20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (2024)

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Celebrate all things Mexican with my 20 Vegetarian Healthy Cinco de Mayo Recipes! This collection of easy dinner, appetizer, and party food recipes will have you enjoying tasty plant-based and meatless eats all day long.

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (1)

Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes

As a Mexican food fanatic, you probably guessed that Cinco de Mayo ranks up there as one of my favorite holidays. I'll take any excuse for burritos and margaritas! But since I'm not a big fan of crowds, I really enjoy creating my own healthier version of Mexican favorites at home. I thought you might want to beat the crowds and do the same thing this year! To make your menu planning easy I've put my 20 favorite Vegetarian Healthy Cinco de Mayo recipes together in one place. This list includes everything you'll need for either dinner for two or a party for a crowd.

Since Mexican food is my favorite I had way more than 20 to choose from on Running in a Skirt... but these are the best! From homemade salsas of all kinds, enchiladas, tacos, and even oven fajitas... this collection has it all. All of the recipes are simple and take less than 30 minutes to make OR use my favorite kitchen tool the Crock-Pot. These recipes are all ones you can feel good eating and are plant-based and meatless. Some are traditional... and others are my easier take on traditional. They are vegetarian but hearty and friendly for meat-eaters alike.... aka Hubs approved!

So hand me a margarita, salt my rim and let's get ready for a Cinco De Mayo party at home!

20+ Vegetarian Healthy Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Vegetarian Sheet Pan Fajitas

Love fajitas out for Cinco de Mayo? Make your own healthy Vegetarian Fajitas with mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, and onions with my sheet pan fajitas. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings. Depending on the topping you pick this can easily be vegan.

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (2)

Crock Pot Black Bean Enchilada Stack

This is one of my favorite healthy Mexican dishes to make at home. It has all the yummy ingredients of black bean enchiladas but made in a simpler stack instead of rolled up. You can make this version in a slow cooker OR I have a version that bakes in the oven too.

Taco Stuffed Vegetables

These tasty Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers are the perfect vegetarian Cinco de mayo recipe. These stuffed bell peppers are filled with black beans, quinoa, tomato, and Mexican spices. If bell peppers aren't your thing I have a similar recipe with stuffed sweet potatoes and stuffed portobello mushrooms.

  • Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Vegetarian Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato
  • Mexican Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (4)

Vegetarian Tacos

Vegetarian tacos are the best! I have two versions you will love! Try my Lentil & Quinoa Tacos or my Sweet Potato and Black Beans ones. The lentil quinoa mixture might not sound that great BUT it actually makes an incredibly tasty vegan and vegetarian taco meat. You could adapt it to so many dishes.

Southwest Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

I love this fun, healthy, and low-carb twist on Mexican food. This Vegetarian Southwest Stuffed Spaghetti Squash is filled with black beans, tomato, peppers, onions, and cheese.

Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake

Here's a yummy idea for a versatile Vegetarian Cinco De Mayo recipe! My Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake is filled with beans, veggies, and Mexican spices. You can also make this a similar version on the stovetop.

  • Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake
  • One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Vegetarian Taco Soup

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Taco Soup recipe is a family favorite! We eat this super simple soup that's made with pantry staples once a month! It's perfect for a light and healthy vegetarian Cinco de Mayo.

Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

Roasted Vegetables combine with cheese and Mexican spices to make an irresistible veggie-packed tray of enchiladas. You will LOVE my Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas.

Here's another variation on vegetarian enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo that you will enjoy. My are packed with flavor and light on calories.

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (10)

If you love a quesadilla, here's a classic combo you can't miss. My Black Bean and Avocado Quesadilla is packed with flavor and melted cheese.

Easy Black Beans with Homemade Cilantro Lime Rice

This Black Beans and Rice recipe really lets the ingredients shine! Serve this as a compete Mexican vegan meal or as a side dish for any other of these dinners.

Mexican Lasagna Roll-Ups

If you are looking for something a bit different for your healthy vegetarian Cinco de Mayo menu, try my Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna Roll-Ups. They are stuffed with Mexican spiced ricotta cheese, black beans and rolled into a lasagna noodle. They are then topped with salsa and cheese and baked to perfection.

Tex Mex Pasta Salad

Tex Mex Pasta Salad is the perfect light and fresh Cinco De Mayo dish for a crowd. It's filled with fresh veggies, black beans and topped with a homemade Greek Yogurt Chipotle Lime Ranch.

Cucumber Pineapple Avocado Salad

This light and fresh Cucumber Pineapple Avocado Salad features all the flavors of a fruit and avocado salsa but in a chunky, eat it with a fork form.

Mexican Inspired Salad Dressing

Dress up your salad with a few Mexican-inspired salad dressings.

  • Greek Yogurt Chipote Lime Ranch
  • Avocado Lime Dressing
  • Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Homemade Guacamole

Homemade Guacamole is perfect for Cinco de Mayo! Here are a fun few versions on Running in a Skirt.

  • Guacamole for One
  • Greek Yogurt Guacamole
  • Everything Bagel Guacamole

Fruit Salsa

There is nothing more festive than a fresh fruit salad! I specialize in these. Here are a few of my favorites.

  • Fresh Strawberry Salsa
  • Pineapple Salsa
  • Mango Salsa
  • Mango Avocado Salsa
  • Watermelon Salsa
  • Fresh Peach Salsa
  • Pineapple Blueberry Salsa

Easy Black Bean Salsa

This Black Bean Salsa is the perfect dip for your Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo. It's light, healthy, and full of flavor.

Easy Homemade Salsa

Finally, what's a healthy Cinco de Mayo party without a homemade salsa. Here's my Easy Homemade Salsa.

Pin for later!

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (21)

20+ Healthy & Vegetarian Cinco de Mayo Recipes « Running in a Skirt (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular food eaten on Cinco de Mayo in Mexico? ›

Enchiladas are a favorite Mexican food for Cinco de Mayo, and since they're not hard to make, you can easily bake them for a weeknight dinner. Because enchiladas are so versatile, they're also easy vegetarian Cinco de Mayo food ideas. They can be stuffed with anything from shredded beef to black beans and potatoes.

What traditional food is not served on Cinco de Mayo? ›

The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas. But, just like you won't find corned beef and green beer in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day, you won't find ground beef tacos, nachos and frozen margaritas in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo.

Are tacos part of Cinco de Mayo? ›

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican-American culture that is widely celebrated in the U.S where people drink margaritas, eat tacos, and have fun.

What is traditionally eaten on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Cinco de Mayo Food Traditions For Your Party

There's something for everyone: Green Pozole with Chicken, Horchata, Guacamole, Cemita Poblana, Huevos Rancheros, Mexican Barbacoa, Enchiladas Verdes, Tostadas, Chile Verde Tamales, Fish Tacos, Flautas and more fantastic dishes.

What not to do on Cinco de Mayo? ›

Here are some things you don't want to do:
  • Avoid wearing sombreros, fake mustaches and Mexican-themed costumes. ...
  • Avoid dredging up your high school Spanish, especially with native Spanish speakers.
  • And you can enjoy traditional Latin drinks, but don't use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to drink too much.
May 5, 2022

What are three popular foods on Cinco de Mayo? ›

We eat: pozole (a delicious corn based soup, chiles en nogada (a Green big poblano chile stuffed with prepared minced meat and covered with a nut sauce). Also we eat sopes (thick corn base spread with black beans, salsa, white cheese and with/without chicken), and other dishes to be filled in a tortilla to arm tacos.

What are 2 traditions for Cinco de Mayo? ›

Typical festivities include parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions and baile folklórico, or folkloric ballet, with whirling dancers wearing shiny ribbons and braids and bright, ruffled dresses.

What food do Mexicans eat on Christmas? ›

10 foods popular in Mexico for Christmas
  • Tamales. Tamales are beautiful cornmeal dumplings with a variety of fillings inside them. ...
  • Ensalada de Noche Buena. ...
  • Romeritos. ...
  • Bacalao. ...
  • Pozole. ...
  • Pavo. ...
  • Ponche Navideno. ...
  • Bunuelos.
Dec 19, 2018

What do Mexicans call Cinco de Mayo? ›

Cinco de Mayo (pronounced [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo] in Mexico, Spanish for "Fifth of May") is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.

What is Cinco de Mayo known for in Mexico? ›

Cinco de Mayo (pronounced [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo] in Mexico, Spanish for "Fifth of May") is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.

How is 5 de Mayo celebrated in Mexico? ›

Typical festivities include parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions and baile folklórico, or folkloric ballet, with whirling dancers wearing shiny ribbons and braids and bright, ruffled dresses.

Why is Mexican food important to Cinco de Mayo? ›

Mexican Foods Served at Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Traditional dishes like mole poblano (a rich sauce made with chocolate and chilies), chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano peppers in walnut sauce), and margaritas are enjoyed to honor Mexican heritage and pride.

What is Cinco de Mayo called in Mexico? ›

Mexican history. Also known as: Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla.

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