This Mushroom Walnut Taco Meat brings a delicious texture and flavor to your taco night. With only 5 ingredients you can make these easy walnut meat tacos in just 35 minutes!
This may be my favorite taco recipe to date. Don't get me wrong, I've been making my tempeh tacos for years and they will be a classic in my house for the foreseeable future. BUT these walnut meat tacos have the best flavor and texture.
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Walnuts make the taco meat crunchy and slightly nutty. And I think they're truly the best vegan meat substitute for tacos because of the texture they provide.
Then, cauliflower and mushrooms add some bulk and some secret vegetables to the tacos.
Add in some taco seasoning and liquid smoke and you've got yourself some BOMB tacos.
What is mushroom walnut taco meat?
This walnut taco meat is a substitute for traditional ground beef taco meat. It's completely vegan and made from plants!
This taco meat is made by blending mushrooms, walnuts, and cauliflower into small pieces to create a ground beef texture. Then, it's baked in the oven to achieve the right balance of moisture.
Why I love this Walnut Taco Meat
- Dietary needs - these tacos are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free.
- Quick and easy weeknight dinner - it takes about 30 minutes to whip up these tacos and most of that is hands-off time while the meat cooks in the oven
- Veggie forward - you get a healthy serving of veggies (mushrooms and cauliflower) with these tacos, so you're getting in plenty of nutrients
- Umami flavor - mushrooms are known for that savory, umami flavor and these tacos really bring that to life.
- Great taco texture - walnuts really come through in the texture department. Since walnuts are crunchy, but not too hard, they really make a texture similar to ground beef
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Raw Walnuts: walnuts are the goldilocks of nuts for this recipe - not too hard not too soft. You could sub raw cashews if you can't find walnuts.
- Cauliflower Florets: you could also use cauliflower rice
- Cremini Mushrooms: I recommend cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) for this recipe because they have a deeper, more umami flavor than regular white button mushrooms. They are also cheaper than some other fancy mushrooms like shiitakes. That said, white button mushrooms will work in this recipe. Or a blend of your favorite shrooms.
- Taco Seasoning: I used my 5-Minute Taco Seasoning recipe
- Liquid Smoke: liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor and helps deepen the overall flavor of the dish. Find liquid smoke in the grocery store near the condiments
- To Serve: tortillas, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.
How to make Walnut Meat Tacos
Step 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2. Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse to combine.
Step 3. Arrange on in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, until the mixture is golden brown.
Step 4. Serve taco-style. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
Use sunflower seeds instead of walnuts to make these tacos without nuts.
Alternatively, head over to my mushroom tacos, lentil tacos, or tempeh tacos for other completely nut-free vegan taco recipes.
Yes and yes, but not both. If you want to use entirely cauliflower or entirely mushrooms feel free! Follow the directions as written.
This recipe won't work very well without the mushrooms or cauliflower. Otherwise you'd just be eating walnuts!
This is a pretty generic taco base, so you can really make these tacos your own. Add vegan cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado - whatever you love!
Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge.
I recommend reheating in the oven, to get that crispy texture. But the microwave works just fine too!
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for easy and healthy weeknight meals for us to serve ourselves and our families. Allow us time to enjoy this meal together. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Mushroom Walnut Taco Meat
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Raw Walnuts
- 2 Cups Cauliflower Florets
- 1 Cup Sliced Cremini Mushrooms
- 2 Tablespoons 5-Ingredient Taco Seasoning
- ½ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- To Serve: tortillas lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse to combine.
- Arrange on in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, until the mixture is golden brown.
- Serve taco-style. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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