Meatless Monday: 5 Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture, sip sangria, and chow down on tortilla chips with your favourite amigos. Since it’s also Meatless Monday, why not whip up one of these healthy vegetarian recipes that feature fiery flavours and traditional ingredients?

Festive Nachos

No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without chips and dip. This version of classic nachos is a sophisticated, cheese-free upgrade that makes for perfect party food. Both sweet and spicy, the tongue-tingling topping combines avocado, black beans, mango, as well as healthy spices and oils.

Fast Mexican Lasagna

This fiery lasagna is simple and speedy, but still looks impressive. It swaps out the meat for Mexican staples such as beans and red peppers. When buying refried beans, choose cans that say vegetarian on the label to ensure that the beans haven’t been cooked with lard or other animal fats.

Cocoa Black Bean Tacos

I’m not the biggest fan of Mexican cuisine—too much spice for me—but I do love a good vegetarian taco. This taco filling replaces ground meat with black beans, a protein-rich option that’s arguably tastier. Serve on a soft store-bought tortilla that’s no more than 6 in (15 cm) in diameter or, better yet, make your own tortillas! Finish with whatever toppings you prefer, such as salsa, white onions, avocado, lettuce, or shredded cheese.

Tasty Tex-Mex Tortillas

Ideal for lunch or dinner, these tortillas feature better-for-you brown rice, melted cheese, and spicy salsa. Like our Fast Mexican Lasagna, they also maximize flavour and minimize cooking time. Precooking the rice and thawing frozen veggies beforehand mean that this meal can be whipped up in minutes.

Strawberry Soup (Atole de Fresa)

Now this is what I’m talking about! For those who share my low tolerance for spicy foods, this naturally sweetened soup is a stellar option. Serve as a light main course or as a tangy dessert to refresh your palate and conclude your Cinco de Mayo fiesta.