With Cinco de Mayo coming up this week I’ve got Mexican food on my mind! I’ve rounded up 13 of my favorite vegetarian Mexican recipes to share with you. From vegetarian Mexican appetizers and starters, to easy weeknight dinners, to basics like Mexican rice and slow cooker black beans, I know you’ll find something to enjoy. 

Beautiful vegetarian taco salad with tempeh

While this post was inspired by Cinco de Mayo, the truth is that we eat a lot of Mexican food throughout the year. Mexican food has a strong presence here in Southern California. Our “fast food” consists of local burritos to go. One of the foods I missed most while living in Italy was burritos. I tried making them with Italian tortillas, but they just weren’t the same. Mexican food has some incredible staple ingredients: tangy lime, creamy avocado, hearty rice and beans, and spicy peppers. Thanks to the rice and beans, it’s easy to create easy wholesome meatless Mexican meals.

Beautiful guacamole platter

Guacamole Recipe

First things first. The party don’t start until the guac walks in. Homemade guacamole is so easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Here’s my favorite guacamole recipe and three fun additions.

A colorful bean dip with lettuce, salsa, guacamole, olives, and green onions.

Vegetarian Layered Bean Dip

This bean dip is a party on a platter. I love all the colors, flavors, and textures.

A beautiful pink blood orange margarita.

Skinny Blood Orange Margarita

This may be my all time favorite cocktail. It’s easy to make it virgin, or not, and isn’t loaded with syrups and sugar.

A bowl meal with colorful roasted fajita vegetables, quinoa, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and chips.

Quinoa Sheet Pan Fajita Bowls

The peppers, onions, and corn are all roasted on one pan in the oven, making this a great weeknight family dinner.

Vegetarian Taco Salad

Woah, this recipe has been pinned to Pinterest over 97K times! I love a big salad for dinner, so I can see why it’s been popular. Rather than ground beef, I’ve used beans and tempeh.

Vegetarian and vegan Mexican lentil soup with vegetables and topped with avocado and cilantro.

Mexican Lentil Soup

As my friend’s Mexican mother who inspired this recipe says, lentil soup is good for the waistline and the budget! I absolutely love lentil soup and this one with Mexican flavors is one of my favorite versions. Lentils are one of my top choices for plant based protein. I love the way they fill me up without weighing me down, and give me lots of energy.

Vegan and vegetarian burritos with refried beans, rice, and guacamole.

Make Ahead Baked Burritos
I can’t think of a more kid-friendly recipe than a bean and rice burrito. My whole family loves these baked burritos. They are great for batch cooking and to bring to pot luck style parties.

A bowl meal with quinoa, taco seasoned beans, beans, and veggies.

Quinoa Taco Bowls 

Quinoa taco bowls are easy, filling, and nourishing. They are loaded with plant based complete protein and colorful veggies. This recipe has gotten glowing reviews from readers and my family alike. It’s one I make over and over again.

Vegan tacos with black beans, cabbage, avocado, and watermelon radish.

Cabbage and Black Bean Tacos
It doesn’t get any easier than this. While in Hawaii last year we had some burritos filled with sautéed cabbage and beans. I had never thought to add cooked cabbage to burritos or tacos, but they were so delicious I’ve started adding it into our taco night rotation.

Vegetarian Mexican Rice
Slow Cooker Black Beans
Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Salad
Easy Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

Pin these vegetarian Mexican recipes for later!

Beautiful, healthy, easy Mexican recipes including salad, tacos, soup, and more.