The BEST Vegan Taco Meat Recipe! made with simple ingredients, Gardein Beefless Ground Crumbles, mushrooms, lentils and homemade taco seasoning. It’s ready in minutes! Perfect for tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burrito bowls and more! Nut free & protein rich.
My family’s crazy about this vegan taco filling. The taste and texture closely resembles beef. That is probably why, lol!
Try it for Mexican Taco Tuesday with my nacho cheese sauce. It’s a match made in heaven!
There are no walnuts or cauliflower in this taco meat recipe. I wanted to create something quick and easy so I used frozen Meatless Crumbles (for the vegan ground beef), mushrooms, lentils and my taco seasoning sauce. The combination creates the perfect flavour and a delicious meaty bite! - and it’s ready in a jiffy!
If you’re not a fan of packaged meatless ground check out my tasty Tex Mex Vegan Taco Meat Recipe made with tofu. It’s equally delicious, it just takes longer to make.
How to Make The Best Vegan Taco Meat:
First add the mushrooms to your food processor and pulse until they are very small but not mushy, set aside
Now mix the taco seasoning sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Heat a large non stick skillet to medium high heat. Add the oil, onions and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes while stirring.
Add in the mushrooms and cook, stirring for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked. If you find the pan getting to hot, turn it down to medium heat.
Now add the frozen meatless crumbles and lentils. Cook for 2 minutes or so until it is heated through.
Lastly add the sauce and chopped cilantro, mix throughly. Stir until you are happy with the consistency. The sauce will evaporate quickly.
Enjoy! For full recipe ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Serve with tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, vegan nacho cheese sauce and more,..
This recipe will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days and freezes well.
Ok lets make The Best Vegan Taco Meat, it’s:
meaty
easy
quick
perfectly spiced
the best vegan meat filling for all your Mexican dishes!
addicting!
kid friendly
gluten free
Enjoy guys! Happy day to you? feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.
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Other Vegan Mexican recipes for you to enjoy:
Mild or Spicy Pico de Gallo
Refried Black Beans
Tasty Tex Mex Vegan Taco Meat
Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
Best Salsa Recipe
Best Guacamole Recipe
Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce
Best Vegan Taco Meat
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The BEST Vegan Taco Meat Recipe! made with simple ingredients, Gardein Beefless Ground Crumbles, mushrooms, lentils and homemade taco seasoning. It’s ready in minutes! Perfect for tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burrito bowls and more! Nut free & protein rich.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil, I used grapeseed
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 lb (227 grams) mushrooms, white or brown
- 2 cups Gardein Meatless Ground crumbles, frozen
- 1 cup cooked lentils, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons or so chopped cilantro
Taco Seasoning Sauce mix:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons "Better Than Bouillon Vegetarian No Beef soup Base"
- 1/2 tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon died oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or regular salt
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- First add the mushrooms to your food processor and pulse until they are very small but not mushy, set aside.
- Now whisk the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Heat a large non stick skillet to medium high heat. Add the oil, onions and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes while stirring.
- Add in the mushrooms and cook, stirring for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked. If you find the pan getting to hot, turn down to medium heat.
- Now add the frozen meatless crumbles and lentils. Cook for 2 minutes or so until it is heated through.
- Lastly add the sauce and chopped cilantro, mix throughly. Stir until you are happy with the consistency. The sauce will evaporate quickly. Enjoy!
- Serve with tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, vegan nacho cheese sauce and more,..
- This recipe will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days and freezes well. Makes approximately 4 cups.
Notes
- If you want to spice it up add a tablespoon of chopped pickled jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne and or tablespoon or so of jalapeño pickle juice.
- Category: Mains, snacks & sides, gluten free,
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: vegan taco meat, best vegan taco meat, crumbles, meatless, easy, mexican, taco seasoning, filling
It sounds yummy, except for the died oregano. I'd rather add dried oregano. 😉
haha I see the typo thanks Saskia!
We make your vegan taco meat for everything! Our tacos, salads, quesadillas, nachos, breakfast eggs! It is fabulous!! Thank you so much for this great recipe! We tried it with the vegan ground beef from beyond but yours is better!
★★★★★
Thrilled you're enjoying the recipe Trina. Thank you so much for commenting.
Excellent! Love this recipe! Have made it twice so far, used in nachos and tacos. Meat loving hubby even approved. Only thing I change is add beer instead of water to flavor mix.
★★★★★
Thank you so much for your comment Gabby, thrilled you loving the taco meat! Love the beer idea!! Definitely trying that next time I make it!
I’ve made this several times and it is delicious. My kids love it. Thank you!
Oh that's wonderful! Thanks for your comment Anika, happy to hear your kids are enjoying it!
Would the cook time change if you use dry lentils? Also, do you think it would work if you used walnuts instead of the vegan crumbles?
Hi Yaya, haven't tried either so cannot say. Hope that helps.
Yum! Great recipe for a family taco night. Going vegan with kids is easy with great recipes like these. Keep it up 🙂
★★★★★
Thanks so much Sharon, glad your family enjoyed the recipe.
What is the best way to reheat this recipe?
Hi Emily I usually just reheat it in the microwave but a frying pan works too. Hope that helps!
I'm planning to make this tonight ~ looks amazing! Is it best to use green or red lentils? Thanks!
Hi KJ, I always use canned lentils. Green would be the way to go, not red lentils. Hope that helps enjoy!!
This recipe is amazing!!! Literally my new favorite. I’ve tried a variety of vegan taco meat recipes and finally found what I had been craving. Thank you!!
★★★★★
Thank you so much KJ! We love at my house too!😊 so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Really appreciate your comment!!
Incredibly delicious!!!! I made this for a girls get together and everyone raved about it. Thank you!
You are so welcome! Thrilled all you gals enjoyed it!! thanks for your comment Tammie!
Fantastic! I do prefer Lightlife Smart Ground vegan crumbles to the gardien though. Thank you for your amazing recipes!
★★★★★
Oh you're welcome Susan and thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Yes the Lightlife brand is great also!
Can this be prepared in advance and frozen?
Hi Tanya, yes this vegan taco meat recipe freezes well. Have a great day!
Our go to taco meat now! It is so so good! Our boys devour this in the burritos we make. Thank you Verna
★★★★★
oh that's so great! thank you so much for you comment Jenny. It's pretty popular in my house too?
This recipe blew me away how it tasted like actual meat! I'm hooked.
★★★★★
Yay! I am so glad you liked it Dave. Thanks so much for you comment!
Hello I want to make this where would I find Gardein Meatless ground crumbles frozen please
Hi Cheryl, most grocery stores carry the Gardein brand in the frozen section, including Walmart. Hope that helps, have a great day.