10 Most Popular North American Vegetarian Dishes
North America is a diverse continent with a wide variety of cuisines. There are many delicious vegetarian dishes to be found in North America, from hearty stews to refreshing salads. Here are 10 of the most popular North American vegetarian dishes:
1. Guacamole
Guacamole is a Mexican dish made with mashed avocados, lime juice, onions, cilantro, and chili peppers. It is a popular appetizer or snack, and it can also be used as a condiment for tacos and burritos.
Ingredients
- 6 ripe cherry tomatoes
- 3 ripe avocados
- 1 bunch of fresh coriander
- ½ a small red onion
- 1-2 fresh red chillies
2. Fried Cabbage
Fried cabbage is a Southern American dish made with cabbage, bacon, and onions. It is a simple but flavorful dish that is often served as a side dish with fried chicken or pork.
Ingredients
- 1 small head green cabbage, cored and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 4 slices thick bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tsp. light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
3. Platillo moros y cristiano
Platillo moros y cristiano is a Cuban dish made with black beans, white rice, fried plantains, and pork. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often served as a main course.
Ingredients
- 8 tazas de agua
- 1/4 taza de aceite de oliva español
- 1 lb de frijoles negros secos
- 1 pimiento grande cortado muy fino
- 1 cebolla grande cortada muy fina
4. Boston Baked Beans
Boston baked beans are a New England dish made with navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, and bacon. They are a sweet and savory dish that is often served as a side dish with ham or roast turkey.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry navy beans, soaked overnight
- 0.5 pound uncooked bacon strips
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 0.5 cup ketchup
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
5. Chiles en nogada
Chiles en nogada is a Mexican dish made with poblano peppers, stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices, and then covered in a walnut cream sauce. They are a festive dish that is often served on Independence Day.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups whole milk, (plus more as needed)
- 1.5 cups shelled walnuts halves
- 0.25 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 0.5 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 4 ounces goat cheese
6. Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is a Louisiana dish made with red beans, rice, sausage, and vegetables. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often served as a main course.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried red kidney beans, (picked over)
- 1 1/2 cups water, (plus more for soaking beans)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, (diced (2 cups))
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 1 large green bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 stalk celery (chopped)
7. Frijoles charros
Frijoles charros are a Mexican dish made with pinto beans, bacon, onions, tomatoes, and spices. They are a hearty and flavorful dish that is often served as a side dish with tacos and burritos.
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups cooked pinto beans (with liquid)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 diced jalapeño (optional, see recipe)
- 5 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 – 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 5 cups water
8. Mofongo
Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish made with fried plantains, mashed with garlic, and then formed into patties. It is a crispy and flavorful dish that is often served with pork or chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 3 unriped plantains
- 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup of chicharrones
- salt & pepper
9. Collard Greens
Collard greens are a Southern American dish made with collard greens, bacon, onions, and ham hocks. They are a healthy and flavorful dish that is often served as a side dish with fried chicken or pork.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch collard greens (washed)
- 1 large or 2 small delicata squash, halved, seeds removed, and sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 1 large head (roughly 10 ounces) collard greens or lacinato kale, thickest ribs removed to yield about 8 ounces
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 6-8 sun-dried tomatoes (chopped )
10. Ital Stew
Ital stew is a Jamaican dish made with plantains, split peas, squash, taro root, potatoes, carrots, okra, onions, and collard greens in a rich coconut milk broth. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often served as a main course.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
These are just a few of the many delicious vegetarian dishes that can be found in North America. With so many options to choose from, there is sure to be a dish that everyone will enjoy.
Additional Tips
- When choosing vegetarian dishes, be sure to consider your protein intake. Many vegetarian dishes are high in protein, such as beans, lentils, and tofu.
- If you are looking for a healthy vegetarian dish, be sure to choose dishes that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
- There are many delicious vegetarian cookbooks available that can help you create your own vegetarian dishes.
- Many restaurants offer vegetarian options, so be sure to ask when you are dining out.
I hope you enjoyed popular American vegetarian recipes. Out of so many delicious options, which dish did you like best? Leave a comment.
