With Lent starting this Wednesday, it’s time to prepare for the season. Many choose to give up meat on Fridays and opt for seafood or veggie options instead. If you are worried about running out of dinner ideas during Lent, I’ve got you covered with these 44 recipes that are full of vibrant Mexican flavor.
Lent kicks off on Ash Wednesday, which falls 46 days before Easter Sunday.
The Lenten fast excludes Sundays and continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, totaling 40 days. It’s a time for reflection and sacrifice, mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
It’s a time to cleanse the body and soul, so let’s embrace this opportunity for growth and renewal.
During Lent, lots of Christians, especially Roman Catholics, skip meat on Fridays.
And if you’re giving something up for Lent, meat might be your choice of indulgence, whether just on Fridays or all 40 days long.
If you are in need of some meatless dinner ideas I have plenty to last the entire Lenten season. Let’s nourish our bodies and spirits during Lent!
Need even more inspiration?
Check out these 40+ Delicious Vegan Mexican Food Recipes or grab a copy of my cookbook, Plant Powered Mexican.
44 Dinner Ideas During Lent
1. Easy Fajita Veggies
Meatless meals are the standard during Lent and these fajita vegetables are an excellent option.
2. Vegan Pozole Verde
Going without meat can be a hard sell, but this tasty pozole recipe is a dish the whole family will love.
3. Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn Salsa
Fish is a great option during Lent season. These grilled fish tacos are one of our favorite meals.
4. Authentic Chiles Rellenos
Meatless recipes can also include comfort foods like these crispy-fried chiles rellenos stuffed with gooey Oaxaca cheese.
5. Skillet Charred Cajun Shrimp Tacos
Busy families will appreciate these easy shrimp tacos that are ready in 30 minutes!
6. Black Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Tamales
This is one of those Lent-friendly recipes that is great for celebrations during Lent.
7. Chili-Lime Broiled Salmon Salad
Fresh garbanzos are in season now and this is a great recipe to make with them.
8. Sopa de Fideo
Pasta dishes always make great meatless meal ideas. This simple tomato soup with noodles is a fan favorite.
9. Vegan Slow Cooker Mexican Vegetable Soup
This spicy vegetable stew is loaded with sweet potatoes, black beans, green beans, and bell peppers all in a rich tomato broth.
10. Citrus Seafood Ceviche
Fun for a Friday night, this is one of our favorite seafood recipes.
11. Veracruz-Style Hominy
These bold flavors are a great idea when you want to brighten things up during this period of fasting. The thin slices of fresh lemon and lots of chopped parsley add contrast and loads of flavor.
12. Authentic Chilaquiles with Scrambled Eggs
Hungry for breakfast for dinner? These chilaquiles are one of our favorite recipes any time of day.
13. Baja Fish Tacos With Radish Pico de Gallo
Try these on a Lenten Friday. This is one of those easy fish recipes everyone loves.
14. Mushroom and Cheese Vegetarian Enchiladas
This tasty dish is one of those Lenten recipes that is excellent for feeding a crowd.
15. Black Bean Pupusa with Lime Curtido
Even my meat-loving husband can’t resist this amazing dish.
16. Summer Squash Tacos
Vegetarian options abound when it comes to taco fillings. Top these easy summer squash tacos with sour cream and pico de gallo for a super tasty meal.
17. Salmon Al Pastor with Herb Guacamole
Another one of our favorite salmon recipes is this grilled salmon. This is a great meal for dinner parties.
18. Deep Dish Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
This vegetarian enchilada bake recipe proves there are so many clever ways you can incorporate vegetarian options into your weekly meal plan during the days of Lent.
19. Shrimp Aguachile
If you are looking for more seafood dishes to enjoy during Lent try this fiery aguachile recipe.
20. Migas!
Another breakfast that’s also amazing for dinner is migas. This healthy one-skillet meal is fast and has delicious Tex-Mex flavors.
21. Sweet Potato Tacos with Charred Jalapeño Yogurt Sauce
So many fresh ingredients in these crunchy tacos! Serve with Mexican rice.
22. Sweet Potato Nachos with Smoked Cheddar Cheese Recipe
If you are skeptical about nachos without chips, let me tell you, these taste incredible!
23. Spicy Vegan Enchiladas
The protein in this enchilada filling is spiced tofu crumbles, but you’d never know it.
24. Molletes
Crusty bread spread with butter then topped with refried beans, cheese, and toasted in the oven. Really nothing more easy or satisfying.
25. Rainbow Veggie Quesadilla
Loads of fresh veggies including spinach, peppers, and even thinly sliced red cabbage make this a bright and flavorful quesadilla.
26. Baked Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream Sauce
Liven up roasted spaghetti squash with a smoky, spicy sauce made with onions, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo, and cream.
27. Pozole Blanco with Mushrooms
This vegan version is made with hominy, caramelized mushrooms, and a rich vegetable broth.
28. Mexican Potato Soup with Melty Cheese
Velvety Mexican Potato Soup is a bowl of comfort made with fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onions and lots and lots of melty Monterey Jack cheese.
29. Homemade Huaraches
Heavenly bean-filled masa cakes topped with tomatillo salsa, sautéed squash blossoms, and chipotle aioli.
30. Alaskan Wild Cod Fish Tacos with Toasted Corn Salad
Crispy, flaky cod nestled in crunchy tortillas, topped with an easy corn salad made with toasted corn, red onion, and lime juice.
31. Grilled Veggie Skewers with Smoky Green Chile Vinaigrette
A colorful medley of peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions, charred to perfection and bursting with smoky flavor.
32. Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese Gorditas
This Mexican gorditas recipe can be stuffed with any filling you’d like but we are especially fond of this roasted mushoom, refried bean, and goat cheese combo.
33. Fried Plantain Cemita Sliders
Fried sweet plantains sandwiched between fluffy buns, topped with thinly sliced onions, queso Oaxaca, avocado, and chipotle sauce.
34. Chipotle Black Bean Chili
A plant-based Black Bean Chili recipe with chipotle chiles, and loads of fresh vegetables.
35. Cheese Enchiladas with Golden Raisins
These Cheese Enchiladas {Enchiladas de Queso} are filled with a mixture of silky queso fresco and golden raisins, coated in a robust homemade enchilada sauce, and topped with more bubbly cheese.
36. Tequila Lime Shrimp and Pierogies
Succulent shrimp sautéed in zesty tequila lime sauce, served alongside hearty potato, sour cream and chive-filled pierogies. Flavor explosion!
36. Fall Harvest Enchiladas with Chipotle Cream Sauce
These enchiladas are really easy, the filling is made with frozen root vegetables smothered in spicy chipotle cream sauce.
37. Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas with Coconut and Lime
Fresh shrimp marinated in tangy lime juice, mixed with coconut milk, cilantro, and jalapeños, piled high on crispy tostadas. Deliciously tropical!
38. Vegetable Soup with Cilantro Pesto Croutons
A comforting blend of seasonal veggies simmered to perfection, served with crunchy croutons topped with zesty cilantro pesto. Warmth in every spoonful!
39. Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Cornbread Croutons
A hearty blend of beans, veggies, and spices, pureed until creamy and smooth then topped with crispy cornbread croutons for a satisfying crunch.
40. Cauliflower Ceviche Tostadas
Tender cauliflower marinated in citrusy flavors, like fresh lime and clementine juice, then piled onto crispy tostadas. A refreshing twist on ceviche!
41. Spicy Pepper Jack and Refried Bean Enchiladas
This Spicy Pepper Jack and Refried Bean Enchilada Recipe is warm, cheesy, and spicy, stuffed with creamy refried beans, sweet corn and pepper jack cheese all in a spicy homemade chipotle enchilada sauce.
42. Entomatadas
As delicious as enchiladas but in a tomato-based sauce instead of a chile-based sauce.
43. Oven-Roasted Veggie Fajita Nachos
If you are a fan of veggie fajitas then you will love these veggie fajita nachos. Crunchy tortilla chips topped with layers of perfectly spiced, oven roasted veggies, cheese, black beans and finished with all your favorite toppings.
44. Spicy Cinnamon-Spiked Sweet Potato Tostadas
These sweet potato tostadas are a colorful spin on traditional meat-topped tostadas. The sweet potatoes are roasted with chile de árbol and cinnamon.
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Get Excited About Lent This Year!
Hopefully these 44 recipes will leave you inspired. I’d love to hear what you made. Snap a pic of your dish me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below. Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!
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