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photo round up with 4 vegan cinco de mayo recipes

This round up of vegan Cinco de Mayo recipes was written on May 4, 2023. It was updated with additional recipe information on May 1, 2024.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! I love any excuse to celebrate, cook, and eat delicious Mexican-inspired food with my friends and family. This year one of my friends from yoga is hosting the party, and I’m bringing a few of the dishes from this list. If you were looking for healthy Cinco de Mayo recipes, then you’ve come to the right place.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday celebrating the Mexican victory over France in 1862 in the Battle of Puebla. Presently, Cinco de Mayo is actually not widely celebrated in Mexico; most of the celebrations take place in the city of Puebla with parades and demonstrations. That’s not to say the history of the holiday hasn’t had a major impact on the United States, and the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration takes place in Los Angeles. It is a great day to learn about Mexican-American culture, and what better way to do that than through food! You can learn more about the history of the holiday here.

While we celebrate this holiday with festivities, dancing, and food, let’s remember that culture is never a costume. Take the holiday to learn about a different culture and try new things respectfully!

Traditional Mexican Foods

The official dish of Cinco de Mayo is mole poblano, a rich sauce made with spices and Mexican chocolate. Other traditional foods include tacos, tamales, pozole, elote, and chilaquiles. I have my own veganized spin on many of these foods, and recipes for more American versions of Mexican flavors, too.

30 Vegan & Easy Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Vegan Cinco de Mayo Appetizers

A close-up angled shot of a mortar of mango guacamole.

Mango Guacamole

This tropical Mango Guacamole is a fun twist on the classic dip recipe made with creamy avocados, fresh mango, lime juice, cilantro, and red onion. Enjoy it as an appetizer or serve it as a tasty garnish on your favorite main dishes!

Loaded Vegan Nachos | www.sweetpotatosoul.com

Loaded Vegan Nachos

These loaded nachos are topped with a homemade vegan cheese sauce. And the cheese in nut-free. These vegan nachos may be healthier, but they are just as comforting and delicious as traditional nachos.

Meaty Vegan Nachos

  Hello Meaty Vegan Nachos! Perhaps one of the best skills to develop as a new vegan is the skill

Pepita Cilantro Pesto

Pepita Cilantro Pesto

If you love cilantro, you’ll adore this flavorful Cilantro Pesto. Made with toasted pumpkin seeds, garlic, and lime, add a dollop of this to your nachos or serve with raw veggies.

Mango Guacamole Salad

Mango Guacamole Salad

Use the creamy mango guacamole as a dressing for the most delectable salad.

Vegan Tacos

I have so many taco recipes that it needs its own category. You’ll find a taco flavor you love here, or maybe even two or three! I usually use corn tortillas for these recipes, but feel free to substitute with your favorite type of tortilla. These taco recipes have SO much flavor but are still easy to make and still sure to be crowd-pleasing. You could even set up a taco bar with all these ingredients for a mix-and-match Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Marinated Tempeh Tacos

Marinated Tempeh Tacos

Looks good, right? PIN this recipe for later. I have been making these amazing marinated Tempeh Tacos for a decade,

Colorful lentil tacos on a plate

The Easiest Lentil Tacos | 10 Minute Recipe

These easy lentil tacos take just 10 minutes to make. They're delicious, nutritious, and perfect for Taco Tuesday and Meatless Monday.

mushroom carnitas tacos on a light pink plate

Mushroom Carnitas Tacos

Vegan succulent and flavorful tacos that everyone will love! Shredded king oyster mushrooms are seasoned, cooked, and roasted to make satisfying and plant-based carnitas. Top with avocado, pickled onions, and cilantro, and serve with your favorite sides.

Jerk Jackfruit Tacos | www.sweetpotatosoul.com

Jerk Jackfruit Tacos

Top these meaty vegan tacos with mango guacamole for the perfect tropical treat.

Vegan Fish Tacos

Classic Vegan Fish Tacos

Everything you love about fish tacos, but vegan! I use breaded fishless filets for these tacos. They are perfectly crispy

Banana Peel Carnitas Recipe

Banana Peel Carnitas 

You read that right: banana peels. When cooked, this often-discarded scrap has a meaty texture! You’ll need to use banana peels that have a little bit of green left on them for the best results.

Vegan Tostadas

Incredible Vegan Tostadas

Tender, fluffy, and so tasty. Mexican rice is so wonderful because it’s a simple-to-make dish that can elevate whatever it’s served with. Most often I serve it with simple home-cooked black beans or grilled tofu and vegetables.

Butternut Squash Tortillas

Meet your new favorite recipe for fall: 3 ingredient, grain-free, gluten-free, and vegan Butternut Squash Tortillas! Most importantly, these Butternut

Mexican-inspired Vegan Entrees & Sides

There are so many traditional Mexican foods that are easy to make. They’re all packed full of south-of-the-border spicy flavors and are so versatile to fit your personal needs. The vegan Cinco de Mayo recipes below are all easily adaptable for gatherings and guests will love them!

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

These vegan Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas are everything! Like seriously, they’re delicious, filling, AND easy to make.

Vegan Burrito Bowl

Set up a burrito bar and let your Cinco de Mayo guests make their own burrito bowls, tacos, and burritos. This bowl is made with incredible lentil walnut “meat”, a tasty corn red bean salad, and the most delicious lime vinaigrette.

Spicy Black Bean Burgers

Spicy Black Bean Burger with Tajín

Fire up the grill this Cinco de Mayo and make these spicy black bean burgers. These burgers have the best texture and so much flavor. They’re full of high protein and fiber-rich ingredients.

Vegan Chicken Quesadilla

Meaty, cheesy, crispy goodness. You can never go wrong with a quesadilla. This recipe is a part of a larger post, so scroll down past the lasagna to find it.

Chipotle Sweet Potato Vegan Enchiladas | www.sweetpotatosoul.com

Vegan Chipotle Sweet Potato Enchiladas

You can’t go wrong with vegan enchiladas. Especially when they’re topped with a creamy cheese sauce made with sweet potato,

Cauliflower Walnut taco meat bowl | @sweetpotatosoul

Cauliflower Walnut Taco Meat

I’m back!!! I’m now the very proud and very tired mom of a beautiful baby girl. She’s perfect! She’s sitting

Caribbean-Inspired Vegan Bento Box

I know, Cinco de Mayo is not a Caribbean holiday, BUT the black beans and rice, and the grilled tofu in this recipe deserve a place on any latin-inspired menu.

Instant Pot Mexican Rice

Tender, fluffy, and so tasty. Mexican rice is so wonderful because it’s a simple-to-make dish that can elevate whatever it’s served with. Most often I serve it with simple home-cooked black beans or grilled tofu and vegetables.

Roasted Cauliflower Rice

Roasted Cauliflower Rice

This Roasted Cauliflower Rice is ridiculously good. Roasting the cauliflower before “ricing” it brings out so much flavor. I wasn’t

Mango Guacamole Salad

Mango Guacamole Salad

Memorial Day sure snuck up on me! It feels as though 2014 just started, but here we are nearly halfway

Drinks & Dessert

It’s not a Cinco de Mayo celebration without a great beverage, is it? I’ve included non-alcoholic drinks as well, so that everyone has a chance to enjoy a tasty refreshment. Additionally, feel free to swap out tequila for a non-alcoholic spirit alternative.

Closeup of watermelon margarita in a glass

Spicy Watermelon Margarita

Add some festive summertime fun with this refreshing Spicy Watermelon Margarita! Made with simple ingredients and naturally fruit-sweetened, it is a vibrant easy-to-make cocktail perfect for any occasion.

Pineapple White Wine sangria in pitcher and glass

Pineapple Rose White Wine Sangria

This delicious and unique white wine sangria is made with fresh pineapple, strawberries, and homemade rose simple syrup. The result:

overhead of pomegranate margarita

Pomegranate Margarita

Though pomegranates are more of a winter fruit, the juice is available year round at the grocery store, and I’m always in the mood for one of these refreshing cocktails.

overhead of two glasses of pineapple skin tea

Pineapple Skin Tea

Enjoy refreshing and colorful hibiscus pineapple skin tea with ginger hot or over ice. It's easy to make, nutritious, and full of fruity, sweet, and tart flavors.

Hibiscus Elderberry Ginger Tea

Looks good, right? Click here to PIN this recipe for later. Well before Covid hit, I had it in my

Watermelon Smoothie

Simple, delicious, and refreshing. Kick off the unofficial start of summer with this watermelon smoothie. Blend it other seasonal fruits like pineapple and kiwi for a tropical treat.

Avocado Pineapple Popsicles | @sweetpotatosoul

Avocado Pineapple Popsicles

Full disclosure, sometimes this creamy avocado pineapple blend doesn’t make it to the popsicle mold. It’s one of my favorite smoothie combinations too!!

Comment below and tell me how you plan on celebrating Cinco de Mayo!

About Jenne

I’m a Georgia Peach living in Los Angeles (by way of NYC), with an insatiable love of sweet potatoes, travel, animals, and cooking. On Sweet Potato Soul you’ll discover hundreds of delicious and easy-to-make vegan recipes.

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9 Comments

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  6. I’ve tried several of these recipes ( burrito bowl, lentil tacos, and loaded nachos). The taco with the mango salsa and the bowl are my favorite. I want to make the tostada soon!