Name: Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1, 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp sazon; 1/2 tsp coriander; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Pinch of kosher salt and pepper; 2 chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce

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This vegan walnut taco meat recipe is the perfect filling for tacos and salad bowls. Made with black beans, walnuts and chipotle peppers. Super flavorful, only 8 ingredients and naturally gluten-free!

Top down image of three tacos placed next to each other and topped with avocado, tomato and cilantro.

The Perfect Meatless Vegan Taco Meat

Weather for a perfect themed taco Tuesday or for any upcoming events, this vegan walnut taco meat is a must. If you’re a fan of chipotle peppers, smoky paprika, and cumin, you will love this perfectly spiced taco meat.

Stuff this mix into tacos, nourish bowls or salad bowls for a boost in iron, omega 3s and protein. Serve along side some salsa, Mexican rice, fire roasted corn, and guacamole.

This taco meat is vegan and can be made nut free with an easy swap. Just 8 ingredients and made in less than 30 minutes.

Side angle view of two tacos on a plate loaded with mashed avocado, vegan taco crumbles, corn, and tomatoes.

Key Ingredients

Black Beans: Great plant protein source
Walnuts: Provides protein and is a great source of omega 3s
Chipotle Peppers: Canned in adobo sauce
Spices: Cumin, sazon, smoked paprika, garlic powder, coriander

Benefit of Omega 3s

Omega 3s have shown benefit for both heart and brain health. For individuals following a plant based diet that do not consume fish, it is a good idea to make sure you are including omega 3 rich plant foods like walnuts, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp hearts or an algae based supplement. Overall, it is definitely worthwhile to include some of these plant based sources of omega 3s regularly as they may help reduce inflammation, triglycerides, and hypertension.

How to Make Some Delicious Vegan Taco Meat

Take your beans and walnuts and spread them out on a lined baking sheet. Then, sprinkle your beans and walnuts with your spices and mix using a spoon to make sure everything is coated.

Cutting board with chipotle peppers, walnuts, black beans and spices in separate bowls.

Black beans, walnuts and spices spread out on a baking sheet.

Place in the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes and remove from the oven to cool.

Add all ingredients including the chipotle peppers to a food processor and pulse until the mixture starts to come together and resemble crumbles.

Black beans, walnuts, spices and chipotle peppers turned to crumbles in a food processor.

When ready to serve, heat your grounds in a pan with a little oil and sauté to heat through.

Tips for Making Walnut Taco Meat

Make sure to use canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, NOT adobo seasoning. Those are two separate things.
Rinse your canned beans really well to remove any sauce around the beans before adding to your sheet pan to roast.

Swaps and Mix Ins

If you are allergic to walnuts, you can swap them for sunflower seeds. Treat them the same way and make sure to pulse really well to make sure it blends well with the beans in the food processor.

You can also swap the sazon for chili powder if you don’t have access to it. Another easy option to go for is to replace the spices listed with 1-2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for convenience, just note that it will likely have a different flavor than the specific spices listed in the recipe.

Front view of vegetarian tacos loaded with vegan taco meat, avocado, tomatoes and corn.

More Latin Dishes

Plate with 2 tacos layered with lettuce, vegan taco meat, tomatoes, corn and mashed avocado.

Did You Try This Recipe?
Then let me know what you thought in the comments below! Share your creations by tagging me on Instagram with the hashtag #plantbasedrdeats

★ Catherine