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I love enchiladas, but they can be a pain! Tortillas tear, fillings spill, and somehow they never all fit in the dish. That’s exactly why these chopped vegan enchilada skillet exist. It gives you all the cozy, saucy enchilada flavor without the rolling, ripping, or rearranging.

This is a weeknight dinner that bakes together in one pan, it’s stress-free, family-approved, and actually gets eaten. When a meal keeps everyone full, happy, and out of the kitchen arguing, it’s a total win.

What is Chopped Enchilada Skillet?

Chopped enchilada skillet is a deconstructed version of traditional enchiladas. Instead of rolling fillings inside tortillas, everything is chopped and layered together in one pan. Corn tortillas are torn into bite-size pieces, then mixed with seasoned veggies, protein, enchilada sauce, and cheese.

It all cooks together on the stovetop until warm, saucy, and comforting. You get the same bold enchilada flavor you love, without the hassle of rolling tortillas or worrying about them tearing. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients for vegan enchiladas

Ingredients You’ll Need

No hunting for any fancy ingredients. You just need easy-to-find, flavorful staples that make delicious vegan enchiladas. Here’s what I use:

  • Corn tortillas: These give the enchiladas their classic, slightly sweet corn flavor and help soak up the sauce as they simmer. Look for small corn tortillas in the tortilla section (near bread or Mexican foods). Fresh tortillas from a local restaurant work even better.
  • Black and pinto beans: These add heartiness and protein to the filling. Canned black and pinto beans work perfectly and can be found in the canned goods aisle.
  • Walnuts: Finely chopped walnuts create a savory, meaty texture that replaces traditional enchilada fillings. Look for raw, unsalted walnuts for the cleanest flavor.
  • Vegetables: Poblano peppers and red onion bring mild heat and savory depth, while black olives add a salty bite. Choose poblanos with smooth, glossy skin and onions that feel firm and heavy.
  • Red enchilada sauce: This is the flavor backbone of the dish, smoky, tangy, and rich. Look for a sauce with a balanced spice level and simple ingredients. Find it in the Mexican foods aisle, usually in cans or jars.
  • Creamy avocado crema: A cool, dairy-free topping that balances the warm spices and adds richness to every bite. Follow the avocado crema recipe below for the perfect finishing touch.

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How to Make Vegan Enchilada Skillet

These chopped vegan enchiladas come together in one skillet and finish hands-off, making them perfect for busy weeknights. Follow these steps and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time:

Chopped vegetables getting sautéed in a skillet
  1. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion and poblano pepper, and sauté until soft.
A person adding chopped walnuts to the sautéed vegetables
  1. Finely chop the walnuts in a food processor, then add them to the sautéed vegetables.
A mix of black and pinto beans being stirred into a skillet of seasoned vegetables
  1. Add the rinsed black and pinto beans to the skillet, along with all the spices.
Rich red enchilada sauce added on top of the sautéed vegetables and beans mixture
  1. Pour the enchilada sauce over the skillet mixture and stir to combine evenly.
A person adding corn tortilla pieces over the simmered mixture
  1. Add the remaining ingredients, such as corn, black olives, cilantro, vegetable stock, and tortillas into the mixture.
Hearty and creamy vegan enchilada in a skillet
  1. Bring to a gentle simmer and stir everything until well combined.
A person adding vegan shredded cheese over vegan enchiladas
  1. Add shredded cheddar cheese during the last 5 minutes of cooking and let it melt.
Vegan enchilada topped with vegan melted cheese and vegetables
  1. Top the enchiladas with sliced jalapeños, pickled red onions, and fresh cilantro.

Recipe Tips

Layer for texture: Chop or tear the tortillas into slightly uneven pieces so some stay chewy, and some can absorb more sauce.

Season every layer: Don’t rely on the enchilada sauce alone. Lightly season the veggies, beans, and sauce as you go to avoid a flat-tasting final dish.

Fresh and hearty vegan enchilada in a skillet

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

Vegan enchiladas are perfect for experimenting in the kitchen. Mix and match beans, veggies, or plant-based proteins, or try a new sauce for a flavor twist:

  • Add a nutty crunch: For more nutty texture, you can add vegan walnut meat, toasted pecans, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
  • Change up the beans: Black beans are classic, but kidney beans or even chickpeas make great alternatives. Mix beans for extra color and variety.
  • Switch the tortillas: Corn tortillas are traditional, but flour tortillas or gluten-free wraps work well too.
  • Creamy add-ins: For extra richness, drizzle with cashew cream or avocado crema just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Chopped vegan enchilada skillet is delicious as is, but you can make the meal even more satisfying with a few extras. Top each serving with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, lime juice, or thinly sliced radishes for brightness. Serve with a Margarita Smoothie and you’ll be in heaven.

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A skillet filled with warm, hearty chopped vegan enchilada

More Vegan Mexican Recipes

If you’re loving these chopped vegan enchiladas, here are a few more plant-based mexican meals that are hearty, comforting, and full of flavor:

  • Taco Bell Mexican Pizza (Copycat): Crispy layers, bold seasoning, and melty dairy-free cheese give you classic fast-food flavor made at home.
  • Healthy Taco Salad: All the taco spices you love, paired with fresh veggies and protein-rich toppings for a lighter, satisfying meal.
  • Tacos de Papas: Crispy, seasoned potatoes in warm tortillas make this simple recipe filling, cozy, and full of flavor.

If you make these vegan enchiladas, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.

Chopped vegan enchiladas ready to eat
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Chopped Vegan Enchilada Skillet

This vegan enchilada skillet is the perfect weeknight lifesaver, hearty, saucy, and completely stress-free. Chopped corn tortillas, sautéed veggies, and smoky beans simmered in a rich enchilada sauce. This one pot dinner can is even better as leftovers— so make extra!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Serves: 8
Author: Jen Hansard
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Ingredients  

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 cup raw walnuts
  • ½ red onion finely diced
  • 1 poblano pepper stemmed, seeded, and diced
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ cup frozen corn thawed and drained
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • 15 ounce canned black beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce canned pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups red enchilada sauce store-bought
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro minced
  • 8 corn tortillas chopped into 2-inch pieces

Suggested Toppings

Instructions 

  • In a food processor, finely chop the walnuts into very small pieces. Set aside.
  • Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, pour in the avocado oil and swirl it around. Add the onions and poblano pepper to the skillet and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables are tender and browning in spots, about 8-10 minutes. If mixture gets dry, add a splash of water.
  • Next, add the walnuts, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika to the skillet. Keep sautéeing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add corn, olives, black beans, enchilada sauce, vegetable stock, cilantro and tortillas to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil and stir everything well.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low for 20-30 minutes, or until the walnut pieces are tender and the mixture is saucy, but still slightly thick overall. For the last 5 minutes of cooking, add vegan cheese on top and allow to melt.
  • When enchiladas are done, allow to cool on stovetop for a few minutes.
  • Serve with suggested toppings.

Notes

  • Tortilla tip: Corn tortillas can crack if they’re too dry. Warm them in a skillet or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20–30 seconds to make them more pliable.
  • Spice control: If you’re sensitive to heat, taste your enchilada sauce first. Some store-bought versions are surprisingly spicy. Adjust with a splash of broth to mellow it out.
  • Make ahead: Prep the filling and sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store separately in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready.
  • Freezer-friendly: Assemble the enchiladas but don’t bake. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, just add 10–15 extra minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 353 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43 g | Protein: 11 g | Fat: 17 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g | Sodium: 1391 mg | Potassium: 486 mg | Fiber: 11 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 824 IU | Vitamin C: 17 mg | Calcium: 97 mg | Iron: 3 mg

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Common Questions

What’s the best plant-based protein to use in vegan enchiladas?

Beans are the go-to because it holds its shape beautifully and soaks up all the flavors from spices and sauce. You can also use tempeh, cooked lentils, or even chickpeas if you want a different texture or extra protein. All of these options are family-friendly and keep the enchilada hearty and satisfying.

How can I make the enchiladas spicier?

It’s easy to turn up the heat! Add extra jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling. You can also choose a spicier enchilada sauce from the store. Start small, taste as you go, and adjust until it hits just the right level of kick for your family.

What toppings go well on vegan enchiladas?

The sky’s the limit! Creamy cashew or vegan sour cream, guacamole, fresh salsa, chopped cilantro, or sliced avocado all make fantastic toppings. Even a squeeze of lime at the end adds a bright, fresh pop that brings everything together.

Can I use store-bought enchilada sauce?

Absolutely! Store-bought enchilada sauce works perfectly and makes this recipe even easier on busy nights. Just look for one that fits your flavor preference, mild, medium, or spicy, and pour it over the enchiladas before baking.


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