Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet with Plant-Based Crema

Get ready to enjoy a delicious and easy meal with this Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet! This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal.

What makes it so special? Not only is this recipe gluten-free, but you’ll be making your own tortilla chips! No need for store-bought tortilla chips, it’s actually easier than you think to roast up your own!

With a flavorful mix of black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, corn, and a spice blend, this vegan Mexican skillet is packed with nutrition.

Topped with fresh avocado, Roma tomatoes, green cabbage, cilantro, and a melty vegan cheese blend, every bite is a burst of flavor. Let’s get cooking!

What are Chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles is a traditional Mexican dish that features lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters, topped with green or red salsa.

It’s often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or brunch dish in Mexico. But it can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

The tortillas in a chilaquiles recipe are simmered until they soften slightly, then served with a variety of toppings (traditionally it would be topped with meat, cheese, scrambled or fried eggs, and refried beans).

Common garnishes include crema (a type of sour cream), crumbled queso fresco, sliced onions, avocado, and cilantro.

But today we will be making our chilaquiles vegan. I’ll also show you how to make vegan crema!

Gluten-Free Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet Recipe

By cutting tortilla wraps, just like pizza slices, and baking them in the oven, you get crispy, homemade chips that are perfect for this dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Vegan Chilaquiles

Tortilla Chips:

• 6 Small, soft, Corn Tortillas (4.5”)
• Olive oil (for brushing)
• Salt (optional)

Vegan + Gluten-Free Small Tortillas:

Skillet:

• 1 Onion, chopped
• 1 can Fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 Avocado, diced
• 1 can Black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup Corn niblets
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup Green Cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup Vegan cheese shreds
• Optional : Sliced jalapenos

Spices:

• 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Chili Powder

Vegan crema:

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 1 hour or overnight in cold water)
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

Vegan crema substitution: if you don’t want to make cashew crema, you can use vegan mayonnaise instead.

Instructions – How To Make Vegan Chilaquiles

1. Combine the Spices:

Create the spice blend by mixing the granulated garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a small bowl.

2. Make the Tortilla Chips:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Stack tortillas and slice into 4 equal wedges, like pizza slices.
• Toss the tortilla wedges in a mixing bowl with oil, salt and pepper.
• Lay the tortilla chips on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Remove from oven when crispy, and set aside.

3. Prepare the Vegan Crema

• Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
• Combine cashews, water, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt in a blender. (I love this one).
• Blend until Smooth: Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
• If too chunky, slowly add more water a tablespoon at a time if you prefer a thinner consistency.
• This vegan crema can be refrigerated for up to a week.

4. Prepare the Skillet Topping Mixtre:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the spice blend (granulated garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder) and stir for another minute.
• Stir in fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, and corn niblets and 1 cup water.
• Cover with lid and cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat when most of the liquid has evaporated, and scoop the topping mixture into a bowl.

5. Assemble the Skillet:

• Place the tortilla chips into an oven-safe skillet, and place the topping mixture on top.
• Sprinkle the vegan cheese over the mixture and place the skillet into the oven on broil for 30 seconds or until cheese melts.*
• Remove from oven and top with diced Roma tomatoes, shredded green cabbage, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro. (And if using; sliced jalapenos).
• * Alternative method: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can place the topping mixture onto the tortilla chips on the baking pan and broil in oven for 30 seconds.

6. Serve:

• Serve the skillet mixture with the homemade tortilla chips.
• Drizzle with the vegan crema on top, and top with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.

By the way, this vegan plant-based crema is perfect for drizzling over tacos, burritos, or any dish that could use a creamy, tangy topping!

Tips For Making This Recipe Gluten-Free

This recipe for Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet is gluten-free, but when buying your ingredients you will still need to check the labels.

Corn Tortillas: Ensure the corn tortillas are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain traces of gluten due to cross-contamination.

Spices and Seasonings: Verify that all spices and seasonings, including the granulated garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder, are gluten-free. Some spice blends can contain fillers or anti-caking agents with gluten.

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Check that the canned fire-roasted tomatoes do not contain any gluten-containing additives or preservatives.

Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet with Plant-Based Crema – Conclusion

Congratulations on creating a delicious Vegan Chilaquiles Black Bean Taco Skillet! This meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend gathering. It also makes a great Summer BBQ dish.

Making your own tortilla chips adds a special touch and ensures a fresh, crispy base for your flavorful skillet.

The combination of hearty black beans, fresh vegetables, and creamy vegan cheese makes this dish a win in our home.

Enjoy it with your family or friends and take pride in serving a Mexican meal that’s this tasty and wholesome. Happy cooking!