25 Best Vegan Taco Recipes [Easy Plant-Based Filling & Topping Ideas]

These vegan taco recipes make for the ideal comfort food for meat-free lovers. Perfect for lunches and dinners, they use beautiful spices, mixed with cauliflower, broccoli or mushrooms for fillings, all wrapped in crunchy taco shells.

I’m not sure there’s any food out there that I prefer to stuff my face with than tacos. The blend of spices with fresh citrus flavors, packed into a shell is just so satisfying to eat and makes for the perfect comfort food.

Thankfully there are now just so many ways that we can replicate meat fillings with plants without losing any flavor or any texture. From cauliflower to mushrooms, to beans, there is so much variety out there.

Here are some of the best from around the web for you to get experimenting with.

Tandoori Cauliflower Chickpea

These cauliflower chickpea tacos boast a spicy and crunchy filling. They provide a tasty filling, that’s simple to make. Ideal for lunch or dinner.

Jackfruit & Oyster Mushroom Birria

This meat-free take on Mexican quesabirria provides unrivaled hearty flavors in classic taco form. It loads corn tortillas with your choice of jackfruit or oyster mushrooms and coats the filling with a sweet and spicy ancho chili sauce. This vegan birria tacos recipe is up there with the best.

Sriracha Cauliflower Wing & Garlic Sauce

Cauliflower is one of the most common meat-free taco bases, providing a simple, plant-based take on the popular Mexican dish. Panko breadcrumbs are the key providing the crispy texture while you can spice it up with barbecue sauce, sriracha, and fresh lime juice.

Try This Recipe: This take on cauliflower tacos is garnished with a delicious vegan yogurt garlic sauce and only takes 20 minutes to prep.

BBQ Sauce Crunchy Panko Broccoli

These vegan crack broccoli tacos are the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. This far-from-bland recipe revolves around crispy broccoli. This is an ideal recipe for those looking for alternatives to meat toppings that aren’t cauliflower.

Make your crispy broccoli with breadcrumbs, apple cider vinegar, and your choice of dairy-free milk. Dressing the broccoli in barbecue sauce ensures maximum flavor.

Try This Recipe: This bold broccoli tacos recipe only takes 30 minutes to prepare, including cook time. Try it with a Green Goddess dressing drizzle for a kick of cool.

Pulled King Oyster Mushroom

Mushrooms are a delicious, protein-packed meat alternative for tacos. Shred king oyster mushrooms and mix in a frying pan with soy sauce and other flavorful ingredients.

Matched with a simple salsa, lettuce and vegan sour cream, the tacos are fresh, meat-free, and delicious.

Prepare them a day beforehand to ensure maximum flavor. Add diced tomatoes, onions, coriander, and chopped lettuce for that classic taco taste.

Try This Recipe: This pulled mushroom taco recipe is also gluten-free.

Cauliflower, Mushroom & Walnut

Vegan taco meat is the key to a tasty, meat-free Mexican dish. This recipe requires cauliflower, mushrooms, and walnuts for the base. Prepare them in a food processor and add to a skillet with seasonings like soy sauce, chili powder, and paprika. Your vegan taco meat should have the same consistency as ground beef. Use it as a base for all your vegan taco ideas.

Leave out the walnuts for a nut-free and meat-free dish. You can substitute it for more cauliflower or mushrooms.

Try This Recipe: This vegan taco filling recipe is easy and quick to prepare. You can also try it on tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or nachos.

Crunchwrap Supreme

OK, technically I’m stretching the definition of a taco here as the shell this is coated in is more like a vegan burrito, but hear me out.

This vegan take on Taco Bell brings your favorite takeout to your kitchen. This recipe uses lentils to replace the ground beef base and tries a vegan take on nacho cheese. After boiling your lentils, add them to a frying pan with seasoning. Place a tostada on top of the lentils, cheese, and toppings and fold it into a tortilla. Place the wrap in a sandwich bag for a tasty on-the-go vegan meal.

Try This Recipe: This meat-free Crunchwrap Supreme has a spicy kick to it. Don’t forget to crisp it in the pan after folding.

Buffalo Cauliflower

Your favorite plant-based wing sauce meets its match with buffalo cauliflower tacos, providing a spicy twist on the popular veggie filling. This recipe packs in plenty of delicious buffalo sauce before topping with edamame for a great protein source, fresh avocado, and purple cabbage. The final result is plenty of beautiful color and flavor.

Try This Recipe: These buffalo cauliflower tacos take the classic comfort food and make it vegan-friendly. Combine flour, garlic, and onion powder to coat your cauliflower before tossing it in buffalo sauce. Once cooked, add the cauliflower to tortillas with toppings of your choice. Add a creamy cashew cream dip to mellow down the spice.

Chipotle Portobello

Portobello mushrooms make for such a fantastic meat substitute. I’ve used them before to help replicate the texture of burgers, and they go great as a taco filling too.

Whip up a homemade chipotle marinade with chipotle in adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, and coriander. Brush portobello mushrooms and bell peppers with the marinade and roast in the oven until tender. Top with pickled onions for a tangy burst of flavor.

Try This Recipe: This low-calorie recipe for chipotle portobello tacos uses sheet-pan prepared mushrooms and rich refried beans for authentic Mexican flavor. The chipotle helps make the mushroom spicy and smoky, while it has avocado and a beautiful pickled onion mix for balance. A must-try.

Black Bean Tacos

Black beans and guacamole take centerstage for this beautiful take on the comfort food classic. Heart, and creamy, and all housed in a gluten-free taco shell.

The beans are slightly spiced with a bit of salsa and spice powder, and then cooked with a bit of onion and garlic. It’s really simple, but then all the best ones are, aren’t they?

Vegan black bean tacos are a fantastic option for those on a budget. Black beans are an easy-to-prepare, protein-packed option for a taco base. Top with guacamole, romaine lettuce, salsa, and shredded cheese for a simple and filling meal.

Whip up some dairy-free cheese sauce for an extra cheesy punch on a simple meal. Packed with protein, this taco recipe should earn a place in your meal plan.

Try This Recipe: These black bean tacos can be prepared in 20 minutes. try them when you’re in a pinch for time or on a budget.

Vegan Tacos

Vegan tacos are full of possibilities for different bases, toppings, and flavors. This recipe offers up other base and salsa options but recommends cauliflower and mango salsa. Toss your cauliflower in oil and seasoning before roasting it in the oven. Create your salsa with a mix of diced mango, tomato, jalapenos, and a few other ingredients. Combine and enjoy.

Try This Recipe: This flexible recipe for vegan tacos is a handy guide for those looking to experiment. don’t forget the guacamole!

Spicy Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a popular meat alternative because it can mimic the taste and texture of meat more than other options. This flavorful dish also calls for yellow onion, red cabbage, salsa, and chimichurri. To ensure optimum flavor infusion, make sure you add enough moisture to the jackfruit before you add the seasoning.

Try This Recipe: This recipe for spicy jackfruit tacos is gluten-free and refined sugar-free. All you need to prepare it is one pan!

Mushroom Tacos

Vegan recipes that mimic the flavor and texture of meat are easy introductory dishes for new vegans and skeptical meat-eaters.

Mince chestnut mushrooms in a food processor, bake, and season. Combine cashews with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and water for a vegan sour cream. Sprinkle on some red onions for a bold bite of flavor. Add pickled red onion and a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.

Try This Recipe: These mushroom meat tacos are versatile and complement a variety of flavors. Prepare and cook them in under an hour, and then enjoy!

Cauliflower Taco Meat

There are several ways to mimic meat with cauliflower. This one-pan recipe features a cauliflower walnut crumble meat substitute. You can use its simple flavor for several dishes. Process walnuts, onions, and jalapeño in the food processor. Combine with processed cauliflower and bake. Each taco contains about 7 grams of protein.

Try This Recipe: To make this cauliflower taco filling nut-free, substitute the walnuts for sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or more cauliflower.

White Bean

Filled with spicy white beans, pre-made slaw and a delicious green sauce, these delicious white bean tacos pack in a lot of flavors into one small, tasty package. The mildness of the vegan mayo mixed with the kick of the jalapeno cilantro sauce creates the perfect balance of flavor.

White beans are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. Not only are white beans nutritious, but also easy to prepare. Sauté red onions and jalapeños, then add your white beans and salsa until thoroughly heated. While the filling is heating, make jalapeno cilantro sauce with jalapenos and vegan mayo.

Try This Recipe: White bean tacos are a healthy and easy-to-make vegan taco recipe.

Buffalo Cauliflower

These buffalo cauliflower tacos are made with only whole food ingredients. Toss chopped cauliflower into a bowl with oil, buffalo sauce, and seasoning before baking for about 25-30 minutes. Combine with toppings like red onion and spinach, and top off with a creamy sauce to offset the spice.

Try This Recipe: This recipe for buffalo cauliflower tacos calls for a creamy tangy avocado crema.

Breakfast Tacos

If you need your taco fix first thing in the morning then this is the recipe for you. Filled with roasted potatoes and tofu scramble, there’s a beautiful vegan breakfast filled in each of these. You can then top with your choice of vegan sour cream, vegan cheese, or fried mushrooms.

Who said that tacos need to wait for dinnertime? Toss peeled and cubed potatoes in seasoning and bake for thirty minutes to make the base of this easy breakfast. If you’d like some extra protein, you can easily add tofu crumbles to this recipe.

Add your favorite vegan shredded cheese, salsa, and vegan sour cream for some extra flavor. You could also try an egg alternative if you’re in the mood for a classic breakfast taste.

Try This Recipe: Enjoy these vegan breakfast tacos at any time of the day. try some vegan sausage crumbles on top.

Bang Bang Cauliflower

Bang bang sauce is the perfect, spicy addition to a simple dish. These paleo-friendly tacos are filled with oven-roasted bang bang cauliflower, delivering strong flavors and a dash of spice. Containing cauliflower florets, radish, cilantro, and sriracha, there’s plenty of taste in this plant-based appetizer.

This recipe (minus the sauce) is not only vegan—it is also paleo, whole30, and AIP friendly. Lettuce cups replace tortillas in this healthy take on tacos. Toss your cauliflower in the bang bang sauce before baking. Add your cauliflower and garnishes to the lettuce cups, and finish off with a drizzle of avocado crema.

Try This Recipe: These bang bang cauliflower tacos pack a punch with avocado crema and bang bang sauce. Meat-free doesn’t mean flavor-free!

Tasty Tex-Mex Tofu & Mushroom

Tex-Mex is an Americanized version of Mexican cuisine. Toppings and bases like black beans and canned vegetables are considered Tex Mex taco ingredients.

Tofu acts as the base in this simple Tex-Mex taco dish—all you need for preparation are a food processor, a mixing bowl, and a large baking sheet. Combine processed mushrooms and tofu into a mixing bowl with salsa, lime juice, and Mexican seasoning. Pour it all onto a baking sheet, bake, and enjoy. 

This gluten-free, nut-free, and oil-free filling is made with crumbled tofu, baked at high heat in the oven, and mixed with spices to give you an addictive kick of a flavor.

Try This Recipe: These Tex-Mex tacos is oil-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. Dietary restrictions don’t call for cutting these delicious tacos out of your mealtime.

Crispy Chick’n Tacos

Chick’n is Gardein’s soy-based, meatless chicken alternative. Gardein’s products are the closest thing to meat, minus the meat – you could fool an avid meat-eater with this vegan taco recipe.

Combine the Chick’n with sauce, red onion, and jalapeno for a quick and delicious meal. Make a simple spicy sauce with vegan butter spread, garlic, honey, cayenne, and paprika. Pop it in the microwave and enjoy!

Try This Recipe: These crispy Chick’n tacos combine convenient, store-bought ingredients for an easy meal. Add some homemade toppings and sauces and make it your own. Fresh, spicy, and delicious.

Smashed Chickpea Tacos & Jalapeño Cream Sauce

A blend of jalapeño cream and smashed chickpeas to create a fresh, seasoned taco filling. These tacos are rounded off with a lime-marinated slaw, sliced radishes, and serrano peppers.

Using chickpeas is a terrific way to add texture and nutrition to a dish without meat. Combine chickpeas, red onion, and taco seasoning in a pan and simmer. Once you mash your chickpeas to your desired consistency, add to the tortillas with lettuce, cabbage, and lime juice. Serve with a drizzle of jalapeno cream sauce.

Try This Recipe: Take a crack at this smashed chickpea taco recipe the next time you crave a meaty texture in your dish. Don’t forget to remove the skin from the chickpeas for the best results. This is easier to do in a large bowl of water.

Falafel Taco Pockets

Falafels are a filling, meat-free taco base. They consist of lentils and a combination of a few other veggies and spices chopped up in a food processor or blender. Combine falafels with vegetables in the tortilla of your choice and enjoy.

This particular recipe calls for homemade falafels. Making your falafels from scratch cuts out the oil and amps up the flavor.

Try This Recipe: This falafel taco pockets recipe has nutritious and filling ingredients.

Fajita Tacos with Chipotle Garlic Sauce

Sheet pan meals are a great way to streamline cooking into one easy, manageable batch. This is the perfect example of just that.

Made with a chipotle pepper marinade, and mixed in with baked vegetables and avocado, there’s a rich, zesty flavor to this perfect taco dinner.

Check it out here

Crunchy Cauliflower & Broccoli

Breaded fillings seem to be something that almost everyone can get on board with, and if you can fill your taco with them then all the better.

These crunchy veggie tacos have exactly what. They’re paired with a smooth and creamy dairy-free cilantro sauce that brings the whole thing together beautifully.

Check it out here

Soy Chorizo & Potato with Salsa Verde

Any former (or current) meat eater will tell you: There’s sausage, and then there’s chorizo.

The spicy meat is on another level, and this meat-free alternative does a great job at replicating everything that’s so great about it, while removing everything bad.

This recipe pairs it with a delicious potato filling, and rounds it off with a hearty, spicy appetizer or main. Perfect.

Check it out here