Vegetarian Tacos Recipe: 12 Types of Vegetarian Tacos

Vegetarian tacos are a meatless take on a classic handheld Mexican dish, consisting of a flavorful filling served in a warm flour or corn tortilla. Cooks traditionally serve tacos topped off with a sprinkle of cilantro, finely chopped white or red onion, a spritz of a lime wedge, a wedge of avocado, or doused in salsa verde or salsa roja.

Whether you’re inspired by tradition or looking to break it, vegetarian tacos are a customizable, street food–inspired dish that meat-eaters and herbivores will enjoy.

When it comes to vegetarian taco ingredients, the sky’s the limit. Better yet, the many vegetarian taco fillings adapt well to other tortilla-based dishes like quesadillas or burritos. Popular varieties of vegetarian tacos include:

1. 1. Black bean tacos: Black beans and pinto beans make for tasty protein fillings for vegetarian tacos. Combine the beans with your favorite sautéed vegetables for a satisfying main dish.
2. 2. Breakfast tacos: Fold scrambled eggs, potatoes, and cheese into a flour tortilla topped with salsa and sliced avocado for a flavorful vegetarian breakfast.
3. 3. Cauliflower tacos: Tender roasted cauliflower is the perfect neutral taco base for your favorite Mexican seasonings, salsas, and hot sauces.
4. 4. Chickpea tacos: Spread spiced chickpeas on a baking sheet and cook them until they are crispy in the oven. Combine the chickpeas with chopped tomatoes and feta cheese, and add the filling to a taco shell.
5. 5. Corn tacos: For a fun take on another classic charred Mexican corn dish—esquites—add grilled corn to a taco shell with black beans, queso fresco, crema, cilantro, and lime juice.
6. 6. Jackfruit tacos: Jackfruit tacos are an easy and flavorful plant-based weeknight meal. The texture of shredded jackfruit makes it an ideal pulled pork substitute for any taco recipe.
7. 7. Meat alternative tacos: For a traditional taco taste without the animal products, make vegetarian tacos with a store-bought vegan meat alternative like tempeh or soy protein.
8. 8. Mushroom tacos: Use any type of mushroom for your tacos, including portobello, cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms.
9. 9. Quinoa tacos: Use this nutrient-dense grain to create a flavor-packed, meat-like filling that will satisfy your ground beef cravings.
10. 10. Roasted vegetable tacos: Pile a variety of colorful roasted veggies like zucchini, red bell peppers, and tomatoes onto a tortilla with corn, beans, and cheese for a healthful dinner.
11. 11. Sweet potato tacos: Roasted sweet potatoes make a hearty and versatile taco filling that pairs well with classic Mexican ingredients like black beans, avocado, cabbage slaw, and tangy crema. Learn how to make Mexican crema at home.
12. 12. Tofu tacos: Marinate soy-based protein in adobo sauce, lime juice, and Mexican-inspired seasonings for a tasty taco base.

Ready in just twenty minutes, these easy veggie tacos will be your new go-to weeknight meal. Follow these tips to make this meat-free Mexican dish:

1. 1. Go vegan. Adapt this satisfying vegetarian dish to be completely free of animal products. Simply ditch the cheese and sour cream—or replace it with a vegan alternative—to make tasty vegan tacos.
2. 2. Pick the perfect sauce. Dress your vegetarian tacos with the salsas and sauces of your choice. Fresh pico de gallo, mango salsa, and watermelon salsa are great additions. Creamy cilantro-lime dressing or Mexican crema adds rich creaminess. Fresh, jalapeño-infused guacamole and spicy chipotle salsa add heat.
3. 3. Incorporate toppings. Jazz up this meat-free main dish with traditional toppings like shredded cabbage, pickled onions, pickled jalapeños, crumbled Mexican cheese, sour cream, and more.
4. 4. Change up the tortillas. Supplement gluten-free corn tortillas, flour tortillas, whole wheat flour tortillas, or hard taco shells for the corn tortillas in this recipe to suit your preferences.