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!
I was skeptical at first about plant-based meat alternatives—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! Try walnut meat in this variation of Cuban-inspired Vegan Picadillo if you're craving another meaty texture without the meat.
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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.
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.
Ingredients
Gather these easy-to-find ingredients. See the recipe card for quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- You can use any variety of mushrooms, but I buy the 12 oz pack of shitakes from Costco.
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. 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 aioli sauce.
- Vegan Taco Bowl - Check out this delicious recipe that uses walnut taco meat.
- Nachos - Serve it with Easy Vegan Nachos to impress everyone with easy vegan recipes and cooking.
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):
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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!
FAQS
I do not recommend using walnut taco meat in other recipes that require modifications. It doesn't hold up well in any of those recipes.
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-Inspired Vegan Recipes
What did you think?
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.
PrintRecipe
Easy Walnut Taco Meat
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Elevate your Taco Tuesdays to a whole new level—our vegan walnut taco meat isn't just good, it's delicious! Packed with crumbly texture and bursting with authentic Mexican spices, this is a plant-based twist you didn't see coming.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces shitake mushrooms (or any variety)
- 1 ½ cup raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ onion (diced) ~ 90 grams
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoons cumin
- 2 teaspoon 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.
Notes
Nutritional information is only an estimate. Use a nutritional app like Cronometer to get information on the exact ingredients and amounts you are using.
I highly recommend using a food processor. If you try to chop the mushrooms and walnuts finely with a knife, you won't get the same fine texture needed to make this dish similar to ground beef.
To make things even easier, you can substitute the seasoning with about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: food processor
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 315
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
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!