Chicken, steak, pork, and more — fajitas lend themselves to all kinds of meats. Yet while you can pick and choose between your favorite fillings, the classic Tex-Mex dish works just as well without any meat whatsoever. But that doesn’t mean you should forgo a star ingredient. Rather, for vegetarian and vegan-friendly fajitas, simply substitute the beef for roasted sweet potatoes. The starchy, cooked vegetable is a hearty alternative worthy of any and all fajita toppings.
The reason roasted sweet potatoes work so well in fajitas is that they skimp on neither flavor nor texture. In fact, the vegetable makes for a delicious, slightly sweet, and ultra-fresh addition that can hold its own inside any tortilla. Plus, when roasted, sweet potatoes are soft yet crispy, with a caramelized effect. They therefore complement the tastes and textures of other common fajita fillings, including peppers, onions, and herbs. Who doesn’t want a well-balanced combination of ingredients, all wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla?
To make sweet potato fajitas, simply follow the fajita-making process as you normally would — only swap out your usual steak for the vibrant vegetable. With some planning and a little bit of preparation, your sweet potatoes will soon be ready for a dollop of sour cream.
Roast and slice sweet potatoes for a delicious and easy vegan fajita filling
While you can cook sweet potatoes in a variety of ways — from frying in oil to boiling on the stove — vegan fajitas will best benefit from some time in the oven. Roast sliced sweet potatoes at a temperature of about 450 or 475 degrees Fahrenheit. At the bare minimum, you’ll want to season the vegetable with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. If you really want to lean into the flavors of fajitas, however, add some extra spices. Any balance of cumin, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika does the job, enhancing the depth of flavor. Fair warning: You don’t need much spice to pack a punch. Just a fraction of a teaspoon should be more than enough. If you want even more flavor, add some garlic to the mix, too.
Once your seasoned potatoes have roasted, start filling your fajitas. While sweet potatoes are surely a star, they taste best alongside toppings. Finish off your fajitas with some combination of other, roasted vegetables, lime juice, and cheese. With a little finesse — and a lot of potatoes — you won’t be missing the meat.
