Planning your next fajita night, and need to find a vegetarian alternative to using chicken?
Whether you’re trying to cut down your meat consumption, have guests coming over who are strictly herbivore, or just fancy trying something new, I’ve got you covered!
Skipping the chicken doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on flavour or satisfaction, and there are plenty of delicious options that even passionate meat lovers will seriously enjoy.
The best vegetarian substitutes for chicken in fajitas are ‘meaty’ mushrooms, halloumi cheese, spicy tofu, paprika spiced black beans, Quorn meatless strips, and stir fried peppers and onions.
Keep reading to find out more about how to make these ingredients work for you, including the best recipes and expert advice on how to prepare them for fajitas.
Don’t worry, this one is definitely veggie friendly! Part of the reason why chicken is such a popular choice for fajitas is that it brings so much to the party in terms of texture, and giving your wrap a real satisfying bite.
You can replicate this by substituting for mushrooms such as oyster or portobello. They have a meaty texture and a beautiful savoury and earthy flavour, making them perfect for stuffing fajitas.
Simply sauté in your oil, and season with your favourite fajita spices, then serve with your usual addition toppings such as sliced avocado and spicy salsa. Oh so good!
Halloumi cheese is another vegetarian alternative to chicken for fajitas that has a wonderfully meaty texture, bringing that all-important bite to your wrap. Lightly char it in a hot pan, add your seasoning, and you’re good to go.
You might be wondering if halloumi is in fact completely suitable for vegetarians, and that’s an important question, so here’s the lowdown…
Halloumi is typically made with goat, sheep, or cow milk, so it does include animal products. Many vegetarians will happily consume these products, so they’d eat halloumi cheese. Vegans, however, would not eat such ingredients. Ultimately, it depends on the individual and their personal dietary preferences. If you’re cooking for other people, it’s always advisable to check in advance.
Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a popular choice amongst vegetarians. On its own, it’s a little sour and fairly bland, though it’s a wonderful flavour absorber and when prepared correctly, it can be sweet, savoury, crunchy, or soft.
Its beauty is in its versatility, and with a little preparation, it can be a great vegetarian substitute for chicken in fajitas.
This recipe for spicy tofu fajitas has the beautiful flavours of paprika, cumin, and coriander, and it has a delightful kick of heat. It’s a brilliant choice for veggies who love big flavours and a decent bit of spice!
Beans are a common choice when it comes to vegetarian alternatives for chicken in fajitas, and they have the added benefit of being really good for you. They’re packed with fibre and a variety of essential vitamins, and they’re also affordable and full of flavour.
If you fancy taking this route, check out this recipe for spiced black beans. If you enjoy meat free meals, this is a great recipe to have in your personal recipe book!
They work fantastically in fajitas, and they can also be used for tacos and burrito bowls, or spread in sandwiches or used as a dip alongside tortilla chips.
Quorn is a meat substitute that originated in the UK, but is now widely available in Europe and various other locations right around the world.
The range includes a variety of products including meatless strips, and these are one of my favourite quick and easy choices for vegetarian friendly chicken alternatives in fajitas.
Prepare your quorn the same as you would with chicken, by stir frying with plenty of fresh veggies and your favourite spice mix seasoning. Thanks to the rise in the availability of vegetarian substitutes for chicken in fajitas, there are many off the shelf options out there for the evenings when you’ve had a busy day and need a quick dinner.
Sometimes, the best vegetarian alternatives to chicken in fajitas are the easiest options! Simply chop peppers and onions into bitesized chunks, and stir fry with oil and spices, making sure you don’t overdo them so you retain a satisfying crunch.
The good thing about this option is that if you’re also cooking for meat eaters, you can just prepare a separate batch that contains chicken or beef, if you’d like.
Add your usual sides like grated cheese, salsa, avocado, and refried beans, and you’ve got an easy and delicious midweek meal that can feed a hungry crowd.
The best vegetarian substitutes for chicken in fajitas are:
When you take time and care to prepare these dishes, and you bring a little creativity and flair to the process, you really don’t have to feel like you’re missing out if you’ve decided to go for a veggie meal.
