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Close-up of a vegan carnitas torta with green sauce, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and mayonnaise on a toasted bun.
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5 from 1 vote

Vegan Torta de Carnitas Recipe

Hot, crispy-edged vegan carne asada, lime kissed refried beans, and a charred jalapeño lime sauce all crammed into a toasted bolillo. This vegan torta de carnitas is not a dainty lunch. It’s a sit-down, cancel-your-next-task situation.
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time27 minutes
Course: Sandwich
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Calories: 978kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $24

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Protein:

For the Charred Jalapeño Lime Sauce:

  • 1 jalapeño
  • 1 tablespoon onion minced
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves and stems chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon lime zest
  • ½ cup vegan sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Sandwiches:

  • 4 bolillo or telera rolls 6-7 inches long
  • ½ cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1 ripe avocado sliced
  • ½ cup vegan mayo
  • 8 leaves Boston Bibb lettuce or iceberg
  • Cilantro sprigs to garnish

Instructions

  • Prep the carne asada and refried beans following my recipes, or measure out store-bought ones to use.
  • Char the jalapeño either directly over the flames of an open burner, or if you have an electric stovetop, in a dry skillet set over medium-high heat, turning every 30–45 seconds until the skin is blistered and blackened on most sides. Transfer to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the stem, and scrape off most of the charred skin.
  • Combine the jalapeño, onion, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, vegan sour cream, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Heat a wide skillet over medium heat. Add a thin layer of oil and let it warm for 90 seconds. Add the vegan carne asada and cook, stirring every 45–60 seconds, until heated through and lightly crisped in spots.
  • Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat the refried beans for 4-5 minutes over medium heat, stirring regularly, until it is hot throughout. Add a splash of water if your beans are very thick.
  • Split the rolls lengthwise. Toast cut-side down on a dry skillet set over medium heat, or place on a sheet tray and warm in a 375°F (190°C) oven until lightly crisp on the interior and warmed through.
  • Spread vegan mayo on the bottom half of each roll. Add a layer of lettuce, followed by the hot beans and carne asada. Spoon the charred jalapeño lime sauce over the filling. Top with avocado slices and pickled jalapeños. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, close the sandwiches, and serve immediately.

Notes

🍳 Brown Jovi
Let the protein sit against the pan and leave it alone long enough to brown. Constant poking turns browning into steaming, which is def not the goal.
🥪 Stack on Stack on Stack
Keep fillings reasonable, spread sauces evenly, and avoid piling wet ingredients at the top. A balanced build keeps the sandwich intact and biteable.

Nutrition

Calories: 978kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 3228mg | Potassium: 1211mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1694IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 425mg | Iron: 9mg