Veggie tacos can be as delicious as regular tacos if you try the right recipes! This is a round-up of my top veggie taco recipes for you to try. As a first-generation Mexican-American dietitian, I take pride in making healthy, plant-based recipes that are just as delicious as the real deal!
These veggie tacos have been tried and tested by my family, friends, and random strangers on the internet who say things like “These are the best tacos I’ve ever made!”. Below, you will find a list of my BEST veggie taco recipes with a description of each. Click on the title to get to the full recipe. Scroll down and read each one to see which taco best fits your mood right now:
The Best Veggie Taco Recipes:
1. My favorite: Shredded King Oyster Taco
Make these king oyster mushroom tacos for anyone, and I can almost assure you that they’ll enjoy them just as much as regular tacos. I love to use this as a meat substitute for many dishes that call for shredded meat, such as quesadillas, enchiladas, “pulled pork” sandwiches, and more. Shredded king oyster mushrooms can be a filling for so many other dishes! They are also rich in nutrients and antioxidants if you need another reason to try them. For extra protein, I mix it together with my shredded tofu tacos recipe or add a generous side of beans!
2. The chicken taco: Lion’s Mane Recipe
Lion’s mane is one of the best mushrooms to use for making plant-based meat, especially in taco form. It’s meaty and has lots of umami flavor, plus it’s easy to make. Before cooking it, lion’s mane mushrooms feel somewhat spongey, I call them the pillows of the mushrooms because they’re so soft. After cooking them, the texture is so close to that of chicken. This lion’s mane recipe is perfect for bringing out the meatiness in plant-based cuisine!
3. The Mexican hippie: Jamaica Tacos
Have you ever had agua de jamaica (hibiscus iced tea)? These are made with Jamaica flowers after the agua fresca (iced tea) has been made. I first tried them in Guanajuato, Mexico, and fell in love! Jamaica tacos are meaty, slightly tangy, and incredibly delicious. They are a true mouth-watering experience! I call them the hippie taco because of the place where I first tried them and the fact that it is a zero-waste recipe.
4. The classic: Vegan Carne Asada
The runner-up vegan taco recipe on the blog! There are so many ways to substitute beef in the world of plant-based proteins. You can choose from seitan, soy curls, and much more. However, my favorite meat replacement continues to be mushrooms! To be more specific, portobello and king oyster mushrooms. Make this recipe with seitan, soy curls, or mushrooms, you’ll be sure to love it either way. Also, here’s another one of my favorite vegan carne asada recipes by Jasmine from Sweet Simple Vegan! She makes it with soy curls, so you get to learn the process of how to cook with them.
5. The throwback: Vegan Carnitas Tacos
When I stopped eating meat, I refused to let go of my favorite foods, and I think I’ve recreated all my favorite foods. My parents are from Michoacán, the state of Mexico, known for its incredible carnitas! This carnitas recipe is one of the vegan Mexican recipes that I am most proud of. These crispy jackfruit carnitas are savory, tender, versatile, and so easy to make! This is one of the easiest recipes on the blog because it only requires 7 ingredients. You’ll want to make this recipe every single week for Taco Tuesday.
6. Vamos a Mexico: Seitan Al Pastor Tacos
These Vegan al Pastor Tacos are meaty and flavorful. 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! I made these for my baby shower of 75 people along with the vegan carne asada recipe, and most of them voted this the best veggie taco recipe of the day! These tacos provide all the flavor with none of the heartburn or slump. They are 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!
7. The Street Taco: Tacos de Soya
Tacos de soya, aka textured vegetable protein (TVP) tacos, are a game-changer for meat substitutes! Soya is often used in Mexico to make a variety of dishes so this is one of the most authentic veggie taco recipes. Seasoned using a flavorful guajillo pepper sauce that compares texture and flavor profiles to tacos de carne adobada. These tacos are a great option for when you crave authentic Mexican street tacos.
8. Beach Vacation: Tacos Gobernador
These tacos were actually named after the governor of Sinaloa after he kept ordering shrimp tacos with cheese at a local restaurant. 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. These are perfect if you’re craving a seafood feel!
9. Breakfast Tacos: 1-Pan Vegan Chorizo Potato Tacos
These savory Chorizo Potato Tacos are one of my favorite childhood meals and a staple in most Mexican homes. They are flavorful, hearty, so easy to make, and picky-eater-friendly! Save this recipe for a lazy weekday dinner or even for a weekend brunch. These tacos are sure to impress you and your entire family. This savory potato filling also makes great burritos! I have made some delicious breakfast burritos with this filling of avocado and eggs or Just Egg. This recipe pairs well with my Mexican Brown Rice recipe! Give it a try for a full, authentic Mexican dinner.
10. Bay Area Style: Vegan Quesabirria Tacos
It is the ultimate Mexican comfort food! Quesadilla and Birria had a baby, and well, I don’t think I have to say much more than that. The vegan beef substitutes (yes, plural!) will blow your mind. Dip your quesabirria taco in the savory birria broth and forget that it’s 100% plant-based. This amazing new combination originated in Tijuana, Mexico but got super popular in the Bay Area with taco trucks.
11. A la Tapatia: Tacos Ahogados
Tacos Ahogados, or “drowned tacos,” are a mouthwatering Mexican dish with a rich history rooted in the western state of Jalisco. These tacos are typically filled with meat, such as carnitas, birria or chicken, and then drenched in a flavorful, spicy broth or sauce. The name “ahogado” comes from the Spanish word for “drowned,” referring to the way the tacos are submerged in the sauce, creating a unique, mouthwatering experience. Try this authentic veggie taco recipe!
12. Crispy Taco Lovers: Black Bean Flautas (taquitos)
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 are super easy to prep! Black bean flautas don’t have to be fried in lots of oil. In this blog post, I will share how to make them in the oven, air fryer, and on the stove. You can make them oil-free or lightly brush them with oil. The best part is that they are only made with 7 main ingredients
13. For the “ground beef taco” lovers: Easy Lentil Tacos
When my husband and I first tried these lentil tacos, we were mind blown! This lentil taco meat is a great alternative to ground beef for those looking for a great Meatless Monday recipe or just trying to eat more plant-based. These tacos can be ready in 15-25 minutes with minimal dishes!
14. Tinga lovers: Vegan Tinga
Okay so tinga is more for tostadas but I love eating it in taco form as well. I made a vegan version using jackfruit and I’m super excited to share it with you all! It used to be one of my favorite dishes because of how much flavor it has. Fun fact: the flavor comes from the seasonings, spices, chipotle peppers, and tomatoes NOT the chicken. I was so happy when I found out I could veganize it!
15. The Actual Veggie Taco Recipe: Cauliflower Tacos
These cauliflower and chickpea tacos are a perfect example of how we can enjoy our beloved Mexican flavors while prioritizing our health. They do not compare to any meat-based taco but if I had to compare, it is more of a fish taco vibe! It’s fresh, has a variety of textures, and a flavor you’ve never had before.
I hope you loved these veggie taco recipes! Follow and subscribe for more delicious + vegan recipes!
They look so flavorful and they’re stuffed so full like i like.
These look authentic, and very good! I will give a few a try for sure!! Thanks for sharing 🙂🙃
Let me know what you think after you try them. Make sure to use the star ratings 🙂