The BEST EVER Vegan Enchiladas! made with an easy ‘meaty’ filling, black beans, homemade enchilada sauce and vegan cheese sauce! Authentic tasting and totally mouthwatering!
I’ve said it before I’m a Mexican food lover!! Tacos, quesadillas, burritos! Love em! But enchiladas are my upmost favourite! So wait until you taste my Vegan Enchiladas! They taste just like beef enchiladas but are dairy free and meat free of course!
VEGAN ENCHILADAS:
Corn tortillas stuffed with a delicious meatless filling made with Gardein Beefless Ground, black beans and green chilies. Then rolled and smothered in the best homemade enchilada sauce ever! Covered with my vegan cheese sauce and baked! Yes please!!
A lot of love went into this recipe! And it shows with the outstanding flavour I achieved with every component: the filling, the enchilada sauce and the cashew cheese sauce! And all three are quick and easy to make!! Woot woot!
This recipe is inspired by a little Mexican restaurant my daughters and I travel to in the US. It’s an hour out of town and totally worth the trip! (All the locals are nodding their heads😊) I would always order the beef enchiladas without fail! Now it’s healthy veggie enchiladas all the way for me!!
Ok lets get to it!
CAN I USE STORE BOUGHT RED SAUCE INSTEAD OF HOMEMADE FOR MY VEGAN ENCHILADAS?
Of course! I really recommend trying my homemade enchilada sauce though. It’s a classic red sauce and far superior than anything out of a can. If you do opt for a pre-made sauce make sure to check the label as some contain milk products.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN ENCHILADA SAUCE:
In a small bowl combine the Mexican seasonings: Chili Powder, ancho Chili powder, cumin, granulated onion and garlic, masa flour and salt, set aside.
Heat the vegan butter in a medium sized sauce pot over medium heat. Once melted add the flour and whisk together for one minute. Add in the seasonings you set aside and stir to combine. Cook for one minute while stirring. Gradually add in the water, whisking continuously to remove any lumps.
Add in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil on medium heat whisking constantly for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. (It thickens more as it cools)
I almost always double the recipe for extra saucy goodness to bring to the table for serving and to use on left over enchiladas and on my tofu breakfast scramble and breakfast potatoes the next morning! Trust me you'll want this enchilada sauce on everything it's that good!! Yum!!
HOW TO MAKE THE VEGAN ENCHILADA FILLING:
I thought about using my Best Taco Meat Recipe or Tex Mex Taco Meat for the filling (which are super tasty) but opted for a filling that would taste as traditional as possible. This is it!
In a large non stick skillet add onions, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softening and browning a bit.
Add the frozen Gardein beefless ground and cook for 4-5 minutes until defrosted and browning a bit. Turn down heat to medium low if necessary.
Add the black beans, canned green chilies and the rest of ingredients and stir to combine. Cook for a couple of minutes or so until heated through and a good consistency. Taste for seasonings and add salt and pepper if necessary.
HOW TO MAKE THE VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE FOR ENCHILADAS:
This cheese sauce is adapted from my Vegan Mozzarella cheese recipe and oh boy is it good!
Soak the cashews in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain and add to you Nutra bullet or high speed blender. Add in the rest of cheese sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. That’s it!
HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE ENCHILADAS:
Preheat oven to 350°
Spread ⅓ cup of sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish (I use my lasagna dish). Set aside
Using tongs or your fingers dip a corn tortilla in the hot enchilada sauce, this will make the tortillas pliable for rolling. Let the excess sauce drip off. Place the tortilla on a cutting board or large plate. Spread ⅓ cup of the filling down the middle of tortilla and roll up. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. (If tortillas aren’t rolling properly wrap a few at a time in a dish cloth, heat in microwave for 30 seconds or so before you dip them).
Evenly pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Followed by the cheese sauce.
Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and broil for 2-4 minutes to thicken and slightly brown the cheese.
Cool for a few minutes on counter. Enjoy!
For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.
CAN FLOUR TORTILLAS BE USED FOR VEGAN ENCHILADAS?
Yes definitely! I would actually choose flour over corn sometimes in restaurants. So it’s completely up to you! Corn tortillas are traditional used for enchiladas though.
CAN THESE VEGAN ENCHILADAS BE MADE GLUTEN FREE?
Yes! Super easy if you’re already using corn tortillas, that’s half the battle! Now just swap out the all purpose flour for a gluten free blend and you’re set.
OK GUYS LETS MAKE SOME VEGAN ENCHILADAS, THEY'RE:
addicting
easy
crazy good!
easily gluten free
healthy
hearty and filling!
creamy
super beefy
Enjoy guys! Happy day to you! feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.
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WANT MORE VEGAN MEXICAN RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- Vegan Quesadillas with Refried Black Beans and Roasted Vegetables
- Vegan Burrito (Better Than Chipotle)
- Vegan Nachos (Fully Loaded)
- Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme (Taco Bell)
Best Ever Vegan Enchiladas With Homemade Enchilada Sauce
- Total Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The BEST EVER Vegan Enchiladas! made with an easy ‘meaty’ filling, black beans, homemade enchilada sauce and vegan cheese sauce! Authentic tasting and totally mouthwatering!
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas (6 inch) or 8 flour tortillas (8 inch)
For the Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce:
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup unsweetened plain vegan yogurt, I use Silk Cultured Coconut Plain Vegan Yogurt.
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon miso, I use Shiro Miso
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt (not powder)
For the Enchilada Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, I use Earth Balance
- 4 tablespoons all purpose flour or gluten free blend like Bob's Red Mill
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon masa flour (corn flour)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Ancho Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Enchilada Filling:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 medium yellow onion or red onion, diced
- 3 cups Gardein Beefless Ground
- 1 can (19 oz) (540 grams) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (127 grams) chopped green chilies
- 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon No Beef Soup Base
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ cup of the enchilada sauce
- ⅓ cup water
For Serving (optional):
- Pico de Gallo ( highly recommended) or your favourite salsa
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
- For the Vegan Cheese Sauce: Add the cashews to a small bowl and cover with boiling water from your kettle. Soak for 5 minutes, drain and add to you Nutra Bullet or high speed blender. Add in the rest of cheese sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- For the Enchilada Sauce: In a small bowl combine the Chili Powder, Ancho Chili powder, cumin, granulated onion and garlic, masa flour and salt, set aside.
- Heat the vegan butter in a medium sized sauce pot over medium heat. Once melted add the flour and whisk together for one minute. Add in the seasonings you set aside and stir to combine. Cook for one minute while stirring. Gradually add in the water, whisking continuously to remove any lumps.
- Add in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil on medium heat, whisking constantly for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. (It thickens more as it cools)
- For the Enchilada Filling: In a large non stick skillet add onions, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until softening and browning a bit.
- Add the frozen Gardein beefless ground and cook for 4-5 minutes until defrosted and browning a bit. Turn down heat to medium low if necessary.
- Add the black beans, canned green chilies and the rest of ingredients and stir to combine. Cook for a couple of minutes or so until heated through and the filling has a good consistency. Taste for seasonings and add salt and pepper if necessary.
- To assemble the Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350°
- Spread ⅓ cup of sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish (I use my lasagna dish). Set aside
- Using tongs or your fingers dip a corn tortilla in the hot enchilada sauce (skip this step if using flour tortillas), this will make the tortillas pliable for rolling. Let the excess sauce drip off. Place the tortilla on a cutting board or large plate. Spread ⅓ cup of the filling down the middle of tortilla and roll up. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Add any remaining filling to the ends of the baking dish. (If corn tortillas aren’t rolling properly wrap a few at a time in a dish cloth, heat in microwave for 30 seconds or so then proceed to dip them).
- Evenly pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas. Followed by the cheese sauce.
- Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and broil for 2-4 minutes to thicken and slightly brown the cheese. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn! Cool for a few minutes on counter. Enjoy! This recipe makes 12 corn enchiladas or 8 flour enchiladas. For step by step photos see post above.
- Serve with Pico de Gallo (highly recommended), chopped cilantro and lime wedges. Chopped avocado or guacamole and vegan sour cream are also great additions! Delicious along side Mexican rice and refried black beans or pinto beans.
Notes
- I highly recommend doubling the enchilada sauce. I almost always do!! I love having extra sauce to bring to the table for serving and to use on left over enchiladas. Seriously this sauce is delicious on everything! It's that good! Or just make extra sauce and freeze for a future batch of enchiladas! and it's perfectly spiced in my opinion (kid friendly). If you'd like more spice add another teaspoon or so of the Chili Powder and Ancho Chili Powder, wait until the end to adjust spice though😊
- For Gluten Free use corn tortillas and a gluten free flour blend for the sauce such as Bob's Red Mill instead of all purpose flour.
- For the cheese topping you can use your favourite store bought vegan cheese grated on top, but I do recommend trying my cheese sauce it's really tasty and tastes like real cheese!
- I have also made the enchilada filling using one package (12 oz) Beyond Beef Plant Based Ground and it was also delicious! Add the beyond beef after you sauté the onions. Break apart well with a fork as it is cooking. Cook well and proceed from step 7. I have not tried using tofu or TVP (textured vegetable protein) for the enchilada filling
- I buy my Ancho Chili powder locally but if you can't find it locally you can buy it here
- Prep Time: 45 Minutes
- Cook Time: 24 Minutes
- Category: Mains, Gluten Free, Sauces & Dressings,
- Method: Stovetop and Oven
- Cuisine: Mexican, Vegan
James says
Made this with a "Not Beef" Flavored TVP from a local bulk store. It was really good. Didn't have any ancho chili powder, so I used chipotle chili powder and added a little cayenne for heat. I also used the Don Pancho Golden Blend Tortillas, because my family loves them. This was absolutely delicious.
Elisabeth says
Wow! This was amazing. I used regular flour, subbed regular chili powder for the ancho, and used vegetable broth instead of the water/boullion. Time consuming, but SO good.
Verna Rindler says
Yay!! super thrilled you enjoyed it, thank you for your wonderful review it is so helpful 🙂
Kristen says
Is there a substitute for the Masa corn flour, or can I just omit it?
Verna Rindler says
Hi Kristen you can leave it out but it does add nice flavour 🙂 enjoy!
Belle says
Wow wow wow!!! Made these with impossible meat. Could not tell they were vegan and probably one of the best enchiladas I’ve ever made. That sauce is gold! Thanks a bunch!
Verna says
Oh thanks so much! what a nice compliment!
monica says
Hi! I made this recipe and it was delicious, but there is a problem with printing it from the print button, as googleadservices cuts off a portion of the recipe at the bottom. It negates the value of being able to print the recipe out. Is there any way to fix that? Thanks! It would be much easier to follow along with a printed one, instead of my ipad, which locks up after so many minutes.
Verna says
Thrilled you enjoyed the recipe Monica and thanks for the heads up I will check it out!
Carol Bailey says
This was delicious! It’s definitely going in my recipe box for regular use.
Verna says
Thanks so much Carol! Thrilled you enjoyed the enchiladas!! appreciate your comment!
Wendy Taylor says
Can you make prepare this ahead and then cook it from frozen? If so, how long and what temp? Thanks!
Verna says
Hi Wendy, I would suggest a 350° oven, cover frozen lasagna with tin foil and bake for 35-40 minutes or until heated through, uncover and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese 😊 Hope this helps Wendy! enjoy!
Karen Nesbitt says
Hi Verna, what would I use in place of Ancho Chili Powder. I do not have any and cannot buy just a small portion of it. i do not want to order it off Amazon unless I know it would be a regular staple in my spice arsenal. Does it have a smokey flavour or does it just add ore heat? I am trying to figure out what to replace it with in the recipe.
Thanks.
Verna says
Hi Karen, Ancho Chili peppers are not hot, they're slightly sweet and smoky with a mild heat. The peppers are most commonly used in enchilada sauce for that authentic flavour. You could just replace it with more Chili Powder but it would be spicier. I would suggest buying some for the future it's a great spice I use it in my Chili recipe too and it's great in soup as well. Great in Mexican dishes period like mole,...etc! Hope that helps! Happy day to you Karen!
Karen Nesbitt says
Thanks for the quick response. Perhaps I will add a little smoked paprika to replace for now. I will also check with our Bulk Barn Store to see if they have it so I can buy just a little to try.
Verna says
I do have a link highlighted for Ancho Chili powder in the ingredient section of the recipe card on my enchilada post it is for amazon, if you can't find it anywhere else😊
Laura says
Delicious! Next time I will take your advice and double the enchilada sauce. Was by far the best one I've made and I've made a few. Also love your burrito recipe. Thank you for the great recipes
Verna says
Oh thank you so much Laura. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the enchiladas. Yes the sauce is very tasty, glad you like it!
Midge says
We shared these on the weekend and they were such a hit
Verna says
Oh that's great! thrilled you all enjoyed the enchiladas! Thank you!
Cindy says
So good!! The vegan meat filling tasted just like beef!
Verna says
I know it's crazy right! Thanks for your comment Cindy, so glad you enjoyed the enchiladas!