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What is one food you would eat multiple times a week if the calories didn’t count!? Well, I don’t know about you, but I would easily answer TACOS! Some people limit tacos to Tuesdays (how restrictive!?!?) Maybe you associate tacos with unhealthy, greasy, midnight drive-throughs. I’ve even had people ask me how I can eat tacos if I’m vegan. Thanks to these healthy vegan tacos, now you CAN enjoy one of your favorite foods as often as you’d like, no matter what your diet is like!
I love this healthier version of one of the best foods to exist (speaking objectively, of course!) This easy taco recipe contains tons of flavor and lacks the sodium and processed ingredients found in many other tacos. Introducing you to the most delicious, mouthwatering, zesty vegan tacos. This easy taco recipe calls for a surprising main ingredient…
How Do You Make the Best Vegan Tacos?
With WALNUTS!
Firstly, I never would have thought of walnuts as a taco ingredient. A few years ago, I tried a small sample of “walnut taco meat” at Tampa Bay Veg Fest. Served in a cute little lettuce leaf wrap, the incredible classic taco-like flavors blew my mind!
After that, I made it my mission to create my own recipe for walnut taco meat so I could enjoy those flavors all the time. And so, these vegan walnut tacos have become a regular dinner rotation at my house! My mom (Italian and non-vegan) says these vegan tacos kicked ravioli out of the ranking as her #1 favorite food!!!!
This is a huge deal, okay!?
Making foods that my friends and family genuinely enjoy, whether they are vegan or not, is most important to me. I love showing others that adding meatless and dairy-free recipes into their meal repertoire can be easy and tasty!
There is nothing more satisfying than sitting around the table with the people I love, most of whom do not eat plant-based, and seeing how much they enjoy the vegan recipes I create. And especially hearing that these vegan tacos made with walnut taco meat have become one of their favorite foods.
*cue the sappy happy tears*
Why Walnut Taco Meat?
Firstly, the Health Benefits of Nut Consumption are just as exciting as how tasty these vegan tacos are! For those who aren’t allergic, nuts are nutrient-rich foods that provide a variety of benefits to the heart and metabolism. Secondly, studies show that nuts can lower cholesterol, reduce incidence of coronary heart disease and gallstones, and reduce diabetes in women. Thirdly, limited evidence suggests positive effects on high blood pressure, cancer, and inflammation.
Further, The International Society for Horticultural Science also notes how nutritionally valuable it is to consume walnuts. Moreover, walnuts can aid in weight management, and in possibly reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes. Basically, if you’re looking for a food with lots of vitamins that may protect against disease elements, eat some walnuts!
Now, I couldn’t think of a better way to do so than in these delicious vegan tacos made with walnut taco meat 😉
What to Put in Vegan Tacos?
The taco “meat” is made from walnuts, homemade taco seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes! Certainly, it can’t get much simpler than that! Just blending these few, simple ingredients together creates the magic main ingredient that makes for a perfect vegan taco: walnut taco meat.
From bottom to top, I love stuffing my tacos with pinto beans, this walnut taco meat, vegan cheddar shreds, fresh pico de gallo, vegan queso, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of a fresh lime wedge. In addition, my family likes to add vegan sour cream and jalapeños to theirs. Mmmmmm!
To make the best vegan tacos, feel free to add your favorite toppings, but don’t forget the walnut taco meat!
If you like other tasty vegan dishes with a kick, you will love my crispy buffalo cauliflower wings!
Vegan Tacos: The Best Walnut Taco Meat Recipe
Ingredients
Walnut Taco Meat
- 4 cups raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
- 6 tsp chili powder (chipotle, mexican, or regular)
- 4 tsp cumin
- 3 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp lime juice
Instructions
- If using crunchy taco shells, preheat oven to 325° F.
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender or food processor. Pulse for a few times, just until all ingredients are combined. Be careful to NOT over mix, as walnuts can easily turn to dust and create a paste. Be sure to leave some walnut chunks in the mixture.
- If big walnut pieces remain, take them out of the mixture and crush into smaller pieces. Add crushed walnuts back into the mixture.
- Bake unfilled taco shells for 6-7 minutes at 325°. Remove from oven and fill shells with pinto beans, walnut taco meat, and vegan shredded cheddar. Return to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted.
- Optional: broil on high for 1 minute, monitoring carefully. This will brown the shells and melt the cheese nicely. Be sure to not burn shells.
- Serve with desired toppings. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this delicious walnut taco meat as much as everyone who tries it does! Walnut taco meat is great in crunchy taco shells, soft tortillas, over chips, and in salads!
Don’t forget to pin the recipe for these incredible vegan tacos!
I never liked tacos growing up (😱 I know!) but these sound absolutely delicious AND easy to make!! I will definitely be trying these in the future!
So funny! Let me know how you like them whenever you do try them 🙂