This Vegan Walnut Taco Meat is a healthy and delicious filler for tacos, burritos, and more. Made with black beans, raw walnuts, and spices, it has the perfect crumbly texture and savory flavor.
Tacos are one of my favorite dishes because they are easy to make, versatile enough to fit anyone's tastes, and can be made for groups or just as a quick lunch for one. This Vegan Walnut Taco Meat is a delicious and simple way to enjoy vegan tacos at home. With flavorful spices, protein packed beans, and tender walnuts, this is one of those dishes you'll be making again and again.
Walnuts aren't a typical taco ingredient, but you'll find that they add just the right texture and light flavor. The chipotles in adobo sauce, along with onion, garlic, and various spices, make this dish taste fantastic. So grab your taco shells, tortillas, or rice, and let's get started. Here's what you'll be using to make this amazing Vegan Walnut Taco Meat.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Walnuts. Raw, not toasted.
- Black Beans. Help bind everything together and add extra nutrition.
- Olive Oil. Or other oil of choice.
- Onion. Adds moisture and sweetness.
- Garlic. Use more or less depending on your preference.
- Chipotle in Adobo Sauce. Adds a very nice flavor and smoky aroma. Read more here: What to do with Chipotles in Adobo Sauce.
- Soy Sauce.
- Paprika.
- Cumin Powder.
- Salt + Pepper.
How to make it
1. Place the walnuts into a bowl and pour boiling water on top. Cover with a lid and steep for 10 minutes. (While the walnuts are steeping, it's a great time to prep the rest of the ingredients).
2. Drain the walnuts and add them to a food processor or a chopper. Add 2 tablespoons of water and pulse until you have meat like crumbles. (Be careful not to over process or you will end up with walnut butter).
3. To a large non-stick skillet, add the oil and onions. Cook over medium heat until the onions soften and start to turn golden.
4. Add the garlic and chipotles in adobo to the onions and cook for 1 minute.
5. Now add the walnut crumbles, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
6. Finally, add the black beans. As you cook them, press them with a spoon (you'll want to smash about half of the beans). Turn off the heat and assemble your tacos.
Tips for the best Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
- Prep while the walnuts steep. Save time by steeping the walnuts and then prepping the other ingredients. This will make dinner preparations faster and easier.
- Use raw walnuts. Toasting makes the walnuts a little more crunchy, which we don't want for this recipe. So opt for raw walnuts for the best texture.
- Don't over-process the walnuts. This is how you get nut butter, but it won't work for this Vegan Walnut Taco Meat. Only process the nuts until they become crumbly and resemble ground meat.
- Don't forget to smash the black beans. This step is a great way to add texture and also hold the walnut crumbles together with the other ingredients. You only need to mash about half of them.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Add more spice. Depending on the heat level you like, you can spice up this Vegan Walnut Taco Meat with some cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, jalapenos, or your favorite hot sauce.
- Substitute other seasonings. You can change the flavor of this taco meat with spices like curry, chili powder, oregano, and others.
- Add some vegetables. If you chop them fine or mash them, you can add other vegetables to this taco meat as well. Try sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, or sweet potato.
- Substitute other nuts. Walnuts have a more delicate taste and texture, but in a pinch, you can use other nuts in place of them, such as pecans, cashews, or hazelnuts. Pecans are closest to walnuts.
How to Store
This Vegan Walnut Taco Meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
How to Serve it
- With toppings. Once you've added this to the tortillas, shells, or chips of your choice, top it with guacamole, pico de gallo, vegan cheese, lettuce, cilantro, or your favorite taco toppings.
- Over rice. Spinach Rice or white rice would be delicious with this Vegan Walnut Taco Meat.
- On a bun. Make it into a sandwich by spooning the taco meat into a bun. Add your toppings or a sauce, or even this Amazing Lentil Chili, to get a deliciously messy meal.
- In pasta. Add this taco meat to some cooked noodles, like elbows, and mix with Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce for a tasty vegan mac and cheese.
This Vegan Walnut Taco Meat is versatile and easy to make. I hope you love all the tasty ways to serve it as much as I do.
More tasty Mexican inspired vegan recipes to try:
Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp. chipotles in Adobo sauce, pureed
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. cumin
- ¾ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 can (15 oz.) cooked black beans
Instructions
- Place the walnuts into a bowl and pour boiling water on top. Cover with a lid and steep for 10 minutes. (While the walnuts are steeping, it's a great time to prep the rest of the ingredients).
- Drain the walnuts and add them to a food processor or a chopper. Add 2 tablespoons of water and pulse until you have meat like crumbles. (Be careful not to over process or you will end up with walnut butter).
- To a large non-stick skillet, add the oil and onions. Cook over medium heat until the onions soften and start to turn golden.
- Add the garlic and chipotles in adobo to the onions and cook for 1 minute.
- Now add the walnut crumbles, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.
- Finally, add the black beans. As you cook them, press them with a spoon (you'll want to smash about half of the beans). Turn off the heat and assemble your tacos.
Notes
Tips for the best Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
- Prep while the walnuts steep. Save time by steeping the walnuts and then prepping the other ingredients. This will make dinner preparations faster and easier.
- Use raw walnuts. Toasting makes the walnuts a little more crunchy, which we don't want for this recipe. So opt for raw walnuts for the best texture.
- Don't over-process the walnuts. This is how you get nut butter, but it won't work for this Vegan Walnut Taco Meat. Only process the nuts until they become crumbly and resemble ground meat.
- Don't forget to smash the black beans. This step is a great way to add texture and also hold the walnut crumbles together with the other ingredients. You only need to mash about half of them.
I love this recipe. Today i didn't have black bean or chipotle in adobo. I replaced with pinto beans, added some liquid smoke, and used red enchilada sauce. Taste just as good!
That's great! Thanks, Takeisha!
Hello,
I'd like to try this recipe tomorrow and wonder if you drain the black beans before you add it to the "meat" mixture?
Please advise. Thanks, Suzanne
Hi Suzanne! I am sorry for the late reply. Yes, please, drain the beans. Happy cooking!
I made this and it was really good, delish. I couldn’t tell that it was vegan. The spices made a huge difference. You can even use Old El Paso taco spice mix if you don’t have the spices listed.
Thanks for the feedback, Daisey! Yes, Old El Paso would work really well here. I am glad you enjoyed the dish!