients like tofu or tempeh as a base. You can also add spices such as chili powder and oregano for a bold taste. This dish is easy to prepare and can be cooked quickly.
Vegan chorizo is not only delicious but also packs protein. It’s a great addition to any vegetarian or vegan recipe that calls for a meaty flavor.
Ingredients
- Tofu or tempeh
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Tamari
- Liquid smoke
- Mexican chili powder
- Oregano
Cooking Instructions
- Crumble the tofu or tempeh into a bowl.
- Sauté red onion and garlic in a pan until soft.
- Mix in the crumbled tofu or tempeh.
- Add the tomato paste, tamari, and liquid smoke.
- Stir in the chili powder and oregano.
- Cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
- Use in your favorite recipes!
8) Enfrijoladas
Enfrijoladas are a delicious Mexican dish made with corn tortillas dipped in a creamy bean sauce. They are simple to prepare and can be enjoyed for any meal.
To make enfrijoladas, you typically use black beans or pinto beans. These beans are cooked until soft and blended into a smooth sauce. Then, you dip each tortilla into the sauce and layer them with your favorite fillings like vegetables or vegan cheese.
Next, you can top them with avocado, salsa, or fresh cilantro for extra flavor. They are satisfying and can be served with rice or a salad.
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups cooked black beans
- 1 avocado
- Salsa
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Blend the cooked black beans until smooth.
- Heat the sauce in a pan over medium heat.
- Dip each tortilla into the sauce and lay it on a plate.
- Add your fillings and roll them up.
- Top with avocado and salsa before serving.
9) Creamy Chipotle Pasta
Creamy chipotle pasta is a delicious and flavorful dish that’s quick to prepare. You can whip it up in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. The creamy sauce, combined with a smoky chipotle flavor, adds a unique twist to your dinner table.
This recipe often includes roasted vegetables like cauliflower and chickpeas for extra texture and nutrition. The sauce is usually made with simple ingredients, letting the flavors shine through.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta of your choice
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup (150 g) roasted cauliflower and chickpeas
Cooking Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a blender, combine almond milk, chipotle, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Heat the sauce in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the cooked pasta and roasted vegetables to the sauce. Mix well.
- Serve warm. Enjoy your creamy chipotle pasta!
10) Quinoa and Bean Chili
Quinoa and bean chili is a warm and filling dish that is perfect for any day. It combines nutritious quinoa with black beans for protein and flavor. You can easily make it spicy or mild based on your preference.
This recipe is great for a weeknight meal. It cooks quickly and is loaded with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. You can enjoy it as a main dish or serve it with bread.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime
Cooking Instructions
-
Rinse quinoa under cold water.
-
In a pot, combine quinoa and vegetable broth. Then, bring to a boil.
-
Add black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion to the pot.
-
Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
-
Simmer for about 20 minutes or until quinoa is cooked.
-
Serve hot and add toppings if desired.