Today, I'm sharing my favorite recipes for Cinco de Mayo. Vegan Mexican food is easy to make and elevates special events like a Mexican dinner party, so let's celebrate with these delicious vegan Mexican recipes at home.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. During these festivities, people celebrate with parades, food, music, folkloric dancing, and battle reenactments.
Despite popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in Mexico. Instead, the world's largest Cinco De Mayo celebration takes place in Los Angeles, California. As a result, Cinco de Mayo is more of a Mexican-American holiday than a Mexican one.
Cinco de Mayo's colors mirror the Mexican flag's – red, white, and green. However, the meaning of the flag colors has evolved, with green representing hope and independence; white, unity and purity; and red, religion and the blood of the national heroes.
Even though we don't need an excuse to drink Margaritas and eat excellent Mexican food, vegan Mexican sides make this Cinco de Mayo memorable by making healthy recipes for Cinco de Mayo at home.
Our Favorite Taco Recipes
For instance, try whipping up homemade this Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe! It's a favorite with kids and adults alike. This copycat Taco Bell creation is easy to make and is made withVegan Nacho Cheese Sauce made from carrots and potatoes.
Crunchwrap Supreme
Total Time: 24 minutes mins
Skip Taco Bell, and make your vegan version of this healthy vegan crunch wrap supreme at home. Get a little crunch in your burrito by filling it with vegan goodness.
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Another one of my favorites,Cauliflower Tacos, is quick, easy, and oil-free. Roasted in homemade taco seasoning and topped with avocado cilantro cream, pickled red onions, and microgreens, these bite-sized treasures are perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Cauliflower Tacos
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
Quick and easy, cauliflower tacos are oil-free, roasted in homemade taco seasoning, topped with avocado cilantro cream, pickled red onions, and microgreens. These cauliflower tacos take Taco Tuesday to a new level!
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For a quick and easy taco recipe, try lentil tacos. I always make a double batch and freeze the lentil taco meat for Southwest Egg Rolls!
Vegan Lentil Tacos
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
If you are craving healthy, low-fat Mexican food, vegan lentil tacos will satisfy your southwestern desires. Tasty and 'meaty,' these tacos are filling and guilt-free.
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Jackfruit makes a delicious taco filling for any vegan Mexican food; however, we love it inside tacos the best!
Jackfruit Carnitas
Jazz up your vegan Taco Tuesday with jackfruit carnitas! This quick and easy jackfruit carnitas recipe is perfect for vegan tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, or as a nacho topper!
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Sofritas, a Chipotle copycat, is a fabulous crumbled tofu meat for tacos.
Sofritas
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Sofritas is a healthy copycat version of Chipolte's Sofritas but without the fat, additives, and sugar. Crumbled tofu is baked and then cooked a second time in a roasted Mexican sauce perfect for a bowl, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Make your favorite Mexican fast food at home, healthy!
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Tacos aren't just for dinner. Try these vegan breakfast tacos this Cinco de Mayo!
Vegan Breakfast Tacos
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Vegan breakfast doesn' t have to be boring. Vegan breakfast tacos are quick and easy and oh so delicious.
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Vegan Mexican Salads and Bowls
This homemade version of a Chipotle LifeStyle Vegan Bowl is a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home!
Vegan Chipotle Bowl
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Build a vegan Chipotle bowl at home with fresh, healthy ingredients, oil-free. Skip the drive-thru and eat healthy at home with this copycat version of Chipotles LifeStyle Vegan Bowl.
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If you prefer your Mexican feast in a bowl, try this Vegan Breakfast bowl!
Vegan Breakfast Bowl
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
This vegan breakfast bowl is loaded with air-fried tofu, chili lime sweet potatoes, ranchero black beans, and raw vegetables, served with air-fried corn tortilla strips and topped with ranchero sauce.
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A healthy burrito bowl has everything in one bowl, so you get a bite of every delicious ingredient in every bite.
Healthy Burrito Bowl
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Skip the tortilla and put your burrito in a healthy burrito bowl. This healthy burrito bowl recipe is loaded with spicy beans, roasted vegetables, brown rice and quinoa, and topped with a creamy chili sauce.
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Make it simple with this easy Mexican salad, and remember the southwest salad dressing.
Mexican Salad
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Make a simple Mexican salad to accompany your Mexican-themed dinner without a lot of ingredients. With a tasty cilantro lime dressing, this salad is perfect to bring to a party or to complement any Mexican dinner.
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Mix some of your favorite Mexican salad ingredients into this yummy Mexican Quinoa salad.
Mexican Quinoa Salad
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Mexican quinoa salad is a blend of tri-colored quinoa, pinto beans, and a variety of vegetables mixed in an oil-free cilantro lime dressing. Great as an entree salad or as a side dish, Mexican quinoa salad is earthy and delicious. Prepare in under 20 minutes!
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Try this Mexican pasta salad if you love pasta, like I do. It can be served cold or warm, depending on your mood.
Mexican Pasta Salad
Total Time: 19 minutes mins
Mexican pasta salad is a cold pasta salad made with vegetable pasta, diced vegetables, pinto beans, grilled corn, dressing in a slightly spicy southwest dressing. Then, garnish with fresh avocado, jalapeno slices, vegan feta cheese, and lime wedges for added bliss.
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The kids love this taco pasta salad recipe. It has all the taco fixings and pasta in a delicious, simple dressing.
Taco Pasta Salad
For the love of tacos and pasta, change up your taco routine with this taco pasta salad recipe. You will love this combination of ingredients dressed in a simple 3 ingredient vegan southwest dressing.
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Everyone loves a good chopped salad, and this Mexican chopped salad is a party pleaser!
Mexican Chopped Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Mexican chopped salad is full of fresh vegetables, black beans in a simple and healthy lime dressing. Get a fork full of wonderful with each bite!
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Keep Cinco de Mayo healthy with this vegan taco salad recipe.
Vegan Taco Salad
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
If you are looking for a great way to get your greens, put your taco in a bowl instead of a shell. This vegan taco salad recipe has two filling options, two dressing options, and other time-saving tips.
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If you love coleslaw, try this fabulous southwest coleslaw recipe with crispy, air-fried tortilla strips.
Southwest Coleslaw
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Southwest coleslaw combines coleslaw, vegetables, and beans in a slightly spicy southwest dressing topped with oil-free air-fried tortilla strips.
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Vegan Mexican Side Dishes
These roasted Mexican potatoes are slightly spicy and pop with flavor in your mouth.
Mexican Potatoes
Total Time: 38 minutes mins
Low in fat and flavorful, these Mexican potatoes are a show stopper. The potatoes are marinated in a tasty Mexican blend of spices, and lime juice, then roasted to perfection. A great side dish for any Mexican dinner, these little potatoes pop in your mouth with incredible flavors.
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Mexican rice is the perfect side dish for any Cinco de Mayo menu!
Mexican Rice
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Spice up your life with this tasty Mexican rice recipe. Made with brown rice and a combination of spices and vegetables, this oil-free rice recipe tastes just like the authentic rice in a Mexican restaurant.
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These Mexican pickled carrots, red onions, and jalapenos are one of my personal favorites. I add them to everything!
Mexican Pickled Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Mexican pickled carrots are simple to make with a few simple ingredients. Pickling and canning don't have to be difficult. Instead, opt for a quick and easy way of pickling with the same taste! These slightly spicy carrots are great as a side dish for any Mexican dish, can be eaten directly from the jar, or added to a charcuterie board for a beautiful addition.
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Whatever you do, don't forget the nacho cheese sauce. This recipe can be made in various ways, for a chili cheese dip, salsa dip, or many other options.
Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
You will love this vegan nacho cheese sauce recipe if you like it cheesy. Made of only vegetables, it is fat-free and oil-free. Dip your favorite tortilla chips, make mac and cheese, add it to your favorite dip made with cheese, or layer in an enchilada casserole. The possibilities are endless.
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Vegan Mexican Entrees
Not a Taco fan? This vegan tortilla soup is packed with jackfruit, roasted corn, and veggies in a sassy Mexican broth. Topped with oil-free air-fried tortilla strips, love every bite of goodness.
Vegan Tortilla Soup
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Dive into a savory bowl of vegan tortilla soup made with jackfruit, grilled corn, and an array of vegetables. Top with oil-free air-fried corn tortilla strips for an added crunch (recipe included)
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I love this vegan enchilada casserole because I can make it the day before and reheat it, which is always a plus.
Vegan Enchilada Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Take your enchiladas to the next level by layering them in a pan for a vegan enchilada casserole to die for. Layered with corn tortillas, vegetables, lentil taco meat, and oil-free vegan cheese sauce, this casserole can be made ahead of time and baked when you're ready to eat.
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Another kiddo favorite, this enchilada pasta is a one-pot meal with no leftovers. East to make, and only one pan to clean up. Any questions?
Enchilada Pasta
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Enchilada pasta recipe is made in one pan in under 20 minutes. Not only is enchilada pasta easy to make, but each bite will bring you back for more.
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These sweet and sassy enchiladas are packed with veggies and never-ending flavor!
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Butternut squash and black bean enchiladas are filled with roasted butternut squash, black beans, various vegetables and rolled in corn or flour tortillas, topped with oil-free vegan cheese sauce and enchilada sauce.
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Did someone say burrito? After eating this burrito, Cinco de Mayo will be etched in your mind forever.
The Best Ultimate Vegan Lentil Black Bean Burrito
Total Time: 40 minutes mins
Create the ultimate Mexican fiesta with this vegan lentil black bean burrito! This lentil black bean burrito recipe is drizzled in vegan cheese sauce and avocado lime cream sauce. Black bean burritos never tasted so good!
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Shredded jackfruit, spinach, black beans, and a sassy sauce fill these jackfruit enchiladas.
Jackfruit Enchiladas
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Jackfruit vegan enchiladas are vegan comfort food filled with southwestern flavors and savory ingredients. Loaded with jackfruit, black beans, spinach, and other savory ingredients, these jackfruit enchiladas will melt in your mouth.
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Try to keep the kids away from these southwest egg rolls, so you get at least one before the plate is empty.
Southwest Egg Rolls
These delicious vegan Southwest egg rolls are a party in your mouth! Each egg roll is filled with lentil taco meat and veggies and cooked to a golden brown. This Southwest egg roll recipe is served with southwest dipping sauce.
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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a vegan Mexican fiesta to remember!
