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Home » Mains » Best Vegan Taco Meat

Best Vegan Taco Meat

April 19, 2019 / Updated September 1, 2020 / By Verna / 30 Comments

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vegan taco meat on a wooden spoon

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.

vegan taco meat on a wooden spoon

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!

vegan taco meat on tortilla chips with nacho cheese sauce

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!

vegan taco meat in a white skillet

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.

mushrooms in a food processor

taco seasoning sauce in a white bowl

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.

five picture collage how to make vegan taco meat

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.

Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

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

 

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vegan taco meat on a wooden spoon

Best Vegan Taco Meat


★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Verna
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 cups 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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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

Scale
  • 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

  1. First add the mushrooms to your food processor and pulse until they are very small but not mushy, set aside.
  2. Now whisk the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  3. 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. 
  4.  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.
  5. Now add the frozen meatless crumbles and lentils. Cook for 2 minutes or so until it is heated through.
  6. Lastly add the sauce and chopped cilantro, mix throughly. Stir until you are happy with the consistency. The sauce will evaporate quickly. Enjoy!
  7.  Serve with tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, vegan nacho cheese sauce and more,..
  8. 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

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Saskia

    December 27, 2020 at 6:38 am

    It sounds yummy, except for the died oregano. I'd rather add dried oregano. 😉

    Reply
    • Verna

      December 29, 2020 at 5:02 am

      haha I see the typo thanks Saskia!

      Reply
  2. Trina

    September 20, 2020 at 12:20 am

    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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      September 20, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      Thrilled you're enjoying the recipe Trina. Thank you so much for commenting.

      Reply
  3. Gabby

    September 15, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    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.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      September 15, 2020 at 7:17 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Anika

    September 05, 2020 at 12:12 am

    I’ve made this several times and it is delicious. My kids love it. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Verna

      September 05, 2020 at 1:49 am

      Oh that's wonderful! Thanks for your comment Anika, happy to hear your kids are enjoying it!

      Reply
  5. Yaya

    June 16, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Verna

      June 17, 2020 at 2:54 am

      Hi Yaya, haven't tried either so cannot say. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  6. Sharon

    May 24, 2020 at 1:37 am

    Yum! Great recipe for a family taco night. Going vegan with kids is easy with great recipes like these. Keep it up 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      May 24, 2020 at 2:03 pm

      Thanks so much Sharon, glad your family enjoyed the recipe.

      Reply
  7. Emily C.

    April 25, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    What is the best way to reheat this recipe?

    Reply
    • Verna

      April 25, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      Hi Emily I usually just reheat it in the microwave but a frying pan works too. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  8. KJ

    April 15, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    I'm planning to make this tonight ~ looks amazing! Is it best to use green or red lentils? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Verna

      April 16, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      Hi KJ, I always use canned lentils. Green would be the way to go, not red lentils. Hope that helps enjoy!!

      Reply
      • KJ

        April 16, 2020 at 3:03 pm

        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!!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Verna

          April 16, 2020 at 3:37 pm

          Thank you so much KJ! We love at my house too!😊 so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Really appreciate your comment!!

          Reply
  9. Tammie

    March 02, 2020 at 12:18 am

    Incredibly delicious!!!! I made this for a girls get together and everyone raved about it. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Verna

      March 02, 2020 at 12:23 am

      You are so welcome! Thrilled all you gals enjoyed it!! thanks for your comment Tammie!

      Reply
  10. Susan

    January 03, 2020 at 8:14 pm

    Fantastic! I do prefer Lightlife Smart Ground vegan crumbles to the gardien though. Thank you for your amazing recipes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      January 03, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      Oh you're welcome Susan and thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Yes the Lightlife brand is great also!

      Reply
  11. Tanya Schade

    November 15, 2019 at 3:18 am

    Can this be prepared in advance and frozen?

    Reply
    • Verna

      November 15, 2019 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Tanya, yes this vegan taco meat recipe freezes well. Have a great day!

      Reply
  12. Jenny

    May 05, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Our go to taco meat now! It is so so good! Our boys devour this in the burritos we make. Thank you Verna

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      May 05, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      oh that's so great! thank you so much for you comment Jenny. It's pretty popular in my house too?

      Reply
  13. Dave

    April 21, 2019 at 5:01 am

    This recipe blew me away how it tasted like actual meat! I'm hooked.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      April 21, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      Yay! I am so glad you liked it Dave. Thanks so much for you comment!

      Reply
  14. Cheryl

    April 20, 2019 at 12:38 am

    Hello I want to make this where would I find Gardein Meatless ground crumbles frozen please

    Reply
    • Verna

      April 20, 2019 at 2:31 am

      Hi Cheryl, most grocery stores carry the Gardein brand in the frozen section, including Walmart. Hope that helps, have a great day.

      Reply

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