Are you looking for meatless Mexican recipe options? You’re in luck because there’s a wide variety of dishes in this style!
Even classics like enchiladas and gorditas stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, bean soups, and vegetarian molcajetes can be made.
They’re light yet packed with the exquisite, traditional Mexican flavors you love.
Here, you’ll find several of these dishes so you can enjoy preparing and savoring them.
Table of contents
Mexican Meatless Recipes vs. Recipes with Meat
Aztec-inspired cuisine offers options for every palate, whether vegetarian or not.
Not sure which to choose? It might help to know that Mexican meatless recipes are lighter and use accessible ingredients like vegetables, fruits, beans, corn, etc., giving them a unique flavor.
On the other hand, recipes with meat provide proteins and energy, making them ideal for a balanced diet.
These recipes often include different types of meat, such as pork, beef, and chicken, which deepen the aroma of stews. Think of dishes like tacos al pastor and chicken mole.
Both options are delicious and nutritious, so don’t miss out!
6 Traditional Mexican Meatless Recipes
Want to cook something tasty without meat? Check out these six delicious culinary preparations:
1. Cheese Enchiladas with Green Sauce
Once you try these, you’ll want to make them again and again. They’re quick to prepare and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- Corn tortillas
- 1 cup of cream
- 2 cups of shredded cheese
- 2 serrano chiles
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ kg (1.1 lbs) of green tomatoes
- ½ onion
- ½ cup of cilantro
- Vegetable oil
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
Start with the green sauce by boiling the green tomatoes, chiles, onion, and garlic.
Once softened, blend them with cilantro and salt to create the sauce. Sauté the mixture in a pan for 5 minutes, and it’s ready.
Heat your tortillas on a griddle or skillet, dip them in the green sauce, and fill them with fresh cheese.
Roll them up, top them with more green sauce, and garnish with cream and extra shredded cheese.
2. Cheese-Stuffed Chiles
This Mexican dish doesn’t need meat to win you over, as its flavor is truly spectacular.
Ingredients
- 6 poblano chiles
- 2 cups of cheese (Oaxaca or panela)
- ½ cup of flour
- 4 eggs
- ½ onion
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt
- Oil
Instructions
Roast the chiles until their skin darkens, being careful not to burn them. Immediately place them in a plastic bag to let them sweat.
Peel the chiles, open them, and remove all the seeds. Fill them with the cheese of your choice.
Beat the egg whites separately until stiff peaks form, then fold in the yolks.
Lightly flour the chiles and dip them into the egg mixture before frying. They will come out battered, golden, and delicious.
3. Bean and Nopal Soup
Another Mexican meatless recipe you’ll love is this traditional stew.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked beans (with their broth)
- 1 cup of nopales
- 1 ancho chile
- ½ onion
- 1 garlic clove
- Vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Cook the peeled and sliced nopales in salted water until tender. Drain.
Roast the chile, remove the seeds, and blend it with the cooked beans, onion, and garlic.
Sauté the mixture and keep it on the heat for 10 minutes. Then, add the nopales and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve this delicious stew with warm corn tortillas or any other side dish you prefer. You’ll love it!
4. Guacamole and Pico de Gallo Tostadas
Nothing is tastier than this salsa combination on tostadas. Try it and see for yourself!
Ingredients
- 6 corn tostadas
- 2 avocados
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 sprig of cilantro
- ½ onion
- 1 lime
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
To make your guacamole, simply mash the ripe avocados with lime juice and salt.
Pico de gallo is just as easy: finely chop the onion, tomatoes, and cilantro. Place them in a bowl.
Mix these ingredients and, if you’d like, add diced avocado and a splash of lime.
Spread guacamole on the tostadas and top them with pico de gallo.
5. Squash Blossom Quesadillas
These are among Mexicans’ favorite tortillas, thanks to their delicious filling. Don’t miss out!
Ingredients
- 6 corn (or wheat) tortillas
- 12 squash blossoms
- 2 cups of Oaxaca cheese
- ½ chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt to taste
- Oil
Instructions
Rinse the squash blossoms well and remove the pistils and stems, as you’ll only need the petals.
Sauté the chopped onion and garlic in oil, add the blossoms, and cook for at least 5 minutes.
Fill the tortillas with this mixture and the cheese. Heat them on a griddle until the cheese melts. Then, enjoy the dish!
6. Garlic Mushroom Tacos
This mushroom recipe is perfect to satisfy your craving for traditional Mexican tacos without meat.
Ingredients
- 6 corn tortillas
- 300 g mushrooms
- 2 guajillo chiles (sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves (chopped)
- 1 sprig of epazote
- Oil
- Salt
Instructions
Clean the mushrooms and slice or cut them into thin pieces, as you prefer. Meanwhile, heat the oil.
Sauté the garlic and chiles until they start to change color. Then, add the mushrooms and epazote.
Season with salt and cook, stirring constantly, until the ingredients are tender.
Warm up the tortillas and assemble your tacos with the garlic mushrooms.
Looking for Something Light? Try These 6 Mexican Vegetarian Recipes
If you’re in the mood for a lighter meal with fewer calories, here are some perfect options.
1. Vegetarian Molcajete
This popular dish offers an exceptional mix of flavors and textures.
Ingredients:
- 2 nopales
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 large tomato
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup grated queso fresco
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Green salsa
- Salt and pepper
- Corn tortillas
Instructions:
Slice the nopales and sauté them until they become tender. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper.
Incorporate the quartered tomato and cook until all ingredients blend well.
Season with salt, pepper, and a bit of green salsa. Optionally, sprinkle with grated cheese.
Serve your hot vegetarian molcajete with tortillas.
2. Mushroom Tamales
This is one of the best versions of the classic Mexican dish, made with corn dough and a flavorful filling.
Ingredients:
- Tamale dough
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 1/4 chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 güero or jalapeño chili (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Corn husks
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Mix your dough with the broth and knead until smooth and uniform.
Sauté the mushrooms with garlic, onion, and chili.
Spread a portion of dough onto the cleaned corn husks, top with the mushroom mixture, wrap, and steam for one hour.
3. Vegan Enfrijoladas
This traditional dish is perfect for vegetarians—not only delicious but also nutritious.
Ingredients:
- Corn tortillas
- 2 cups cooked black beans
- 1/2 chopped red onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Chili sauce (optional)
- Oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Blend the cooked beans to make a thick sauce. Sauté with garlic, onion, salt, and pepper over low heat.
Warm the tortillas, dip them in the bean sauce, and plate them.
Fill with more bean puree, garnish with chopped cilantro, and add chili sauce if desired.
4. Vegetarian Breaded Cutlets
Here’s another fantastic meat-free recipe: breaded eggplant cutlets.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Oil
Instructions:
Slice the eggplants, coat them in oat flour, then dip in almond milk.
Coat with the breadcrumb mixture and fry until golden and crispy on both sides.
Serve with rice or a fresh salad.
5. Mushroom-Stuffed Gorditas
This traditional and easy-to-make dish is as delicious as it is satisfying.
Ingredients:
- Gordita dough
- 1 cup mixed mushrooms
- 1/2 chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Form small balls with the dough and flatten into thin discs. Cook on both sides.
For the filling, sauté the onion and garlic until golden, then add mushrooms, cilantro, and salt. Cook until soft.
Split the gorditas open and fill them. Serve with red or green salsa.
6. Mexican-Style Chickpeas
This vegetarian option is a must-try, offering rich flavor and simplicity.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1 tomato
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 serrano chili (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Sauté onion, garlic, and chili in olive oil. Add the chopped tomato and cook until soft.
Stir in the cooked chickpeas and cilantro, then season with salt and pepper.
Serve hot with rice or tortillas.
What do you think of these vegetarian options? They’re tasty and quite simple to prepare. Are you tempted? Then start practicing these Mexican meatless recipes!