As Halloween comes to an end, Dia de los Muertos begins. This traditional Mexican holiday, taking place every November 1st and 2nd, is a celebration of life and a time to honor loved ones who have passed away. On November 1, All Saints Day or El Día de los Inocentes, it is believed that the spirits of lost children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. Adults who have passed are said to visit on November 2, All Souls Day, or Day of the Dead. During this time, it is traditional to prepare your loved one’s favorite foods in their honor. This leads to a wide variety of selections, which differ from country to country. Often, these dishes are placed on an altar featuring photos, candles, sugar skulls, marigolds, and more. People may visit cemeteries, tell stories about their loved ones, play music, sing songs, and dance.

9 Vegan Recipes for Day of the Dead Celebrations

Many traditional dishes served for Dia de los Muertos are meat-based, but they can easily be modified for a vegan diet. The following are nine such recipes. These are perfect for honoring your loved ones with compassion in mind.

Pan de Muerto From Happy Vegannie

This sweet traditional Mexican bread is a perfect selection for your Dia de los Muertos celebration. The secret ingredient that makes it so light, soft, and airy is mashed potatoes. Make it plain or add some variations like chocolate, almond, fruit, or cinnamon.

Calabaza En Tacha From Mexican Made Meatless

Calabaza En Tacha is a traditional, seasonal Mexican candied pumpkin. These soft pieces of pumpkin coated in a spiced syrup made with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel are both beautiful and delicious. Serve this dish warm with a drizzle of plant-based milk or cream for both Dia de los Muertos and the entire fall season.

Mexican Chocolate-Chile Mole Sauce From LoveVeg

Another Mexican tradition, this rich mole (MOH-lay) sauce has nuts, spices, dried chiles, and just a bit of chocolate. It is considered a symbol of joy and togetherness. Enjoy this tasty sauce with rice, vegetables, or even a plant-based protein.

Vegan Chiles Rellenos From Dora’s Table

These decadent roasted poblano peppers are stuffed with vegan cheese, then fried until crispy. Use the recipe author’s favorite vegan cheese (Chao), your own favorite, or make macadamia nut queso fresco with the included recipe. Serve on a plate of tomato sauce.

Vegan Portabello ‘Huitlacoche’ Tamales From VegNews

The rare Mexican delicacy, Huitlacoche (weet-lah-koh-che), grows on ears of corn. Also known as a “corn truffle” or “corn mushroom”, it adds a nice smoky flavor to traditional Mexican recipes. Huitlacoche can be hard to come by, however, so this tamale recipe substitutes quick-cured portobello mushrooms instead. These tempting tamales will make an excellent addition to your Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

Vegan Pozole From Hola Jalapeno

This traditional Mexican soup is usually made with a special type of corn known as pozole. Pozole is quite hard to find in the US, however, so this recipe replaces the pozole with hominy. The soup also contains pinto beans and other veggies in a green chile sauce broth. Garnish with shredded cheese, dried oregano, shredded cabbage, and white onion.

Atole de Vainilla From Muy Bueno

Mexican Atole de Vainilla is a simple, warm drink reminiscent of traditional Mexican horchata, often served for breakfast or as a dessert. Substitute almond, oat, or soy milk to make a plant-based recipe. You can also turn this recipe into a champurrado by adding chocolate.

Vegan Flan From Dora’s Table

Another tasty dish from Dora’s Table, flan is a Mexican custard-like dessert typically made with dairy and eggs. This vegan version lets you enjoy a more compassionate flan by using plant-based milks and adding agar agar powder for thickness.

Vegan Sugar Skulls From BitterSweet

No Dia de los Muertos celebration is complete without sugar skulls. These gorgeous, sweet treats are often given as gifts to children or placed on an altar honoring a lost loved one. The traditional recipe for sugar skulls usually calls for egg whites or meringue to bind the sugar, but this recipe uses aquafaba instead. Get creative with your decorations to create a beautiful piece of art.

Honor and Remember with Vegan Recipes

Dia de los Muertos is a wonderful celebration of life. Make these recipes to honor loved ones who have passed away or veganize other favorite Mexican recipes. Let us know which recipes you decide to try and share any new recipes you adapt.