Each November, Mexico comes alive with color, candlelight, and music. While Halloween winds down in the U.S., Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—transforms streets and homes into festivals of remembrance.

Families build altars for loved ones, layering them with marigolds, candles, photos, and keepsakes. Painted skulls brighten plazas and parades, reminders that life and death belong to the same story.

At the heart of it all is food—meals prepared to honor those no longer at the table. Many traditional dishes are naturally plant-based, and others can be adapted with ease.

Here are five vegan recipes, shared with Love Veg Mexico, that capture the flavor of the holiday:

1. Stuffed peppers with cranberry-soy filling

Chiles rellenos, or “stuffed chiles,” have filled Mexican tables for generations. In this version, roasted poblanos are filled with soy protein, potatoes, cranberries, and almonds, then gently finished with soft marigold petals.

stuffed pepper

2. Chocolate-chile mole sauce

Mole (MOH-lay) is Mexico’s signature celebration sauce, often placed on Day of the Dead altars as a symbol of abundance. This vegan version layers dried chiles, nuts, plantain, and dark chocolate into a rich, smoky sauce. Ladle it over rice, tamales, or your favorite side dish. 

chocolate chile mole sauce

3. Mexican rice

Yes—Mexican rice can be vegan! While some traditional recipes use chicken stock or lard, vegetable bouillon brings out the flavor in this recipe. The rice is cooked with tomatoes, garlic, and onion, then mixed with carrots and peas for color and texture.

Mexican Rice

4. Swiss chard tamales

This iconic dish is made with masa—a dough from corn treated with limewater—spread inside a soaked corn husk. The husk is then filled with vegetables, folded, and steamed until tender. The result is a soft, flavorful bundle that’s unwrapped before eating.

5. Creamy cinnamon citrus drink 

Champurrado is a Day of the Dead essential—rich, thick, and spiced with cinnamon. Made with masa harina (corn flour treated with limewater) and finished with citrus, it’s the perfect pairing for your holiday menu.

citrus drink

Your next dish awaits…

Hungry for more Latin American flavor?

English: Try five plant-based recipes from five different countries.

Español: Descubre más recetas a base de plantas en Love Veg Latino.