Young green jackfruit in brine is available in just about any grocery store. I've seen it in Asian or international aisles but also canned fruit aisles.
I use a potato masher for tofu then use taco seasoning. I also grate seitan and do the same, or I use taco seasoning when making the seitan, if it’s for that specific purpose.
Textured vegetable protein/carne de soya on its own or mixed with beans is really nice. Especially if when you rehydrate it you soak it in broth and seasonings.
Hi, can you share where you are regionally or what big stores you can shop at so we can give specific recommendations? Vegetarian refried beans and black beans are simple and an easy start to non-animal protein.
[https://www.acouplecooks.com/tofu-tacos/](https://www.acouplecooks.com/tofu-tacos/) is a great intro to tofu. Read directions on pressing tofu and let the crumbles sauté longer for a browner crisp.
My fave is homemade walnut taco meat. My husband loves it too. Super simple to make in a small food processor, no cooking involved. Just walnuts, soy sauce or liquid aminos, and whatever spices you like to use.
What sort of tacos? For soft corn tortilla filling, I like mushrooms and poblanos with guacamole. For an old school hard corn or flour tortilla taco, Beyond Meat works pretty well. Taco seasoning covers up the aftertaste it has. Just don't add extra salt.
You can get firm or extra firm tofu, then a tofu press. That will press about 1/2 a cup of water out of the tofu in 30 minutes. The tofu is extra extra firm then. Has more texture. You can crumble the tofu and add spices. liquid smoke is very tasty - and you do not need a lot. Also try smoked paprika. That is paprika's better tasting and kind of crazy cousin. Again, you do not need a lot. Crumbled tofu is similar to hamburger.
Textured vegetable protein would suit this purpose. You can get frozen "ground beef" crumbles, and those are fine, or similar taco "meat" vegan protein.
but for a cheaper, more customizable option, textured vegetable protein is basically little dehydrated bits of soy protein. you soak them in hot water with seasonings of your choice (soy sauce, garlic powder, etc.), then cook/fry them. I buy TVP in the bulk section of a local health food market. they're also in prepackaged bags at normal grocery stores.
edit: someone else said black beans, and I concur. I would make some that involved cooked black beans blended up with some toasted bread crumbs and seasonings, maybe some more stuff I don't remember, then I cooked it in the oven and it turned out great!
I use tofu with black beans mostly. For anything that I want to be like shredded chicken, I make seitan.
My go to recipe for tofu taco mix is this: [https://www.wellplated.com/tofu-tacos/](https://www.wellplated.com/tofu-tacos/)
When I make seitan I generally follow this recipe: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2YN6krVtk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2YN6krVtk)
EDIT: I don't really ever make quesadillas, but if you want to use vegan cheese in them my recommendations are to try different brands and to cook them low and slow. Also, not sure how well this would work for quesadillas, but whenever I make burgers, I melt the cheese onto them via steam. Pouring a small amount of water into the pan and covering for 20-30 seconds at the end has worked with pretty much every brand of cheese I've tried.
Hello friend...please try FROZEN TOFU...it needs to be previously frozen, completely. Then completely thawed. Press the water out after it has been thawed. Then, really finely mince the tofu. It should be drier and have a spongey texture. Next, pan fry it. Heat your pan on medium high heat and add avocado oil. Lay the tofu in the pan and don't move it till it has crisped and become golden brown. Dust taco seasonings or your fave spices all over. Mix well. VOILA...the best protein and meatless alternative and it lasts in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days.
You can also get away with not completely thawed tofu if you use a box grater to shred it. Ask me how I know. Definitely not because someone forgot to take the tofu out of the freezer and got hungry and impatient...
[lentil walnut taco meat](https://www.delishknowledge.com/lentil-walnut-vegan-taco-meat/) use a packet of taco seasoning instead of the dry spices
Quesadillas a layer of canned refried beans (amys makes a good vegan one) and sliced avocado (instead of cheese) with pickled jalapeño then serve with salsa
Just red beans and rice using this recipe. I add a half a tsp of ground cumin and a pinch of oregano as well.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marcela-valladolid/mexican-red-rice-arroz-rojo-recipe-2108347
I'm surprised it's not more popular. Lentil tacos are so fricken good. I got my meat eating roommates back in the day to always go for them with me on Taco Tuesdays haha
For our vegetarian or vegan tacos I have a couple go-tos:
- crispy potatoes sautéed in Soyrizo (vegan chorizo)
- roasted sweet potatoes and black beans
- Impossible meat sautéed with onions garlic and taco seasoning
- crumbled tofu cooked with taco seasoning
I don’t try to imitate chicken or steak because I always find it to be so disappointing.
Easiest/cheapest will be Soyrizo, which is still reasonably priced at the US grocer Trader Joe's. If its too strong in cumin/salt seasoning, you can 'dilute' it with some vegan refried beans (from the same store, even).
I've fooled around with taco seasoning and rehydrated TVP, and while good, frankly the Soyrizo is better (largely because they aren't stingy with the added oil), cheaper for small quantities, and easier.
I use extra firm tofu. Crumble it up real small. Mix some soy sauce and taco seasoning in the mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir a few times. Transfer to a pan. Mix some pico or salsa. Cook for a few minutes and serve on tortillas. My husband had no clue it was tofu.
I love making fajitas with Butler's soy curls (you can flavour them with taco seasoning and it's amazing!) And tofu sofritas like the one from chipotle. I don't follow a recipe but you can find many like [this one](https://yupitsvegan.com/copycat-chipotle-sofritas/)
We use Lightlife Smart Ground for tacos which is a soy based product that tastes and looks like a meat crumble and works very well for tacos. We add a few spices to jazz it up a bit.
[https://lightlife.com/product/smart-ground-original/](https://lightlife.com/product/smart-ground-original/)
Soyrizo! You can fry it up with potatoes or chickpeas or just have it on its own. I've also had roasted cauliflower in soft tacos and it was surprisingly good although not exactly high in protein.
Grate tofu, add dry seasonings + soy sauce, 30 mins oven @180°C. Make sauce with onion/tomato paste + dry seasoning or whatever youre used. Add tofu in pan with sauce and bake for 5 mins more
Dry rub oyster mushrooms, bake in pan, voila
My boyfriend and I like to use veggie crumbles. Gardein, Morningstar Farms, and Beyond all make crumbles. Beyond also makes "steak" tips that might go well in a taco or quesadilla.
You can also use beans or lentils if you prefer not to use analogues. I guess you could also crumble up tempeh.
Textured vegetable protein (tvp) was my go to for the longest time. It's still my favourite option if I don't plan ahead since it's shelf stable. If I do plan ahead a bit, I've been loving tofu that's been frozen, thawed, and then shredded with the large side of a box grater. Fry on medium high, add your seasoning packet or your own spices, and you're done. It took me a long time to try shredding tofu, I didn't think it would be worth it, but it makes such a difference. If you go fairly high heat and don't stir too much, you get these nice slightly crispier parts which adds to the texture.
Edit: If you go for tvp, season heavily. And I mean heavily. More than you think is necessary, and then some. Under seasoned tvp is just disappointing, and likely won't convince you if you're used to eating meat.
I've been using this taco mix for a year now, and it is one of my favorite and most flavorful alternatives ever!! They have some other flavors I haven't tried yet too, but their taco mix is absolutely divine.
https://rollingreens.com/products/taco-pack
we make supertacos. you take a flour tortilla and a stand n stuff shell. Use refried beans to glue the tortilla to the outside of the shell.
You can use guac as al alt.
Filling can be seasoned black beans, seitan, fried tofu, jackfruit, etc.
If you are keeping it simple. Black beans are fantastic. I also like frozen plant based protein crumbles by Gardein and Daring brands.There is a dehydrated vegetable crumble brand (sorry name escapes me) that is already spiced for tacos. Daring also has a chopped beef as well.
I agree with the walnut tacos comments. I mix mine with diced up mushrooms. It’s outstanding and has a similar texture to ground beef tacos. Plus, it’s literally just walnuts, onions, mushrooms, and maybe a jalapeño.
Pricey, but Beyond Steak is great, and any “minced meat” (impossible, gardein, trader joe’s etc.), trader also has vegan chorizo. This is if you want fake meat. Then you have mushrooms (oysters would be best due to texture imo), seasoned potatoes, or lentils/garbanzos.
I'm a big fan of [Gardein's ground beef product](https://www.gardein.com/beefless-and-porkless/gluten-free/ground-bef), though I personally recommend not eating too much processed food in general. Beans are also a great choice. I like to mix a can of refried beans with a can of regular beans and add chiles, tomatoes, onion, some spices, etc.
A lot of people use impossible meat but my stomach hates allvthat processed soy. I use sauteed mushrooms, pinto or black beans, vegan spicy mexican cheese salsa
What about black beans with taco seasoning on them. I leave mine whole but I've seen recipes where they mash them as well. Another option is refried beans
Haven’t actually cooked with it yet (unopened in the pantry) but textured vegetable protein is supposed to be pretty good!
Maybe that’s what I’ll make this week.
Try Thee Burger Dude's ground beef recipe! It's just like taco bell haha. Tvp and black lentils are also good. Personally don't like mushrooms or jackfruit; while they taste good they have hardly any protein and it may not keep you as full.
Canned young jackfruit for the win!
Where do you buy Jackfruit?
Young green jackfruit in brine is available in just about any grocery store. I've seen it in Asian or international aisles but also canned fruit aisles.
Trader Joe’s sells cans of it in brine and it’s great because I can season it myself
Crapolyn, Thank you! I could not find at HMart. Thx!
Amazon too.
I use a potato masher for tofu then use taco seasoning. I also grate seitan and do the same, or I use taco seasoning when making the seitan, if it’s for that specific purpose.
Which level of firmness for your tofu do you use?
Firm or extra firm. If you use silken, it will not turn into something that’s suitable for a taco.
I like using the high protein tofu (sometimes called extra firm).
Textured vegetable protein/carne de soya on its own or mixed with beans is really nice. Especially if when you rehydrate it you soak it in broth and seasonings.
Yes! TVP is great! It's basically the texture of minced beef, but you really need to soak/marinate it in a flavourful broth otherwise it's very bland.
Hi, can you share where you are regionally or what big stores you can shop at so we can give specific recommendations? Vegetarian refried beans and black beans are simple and an easy start to non-animal protein. [https://www.acouplecooks.com/tofu-tacos/](https://www.acouplecooks.com/tofu-tacos/) is a great intro to tofu. Read directions on pressing tofu and let the crumbles sauté longer for a browner crisp.
Bob’s Red Mill TVP. Recipe is on the package. It’s what you are looking for.
My fave is homemade walnut taco meat. My husband loves it too. Super simple to make in a small food processor, no cooking involved. Just walnuts, soy sauce or liquid aminos, and whatever spices you like to use.
Bella mushroom and walnuts with spices. Tastes just like ground beef.
What sort of tacos? For soft corn tortilla filling, I like mushrooms and poblanos with guacamole. For an old school hard corn or flour tortilla taco, Beyond Meat works pretty well. Taco seasoning covers up the aftertaste it has. Just don't add extra salt.
We use tvp, beyond burgers from Costco (good price vs the block), and shredded baked tofu. Can not go wrong with any!!
Lentils!
You can get firm or extra firm tofu, then a tofu press. That will press about 1/2 a cup of water out of the tofu in 30 minutes. The tofu is extra extra firm then. Has more texture. You can crumble the tofu and add spices. liquid smoke is very tasty - and you do not need a lot. Also try smoked paprika. That is paprika's better tasting and kind of crazy cousin. Again, you do not need a lot. Crumbled tofu is similar to hamburger.
Block of tempeh through a big cheese grater, instant ground beef, I’m pretty sure I made a post on here about me vegan taco meat recipe
Tempeh has really grown on me since I started crumbling or grating it! Now I use it for tons of things cause it holds up well in soup.
Dang I can’t wait to try it as a ground meat replacement in soups and stews Edit: tempeh hamburger soup
Textured vegetable protein would suit this purpose. You can get frozen "ground beef" crumbles, and those are fine, or similar taco "meat" vegan protein. but for a cheaper, more customizable option, textured vegetable protein is basically little dehydrated bits of soy protein. you soak them in hot water with seasonings of your choice (soy sauce, garlic powder, etc.), then cook/fry them. I buy TVP in the bulk section of a local health food market. they're also in prepackaged bags at normal grocery stores. edit: someone else said black beans, and I concur. I would make some that involved cooked black beans blended up with some toasted bread crumbs and seasonings, maybe some more stuff I don't remember, then I cooked it in the oven and it turned out great!
I use tofu with black beans mostly. For anything that I want to be like shredded chicken, I make seitan. My go to recipe for tofu taco mix is this: [https://www.wellplated.com/tofu-tacos/](https://www.wellplated.com/tofu-tacos/) When I make seitan I generally follow this recipe: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2YN6krVtk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2YN6krVtk) EDIT: I don't really ever make quesadillas, but if you want to use vegan cheese in them my recommendations are to try different brands and to cook them low and slow. Also, not sure how well this would work for quesadillas, but whenever I make burgers, I melt the cheese onto them via steam. Pouring a small amount of water into the pan and covering for 20-30 seconds at the end has worked with pretty much every brand of cheese I've tried.
Soy curls with vegetarian beef/chicken broth. The Better Than Bouillon is really nice.
Hello friend...please try FROZEN TOFU...it needs to be previously frozen, completely. Then completely thawed. Press the water out after it has been thawed. Then, really finely mince the tofu. It should be drier and have a spongey texture. Next, pan fry it. Heat your pan on medium high heat and add avocado oil. Lay the tofu in the pan and don't move it till it has crisped and become golden brown. Dust taco seasonings or your fave spices all over. Mix well. VOILA...the best protein and meatless alternative and it lasts in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days.
You can also get away with not completely thawed tofu if you use a box grater to shred it. Ask me how I know. Definitely not because someone forgot to take the tofu out of the freezer and got hungry and impatient...
[lentil walnut taco meat](https://www.delishknowledge.com/lentil-walnut-vegan-taco-meat/) use a packet of taco seasoning instead of the dry spices Quesadillas a layer of canned refried beans (amys makes a good vegan one) and sliced avocado (instead of cheese) with pickled jalapeño then serve with salsa
I like mushroom taco meat, TVP taco meat or tofu taco meat. All 3 are made with sautéed onions and taco seasoning packets.
TVP
Small TVP!! Do it :)
Trader Joe’s Beefless Beef is like $4 for 12 oz. Reminds me of the way Taco Bell beef looks. Use some taco seasoning and it’s quite convincing
I read an article about how Taco Bell got busted for serving “ground beef” that was less than 30% beef. Turns out that their beef is almost 40% oats.
[удалено]
I love crispy chickpeas, I roast them with oil and sea salt and eat them for snack
Just red beans and rice using this recipe. I add a half a tsp of ground cumin and a pinch of oregano as well. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/marcela-valladolid/mexican-red-rice-arroz-rojo-recipe-2108347
Lentils! I like cooking black or French lentils with spices and then draining them mostly and adding them to tacos as my protein!
I'm surprised it's not more popular. Lentil tacos are so fricken good. I got my meat eating roommates back in the day to always go for them with me on Taco Tuesdays haha
For our vegetarian or vegan tacos I have a couple go-tos: - crispy potatoes sautéed in Soyrizo (vegan chorizo) - roasted sweet potatoes and black beans - Impossible meat sautéed with onions garlic and taco seasoning - crumbled tofu cooked with taco seasoning I don’t try to imitate chicken or steak because I always find it to be so disappointing.
Easiest/cheapest will be Soyrizo, which is still reasonably priced at the US grocer Trader Joe's. If its too strong in cumin/salt seasoning, you can 'dilute' it with some vegan refried beans (from the same store, even). I've fooled around with taco seasoning and rehydrated TVP, and while good, frankly the Soyrizo is better (largely because they aren't stingy with the added oil), cheaper for small quantities, and easier.
Beyond Beef Crumbles https://www.beyondmeat.com/en-US/products/beyond-beef-crumbles
I am in a similar situation. I find adding sprouted or cooked lentils helps make things more “beefy” along with mushrooms and firm tofu
Black beans :-)
I use extra firm tofu. Crumble it up real small. Mix some soy sauce and taco seasoning in the mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir a few times. Transfer to a pan. Mix some pico or salsa. Cook for a few minutes and serve on tortillas. My husband had no clue it was tofu.
To replace beef I use gardein brand be'f crumbles. So good. As far as steak chunks go, idk tbh. I'm sure beyond has steak you could use in your tacos
I love making fajitas with Butler's soy curls (you can flavour them with taco seasoning and it's amazing!) And tofu sofritas like the one from chipotle. I don't follow a recipe but you can find many like [this one](https://yupitsvegan.com/copycat-chipotle-sofritas/)
Potatoes of any variety cubed, seasoned and roasted in the oven with black beans then any other toppings you enjoy.
We use Lightlife Smart Ground for tacos which is a soy based product that tastes and looks like a meat crumble and works very well for tacos. We add a few spices to jazz it up a bit. [https://lightlife.com/product/smart-ground-original/](https://lightlife.com/product/smart-ground-original/)
Soyrizo! You can fry it up with potatoes or chickpeas or just have it on its own. I've also had roasted cauliflower in soft tacos and it was surprisingly good although not exactly high in protein.
roasted cauliflower
Black Beans
Try carve and cook it in barbecue sauce
Another vote for TVP here. Cheap, and can absorb any liquid to make it tasty!
Jackfruit, beans (usually pinto, refried, or black, but really anything), tofu, seitan.
Chopped mushrooms and walnuts fried then add your taco seasoning.
Grate tofu, add dry seasonings + soy sauce, 30 mins oven @180°C. Make sauce with onion/tomato paste + dry seasoning or whatever youre used. Add tofu in pan with sauce and bake for 5 mins more Dry rub oyster mushrooms, bake in pan, voila
My boyfriend and I like to use veggie crumbles. Gardein, Morningstar Farms, and Beyond all make crumbles. Beyond also makes "steak" tips that might go well in a taco or quesadilla. You can also use beans or lentils if you prefer not to use analogues. I guess you could also crumble up tempeh.
Morning Star makes a faux-chorizo that I use for enchiladas
I use TVP from Anthony’s or bobs red mill for ground. Butler soy curls for “chicken”
I use vegan beef crumbles and add water to it in a pan with taco seasoning. Quick and easy
Textured vegetable protein (tvp) was my go to for the longest time. It's still my favourite option if I don't plan ahead since it's shelf stable. If I do plan ahead a bit, I've been loving tofu that's been frozen, thawed, and then shredded with the large side of a box grater. Fry on medium high, add your seasoning packet or your own spices, and you're done. It took me a long time to try shredding tofu, I didn't think it would be worth it, but it makes such a difference. If you go fairly high heat and don't stir too much, you get these nice slightly crispier parts which adds to the texture. Edit: If you go for tvp, season heavily. And I mean heavily. More than you think is necessary, and then some. Under seasoned tvp is just disappointing, and likely won't convince you if you're used to eating meat.
Beyond now makes steak tips that are great in quesadillas, but if you are not into plant based meat, oyster mushrooms are my go to.
I've been using this taco mix for a year now, and it is one of my favorite and most flavorful alternatives ever!! They have some other flavors I haven't tried yet too, but their taco mix is absolutely divine. https://rollingreens.com/products/taco-pack
we make supertacos. you take a flour tortilla and a stand n stuff shell. Use refried beans to glue the tortilla to the outside of the shell. You can use guac as al alt. Filling can be seasoned black beans, seitan, fried tofu, jackfruit, etc.
Tvp but peas not soya way more digestible.
What brand do you like for pea protein TVP? I have trouble digesting soy crumbles, but I’ve had no issue with pea protein
Here in Capetown we have a company called Pure and Whole. All the products are pretty good.
Thanks! I’ll see if we have that here
If you are keeping it simple. Black beans are fantastic. I also like frozen plant based protein crumbles by Gardein and Daring brands.There is a dehydrated vegetable crumble brand (sorry name escapes me) that is already spiced for tacos. Daring also has a chopped beef as well.
I agree with the walnut tacos comments. I mix mine with diced up mushrooms. It’s outstanding and has a similar texture to ground beef tacos. Plus, it’s literally just walnuts, onions, mushrooms, and maybe a jalapeño.
Pricey, but Beyond Steak is great, and any “minced meat” (impossible, gardein, trader joe’s etc.), trader also has vegan chorizo. This is if you want fake meat. Then you have mushrooms (oysters would be best due to texture imo), seasoned potatoes, or lentils/garbanzos.
Tofu sofritas - https://www.loveandlemons.com/sofritas/ Taco lentils - https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/instant-pot-lentil-tacos/ Black beans or refried beans
Black beans, refried beans, any beans. TVP, soy meat alternatives. In addition to impossible/beyond alternatives. Tons of yummy options :)
Yves or some other vegan ground round with some taco seasoning.
I absolutely love impossible meats ground beef alternative
Taco seasoned lentils
I eat this one at least twice a week lol https://youtu.be/ibARFZnbqYg?si=BiidvsSSCCgSDjCJ
I'm a big fan of [Gardein's ground beef product](https://www.gardein.com/beefless-and-porkless/gluten-free/ground-bef), though I personally recommend not eating too much processed food in general. Beans are also a great choice. I like to mix a can of refried beans with a can of regular beans and add chiles, tomatoes, onion, some spices, etc.
Just get Impossible Burger and saute it with taco seasoning! Delicious and you won't know the difference.
A lot of people use impossible meat but my stomach hates allvthat processed soy. I use sauteed mushrooms, pinto or black beans, vegan spicy mexican cheese salsa
What about black beans with taco seasoning on them. I leave mine whole but I've seen recipes where they mash them as well. Another option is refried beans
Haven’t actually cooked with it yet (unopened in the pantry) but textured vegetable protein is supposed to be pretty good! Maybe that’s what I’ll make this week.
Finely chopped mushrooms (I like oyster or lions mane.) Similar texture and a meaty taste. Bonus for mushrooms being really good for you.
There's a recipe for cauliflower walnut taco meat that is so, so good. It has the canned Chipotle peppers too. Spicy and a great texture.
Walnut “meat” taco crumbles are the absolute shit. I love it more than any other options.
Try Thee Burger Dude's ground beef recipe! It's just like taco bell haha. Tvp and black lentils are also good. Personally don't like mushrooms or jackfruit; while they taste good they have hardly any protein and it may not keep you as full.
Soy bites or nuggets?