A Mexican Torta is more than just a sandwich; it’s a vibrant explosion of flavors and textures that instantly transports you to the bustling streets of Mexico. This hearty and satisfying meal, packed with savory fillings and fresh toppings, is a true culinary delight. My recipe, inspired by cherished memories of summers in Michoacan, brings the authentic taste of a Mexican Torta to your kitchen, completely plant-based without compromising on tradition or taste. Get ready to experience a Mexican Sandwich that will become a new favorite!
vegan mexican torta
What Exactly is a Mexican Torta?
In essence, a torta is Mexico’s answer to a hearty sandwich. Imagine a crusty, flavorful roll generously filled with layers of deliciousness. Traditionally, these fillings include refried beans, a choice of succulent meat, vibrant vegetables, and the essential tangy kick of pickled jalapeños. Sometimes, you’ll even find cheese adding another layer of richness. The word “torta” itself translates to “cake” in Spanish, but don’t let that fool you. A Mexican Torta is a savory, substantial sandwich experience, built on a foundation of a robust roll and brimming with bold, authentic flavors.
For me, Mexican tortas are deeply intertwined with nostalgic memories of my childhood trips to Mexico. Visiting “La Plaza” and indulging in a torta bursting with carnitas, creamy avocado, refried beans, melted cheese, and fiery jalapeños was an absolute must. This iconic dish remains my favorite authentic Mexican food, a culinary experience that’s truly unmatched. I am incredibly excited to share this plant-based rendition of the classic torta, hoping you’ll find it as irresistible as I do!
Can a Plant-Based Torta Truly Be Authentic?
Absolutely! The beauty of Mexican cuisine lies in its adaptability and deep-rooted traditions, many of which are inherently plant-based. Authenticity in food isn’t solely about rigidly adhering to a specific ingredient list. It’s about capturing the essence of the dish – the flavors, the techniques, and the cultural spirit. Mexican cooking has a rich history of utilizing plant-based staples like beans, corn, chilies, tomatoes, squash, and a diverse array of herbs and spices. Historically, resourcefulness and ingredient substitutions have always been a part of home cooking, even in Mexico. You might be surprised how readily plant-based alternatives are embraced, especially when they deliver the same incredible taste and satisfaction. Often, once people take a bite of a delicious plant-based torta, any skepticism about meat substitutes simply melts away! 😉
Essential Tips for the Perfect Mexican Torta
My recipe features spicy carnitas made from jackfruit, infused with a savory-sweet blend of maple syrup, soy sauce, and a medley of spices. When working with jackfruit for carnitas, remember these key steps to achieve the best results:
- Always Rinse the Jackfruit: Canned jackfruit is typically packed in brine or syrup. Rinsing it thoroughly is crucial to remove any lingering canned flavor and allows the jackfruit to absorb the seasonings better.
- Pat it Dry: Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy carnitas. After rinsing, squeeze out as much water as possible and pat the jackfruit dry with paper towels. This step ensures it crisps up beautifully in the pan, air fryer, or oven.
- Taste and Adjust Seasonings: Cooking is a journey of personal preference! As you prepare the carnitas, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Craving more heat? Add extra chili powder. Prefer a touch more sweetness? A drizzle more maple syrup will do the trick. Don’t be afraid to customize the flavors to create your perfect torta filling.
mexican torta ingredients
Mexican Torta Ingredient Swaps: Customize Your Torta
One of the great things about tortas is their versatility. Feel free to adapt the ingredients to your taste and what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ingredient substitutions to explore:
Bread: The Foundation of a Great Torta
The quintessential bread for an authentic Mexican torta is the Bolillo roll. These crusty on the outside, soft on the inside rolls are the ideal vessel for holding all the delicious fillings. You might be pleasantly surprised to find Bolillo rolls at your local grocery stores, especially in areas with Mexican bakeries or larger supermarket chains. Check stores like Safeway or Lucky, or definitely explore Mexican grocery stores in your area. For a truly authentic experience, I highly recommend trying Dora’s Bolillo recipe if you enjoy baking! If Bolillos are unavailable, excellent substitutes include sturdy burger buns or French bread rolls, ensuring they are robust enough to hold the torta fillings without getting soggy.
Carnitas: Beyond Jackfruit
While I love using jackfruit for a plant-based carnitas, Mexican tortas offer a wide range of fillings. If jackfruit isn’t your preference, or you want to try something different, here are some delicious alternatives for the “meat” component of your torta:
- Soyrizo (Vegan Chorizo): For a spicy and flavorful kick, soyrizo is an excellent choice. Trader Joe’s offers a popular and affordable vegan chorizo that works wonderfully.
- Extra Refried Beans: For an incredibly easy and satisfying torta, simply double up on the refried beans. This makes for a delicious and protein-rich vegetarian option.
- Thick-Cut Tofu: Extra-firm tofu, when pan-fried and seasoned, becomes a surprisingly meaty and flavorful filling. Slice a thick piece of tofu and fry it with a touch of oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and nutritional yeast for a savory protein boost.
- King Oyster or Portobello Mushrooms: Mushrooms offer a naturally meaty texture and umami flavor. Shred king oyster mushrooms with a fork or slice portobello mushrooms and sauté them with the same seasonings you would use for jackfruit carnitas.
- Seitan: Seitan, made from wheat gluten, is another fantastic high-protein, meat-like alternative. You can either make your own seitan or purchase pre-made seitan from many grocery stores.
green jackfruit in brine
Beans: Pinto or Black, or Both!
Refried beans are a non-negotiable element of a classic Mexican torta, adding creaminess and depth of flavor. I personally enjoy using both pinto and black beans, depending on my mood and what I have available. You can certainly use canned refried beans for convenience, or make your own from scratch if you prefer. Once again, Trader Joe’s canned refried beans are a favorite of mine because they have a simple, authentic flavor without excessive seasonings that can sometimes overpower the other torta ingredients.
Veggies: Freshness is Key
To achieve that authentic torta experience, don’t skimp on the fresh vegetables! I highly recommend including crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and the zesty punch of pickled jalapeños. Avocado is optional, but in my opinion, it’s a must-have for its creamy richness and flavor. For an extra layer of flavor and bite, you can also add thinly sliced red onions.
Storage Tip: Mexican tortas are best enjoyed fresh when the bread is perfectly crusty and the fillings are vibrant. However, if you have leftovers, they can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for 24-48 hours. Keep in mind that the bread may soften slightly upon refrigeration.
Authentic Plant-based Mexican Torta Recipe
This recipe will guide you step-by-step in creating a truly delicious and authentic plant-based Mexican Torta in your own kitchen. Embrace the flavors, customize it to your liking, and enjoy the taste of Mexico!
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Description
This authentic Mexican Torta recipe takes me back to summers in Michoacan Mexico. It is hearty, flavorful, and delicious! The combination of jackfruit carnitas, refried beans, avocado, jalapenos, and crunchy lettuce will leave you wanting more. Make sure to give this Mexican Sandwich a try!
Ingredients
Scale
Carnitas:
- 1 can of Jackfruit (canned in water or brine, not syrup)
- ½ large onion, diced
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (like avocado or vegetable oil)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1–2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp chili powder (optional, for added spice)
Torta ingredients:
- 4 Bolillo rolls, burger buns, or French bread rolls
- 1-1 ½ cup refried beans (canned or homemade)
- 1-2 avocados, sliced or mashed
- 4 pickled jalapeños, sliced (or more to taste)
- ½ head of lettuce, shredded
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 tbsp vegan mayo (optional, for grilling bread)
Instructions
Carnitas Instructions:
Pan:
- Drain and rinse jackfruit well to get rid of the brine flavor.
- Use your hands to shred the jackfruit, leaving some pieces slightly chunkier for texture (see photo above for reference). Don’t shred it all the way to a pulp.
- Pat the shredded jackfruit dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add neutral oil. Add diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add the shredded jackfruit, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and chili powder (if using). Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in soy sauce/tamari and maple syrup, mix well to coat the jackfruit, and continue to cook for another 7-8 minutes, or until the jackfruit is golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Taste the carnitas and add any additional seasonings as desired. Set aside.
Air fryer (Optional):
- Add shredded jackfruit to a bowl.
- Add all the seasonings and spices for the carnitas (garlic powder, nutritional yeast, chili powder, soy sauce/tamari, maple syrup) and let marinade for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes for deeper flavor.
- Place parchment paper in the air fryer basket and pour in the marinated jackfruit.
- Air-fry at 350°F (175°C) for 7 minutes, then toss/mix the jackfruit to ensure even cooking, and air-fry for another 7-8 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Set aside.
Oven (Optional):
- Repeat the marinade steps for the air fryer method. Then, line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the marinated jackfruit out in a single layer.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Toss/mix halfway through baking time and bake for another 8-10 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Taste and add seasonings as desired. Set aside.
Torta Assembly Instructions:
- Turn a griddle or large pan on medium heat. Spread a thin layer of vegan mayo (optional) on the cut sides of the bread rolls. Grill the bread for 2 minutes on each side until lightly toasted and warmed through.
- Start assembling the tortas by spreading about ¼ cup of refried beans evenly onto the bottom half of each roll/bread.
- Next, generously layer with the jackfruit carnitas, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, avocado slices or mash, and pickled jalapeños.
- Place the top half of the bun over the fillings to complete the torta.
- Enjoy your authentic plant-based Mexican Torta immediately!
Notes
* Tortas are best enjoyed fresh. Jackfruit carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Mexican
- Method: Stove, Air Fryer, Oven (optional for carnitas)
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 torta (nutritional information will vary based on specific ingredients and substitutions)
Explore More Authentic Mexican Recipes:
Vegan “Chicken” Tinga
Authentic Tostadas
The Best Tamales
Portobello Carne Asada
