By Anna Rios, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Hola! Soy Anna, I’m a Mexican-American registered dietitian nutritionist. I graduated with a degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Davis, California and now live in Northern California with my husband Anthony and 10-pound yorkie.
My passion for helping the Latine community is what led me to my career in nutrition. Mexican and Latin-American food can be incredibly nutritious once we learn how to balance it. My recipes are made with love to honor my Mexican heritage and to help prevent and control diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension.
Hispanic Heritage Month food made plant-based and Mexican-American registered dietitian-approved! This is a collection of my favorite family recipes with a healthy twist. The sauces and cooking styles were all passed down from my grandma (my mom’s mom) which makes each recipe extra special and authentic. It feels so special to share a piece of my culture, my family, and my nutrition expertise with you all. I hope you love these Hispanic heritage month food recipes as much as I do!
For more content make sure to check out my recipes, and ebooks, and follow me on social media.
Con mucho amor, Anna
Potato Flautas
These potato flautas are crispy on the outside, and soft and flavorful on the inside. They are filled with savory Mexican potatoes and creamy dairy-free cheese. Perfect for a fun weeknight dinner with the family or a date night!
Enchiladas Michoacanas
These authentic Enchiladas Michoacanas are savory, easy to make, and picky-eater friendly. They are filled with potato, chicken, or a delicious shredded tofu filling that does not taste like tofu. The enchilada sauce recipe was passed down from my grandma so it’s really special, simple, and authentic!
Jamaica Tacos (Hibiscus Tacos)
Jamaica tacos are meaty, slightly tangy, and incredibly delicious. They are made with Jamaica flowers also known as hibiscus after the agua fresca (iced tea) has been made. They are a true mouth-watering experience and you should try them!
Vegan 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.
Vegan Birria Tacos
These cheesy vegan birria tacos are a combination of a quesadilla and a saucy taco all in one. The best part is you get to dip it in a savory and comforting broth! Also known as a quesabirria, this is the ultimate vegan Mexican comfort food. Make it for a family party, dinner night or a date night!
Pozole Verde
The best pozole verde you will ever have. Savory, cozy, satisfying, authentic, and nutritious! Make this delicious soup for a special occasion or batch-cook it for the entire week.
Salsa de Molcajete
This authentic salsa de molcajete is made with roasted tomatoes, chilies, and garlic. It is a flavorful, medium spicy, chunky salsa full of history and culture.
Pozole
Pozole Rojo is one of the more comforting Mexican soups out there. Hearty and flavorful soup made with hominy, seasoned jackfruit, and a savory chili broth that warms your soul! This authentic Mexican soup is typically made for special events and holidays.
Vegan Tamales
This is the best vegan tamales recipe, an authentic and flavorful recipe passed down by my grandmother for you to enjoy! They are very popular during the holidays but make them for any celebration year-round. For video recipe click here.
Black Bean Flautas
These black bean flautas are also known as taquitos. They are crispy, rolled-up tacos, filled with a delicious black bean filling. These are the perfect weekday dinner or lazy lunch as they are made with only 7 ingredients and super easy to prep!
Vegan Pollo Asado
The best vegan chicken recipe out there! This Mexican vegan pollo asado recipe is the perfect plant-based option to add to tacos, burritos, and salads.
Vegan Quesadillas
Get ready to make some of the best vegan quesadillas of your life! These quesadillas are filled with my homemade, stretchy, vegan cheese, salsa verde, and your choice of plant-based meat. Put your own twist on these by adding your favorite salsa, avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, and more.
Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)
Albondigas soup is the best meal to cozy up with during the cold months. It is a hearty and flavorful Mexican meatball soup with vegetables like corn, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and chayote. The broth is super rich in flavor from tomatoes and guajillo chili peppers.
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!
Nopal Salad (Ensalada de Nopal)
This Nopal Salad (Ensalada de Nopal) is my all-time favorite nopales recipe! It is the perfect way to add more nutrition to your diet.
Sopa de Fideo
Sopa de fideo is a simple yet comforting pasta soup that is a staple in every Mexican household. It’s a super easy 6-ingredient, short angel hair-style pasta in a light and savory tomato broth.
Homemade Corn Tortillas
Homemade tortillas are simply the best! No store-bought tortilla can compare to the ultra-soft, heavenly wrap for tacos and quesadillas. The best part? You only need 3 simple ingredients to make these yourself in this homemade corn tortilla recipe. Make sure to read through the tips and suggestions for the best results!
Vegan Rajas Con Crema
Vegan rajas con crema is a creamy dish using savory, roasted poblano peppers, onions, and garlic. It’s a true Mexican comfort recipe that is slightly spicy, creamy, healthy, and authentic. The creamy “crema” complements the flavor of the poblano peppers nicely and is perfect to stuff into a tortilla.
Salsa Macha
This Salsa Macha recipe is a spicy, oil-based chili that is perfect to add to any authentic Mexican dish. It’s nutty, savory, and super easy to make!
Tacos Gobernador
These vegan Tacos Gobernador are cheesy “shrimp” tacos made with hearts of palm, roasted poblano peppers, and a creamy tomato sauce. The tortilla is lightly fried in chili oil to be slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Chochoyotes in Lentil Soup
This heartwarming lentil soup with chochoyotes (Mexican dumplings), is perfect for a cold day. The lentils are made in a savory broth made with tomatoes, onions, and spices. This simple and easy-to-make recipe is perfect for those that want to make more healthy and authentic Mexican food!
Frijoles de la Olla (Homemade Beans)
There is nothing like a hot bowl of frijoles de la olla (freshly boiled beans). Freshly boiled beans are a staple in every Mexican household and they are super easy to make. You only need 4 main ingredients: beans, water, salt, and garlic.
Verdolagas Receta
This verdolaga recipe (verdolaga receta), is a delicious edible plant popular in Mexico. It is made using a mild but flavorful salsa, and paired with some meaty portobello mushrooms for a satisfying bite. This recipe is great for those wanting to eat more nutritious Mexican food!
Tacos Ahogados (Drowned Tacos)
Tacos Ahogados translate directly to drowned tacos. They are crispy, savory tacos drowned in a deliciously spiced red salsa unlike any other you’ve had before. These drowned tacos will take you through a ride of flavors and textures you didn’t know you needed!
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.
As we celebrate with delicious Hispanic Heritage Month foods, it’s essential to recognize the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Mexico, which are deeply rooted in history and culture. These 25 plant-based Mexican recipes are not only a delicious way to honor that heritage, but they also highlight how nutritious and versatile plant-based eating can be. From hearty dishes like pozole verde to flavorful tacos, these recipes show that embracing a plant-based lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or tradition. As a Mexican-American dietitian, my goal is to inspire you to enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine while making choices that nourish both your body and soul.
¡provecho!
