Easy Vegan Fajitas – the best Fajita recipe

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The best vegan Fajitas loaded with peppers and onions – These super easy vegan fajitas are one of my favorite easy weeknight dinners. It barely takes 20 minutes to make and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. They are loaded with spicy bell peppers, sweet corn, and meaty jackfruit or mushrooms – all the textures you could possibly want and packed with so many delicious flavors.

The thing is, I adore Mexican food just as much as everyone else. But I’m also a lazy cook. I don’t have that much time to cook during the week, but I still want to eat fairly healthy and I also want everything to taste amazing. Preferably, I would like every dinner to taste like I spent hours making it, because it’s just so flavorful, while I actually only want to spend 30 minutes or less making it. It’s a pretty tall order, but this recipe definitely delivers. 
Because of all the spices, it’s like an explosion of taste that’s so rich that all meat eaters never guess it’s vegan. And because it’s so easy and quick to make, I can literally throw everything together last minute and still serve a delicious and healthy dinner. It doesn’t get any better than that from my viewpoint.

In this easy plant-based fajitas recipe we’re covering 

• Vegan fajitas ingredients 
• Coconut lime dressing for fajitas 
• How to cut onions for fajitas 
• Chopped onions versus diced 
• How to sauté peppers and onions for fajitas 
• How to roast peppers and onions 
• Delicious fajita topping ideas
• Easy wheat tortillas recipe
• Storing information 
• FAQs 

What’s great about this easy vegan fajitas recipe:

• Super quick and easy to make – it’s pretty much my go-to quick weeknight dinner if I haven’t had time to think about it or plan ahead
• Delicious, spicy, and packed with metabolism-boosting flavors
• Healthy, low-calorie, and loaded with vitamins and minerals
• Vegan and can be gluten-free
• Ideal to use any leftovers for the next days lunch

Vegan Fajitas Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil – alternatively, you can substitute with your preferred vegetable oil like avocado oil, coconut oil, or sesame oil
• 1 Red Onion Chopped – red onions, white onions, green onions, spring onions, and even leeks can all work well as your sauteed onions
• Bell peppers – 1 Red Bell Pepper + 1 Yellow Bell Pepper. You can also use green bell peppers for a more spicy flavor, or sweet bell peppers for more caramelized textures. Slice the fajita vegetables into long slivers of delicious peppery goodness. You can use any color of bell peppers you prefer to make delicious sauteed peppers. 
• 1 cup Sweet Corn – fresh or frozen. Sweet corn is optional but these colorful nuggets of sweetness are delicious in fajitas.
• 2 cups Jackfruit – or thickly sliced Mushrooms. Using portobello mushrooms gives the fajitas a deliciously meaty umami flavor and texture. Baby Bella Mushrooms, or white mushrooms also work great as the meat free meat substitute in fajitas. Just fry the mushrooms along with the peppers and onions. It couldn’t be any easier! When I’m using jackfruit I usually like to use the canned jackfruit variety. It’s ready to add to any dinner, just heat it and serve. It saves me a lot of time and it always gets me the results I want. Plus, if I can limit the amount of peeling, rinsing, and especially cleaning up afterward, then I’m all for that.
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced – or 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder.
• 3 tbsp Barbeque Sauce – optional but delicious! Use your favorite BBQ sauce to add extra flavor or grab my easy barbecue sauce from this recipe 

Seasoning and more

• Seasoning – 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, ½ tsp Ground Coriander, 1 tbsp Harissa or spicy salsa, 1 tsp Dried Basil, 1/2 tsp salt, Pinch of Pepper (1/4-1/2 tsp depending on how much pepper you like). Or you can substitute the seasoning with fajita seasoning and add a little cayenne pepper or black pepper for added spiciness. We’re working with a lot of spices because the spices are what make these vegan fajitas the best plant-based fajitas you will ever eat. Be generous with the seasoning. This is one of those instances where more is always better!
• 1 bunch of Fresh Cilantro – or other fresh herbs of your choice. Chop cilantro for a classic fajita garnish or substitute with fresh basil, or your choice of fresh herbs. Anything goes so grab your favorite herbs and garnish generously!
• 8 Wheat Tortillas – For fajitas, you’ll want to use flour tortillas unless you can’t eat gluten. Flour tortillas have a soft and pliable texture that pairs well with the grilled veggie meat and vegetables. You can even warm them up on a skillet or in the oven for an added touch of deliciousness.

Coconut Lime Dressing ingredients 

• ¼ cup Coconut Yogurt
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Maple Syrup
• Juice from ½ Lime
• 1 tsp Lime Zest
• 1 Avocado
• Pinch of salt

Vegan coconut lime dressing

I like to make a vegan coconut lime yogurt dressing, but you can use any type of dressing you prefer. If you want to switch the coconut yogurt out with soy yogurt, then you absolutely can. There are no rules with this easy recipe. 
All that really matters is that the spicy fajita veggies mix gets a cooling accomplice. You can use any type of dressing, yogurt, or even vegan mayonnaise if you prefer. Just use whatever you have at hand because that cooling, silky dressing will bind the hot veggies together and take the dish to the next level.
For my dressing, I like to add a bit of extra flavor by making a coconut yogurt with lime dressing. But you could just as easily just use plain unsweetened plant yogurt and it will still turn out amazing because there’s already so much flavor going on in the veggies.

Delicious vegan meat substitutes to use in fajitas

Some vegan meat substitutes that would work well in fajitas are diced tempeh, seitan strips, jackfruit, or sliced portobello mushrooms. You could also try using tofu or other sliced mushrooms for a plant-based protein option. 

How to cut onions for fajitas 

1. Start by slicing off the top and bottom of the onion, then cut it in half from top to bottom.
2. Remove the papery skin and slice off the root end.
3. Lay each half of the onion flat on the cutting board, and slice them into thin, half-moon shapes.
4. If you want to make the onions into long strips, you can then cut the half-moon shapes lengthwise.

That’s it! You now have perfectly sliced onions for your fajitas.

Chopped onions versus diced 

Diced onions and chopped onions are similar, but there are a few differences.

Chopped onions are cut into small, irregular pieces, usually around 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. They are often used in recipes where the onions will be cooked until soft, such as in soups, stews, or casseroles.

Diced onions, on the other hand, are cut into uniform, small cubes, usually around 1/4 inch in size. They are often used in recipes where the onions will be sautéed and should retain some texture, such as in stir-fries, omelets, or salads.

Both chopped and diced onions can be used interchangeably in many recipes, but the choice often comes down to personal preference and the desired texture of the final dish.

How to sauté peppers and onions 

Grilled peppers and onions recipe Ingredients:

• 2 bell peppers (any color, green peppers, red peppers, yellow peppers all work)
• 1 onion (yellow onions, red onions, or your preferred type of onions all work great)
• 2-3 tablespoons of oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or cayenne pepper

How to saute onions and peppers for fajitas Instructions:

1. Wash and cut the peppers in half, remove the seeds, and slice them into thin slices.
2. Peel and cut the onion in half, then slice each half into thin strips.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the sliced peppers and onions to the skillet and stir to coat with the oil.
5. Cook the peppers and onions, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and slightly caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 
7. Tip: For extra smoky flavors add 1-2 teaspoon smoked paprika while sauteeing. It will give so much flavor to your vegetarian fajitas. 

And that’s it! Sautéed peppers and onions are a delicious and versatile side dish that can complement many meals.

How to roast peppers and onions 

Favorite Mexican Restaurant copycat roast peppers and onions Ingredients:

• 2 bell peppers (any color, red pepper, orange bell pepper, green pepper etc.)
• 1 onion
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic, herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)

Instructions – how to roast peppers and onions for best results:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the seeds and membranes. Cut the onion into wedges.
3. Place the peppers and onions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil. Add salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings to taste.
5. Toss the vegetables to coat evenly with the oil and seasonings.
6. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the vegetables cool slightly.
8. Serve the roasted peppers and onions as a delicious side dish, or use them in other recipes such as sandwiches, salads, or pasta dishes.

Roasting peppers and onions is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness and enhance their flavors. Enjoy!

More delicious fajita topping ideas

Here are some great fajita topping ideas you can add to your fajitas to jazz up the flavors and make this your favorite recipe!

1. Guacamole or sliced avocado
2. Pico de gallo or salsa
3. Shredded lettuce or cabbage
4. Diced tomatoes or onions
5. Jalapenos or other hot peppers
6. Sour cream or vegan sour cream
7. Shredded vegan cheese or crumbled vegan feta
8. Fresh cilantro
9. Lime wedges for squeezing over the top
10. Roasted or pickled vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms

Easy homemade wheat tortillas recipe 

Here’s an easy recipe for homemade flour tortillas if you want to make your own :

Homemade tortilla Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the warm water and vegetable oil.
3. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls.
6. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a thin, round tortilla.
7. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Cook the tortillas in the skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly golden brown and cooked through.
9. Serve warm.

Enjoy your homemade flour tortillas! 

Gluten-free version

If you need a gluten free fajita version, you’ve come to the right place. There are a few different options to choose from. You can either replace the wheat tortillas with corn tortillas (that’s a super easy and very tasty swap) or you can use gluten-free flour to make your own tortillas (or buy gluten free wheat tortillas at the store).
My favorite gluten-free option is buying corn tortillas…partly because I’m lazy and don’t want to make them myself, and partly because corn tortillas taste amazing and I’m absolutely sure that they are gluten free. Whichever option you choose is sure to be just as tasty as the original, so there’s no going wrong.

So how is this vegan fajitas recipe made? It’s so easy:

Coconut Lime Dressing

• Mix together the unsweetened coconut yogurt with the spices, lime zest, and lime juice in a blender. Next, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scrape the avocado meat into the blender and blend until everything is smooth and combined. Pour any leftover dressing into a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator.

Fajita Mix

• Clean the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Slice the bell peppers into wedges and cook them in a hot pan in olive oil. Chop the red onion and add them to the pan. Stir together and let the bell peppers and red onion cook for a few minutes.
• Next, add the jackfruit, corn, minced garlic, spices, harissa, and barbeque sauce and mix everything together. Let it cook at medium heat for 5 minutes, until the jackfruit is soft and tender.
• Pour half of the chopped cilantro into the pan and mix together.
• Heat the wheat tortillas as instructed on the package and serve your homemade fajitas with your veggies topped with coconut lime dressing and garnished with a little extra fresh cilantro for a delicious easy meal. Enjoy.

How to serve vegan fajitas 

Vegan fajitas are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional fajitas. Here’s how you can serve them:

1. Warm up your tortillas: Place them in a warm, dry skillet for a minute on each side until they are soft and pliable. You can also warm them in the oven or microwave.
2. Prepare your veggies: Slice an assortment of bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and any other veggies you like. You can also add some sliced tofu, jackfruit, or seitan for a meaty texture.
3. Cook your veggies: Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add your veggies and cook until they are browned and tender.
4. Season your veggies: Add your desired seasonings. For example, you can add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot: Spoon the veggie mixture onto your warm tortillas and add your favorite toppings, such as guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, or vegan sour cream. Roll the tortillas up and enjoy your delicious vegan fajitas!

Fajitas prep and storage 

Looking for more tasty vegan recipes? You might like these:

• Loaded vegan Nachos
• Vegan Korean Ramen Noodles
• Easy vegan portobello steaks
• The best vegan chicken patties
• Gluten free vegan lasagna

FAQs – fajitas questions answered

Nutrition and more

Originally published November29, 2019

Updated June 30, 2023