39 Vegetarian Mexican Food Ideas: Tacos, Tamales and More for 2025
Dive into vegetarian Mexican food with this list of delightful ideas. Nutrition and planet-saving practices are both improved by the change to a vegetarian lifestyle — and luckily, many Mexican recipes lack meat from the start. According to an article in the Ecology of Food and Nutrition, vegetables like maize were not only used as the main source of ingredients for the majority of traditional dishes, but also for sodas and juices. So begin your vegetarian Mexican food journey today!
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- Vegetarian Mexican Food Party Menu
- Vegetarian Mexican Street Foods
- Simple and Easy Vegetarian Mexican Food Ideas
- Vegetarian Mexican Food FAQs
Vegetarian Mexican Food Party Menu
1. Guacamole
What party would be complete without this avocado-based dip? You can learn to whip up a superb guacamole with cooking classes near you, or even in online cooking classes. Whether you're in it for the taste or the iconic images, having some guacamole at your party will never be a misstep.
2. Pan de Muertos
This dish is sometimes also known as Mexican Bread of the Dead (or Day of the Dead Bread), which is a celebration similar to Halloween, and the circular shape is meant to symbolize the cycle of life and death. However, bread is a party favorite at any time of year and it's easy to partner with salsas or hot sauce.
3. Cinco Leches Cake
While this cake has gone by both the names of Tres Leches (three milks) and Cinco Leches (five milks), it is a beloved sponge cake of dubious origins. Many nations of South America would claim it as their own, though the celebration of Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican battle victory against the French army for which this cake is often attributed, so it definitely counts as a vegetarian Mexican food dessert.
4. Chipotle Hot Sauce
Get ready to heat up your palate! This party idea is fun and easy to make, let alone a great way to enhance any other vegetarian Mexican food on the menu. The spiciness is different from the Sichuan heat you get in the top vegetarian Chinese food or the Dehli spiciness of the most delicious vegetarian Indian food.
5. Lentil Taco Cups
Party planning is difficult enough as it is, so when you're looking for vegetarian Mexican food for your party menu, something small and easily portable like a variety of small Lentil Taco Cups is just what you need. If you want a light meal, they are fantastic for lunch ideas for adults.
6. Churros
When you're searching for simple party desserts that also meet the authentic Mexican mark, churros are the way to go. Pair them with bittersweet chocolate sauce and your party will be the talk of the town!
7. Chiles Rellenos Squares
This vegetarian Mexican food is small and simple to make — superb for party planning! The time it takes to prepare and cook means that you don't even need to begin your work until closer to the party start time, leaving you plenty of time for decorating or picking your outfit.
8. Mexican Hot Chocolate
Drinks are always a party favorite and this recipe will delight your guests to no end. Mexican hot chocolate is a spicy variation on the classic beloved cold-weather beverage and it also often involves a darker type of chocolate, closer to the plant-based source. Don't forget the marshmallows!
9. Fiesta Pinwheels
Party foods that are small and easy to transport are an excellent find, especially as light dinner ideas. Try crafting this classic vegetarian Mexican food when hosting a party of your own — or bring it to the next potluck you attend. If you're preparing them ahead of time, freeze them and allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
10. Salsa Verde
This spice-heavy sauce is notorious for its ability to float between tacos, burritos and a multitude of other party dishes. Create a batch of your own to have ready for your guests when they arrive.
11. Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
Any time of year you're craving pumpkin, this is a fun way to add some fun flavor to a party classic. Roasted Pumpkin nachos take more time to prepare than they do to cook, so you can get them ready to go and then pop them in the oven just a few minutes before your guests arrive.
12. Corn Salsa
Vegetables and spices are the main ingredients for this item, so you won't need to worry about substitutes for meat. This vegetarian Mexican food is easy to prepare. Every party needs something sassy to dip chips in — such as this superbly refreshing corn salsa!
13. Refried Bean Dip
As it is, refried beans are easy to make and a delicious favorite. This vegetarian Mexican food party menu item is also gluten-free and it can be vegan and dairy-free if you substitute certain ingredients. Making the refried beans from scratch might be more enjoyable, but even the canned variety will allow your party-goers to dip with style.
Vegetarian Mexican Street Foods
14. Elote
The queen of vegetarian Mexican street food, Elote is also known as Mexican street corn or Mexican grilled corn. Both simple to make and magic to the tongue, you'll love having this dish on your roster.
15. Chiles Toreados
A delicious side dish, Chiles Toreados are a spectacular Mexican street food that can be served hot on its own or added to other dishes for a more stomach-filling dish.
16. Sweet Pico de Gallo
Most people know Pico de Gallo as a tomato-based cold salad or salsa, which is often used as a topping for other items, like tacos and chalupas. However, in some northern parts of Mexico, Pico de Gallo is made with fresh fruit instead. This version is a sweet product served cold with seasonings like lime and chili that's sometimes prepared and sold by street vendors — and this way it also makes for fabulously healthy snacks for kids!
17. Homemade Sopes
Whether you're on the run or just not feeling up to a long process, these homemade sopes are both authentically Mexican and easy to prepare. Add some extra ingredients like black beans for a more filling meal for this vegetarian Mexican food.
18. Corn Bake “Casserole”
Sometimes known as a Bake and other times as a Casserole, this dish is based on the classic Mexican Street Corn. You'll mix the classic street corn recipe in with onions, peppers and cheese for a scrumptious new concoction.
19. Tamales de Rajas
Tamales de Rajas is a simple Mexican dish that derives from street food made for special occasions like holidays — or any time there's a big family reunion! Meat is not part of the traditional recipe for this splendid vegetarian Mexican food option, which is also gluten-free.
20. Vegan Burritos
Burritos are a classic street vendor creation and they are both simple to make and superb to taste. This version of the dish involves brown rice, black beans, onion, green pepper, flour tortillas, a flavorful mixture of spices and your favorite vegetarian Mexican food toppings like avocado slices and salsa.
21. Refried Bean Tostadas
Delight in the warmth of refried bean tostadas. For those who haven't had one before, a tostada is a flat, crispy corn tortilla that's typically layered with mashed or refried beans and also some kind of protein. In this case, you can drop the protein or add a veggie protein like tofu. You can also add cheese and other toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and avocado. You'll receive a fulfilling repast without worrying about straying from the vegetarian lifestyle when you create this classic Mexican street food item.
22. Mushroom Tacos
Rather than filling your tacos with meat, fill them with a hearty mix of Portobello mushrooms and other vegetables, along with your usual seasonings like cheese, cumin, lime, pico de gallo or anything else you enjoy on your tacos. Vegetarian Mexican food doesn't have to be difficult to put together.
23. Crispy Black Bean Chalupas
The word “chalupa” means “small boat” in Spanish and this Mexican street food dish is easy to serve. You don't need to fry the dough to get a crispy texture and you can fill it with whichever savory ingredients you love — such as black beans and vegetables from bell peppers to yellow onion.
Simple and Easy Vegetarian Mexican Food Ideas
24. Pinto Bean Soup
Spicy and smooth are the hallmarks of this soup made with pinto beans and fennel — as well as toppings like feta cheese. Soups are a fun and simple vegetarian Mexican food creation for when you need a little warmth.
25. Skillet Enchiladas
Beans and peppers, chili powder and cumin make this delightful authentic vegetarian Mexican food dish a favorite — not to mention the cheese. Cooking all the ingredients in a skillet helps this easy fare come to life.
26. Taco Soup
A simple, somewhat thin chili, taco soup is a delectable twist on a few classic Mexican beloved recipes. Black beans, pinto beans and corn all make an appearance in this scrumptious vegetarian Mexican food.
27. Breakfast Bake
Salsa, black beans, cheese and eggs combine with 1-inch strips of 10 tortillas and milk in a breakfast food casserole. Pair this not-so-traditional Mexican meal with sour cream for a heavenly and filling way to start your day.
28. Taco Salad
Combine all your favorite taco ingredients — excluding the meat — for a vegetarian Mexican food meal that satisfies your cravings — and your nutritionist's reccomendations. Maybe a little more lettuce than usual is included in this one.
29. Bistec de Coliflor
This spectacular dish is not only vegetarian but vegan! Green Pipian mole sauce underscores this delightful culinary piece of vegetarian Mexican food involving cauliflower steaks, a hot griddle and rice on the side.
30. Fideo Seco
Known as a fusion of European and indigenous culinary components, this classic Mexican dish involves vermicelli or Angel hair pasta tossed in a soup broth or sauce and garnished with queso or avocado.
31. Rajas Con Crema
Poblano rajas cream soup is a soup with a cream base mixed with spicy peppers, becoming an authentic vegetarian Mexican food.
32. Huevos Ahogados
“Drowned eggs” is a spicy salsa-smothered variety of breakfast items that is also traditional Mexican fare. Choose toppings and salsa ingredients that you enjoy when deciding how to make this savory morning meal.
33. Chipotle Mushrooms
Chopping a chipotle pepper and keeping it to the side while you cook a mixture of mushrooms and onions, then mixing it in to cook a little longer makes a spicy stir-fry of vegetarian Mexican food to enjoy for days!
34. Jardinera Potatoes
These “garden style” potatoes are cooked in oil with a variety of vegetables of your preference like tomatoes and onions. They are then seasoned to taste.
35. Vegetarian Chiles en Nogada
Celebrating Mexican independence, this dish contains a white Nogada sauce, a green Poblano pepper and red pomegranate seeds. Based on a historic event from Mexico's history and celebrating its cultural heritage, this dish, substituted with mushrooms in place of pork and beef, is delicious and festive.
36. Alegrías de Amaranto
A sweet treat, these amaranth bars are nutritious and a supreme snack for attending parades and port carnivals — a Mexican tradition. While these vegetarian Mexican food items are easy to make, it's best to be cautious when popping the amaranth seeds as they can burn quickly.
37. Nopales con Huevo
What could be more Mexican than a dish involving cactus? Scrambled eggs with cactus mixed in is a fun breakfast twist.
38. Tortitas Mexicanas de Espinacas Capeadas
Speaking of breakfast vegetarian Mexican food, this is another egg-based dish involving spinach patties coated in egg, which is a popular Mexican culinary technique. Consume with a tomato consommé and fresh cheese for additional pleasure.
39. Arroz a la Mexicana
Back to basics: learn to create a simple Mexican-style rice. This is a scrumptious side dish that can be paired with many recipes for a vegetarian Mexican food feast.
Vegetarian Mexican Food FAQs
What is a Famous Vegetarian Food in Mexico?
Mexican vegetarian foods are quite frequently obtained from your local Mexican vendor. The most famous vegetarian Mexican food recipes tend to be burritos or tacos, which can involve beans, vegetables and cheese without including meat. There are also plenty of soups (like Pinto Bean Soup) that are not designed to include meat.
Can Mexican Food Be Vegetarian?
Many Mexican foods are by nature vegetarian! In fact, almost half of the recipes included in this list began as some variation on elote — which is grilled corn with spices added later on — all of which are products derived from plants. Other common ingredients in Mexican cuisine involve beans, rice and corn tortillas or corn husks, avoiding meat and occasionally even gluten. Healthy vegetarian Mexican food mainly involves cutting the cheese out of already vegetarian menu items.
What Mexican Food Doesn't Have Meat?
A variety of Mexican fare avoids carnivorous products. Refried beans — homemade or from a can — are a good beginning for this list, and a basic ingredient of many other Mexican dishes. Another classic item includes Mexican rice. Though this type of rice is traditionally prepared in a tomato-infused chicken stock (with meat product), it can be made with vegetarian stock instead and still taste just as savory and full.
Healthy vegetarian Mexican food might seem hard to find due to all the cheese, even in the recipes and menu ideas above, but if you omit the cheese and desserts most of these meals can become a fantastic new diet following Mexican traditions. Vegetarian Mexican food is both delectable and comes with a rich history.
For even more fun vegetarian food ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
