Easy Walnut Taco Meat

This easy walnut taco meat is absolutely delicious! It's crumbly, packed with flavor, and makes a fantastic replacement for traditional ground beef in your next tacos!

Jump to:

• What is vegan walnut meat?
• Why you'll love this recipe
• What can I use walnut taco meat for?
• Equipment
• How to make vegan walnut taco meat with mushrooms
• Do you want variety?
• FAQs
• Walnut Meat

What is vegan walnut meat?

You might be thinking, “What the heck is vegan walnut meat?”

This is a healthy fat, 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 work wonders as 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 and makes for a great homemade alternative to processed veggie crumbles.

While this recipe features delightful Mexican-inspired spices and flavor, I have included suggestions below for various spice combinations that complement other cuisines.

I was initially skeptical about this healthy alternative, plant-based meat – how can using walnuts or combining mushrooms and walnuts give a meat-like texture? It was surprising when I finally tried it at a restaurant and loved it. I knew I had to make it at home, and it didn't disappoint.

Why you'll love this recipe

• easy to make with minimal prep time
• versatile (use it in a variety of meals)
• nutrient-dense, whole food, soy-free, and gluten-free
• customizable (see below for ideas)
• easy to batch cook for your weekly meal prep
• great for amazingly delicious plant-based lunchboxes
• it's savory and meat-like texture is incredibly satisfying
• 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.

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.

What can I use walnut taco meat for?

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. Here are some other ideas:

Black Bean Tostadas - top with Mango Habanero Salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime.

Power Salad Bowl - 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.

Mexican-Ispired Grain Bowl - Toss this vegan walnut meat with yellow rice, roasted peppers, and onions, and top with a delicious easy chipotle pepper sauce.

Nachos - Serve it with Easy Vegan Nachos to impress everyone with your easy vegan recipes and cooking.

Equipment

I highly recommend using a food processor to finely chop the mushrooms and walnuts. 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!

How to make vegan walnut taco meat with mushrooms

Gather these easy-to-find ingredients

• walnuts
• mushrooms (any variety; I buy the 12 oz pack of shitakes from Costco)
• olive oil
• onion
• garlic
• chili powder
• cumin
• smoked paprika
• oregano
• salt
• pepper

Easy to make in 4 steps and ready in less than 20 minutes.

Step 1 - Prepare the mushrooms and walnuts

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. Do the same for the walnuts, but do not process both items simultaneously since this could lead to over-processed mushrooms.

Step 2 - Saute the aromatics and mushrooms

Saute the onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Then, add and cook the mushrooms until they release moisture and are soft.

Step 3 - Add the spices

Mix well to evenly coat the mushrooms and onions with the spices.

Step 4 - Add the chopped walnuts

Mix everything thoroughly. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the walnuts to absorb the seasonings. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Do you want variety?

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):

1. Italian-Inspired: Incorporate dried basil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for an Italian flair. This blend complements pasta dishes, lasagna, or stuffed mushrooms.
2. Mediterranean-Inspired: Use a mix of dried oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lemon juice to create a Mediterranean profile. Ideal for dishes like Greek-inspired wraps, stuffed bell peppers, or Mediterranean-style burgers.
3. Smoky BBQ: Combine smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of brown sugar for a smoky and sweet barbecue taste. Perfect for BBQ sandwiches, burgers, or loaded baked potatoes.
4. Asian Fusion: Incorporate soy sauce, ginger powder, garlic powder, Chinese five-spice powder, and a touch of sesame oil for an Asian-inspired flavor. This blend pairs well with stir-fries, lettuce wraps, or noodle dishes.
5. Herbed Delight: 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.

Try walnut meat in this variation of Cuban-inspired Vegan Picadillo if you're craving a meaty texture without the meat.

FAQs

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