This easy walnut taco meat is delicious! It's crumbly, packed with flavor, and makes a fantastic replacement for traditional ground beef in your next tacos or Mexican-inspired vegan dishes! And it's ready in about 20 minutes!
I was skeptical at first about this plant-based meat alternative—how could walnuts or a blend of mushrooms and walnuts possibly mimic the texture of meat?
But after trying it at a restaurant, I loved it and knew I had to recreate it at home. It didn’t disappoint!
If you’re a mushroom fan, you’ll love my Smoky Glazed Mushrooms, Vegan Grits with Savory Mushrooms and Collard Greens, or Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup for more earthy, flavorful recipes.
And if you’re craving another meaty, plant-based option, try walnut meat with a different flavor profile in my Cuban-inspired Vegan Picadillo.
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What is Vegan Walnut Meat?
You might be thinking, “What the heck is vegan walnut meat?”
This is a satisfying and flavorful alternative to traditional meat that combines walnuts and mushrooms and can be used in various dishes.
I know it sounds baffling, but trust me, walnuts and mushrooms can actually be a substitute for ground beef.
When all is done, this recipe has a similar look with a slightly less chewy texture, making it a fantastic alternative. With the right spices, it's a total game-changer in recipes like Vegan Rotel Dip and makes for a great homemade alternative to processed veggie crumbles in many recipes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- easy to make
- whole food, soy-free, and gluten-free
- customizable
- easy to batch cook for your weekly meal prep
- this is a great meat alternative for people following vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets. Plus, it's perfect for those who want to cut down on meat.
Ingredients
Gather these easy-to-find ingredients. See the recipe card for quantities.
- You can use any variety of mushrooms, but I buy the 12 oz pack of shitakes from Costco.
Variations
The base for this recipe includes walnuts, mushrooms, onions, and garlic.
While this recipe complements Mexican-inspired cuisine well, you can substitute the spices with other flavors for other cuisine variations. Here are some suggestions (adjust spice quantities to your liking):
- Incorporate dried basil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for an Italian flair.
- Use a mix of dried oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lemon juice to create a Mediterranean profile.
- Combine smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of brown sugar for a smoky and sweet barbecue taste.
- Mix dried parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, and a dash of garlic powder for herb-infused ‘meat'. Incorporate this into savory pies, stuffed vegetables, or grain bowls.
How to Make Vegan Walnut Taco Meat with Mushrooms
Here are the visuals for this recipe, which is ready in about 20 minutes. See the recipe card for more details.
Step 1: In a food processor, pulse the mushrooms until they resemble a crumbly texture. Take care not to over-mix them. Once complete, remove and set aside.
Step 2: Do the same for the walnuts, but do not process both items simultaneously, as this could result in over-processed mushrooms.
Step 3: Saute the onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
Step 4: Then add and cook the mushrooms until they release moisture and are soft.
Step 5: Mix well to evenly coat the mushrooms and onions with the spices.
Step 6: Add the chopped walnuts. Mix everything thoroughly. Continue cooking for 5 minutes. Then, taste and adjust.
Top Tips
- If you're not a fan of mushrooms or a loved one says they'll pass on this meal, I promise you won't be able to detect their taste or texture since they are finely chopped.
- The mushrooms help to bulk up the recipe while keeping the fat lower than other recipes that only use walnuts. But, if you prefer to avoid mushrooms altogether, replace them with cooked lentils or cauliflower.
- Do not process mushrooms and walnuts simultaneously since this could lead to over-processed mushrooms.
Serving Suggestions
- For this recipe, we serve walnut taco meat in tacos. You can serve it in soft or hard taco shells, corn tortillas, or lettuce wraps.
- Black Bean Tostadas - top with Mango Habanero Salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime.
- Create a nourishing bowl by combining roasted sweet potatoes or brown rice, favorite greens, steamed broccoli, avocado slices, a drizzle of Vegan Avocado Crema, and topped with the taco walnut meat.
- Toss this vegan walnut meat with Simple Instant Pot Yellow Rice, roasted peppers, and onions, and top with a delicious, Easy Vegan Chipotle Aioli Sauce.
- Vegan Taco Bowl - Check out this delicious recipe that uses walnut taco meat.
- Serve it in Easy Vegan Nachos.
Equipment
I highly recommend using a food processor to chop the mushrooms and walnuts finely. You won't get the same fine chop with a knife unless you are an experienced chef. And it makes the food prep much easier and quicker!
Walnut Meat FAQS
I do not recommend using walnut taco meat in other recipes that are liquidy.
Because of the mushrooms, I do not recommend freezing this particular recipe. Freezing mushrooms changes the texture and may become slightly softer or more tender upon thawing.
You can experiment with different types of mushrooms based on your preference or availability. Shitake mushrooms are great in this recipe, but you can also try cremini, portobello, or oyster mushrooms for varying flavors and textures.
This walnut meat recipe is a soy-free, gluten-free, and non-processed meat substitute.
While it does not taste exactly like meat, it can provide a similar texture and flavor profile that resembles certain meat dishes. The combination of walnuts, mushrooms, and seasonings creates a savory and satisfying taste that can be reminiscent of ground meat. I would say that it has its own unique taste and should be enjoyed for its delicious qualities rather than wanting it to mimic the exact taste of meat.
Once cooled, transfer the meat to an airtight container or sealable bag. Place it in the refrigerator and store it for up to 5 days.
More Delicious Mexican Vegan Recipes
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this easy walnut taco meat . Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Easy Walnut Taco Meat
Ingredients
- 10 ounces shitake mushrooms or any variety
- 1½ cups raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ onion diced ~ 90 grams
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper to taste
Instructions
- Process the Mushrooms: In a food processor, pulse the mushrooms until they resemble a crumbly texture. Be careful not to over-process. Remove and set aside.
- Process the Walnuts: Add the walnuts to the food processor and pulse until they resemble a crumbly texture. Be careful not to over-process and make a paste.
- Saute the Onions and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions become translucent. Add the garlic and saute for a minute or two until fragrant.
- Cook the Mushrooms: Add the chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they release their moisture and start to brown.
- Add the Seasoning: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the mushrooms and onions. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Incorporate the Walnuts: Add the processed walnuts to the skillet and mix everything thoroughly. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the walnuts to absorb the seasonings.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference, and serve in your favorite taco shells, lettuce, burrito wraps, and toppings.
Rob Pearce says
AMAZING!!!
Regi Pearce says
Wow, 'AMAZING!!!' is music to my ears! So thrilled you loved the easy walnut taco meat, babe. Thanks you for sharing your enthusiasm!