Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (2024)

10 Easy Mexican Recipes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Easy, plant-based, nutritious, and delicious. I picked the most authentic recipes that remind me of my family, culture, and roots.

10 Easy Mexican Recipes

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! This time of the year is about honoring my culture in a way that reminds me of my ancestors. It is also a time to learn more about my Mexican culture, whether it’s through exploring music, reading, connecting with family, or cooking. Of course, my favorite way to celebrate is to make delicious vegan Mexican recipes. The lack of animal products in these recipes does not make them any less authentic, anyone that has tried these can describe them as authentic Mexican recipes! I hope you try at least one of these because they are all some of my favorite recipes on the blog 🙂 Click the name of each dish to get directed to the full recipe.

1. Jackfruit Birria

This vegan birria is a saucy, flavorful, and authentic Mexican dish that is popular at weddings and big celebrations. There are multiple meat substitutes to pick from within this recipe; jackfruit, hibiscus flower, mushrooms, seitan, and more.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (1)

2. Chilaquiles Verdes

Vegan chilaquiles are the perfect Mexican breakfast or brunch! Made with crispy tortillas, savory tomatillo salsa, vegan egg, and vegan queso fresco. This hearty Mexican breakfast will be so easy to put together that you’ll want to make it every week! If salsa verde is not your preference, check out my chilaquiles rojos.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (2)

3. Vegan Menudo

Vegan Menudo is just as comforting as authentic Mexican Menudo soup. It’s made with a savory chili broth, two different kinds of mushrooms, and hominy. It’s perfect for a cold winter day or as a hangover cure. I have made this dish for my picky parents and they LOVED it and said that they would be making this instead of regular menudo because it is a lot easier to prepare.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (3)

4. Enfrijoladas

Enfrijoladas are corn tortillas soaked in a black bean mixture and topped with queso fresco (fresh cheese), avocado, and cilantro. This dish is authentic, very simple, delicious, and easy to make! I grew up eating enfrijoladas and I’m pretty sure I was eating them everyday at one point! There are different versions but the most authentic is the most simple; made with just beans, broth, onion, pepper, and tortillas. They are so easy, only 5 main ingredients and about 15 minutes of time. They are also super picky eater and kid-friendly!

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (4)

5. Huaraches de Nopal

Huaraches de Nopal are a recreation of the typical Mexican “Huaraches” made from masa harina (corn flour). The nopal replaces the huarache and then it is topped off with refried beans, savory “Pollo (tofu) Asado, avocado, salsa, and cilantro. It’s flavorful, authentic, diabetes-friendly, and easy to make! You definitely don’t have to replace the masa harina with nopal but it does add extra nutrients and is still authentically Mexican.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (5)

6. Tetelas

Tetelas are delicious triangle-shaped pockets of corn masa stuffed with beans and cheese. They are easy to make and can be topped with salsa, avocado, queso fresco, and even nopales.Tetelas are originally from the state of Oaxaca Mexico so don’t be surprised if some folks from Mexico have never heard of them or tried them. What makes tetelas unique is their shape and that they can be stuffed. Aside from that, there aren’t any ingredients that differ from a bean and cheese taco. The experience is definitely worth it though and they are perfect for taking on the go as an easy snack or meal.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (6)

7. Vegan al Pastor Tacos

A homemade seitan recipe marinated in an authentic al pastor marinade made with guajillo chiles, achiote pepper, pineapple, garlic, and onion. Impress anyone with these tacos, meat-eaters, and everything in between! These vegan al pastor tacos provide all the flavor with none of the heartburn or slump! They are so satisfying and perfect for those wanting to eat less meat or go plant-based. This is also one of the best seitan recipes I’ve ever tried! It takes a bit longer than most of the other recipes but the steps are simple, easy-to-follow, and well worth it.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (7)

8. Frijoles Charros

Charro Beans or Frijoles Charros are hearty beans stewed in a flavorful Mexican broth with a spicy kick. This satisfying recipe is a vegan version without the cholesterol but all the flavor. Made with only 8 main ingredients and can be ready in under 20 minutes! Charro beans are a Mexican bean stew recipe that is mainly consumed in northern Mexico and served at parties or alongside carne asadas. It is typically made with pinto beans, bacon, chorizo, and hot dogs/beef franks. It is hearty and flavorful but packed with saturated fats that can spike cholesterol levels. Which is why I made a plant-based version that tastes as good as the real deal!

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (8)

9. Vegan Ceviche

Vegan ceviche is an authentic, coastal, Mexican dish that is refreshing, light, and super easy to make. Hearts of palm make for a perfect fish replacement and make this dish extra nutritious! Save this recipe for a hot summer day and enjoy with a side of tortilla chips. This Mexican-style vegan ceviche withhearts of palmwill leave you wanting more! It tastes delicious on a hot summer day when you’re craving a light meal. It is also great for family gatherings, appetizers and picnics.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (9)

10. Sopa de Fideo

Fideo Recipe or Sopa de Fideo is a simple yet comforting pasta soup that is a staple in every Mexican household. It’s a an easy 6-ingredient, short angel hair-style pasta in a light and savory tomato broth.This simple Fideo Recipe/Sopa de Fideo was every Mexican kid’s favorite meal! It is super picky-eater friendly, easy to make, affordable, and very delish. You can make an entire pot of fideo soup for about $5.00. Growing up, I had no idea that this simple dish would be so meaningful to me. When I’m having a rough day, I can just take 15 minutes to whip it up and curl up on the couch watching telenovelas and sipping my sopita de fideo.

Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (10)
Easy Mexican Recipes - Healthy & Plant-based (2024)

FAQs

What Mexican food is plant-based? ›

Major Mexican food staples that define the country's history and character are maize, beans, and chilli peppers…and they are all vegan and easily found in most dishes! Guacamole, salsa, and lime also add depth, flavour, and tanginess to dishes like tacos, chilaquiles, and enchiladas.

What Mexican food is healthy for you? ›

Other healthier options at a Mexican restaurant could include Tamales, Gazpacho ( a tomato-based soup traditionally served cold), grilled seafood-based dishes, salsa and Picante sauce, soft tacos with chicken or beef, fish tacos, or chile con carne (minus cheese and chips).

What are the 4 ingredients that feature in many Mexican dishes? ›

The most popular Mexican ingredients are beans, rice, avocado and limes. They're utilized in nearly every dish, from hearty enchilada casseroles to creamy drinks like horchata. Read on to learn the top ingredients in Mexican cooking and to find some recipe inspiration for your next taco or burrito night at home!

What is a famous vegetarian food in Mexico? ›

Many Mexican recipes are naturally vegetarian, from the chile rellenos of Puebla to elote, that cheesy grilled corn you'll find on streets around the country. Other vegetarian Mexican foods include enchiladas, quesadillas, tamales, sopa de tortilla, tostadas and flautas.

Are corn tortillas part of a plant-based diet? ›

Corn tortillas are invariably vegan since they contain nothing but ground up corn. They have a small diameter since, lacking gluten to help them stick together, they would break apart if made too large. The large tortillas used for burritos and quesadillas are made of wheat flour, either white or whole grain.

What Mexican meat is the healthiest? ›

Lean meats are a healthy source of protein commonly found in Mexican foods. Chicken, shrimp, fish, pork, and beef are great sources of protein and can help to increase your energy and help keep your muscles healthy. Skip on the carnitas as they are high in saturated fats.

What is Mexico's biggest nutritional problem? ›

Currently, Mexico is plagued by problems of malnutrition, anemia, overweight and obesity. Though acute malnutrition has dropped significantly, the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five is almost 13 percent nationally, with Southern Mexico suffering the most at over 18 percent.

Can I eat Mexican food and lose weight? ›

If you make healthy choices, you can enjoy traditional Mexican food.” Whether dining out at your favorite Mexican restaurant or cooking a Mexican dish at home, there are simple ways to reduce calories and fat in your meals. Just make some simple changes to the ingredients and how you cook your food.

What are 2 popular Mexican dishes? ›

filters
  • 1 Nachos81%
  • 2 Fajitas78%
  • 3 Quesadilla78%
  • 4 Burritos78%
  • 5 Salsa76%
  • 6 Guacamole67%
  • 7 Chili con Carne65%
  • 8 Chimichangas62%

What vegetables are used in Mexican food? ›

In addition to staples like tomato, peppers, and avocado, Mexican food makes great use of onion, cucumber, squash, and more.

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 is the healthiest thing to eat at Mexican? ›

In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos.

What Mexican food is anti inflammatory? ›

Spices: Mexican food features a variety of spices and flavors that can provide anti-inflammatory benefits. This includes spicy chiles, as well as oregano, cumin, and garlic, among others (5,6,7,8).

What Mexican food is good for constipation? ›

Many people do not get enough fiber in their diets, which can lead to constipation and digestive problems. Whole beans are more nutritious and higher in fiber than refried beans, so opt for burritos or tacos made with steamed beans instead of the fried.

Does Taco Bell have a plant-based menu? ›

Taco Bell's Vegetarian Menu includes menu items with vegan refried beans or black beans, so that you can still get your protein fill. Not into beans? Not a problem! Just swap beans for potato bites for an equally delicious and satisfying option.

Does Chipotle have plant-based? ›

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

Our Sofritas is vegan and vegetarian approved. Vegans should avoid our meats, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, queso, sour cream, and chipotle-honey vinaigrette. Our tortillas, vegetables, rice, beans, salsas, chips and guacamole, are vegetarian and vegan.

What plant is used in Mexican cooking? ›

Some of the herbs essential to Mexican cooking originate from the Old World, such are cilantro, cumin, and Mexican thyme. But, most other herbs common to Mexican cuisine are regional natives that have been used to flavor the traditional foods of indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 5748

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.