18 Savory and Easy Vegan Tamales

Savory Vegan Tamales

Did you know there are both sweet and savory tamales? Here is a list of our favorite savory ones.

1. Red Chile Jackfruit Tamales

Red Chile Jackfruit Tamales

These red chile jackfruit tamales are made with spicy guajillo chile seasoned jackfruit and masa, stuffed inside corn husks and steamed until tender.

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2. Jalapeño and Cactus Tamales

Jalapeño Cactus Tamales

These jalapeño and cactus tamales are super easy to make. Rather than stuffing each tamal individually, the pickled jalapeños and cooked cactus bits are added to the masa and mixed thoroughly, making the spreading so quick. (This recipe does call for chicken bouillon powder, but you can substitute for Better than Bouillon No Chicken Base.)

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3. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

Sauted black beans, steamed sweet potato, onions and cumin fill tamales for a healthy and protein-filled add on.

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4. Vegan Fresh Corn Tamales

Vegan Fresh Corn Tamales

These rich, spicy tamales are made with Hatch green chiles, fresh white corn, and masa harina. Wrapped in fresh corn leaves and steamed.

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5. Oil-Free Vegan Tamales

Oil-Free Vegan Tamales

Oil-Free Tamales filled with black beans, sweet potatoes, and green chiles in a New Mexican red chile sauce. Instead of oil the masa uses pureed corn, kind of genius!

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6. Potato and Pinto Bean Vegan Tamales

Potato and Pinto Bean Tamales

These Potato and Pinto Bean vegan tamales are also filled Anaheim peppers and tomatoes, spiced with a touch if cumin and chili powder. The masa is made with extra-virgin olive oil.

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7. Vegan Nacatamales

Vegan Nacatamales

Nacatamales are a Nicaraguan comfort food. These are filled with vegetables, rice, and jackfruit wrapped in thick banana leaves.

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8. Vegan Potato Adobo Tamales

Potato Adobo Tamales

They are filled with a mixture of potatoes and peas tossed in a spicy adobo sauce. The adobo is smoky, spicy, tangy, and has an earthy quality to it. The masa that surrounds it, is fluffy and light, and it’s all wrapped in a corn husk and steamed until tender.

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9. Jalapeño and Cheese Tamales

Vegan Cheese and Jalapeño Tamales

These vegan cheese and jalapeño tamales are tender warm pockets of corn filled with vegan cheese and pickled jalapeño slices. They are spicy, creamy, and perfect.

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10. Bean and Jalapeño Tamales

Bean and Jalapeño Tamales

Bean and Jalapeño Tamales filled with beans stewed in chile ancho and spices, and pickled jalapeño peppers. The recipe does call for chicken stock, but you can easily substitute for vegetable stock.

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11. Zucchini and Corn Tamales

Zucchini and Corn Tamales

Zucchini and Corn Tamales, a simple and delicious vegan tamal recipe, no filling required. The masa is studded with sweet corn and zucchini then wrapped in corn husks and steamed. (This recipe calls for chicken bouillon, but you can substitute forBetter than Bouillon No Chicken Base.) You can find the recipe HERE.

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12. Mole Mushroom Tamales

Mole Mushroom Tamales

Delicious tamales filled with sauteed mushroom stewed in mole sauce.

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Sweet and Easy Vegan Tamales

If you've never had sweet vegan tamales you're in for a treat. It makes so much sense when you think about it, corn itself is so sweet that it only makes sense to enhance that sweetness with flavor like lime, strawberry, chocolate, and pumpkin.

13. Lime Tamales

Lime Tamales

Lime Tamales are a traditional sweet tamal. For vegan sweet tamales, we use vegan butter and almond milk. A few easy swaps and traditional sweet Lime Tamales can be made vegan!

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14. Sweet Pineapple Tamales

Pineapple Coconut Tamales

These sweet vegan tamales are pineapple tamales meets a piña colada cocktail. The flavors are incredibly delicious and just the dessert tamales you need to serve your fiesta guests.

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15.  Strawberry Tamales

Strawberry Tamales

These strawberry tamales are soft, tender packets of ground corn, filled with sweet strawberry jam. The aroma of the tamales steaming is irresistible. They are great with a mug of Mexican hot chocolate or an atole

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16. Blackberry Tamales

Blackberry Pecan Tamales

Sweet tamales filled with fresh blackberries, pecans, and cinnamon.

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17. Vegan Chocolate Tamales

Chocolate Tamales

Vegan Chocolate tamales filled with roasted pecans and chocolate chips.

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18. Cinnamon Raisin Tamales

Cinnamon Raisin Sweet Tamales

Sweet Tamales made with raisins and sweetened with cinnamon and sugar. Easy to make and perfect for holidays and celebrations with family and friends.

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Vegan Tamales Unwrapped

You didn't find the recipe you were looking for?? Vegan Tamales Unwrapped Ebook has over 50 detailed pictures, and will guide you step-by-step in the tamal making process. Make delicious savory and sweet tamales inspired by traditional Mexican cuisine, but all vegan and gluten-free.