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18 Savory and Easy Vegan Tamales

Published: · Modified: by · This post may contain affiliate links.

Tamales are probably one of my favorite things in the whole world!! If you want to learn how to make vegan tamales look no further. Unlike what you may think they are not difficult to make at all. They are a bit time consuming, but with some help from friends or family you can make a tamalada and enjoy vegan tamales all year.

I have searched the internet far and wide for the best vegan tamales out there so you don't have to. Here are over 15 different recipes that you can use and adapt to your liking. Enjoy!!

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.
Go to Recipe
Red chile jackfruit tamales in a white and green tea towel

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.)
Go to Recipe
two jalapeno cactus tamales on a flower plate

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.
Go to Recipe
two tamales cut in half filled with sweet potato and black beans

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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three fresh corn tamales on a white plate

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!
Go to Recipe
one oil free vegan tamal on a husk cut in half

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.
Go to Recipe
bean tamal topped with sour cream and pico de gallo

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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nicaraguan tamal on a banana leaf

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.
Go to Recipe
potato adobo tamal cut in half on a husk

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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cheese and jalapeño tamales on a blue plate

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.
Go to Recipe
jalapeno bean tamal topped with salsa on a husk

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.
Go to Recipe
zucchini and corn tamal on a husk

12. Mole Mushroom Tamales

Mole Mushroom Tamales
Delicious tamales filled with sauteed mushroom stewed in mole sauce.
Go to Recipe
mushroom and mole tamal on a husk topped with mole sauce

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!
Go to Recipe
lime tamal topped with lime zest

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.
Go to Recipe
pina colada tamal on a white place with a cherry in the middle

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
Go to Recipe
strawberry tamal on a corn husk with sliced strawberries

16. Blackberry Tamales

Blackberry Pecan Tamales
Sweet tamales filled with fresh blackberries, pecans, and cinnamon.
Go to Recipe
black berry tamal on a white plate with a fork beside it

17. Vegan Chocolate Tamales

Chocolate Tamales
Vegan Chocolate tamales filled with roasted pecans and chocolate chips.
Go to Recipe
Chocolate tamal topped with chocolate sauce and shaved chocolate.

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.
Go to Recipe
sweet raisin tamal being cut into with a fork

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.

Including an oil-free option for making guilt-free plant-based tamales. You will be able to find recipes like jackfruit in salsa verde tamales. mushroom mole tamales, rajas con crema tamales, and blackberry tamales.

vegan tamales ebook

More Classic Vegan Mexican Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Adrianna Cuellar Rojas

    Hi Dora! Just bought your e-book and can’t wait to try the recipes. I was wondering if you’d tried mole with something besides mushrooms - not a big fan. The link to the recipe here isn’t working for me, so hope it’s okay to leave the comment here. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Dora S.

      I think soy curls would be a really good option for this.

      Reply

  2. Dee

    Do you have a good vegan Mexican red tamale sauce that might be comparable to the beef or pork red tamale sauce? I would add that on top of veggies from a can of veg all 😂 and make tamales like that. I just haven’t been able to find a source/sauce because typically the flavor comes from the meat. Thanks !

    Reply

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