For the hot and spicy food lovers, this one’s for you. Here are our 23 favorite spicy vegetarian recipes, featuring your favorite spicy cuisines like Mexican, Indian, and Korean!
After living here in the Netherlands for some time, where spicy Indonesian and Suriname food is everywhere, my tolerance to spice has skyrocketed. No meal really feels complete without a spicy element!
Some of my favorite ways to bring heat to food are:
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a pinch of these brings a surprising amount of spice! It’s great on pastas and tomato-based recipes.
- Sriracha: For any Asian-inspired recipe that needs spice, I usually reach for the the world’s favorite Thai hot sauce, sriracha.
- Adobo: If Mexican is on the menu, I grab the adobo. I always keep a jar of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in the fridge, using either just the adobo sauce or a minced chipotle pepper to bring smoky heat.
- Cayenne pepper: Dried and ground cayenne is great for adding heat to things like roasted chickpeas, tofu, and cauliflower.
- Sliced jalapeño: You can never go wrong with throwing a few slices of jalapeño, either fresh or pickled, into your recipe! Leave the seeds in for extra spiciness, or take them out to tame the heat.
I’m not the kind to push the limits of spice (though we do love to watch other people do that), so these recipes aren’t necessarily spicy overload. They’re everyday kind of spicy foods that won’t wreck you, but will have you feeling warm! 🔥
Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos
A spicy dry rub transforms cauliflower and chickpeas into a spiced taco filling! Tame the heat with quick cabbage slaw and avocado sauce.
Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry
This Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry recipe is an easy, flexible Thai curry recipe that transforms boring weeknight dinner into an exciting meal! Add as little or as much curry paste as you want, depending on your love of spicy food.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is a delicious, savory dish. This vegan snack is perfect as an appetizer or side dish and pairs deliciously with your favorite creamy dip!
Buffalo Mushroom Poppers
These Buffalo Mushroom Poppers are stuffed with creamy jalapeno filling, coated in a quick panko crust, baked to crispy perfection, and topped off with buffalo sauce and bleu cheese dipping sauce.
Roasted Chickpea Gyros
This Roasted Chickpea Gyros recipe is an easy vegetarian dinner for feeding everyone on busy weeknights! The spicy chickpeas are balanced by the cooling tzatziki - you won't want to put it down!
Huevos Rancheros
This authentic Huevos Rancheros recipe is an easy, healthy Mexican dish made with black beans, Pico de Gallo, and more!
Tempeh Tacos with Avocado Kiwi Salsa
With a spiced tempeh ground "meat", these Tempeh Tacos with Avocado Kiwi Salsa are a unique, refreshing, and ultra-tasty meat-free way to celebrate taco Tuesday (or taco Everyday). Take the spice to the next level with your favorite hot sauce!
Soyrizo Tacos with Adobo Crème
These Soyrizo Tacos are stuffed with homemade vegan chorizo and quick-pickled red cabbage, topped off with a smoky adobo crème.
Easy Kimchi Ramen Hack
This easy kimchi ramen hack takes a regular packet of instant ramen and transforms it into something that’s packed with veggies and lots of flavor. It’s a quick and easy instant ramen hack.
Southwest Spring Rolls
These vegetarian Southwest Spring Rolls are packed with fresh vegetables and dipped in a smoky chipotle sauce. You’ll forget how healthy they are as you devour the whole pile!
Baked General Tso's Cauliflower
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower tastes better than the Chinese takeout we all know and love (but without the frying or meat!)
Quick Pickled Jalapeños
For an extra dash of flavor on your tacos, nachos, and salads, add some pickled jalapeños! This Quick Pickled Jalapeños recipe requires just 5 minutes of hands-on prep time and is a great way to totally up-level your meals.
Shakshuka
This 1-dish, easy shakshuka recipe is a traditional North African meal that’s incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor! We like to make ours extra spicy with crushed red pepper flakes.
Fried Rice Meal Prep
This week for lunch, consider Fried Rice Meal Prep your go-to! Consisting of fried rice, tofu, and sriracha mayo, this combo is filling and full of flavor.
Kimchi Bibimbap
Kimchi bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish made with kimchi, mushrooms, roasted veggies, and a deliciouly spiced gochujang sauce. This dish is kind of like a Buddha bowl and only requires 30 minutes to make!
Vegetarian Buffalo Dip
This vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Dip uses shredded oyster mushrooms to recreate your favorite tailgate dip!
Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl
This Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl has plant-based tuna made with tomatoes, and all the fixings of your favorite poke bowls (including the spicy mayo)!
Kimchi Fries
Is anyone in the mood for some loaded fries? If so, these loaded vegetarian kimchi fries are the way to go! Made with all of the toppings, this tasty dish is packed with flavor and requires just 15 minutes to make.
Pico de Gallo
This easy Pico de Gallo recipe is a naturally vegan, healthy, Mexican condiment you’ll love! Serve it alongside your favorite Mexican meal for a delicious appetizer or side.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
With caramelized potatoes, spiced black beans, and a creamy chipotle sauce, these sweet potato black bean tacos are the ultimate vegetarian taco! Spice them up even more by drizzling your favorite hot sauce on top.
Kimchi Tempeh Tacos
Looking for an easy, Asian-inspired taco recipe sure to please your tastebuds and leave your stomach feeling nice and full? These Kimchi Tempeh Tacos will do just that. They’re totally delicious and require just 20 minutes!
Buffalo Tempeh Tenders
These Buffalo Tempeh Tenders are baked to crispy perfection and slathered in buffalo sauce to make the most addictive vegetarian comfort food!
Enchilada Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Need a healthy vegetarian dinner outside of your usual routine? These Enchilada Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are flavored with a quick homemade enchilada sauce and baked to bubbly, cheesy perfection. Ensure that they're extra spicy by using spicy paprika powder (rather than sweet).
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