Vegan Puerto Rican Pasteles




Here's a plant-based Puerto Rican Pasteles recipe —easy, flavorful, and vegan with all the sazón and abuela-approved vibes.

🌿 Vegan Puerto Rican Pasteles

Total Time: 3–4 hours (including prep + wrapping time)
Prep: 2–3 hours
Cook: 1 hour
Serves: Makes about 20 pasteles

Pasteles are that girl during the holidays in Puerto Rican households. Think of them as the Caribbean cousin of tamales—but wrapped in banana leaves, filled with savory goodness, and seasoned to perfection. This vegan version is just as rich and flavorful, without the pork. Yes, mami, you can keep your culture and your compassion!

🛒 Ingredients

For the masa (dough):

For the filling:

To assemble:

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the masa:

Grate all the root veggies and bananas using a box grater or food processor (yes, your arm will thank you for the processor). Mix everything in a large bowl, add salt, achiote oil, and vegan butter. Stir until you get a soft but thick paste. Set aside.

2. Prepare the filling:

Heat achiote oil in a pan. Add sofrito, onion, and garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Toss in bell peppers and cook until soft.

Add jackfruit, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, olives, and capers. Cook until jackfruit is tender and flavors meld, about 10–15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Prep your station:

Set up an assembly line with banana leaves, a bowl of masa, the filling, parchment paper (if using), and kitchen twine.

4. Assemble the pasteles:

  • Spread 2–3 tablespoons of masa in the center of a banana leaf.

  • Add 1–2 tablespoons of filling in the center.

  • Fold the leaf like an envelope (fold sides in, then top and bottom).

  • Wrap in parchment if desired, then tie with kitchen twine to secure.

5. Cook the pasteles:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasteles in batches, making sure they’re submerged. Boil for 1 hour, flipping halfway through.

Drain, unwrap, and serve hot!

🧠 Mom Tips:

  • 🌀 Masa too thick? Add a splash of veggie broth to loosen it up.

  • 🧊 These freeze beautifully—just freeze before boiling and cook straight from frozen (add an extra 15–20 mins).

  • 🥄 Not into jackfruit? Try sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or vegan beef crumbles.

🥣 Why I Love It:

Because nothing says love like a whole afternoon of wrapping pasteles while vibing to salsa with the kids helping pass string. This vegan version keeps our traditions alive without the meat, and the taste? PURE NOSTALGIA.


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