7 Mexican Meatless Recipes for Ash Wednesday and Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is the 40-day (excluding Sundays) season that precedes Easter. On Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, most Catholics abstain from eating meat, but we do eat fish. Growing up Catholic, Fridays meant meatless meals, even when it wasn’t the Lenten season. Every Friday we all gathered at our grandma’s house for her famous red chile and cheese enchiladas.

Related: Best Meals to Eat During Lent

Ash Wednesday Dinner Ideas

Although we have not committed to that tradition year round, we still give up meat on Fridays during Lent. If you take part in Lent, remember, you don’t have to substitute sabor during this time of reflection. Here are my favorite Mexican meatless recipes and Ash Wednesday dinner ideas for Lent.

1. Enchiladas Verdes (Green Enchiladas)

Freshly roasted green chile sauce smothering soft fried corn tortillas, all topped with a mountain of cheese. (Cheese is subbing in for meat here.)

Get the recipe: Enchiladas Verdes

2. Refried Bean and Guacamole Tostadas

These two complement each other like two peas in a pod. A dollop of guacamole and refried beans spread over a crunchy corn tostada makes this dish the ideal go-to meal for a meatless day.

Get the recipe: Refried Bean and Guacamole Tostadas

3. Chiles Rellenos de Camarones y Queso (Cheese and Shrimp Stuffed Poblanos)

Poblano peppers filled with shrimp and melted cheese. This has become one of my favorite stuffed pepper dishes.

Get the recipe: Chiles Rellenos de Camarones y Queso

4. Blackened Tilapia Fish Tacos With Chipotle Aioli Sauce

The explosion of flavors featured in this recipe is definitely worth repeating every Friday night during Lent.

Get the recipe: Blackened Tilapia Fish Tacos

5. Chipotle Tequila Shrimp

Bring your family back to the table for taco night. Try these colorful shrimp tacos for a family dinner with celebratory flair.

Get the recipe: Chipotle Tequila Shrimp

6. Frijoles de la Olla

A fresh pot of pinto beans is always welcome as a side dish.

Get the recipe: Frijoles de la Olla

7. Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

This is our heavenly family recipe for the most popular dessert we eat during Lent. Capirotada is a Mexican bread pudding made with cinnamon, piloncillo, cloves, raisins, bread, and cheese. It is beyond delicious.

Get the recipe: Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

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