This Vegan Taco Meat is made with tofu, spices, and salsa, creating a wonderfully chewy, ‘meaty’ plant-based filling for tacos. It’s a tasty, eco-friendly alternative for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone wanting to cut back on meat.
What is Tofu?
Tofu is made by curdling fresh soy milk and pressing it into blocks, kind of like making cheese. It’s high in protein, vegan-friendly, and picks up the flavors you season it with.
How to grate tofu for tacos:
- Use firm or extra-firm tofu.
- Drain and press out water.
- Grate with a box grater (like cheese).
How to make this Recipe:
- Mix with seasoning
First, preheat your oven to 375F. Line with parchment paper a large baking sheet. Next, add grated tofu and all the spices in a large bowl. Mix the oil and soy sauce in a small bowl and add it to the tofu. Mix the tofu with the seasoning making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated.
- Spread
Spread the tofu evenly over the pan.
- Bake
Bake for about 25 minutes, stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
- Add salsa, heat, and enjoy
Finally, remove the tofu from the oven and add to a pan with the ¾ cup salsa. You may need more salsa depending how you like your tofu taco meat, add more salsa to taste. Heat through and serve hot on tacos, taco salads, or in burritos, quesadillas, or enchiladas.
Vegan Taco Meat – Frequently Asked Questions:
Tofu is an excellent base for vegan taco meat because it easily absorbs seasonings and mimics the texture of crumbled ground beef when pressed and crumbled. It’s affordable, high in protein, and widely available.
Yes! Tofu taco meat can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Yes, freezing works well for tofu! After cooking, let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Note: Freezing can actually improve the texture by making it chewier.
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Vegan Taco Meat Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces extra-firm tofu (drained, pressed, grated)
- 1 tablespoon light olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional for spice)
- ¾ – 1 ¼ cups salsa
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375F. Line with parchment paper a large baking sheet.
- Add grated tofu and all the spices in a large bowl. Mix the oil and soy sauce in a small bowl and add it to the tofu. Mix the tofu with the seasoning making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated.
- Spread the tofu evenly over the pan. Bake for about 25 minutes, stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn.
- Remove the tofu from the oven and add to a pan with the ¾ cup salsa. You may need more salsa depending how you like your tofu taco meat, add more salsa to taste. Heat through and serve hot on tacos, taco salads, or in burritos, quesadillas, or enchiladas.
Hi! I’m Irina. Here you’ll find healthy and healthy-ish recipes.
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