This chipotle seasoned walnut quinoa vegan taco meat recipe is the perfect filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, taco salads, or quesadillas! It will definitely be a new family favorite! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free.
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On Tuesdays, we eat tacos.
Why? Because…
Long ago, in a far-off land, someone started calling it “Taco Tuesday” and it stuck.
I like routine and I like tacos.
So, here we are. There are worse places to be. I have no problem eating tacos every Tuesday. Actually, I look forward to it!
That being said, I don’t want to eat the same kind of tacos every week. Do you?
We rotate between:
- Roasted cauliflower tofu tacos
- Sweet potato & black bean tacos
- Crispy buffalo cauliflower tacos
- Quinoa fried rice lettuce wraps
- Portobello mushroom veggie wraps
Or on desperate days when I don’t have time to go to the market, I roast all the leftover veggies we have in the fridge, put them in taco shells with lettuce, douse it in our favorite hot sauce and call it a day! Boom, Taco Tuesday…done!
Now, we have an exciting new addition to the lineup –> Chipotle Walnut Quinoa Tacos!
They’re freakin’ delish.
I would know, I’ve made them four times in the past two weeks to make sure they were absolutely perfect before I put the recipe on the blog for all you taco-lovin people.
What’s In This Vegan Taco Meat Recipe?
This vegan taco meat recipe has two main ingredients as you might have guessed from the recipe title: walnuts and quinoa!
I swear, the way that the blended walnuts stick to the cooked quinoa and toast together in a chipotle taco-seasoned mix, it really resembles ground taco meat. It’s so delicious and much healthier for you!
You can use the filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and taco salads!
How Do You Make The Vegan Taco Meat Recipe?
I tested this recipe so many times because I was trying to figure out which way I like it best.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong buttt you can prepare the filling two ways.
- Option 1 – Bake the cooked quinoa walnut mixture so it has a crunchier texture + more color from roasting it + yummy crispy bits on the edges.
- Option 2 – Toast the blended walnuts in a large pan and then add the cooked quinoa to the pan, stir in the chipotle seasoning mix, and stir to combine.
Of course, I prefer option #1 but my husband liked option #2 best. Isn’t that how it always works?
Both ways are delicious, it just depends on how you like your taco filling. If you’re looking for a softer, less formed “taco meat” and you don’t feel like turning the oven on than go with option #2. If you like a more textured filling that develops a beautiful dark color while it roasts, and has addicting toasty edges then you should go with option #1.
What Should You Serve With This Recipe?
My favorite toppings for these walnut quinoa vegan tacos is 5-min rainbow salsa!
Rainbow salsa is so fresh, colorful, flavorful, and easy to make! If you can chop veggies, squeeze a lime, and have 5 minutes to spare then you can make it too.
I also spoon a generous dollop (or two) of guacamole on top of each taco.
Seriously, the colors in this taco dinner are just gorgeous!
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (You can freeze what's left in the can!)
- 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt to taste
- Put walnuts, chipotle peppers, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt into a food processor. Blend on low until walnuts are broken down into small pieces. Make sure not to over pulse, you don't want it to be completely ground into a powder.
- Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and add the cooked quinoa. Stir to combine and the walnut mixture is evenly distributed throughout.
- Pour the quinoa walnut taco meat onto a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 min, turn halfway through to prevent the edges from getting too dark.
- Put 2-3 spoonfuls of taco meat on tortillas with butter lettuce, rainbow salsa, and guac!
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Vegan Taco Meat Recipe Notes
- Use three chipotle peppers or add 1/4 cayenne pepper if you want the filling to be spicy.
- Here’s the recipe for Rainbow Salsa.
- You could sub almonds, brazil nuts, or cashews for walnuts.
If you make this vegan taco meat recipe, please share your picture on Instagram and tag @StaceyHomemaker so I can see your delicious creation!
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What toppings do you put on your tacos? Let me know in the comments!
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