14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (2024)

These vegetarian Mexican recipes, with staples like black beans, avocados, and oodles of fresh produce, are as satisfying as any meat-based meal. From tacos and enchiladas to burrito bowls and casseroles, these dishes deliver the protein and nutrients you need along with the south-of-the-border spice you love—no meat required.

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Cauliflower-Corn Tacos with Pico Verde

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14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (1)

This vegetarian Mexican recipe is a terrific make-ahead dinner idea and a brilliant way to inspire your family to eat more vegetables. Since the smoky cauliflower and corn taco recipe filling "roasts" low and slow in your slow cooker, dinner prep is no sweat. Just stuff it inside your favorite store-bought or homemade tortillas, garnish with the refreshing cucumber avocado pico verde, and dive in.

8 Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes for Delicious Meatless Meals

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Black Bean Chipotle Tostadas

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We take the concept of "vegetarian Mexican recipes" to the next plant-based level with these speedy tostadas. In fact, they're 100 percent vegan. However, no one will feel like they're missing a thing since each crunchy shell is overflowing with hearty black beans, farro, corn, salsa, and crunchy cabbage. (If making a batch of farro sounds intimidating, we'll coach you through the easy process in our complete guide to cooking grains!)

9 Meat Alternatives to Add Protein to a Plant-Based Diet

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Cheesy Taco-Stuffed Peppers

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Mexican recipe staples like rice, beans, peppers, onions, and taco seasoning get remixed in this Test Kitchen-favorite Mexican vegetarian recipe. Affordable and easy to assemble in 15 minutes flat, these stuffed peppers are the dish we turn to when we're looking for a vegetable-forward way to refresh Taco Tuesday. We keep the filling mild so each diner can crank up the heat in their serving (or not) with hot sauce.

Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

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14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (4)

Instead of rolling individual enchiladas to bake in a casserole dish, we like to save time and stress by layering up all of the same elements lasagna-style. (No more cracking corn tortillas during the tuck-and-roll!) Jam-packed with carrots, beans, corn, edamame, and green enchilada sauce, BH&G fan Annette says this family-sized Mexican casserole is a "great, easy meal that makes a big batch. Leftovers are just as delicious!"

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Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls with Cashew Cream

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Recreate this fast-food favorite at home with this meal prep-friendly grain bowl idea. (These can be fully assembled in airtight containers and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days!) By simmering the brown rice in vegetable stock and roasting the chili powder-spiced sweet potatoes and peppers, each bowl will be overflowing with flavor. The nacho cheese-inspired, totally-vegan cashew cream sauce takes this vegetarian Mexican recipe over the top.

One-Pot Vegetable Stock

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Molletes

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For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there's no wrong time of day to savor this open-faced vegetarian Mexican sandwich recipe. To keep the homemade "refried" bean blend meat-free, use vegetable rather than chicken broth, then deck out halved bolillo rolls with a scoop of that pepped-up beany mash and cheese. Broil until bubbly, and top just like your favorite taco.

18 Recipes for Perfectly Ripe Avocados

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Tomato Salad with Guajillo Chile Dressing

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Showcasing the colors of the Mexican flag, this fresh tomato salad has become one of our favorite side dishes of summer. (It could also be a terrific light lunch if you add a serving of plant-based meat or beans!) A bounty of fresh cilantro, a handful of crumbled queso fresco cheese, wilted green onions, and a chile pepper-based homemade dressing complement the vibrant fresh tomatoes without taking over their well-deserved position in the spotlight.

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Lentil and Black Bean Tacos

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Thanks to a dream team of umami mushrooms, beef-like steamed lentils, and fiber-rich black beans, this vegetarian Mexican recipe all but guarantees no one will leave the table hungry. Purchase the lentils pre-steamed to speed up prep time, or follow our instructions to whip up a batch of lentils from scratch. Once your filling is thick and bubbly, transfer it to a bowl and assemble a taco bar with tortillas and a variety of toppings. Here are 13 taco bar garnish ideas to get you started!

18 Lentil Recipes Inspired by Cuisine Around the World

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Tlayuda (Mexican Pizza)

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14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (9)

Mole is a complex-tasting and versatile vegetarian Mexican sauce recipe made with dried chiles and bittersweet chocolate. Here, we use our 10-minute mole as the sauce for this Mexican-style pizza. Black beans replace the meat (psst…yes, you should rinse and drain canned beans—here's why), then avocado, shredded cabbage, and Oaxaca cheese star alongside diced tomatoes as the tasty topping blend.

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Mushroom and Poblano Vegetarian Enchiladas

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For a restaurant-style feast that's surprisingly fast and filling, stuff corn tortillas with cremini mushrooms, tofu, peppers, cheese, and sour cream. Cumin adds a satisfying kick to this vegetarian Mexican recipe.

How to Make Enchiladas with Your Favorite Sauce-and-Filling Combo

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Chiles Rellenos Casserole

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Unlike classic chiles rellenos, our riff on this restaurant-style vegetarian Mexican recipe is baked instead of fried. The result trims down on prep time and the calorie count, but don't worry—we didn't skimp on the shredded cheese! Boiling the chiles for 3 minutes before piling them high with the cheesy, cayenne-spiced filling means you only need to bake this weeknight-friendly casserole for 15 minutes.

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Black Bean and Rice Patties with Fresh Tomato-Avocado Salsa

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Rice and beans get a thoroughly modern makeover in this vegetarian Mexican recipe. Since they look a lot like burger patties, this 30-minute meal is one of our go-to healthy Mexican entrées to share with picky eaters or kids. The beef-like patties pack in distinct (but not too fiery) south-of-the-border flavor, though, thanks to lime juice, garlic, oregano, chipotle chile pepper, and cumin. Top it all with fresh tomato-avocado salsa and enjoy one or two patties as-is, tucked inside a tortilla, or atop a salad.

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Crispy Chipotle Bean Burritos

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You're probably more familiar with seeing flaky, buttery phyllo dough featured in Mediterranean recipes like baklava and spanakopita or perhaps in semi-homemade tarts. In this far-from-traditional yet remarkably-tasty vegetarian Mexican recipe, we use store-bought refrigerated dough as a flaky, crispy substitute for flour tortillas. (Although the latter will work, too, if you're short on time or prefer the more classic burrito wrapper!) Inside, we suggest tucking a light medley of Mexican flavors: mild green onions, sweet corn, nutty brown rice, and savory pinto beans.

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Tortilla-Bean Soup

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14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (14)

Do you prefer your veggie soups to be more creamy or more brothy? We share how to make this vegetarian Mexican recipe either way (just add or omit the splash of cream). No matter which you choose, you'll be treated to a big bowl of filling, fiber-rich tomatoes, beans, and hominy, decked out in herbs, spices, and aromatics. One spoonful will be all it takes to convince you to say "adios" to store-bought canned soup.

Our 18 Best Vegetarian Soup Recipes for Hearty Weeknight Dinners

14 Vegetarian Mexican Recipes that Are Satisfying and Flavorful (2024)

FAQs

What is the tastiest Mexican dish? ›

Top 20 Mexican foods to try
  • Tacos al pastor. These tacos are made with marinated pork that is cooked on a spit and then sliced thin. ...
  • Enchiladas. These rolled tortillas are filled with meat or cheese and topped with a flavourful sauce. ...
  • Tamales. ...
  • Chiles rellenos. ...
  • Pozole. ...
  • Guacamole. ...
  • Sopaipillas. ...
  • Tortas.
Jan 29, 2023

What is the two major flavor combination in Mexican cuisine? ›

Oregano & Cumin Spices in Mexican Dishes

Signature Mexican flavor can stem from oregano and cumin, and these two spices are the main herbs used to spice up dishes. A rich, earthy flavor in dishes is a result of Mexican oregano.

What is Mexico's national dish? ›

Mole poblano is perhaps the best known of all mole varieties. An ancient dish native to the state of Puebla, it has been called the national dish of Mexico, and ranked first as the most typical of Mexican dishes.

What are the four most popular flavorings in Mexican cuisine? ›

Some of the most common spice blends used in Mexican cuisine include chili powder, which typically includes cumin, garlic powder, and paprika, and achiote paste, which is made from annatto seeds and gives dishes a vibrant red color.

What is the most popular drink in Mexico? ›

Margarita. Mexico's most well-known co*cktail is a deceptively simple combination of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, served with salt on the rim of the glass. Either on the rocks or frozen, margaritas have become emblematic of not only Mexico, but of fiestas around the world.

What food do Mexicans eat on Christmas? ›

Mexican Christmas food spans enchiladas, pozole, tamales, and plenty of desserts. These are our favorite recipes for flavorful versions of those dishes from Mexican chefs, along with a few festive drinks. Start a tamale making tradition, warm up with pozole this winter, and enjoy enchiladas everyone will love.

What to bring to a Mexican food potluck? ›

Here's our most delicious Mexican food you can whip up for your next fiesta.
  • 1Bacon and cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers. ...
  • 2Tex-Mex wings with corn salsa. ...
  • 3Quick-smart nachos. ...
  • 4Minikins with Mexican beans. ...
  • 5Chillies Rellenos (stuffed chillies) ...
  • 6Mini Mexican quesadillas. ...
  • 7Mexican beef tacos.
  • 8Mexican salad.

What is true Mexican food? ›

Authentic Mexican food dates back to the times of Mayan Indians and the Aztec Empire. Both cultures collided, combining foods like corn tortillas, beans, chili peppers, wild game, and fish. When Spain invaded Mexico in the 1500s, foods like pork, dairy, garlic, and other herbs and spices became popular.

What are two unique foods in Mexico? ›

However, if you want to try something a little different on your trip to Mexico, these are 10 unique dishes to look out for.
  • Tlacoyos. ...
  • Chapulines. ...
  • Guacamayas. ...
  • Marquesitas. ...
  • Tortas ahogadas. ...
  • Cemitas. ...
  • Machetes. ...
  • Menudo.
Mar 30, 2018

What spice gives Mexican flavor? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

What Mexican spice tastes like cinnamon? ›

I refuse to cook with this so-called cinnamon except in certain dishes where its sharpness is acceptable. Mexican cooks insist on a spice known as “true cinnamon” or “Ceylon cinnamon,” Cinnamomum zeylanicum, which we call canela.

What vegetables do Mexicans eat? ›

Some of the most popular vegetables in Mexico are tomatoes, onions, and peppers since they're used to make salsas. Other traditional Mexican vegetables include garlic, squash, cabbage, nopales, and more.

What is the best meat to get at Mexican restaurants? ›

If you've ever been to a Mexican restaurant or had Mexican food, you'll know about some of the mouth-watering options for protein commonly used within Mexican cooking. Pollo (chicken), carne asada (steak), al Pastor (pork), and birria (shredded beef) are all delicious meat options available right here at Backyard Taco.

What is Mexico's special dish? ›

Chile en nogada, maize, tamales, pozole, mezcal, pan de muerto, cóctel de camarón Mole sauce, which has dozens of varieties across the Republic, is seen as a symbol of Mexicanidad and is considered Mexico's national dish.

What is an authentic Mexican dish? ›

Authentic Mexican food is usually cooked in cast iron skillets, steamed or fried. Examples of Authentic Mexican food you can find in Atlanta include salsa, tomatillos, tamales, and enchiladas. You can usually find these Mexican dishes at local Mexican restaurants.

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