15 Plant-Based Southwestern Recipes!

Eating vegan foods doesn’t mean having to give up delicious cuisine, like Southwestern foods. Check out these Southwestern recipes below, and you surely won’t be disappointed!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our International Archives!

1. Southwest Quinoa Salad

Source: Southwest Quinoa Salad

This fresh tasting, light Southwest Quinoa Salad by Rebecca Blackwell is packed with fresh vegetables, black beans, corn, fresh lime, and cilantro. Serve with a crumble of tortilla chips for a little crunch.

2. Southwest Smoky Rolled Tacos

Source: Southwest Smoky Rolled Tacos

Tacos really are just the perfect food. Think about it, they’re made up of delicious, versatile and interesting ingredients and come in an edible wrapper. Sounds pretty perfect to me! These Southwest Smoky Rolled Tacos by Sophia DeSantis contain protein rich black beans, a homemade smoky cream and fiber rich nopales (which are cactus paddles. You can’t get any more southwest than that!)

3. Southwestern Salad With Black Bean Falafel

Source: Southwestern Salad With Black Bean Falafel

These baked falafel are made from black beans, jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and lime juice for a zesty, spicy flavor that sits atop a bed of crisp greens. This Southwestern Salad With Black Bean Falafel by Liz Martone is topped with fresh tomato, corn, cilantro, and diced red onion. These flavors were made to be experienced with guacamole or just smashed avocado.

4. Southwestern Style Grits

Source: Southwestern Style Grits

My love for grits is one of the few remaining artifacts of my southern roots. I topped these deliciously creamy Southwestern Style Grits by Ashley Flitter with a little vegan cheese and sour cream, but they aren’t necessary if they aren’t your thing or you don’t have any around.

5. Skillet Chickpea Chilaquiles

Source: Skillet Chickpea Chilaquiles

Chips and salsa is super addicting and these Skillet Chickpea Chilaquiles by The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook, Jenn Sebestyen is kind of like eating nachos for dinner. Crispy tortilla chips in a bath of saucy southwest flavors—it’s like a dream come true! Feel free to eat these chilaquiles with a knife and fork, and let the kids to get right in there with their hands and get messy. Whatever floats your boat!

6. Southwestern Tofu Scramble

Source: Southwestern Tofu Scramble

It’s all the best parts of breakfast (or dinner) in a one pot dish: crispy potatoes, moist tofu, Southwestern spices, and the fresh tastes of tomatoes and avocados all served over healthy, bright greens. This Southwestern Tofu Scramble by Rhea Parsons has become my new favorite go-to tofu scramble. Try it. I know you’ll love it. And even more importantly, I know you will love the feeling of knowing you are not contributing to the torture and death of beautiful chickens and their babies. Compassion is the best ingredient!

7. Southwestern Strata 

Source: Southwestern Strata

Traditional strata is an interesting dish. It is supposed to be layers of white bread alternated with layers of cheese, then soaked in a milk mixture and baked. Since then, the milk mixture has been augmented with eggs to give it a custard-like texture and the layers now are not so much layers, per say, as additions mixed in. This Southwestern Strata by Zsu Dever uses aquafaba to create an eggy texture and everything has a southwestern flair. Instead of white bread, it uses cornbread and it’s packed with sautéed peppers, onions, cilantro, and chorizo-spiced chickpeas. Top with vegan queso fresco and you’re good to go!

8. Chipotle Chile-Rubbed Southwest Tempeh

Source: Chipotle Chile-Rubbed Southwest Tempeh

This Chipotle Chile-Rubbed Southwest Tempeh by Mark Reinfeld has a little heat and a lot of flavor. Serve with vegan sour cream on a bed of quinoa or rice, as part of Mexican fiesta night, or use as a filling for burritos.

9. Southwestern Black Bean Potato Crust Skillet Pizza

Source: Southwestern Black Bean Potato Crust Skillet Pizza

This Southwestern Black Bean Potato Crust Skillet Pizza by Cruelty Free Family is topped with black beans, tomato, and avocado, and has a spicy touch from jalapeño. Doesn’t that sound like a delicious brunch option? All made in one skillet too!

10. Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Source: Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

A bowl of this Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili by Joyce Gan will keep you warm on chilly nights. When prepared ahead of time, the intense flavors from all the spices and other ingredients, such as cumin powder, fresh chili, garlic, and cocoa powder blend together, making this chili taste even better.

11. Southwestern Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Source: Southwestern Grilled Cheese

This Southwestern Grilled Cheese by Marly McMillen Beelman has salsa-infused mashed beans with grilled sweet potatoes and Jalapeño Garlic Havarti. A perfect balance of flavors, taste, and health to keep you happy…and full!

12. Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas

Source: Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas

These Cheesy Corn and Smashed Avocado Quesadillas by Florian Nouh may feel like a total comfort food indulgence, but it is actually quite healthy! The “cheese” is made with corn, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt. Add in the avocado and cherry tomatoes, and this avocado quesadilla is pretty well-rounded ingredient-wise. Who knew ooey-gooey deliciousness could be so wholesome? You have to try making an avocado quesadilla! With just 6 ingredients and 3 easy steps, this recipe is a breeze!

13. Smothered Burritos 

Source: Smothered Burritos

Smothered burritos are large enchiladas that are covered with red, green, or white sauce. The filling can be varied; they can include roasted vegetables, potatoes, vegan meats, vegan grounds. The filling combinations are limited only by your taste and imagination! These Smothered Burritos by Zsu Dever are filled with vegan chicken, cumin rice, vegan cheese, cilantro, and scallions. Get creative and get cooking!

14. Sofritas Burrito Bowls

Source: Sofritas Burrito Bowls

15. South-of-the-Border Potato Tacos

Source: South-of-the-Border Potato Tacos

This South-of-the-Border Potato Tacos by Vegan Junk Food, Lane Gold is delicious. A cheesy, caliente potato taco that’s outta this world. You should serve creamy avocado sauce on the side (better just make a really big batch).

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