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Walnut Meat Tacos with Lime Cashew Cream {GF}

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These walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein!

Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe

Never had a taco?

As I explained before, growing up I didn’t really try many new foods. I was never that into meat, especially ground meat which is found in most tacos, so I never really cared about trying tacos. I didn’t realize there was a whole world of non-meat tacos for me to try.

So when I forgot my lunch one day, I decided to take a trip to Chipotle with a few of my friends to finally try a taco at Chipotle.  They had two vegan choices of taco fillings – beans or sofritas (organic soy crumble mixture). I chose the sofritas because I heard they were very good…and they were delicious!

Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe

Walnut Meat Tacos

Now that my mind has been opened to the goodness of tacos, I wanted to recreate a vegan version for myself that I could have on Taco Tuesdays. Although I eat soy a few times a week, I decided to switch things up and create a meat alternative for those that are not into tofu.

I was thinking of doing lentils but I ran out last weekend (mental note to get some) so after fishing around I found some walnuts. I’ve ground walnuts before for tart/pie bases and it looks sort of like meat so I figured I’d go with it. Turns out, walnuts make a tasty meat alternative! I love my walnut meat tacos and have been sharing them with everyone lately!

Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe

 

Walnut Nutrition

Nutritionally walnuts offer us healthy fat (including omega-3 fatty acids). Fatty Acids are the main component of our cell membranes. Omega 3s can also have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease (source) and depression (source).

Walnuts are a great source of plant-based protein and contain vitamin B6, magnesium, and fiber.

Looking for more tasty tacos? Check out my Teriyaki Tempeh Tacos!

Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe

 

These Walnut 'Meat' Tacos are a great #vegan alternative to traditional tacos & easy to make!Click To Tweet

 

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Walnut Meat Tacos {soy & dairy free}

These walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein!

Course Main Course
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 tacos
Calories 333.1 kcal
Author Mary Ellen

Ingredients

WALNUT TACOS

  • 1.5 cups de-shelled walnuts
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 Tb tamari (or soy sauce if not gf )
  • 6 Taco shells (I used organic & gluten-free)

Toppings

  • 1 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup red cabbage, chopped
  • 1/4-1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • cilantro, choppped

LIME CASHEW SOUR CREAM

  • 1 Cup cashews soaked overnight (or soaked at least 10 mins in boiling water)
  • 1/3 cup water (more if needed)
  • 2 Tb lime juice
  • 1 TB apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Add walnuts to a food processor and process until mixture is kind of "meaty".
  2. Put mixture in bowl and add seasonings and mix.
  3. Add rest of the ingredients (up until tamari) and stir until incorporated
  4. Fill taco shells with walnut mixture and top with toppings of choice.

  5. To make the lime cashew sour cream put all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if needed to get a sour cream consistency.

  6. Top tacos with sour cream and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • Nutrition info includes 1 taco shell per taco and 1 TB of cilantro sour cream.
  • Sour cream will last in the fridge for about a week.
Nutrition Facts
Walnut Meat Tacos {soy & dairy free}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 333.1 Calories from Fat 204
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22.7g 35%
Total Carbohydrates 19.4g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4.5g 18%
Protein 8.3g 17%
Vitamin A 162.3%
Vitamin C 22.5%
Calcium 4.7%
Iron 7.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe

 

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Walnut Meat Tacos | These vegan walnut meat tacos are a great alternative to beef and packs a punch of protein! vegan tacos, vegan taco recipe, vegan recipe, taco recipe
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Comments

  1. I just love tacos. On top of being delicious, they’re quick to make which is always a bonus on busy week nights! Yours look absolutely delicious! Welcome to the world of tacos! 😉

    Reply

  3. Thanks Katrina! The walnut meat is soooo easy to make and give that punch of protein. And lasts for like a week in the fridge so I made a big batch for my daily lunch. 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Christine! Although I have some meat alternatives every now and then, I try to use whole foods for the nutritional benefits when I can.

      Reply

  5. Say what?! No tacos EVER til recently??? Well, I’m glad your life is now complete. 🙂 And I’m excited to try this walnut version, yum. Omega-3 goodness for my ouchy feet, yay!

    Reply

    • I know! It’s so weird. I’ve always had an aversion to ground beef even before going veg so it was something I was nervous to try because I always thought tacos were beef related lol. So glad I got on the taco train!

      Reply

  7. They look so amazingly delicious! And the lime-cashew cream sounds fantastic. My grandmother has used walnuts as a meat substitute in a few dishes – and she’s not even vegetarian! She just has never liked meat, so she often uses walnuts in savoury dishes, like mincemeat pie.

    Reply

  8. Oh, my gosh! I can’t believe you’ve been missing out on tacos all this time. I hope you make up for it with lots and lots of tacos in your future. Walnuts are a delicious taco filling. I especially like using them in the summer in collard leaf tacos when it’s too hot to turn on the stove.

    Reply

    • I know! How weird is it that I haven’t tried them before? Yes, I actually had the walnut “meat” in a raw collard wrap earlier this summer and that’s what made me think I could do them in tacos!

      Reply

  10. You have the best foodie ideas! These look divine. I never would have thought of putting walnuts in them. I’m so glad you’ve had tacos now… because y’all know how I feel about tacos.

    Reply

  16. I have to try this! When I make tacos I usually go traditional and use Gardein or some other meat alternative. Or have the sofritas at Chipotle. I never would have thought of walnuts. They look delicious!

    Reply

  17. Mmmm tacos. I was a super picky eater as a kid, but I actually liked tacos. I was anemic growing up and it was one of the only ways my mom could get me to eat meat. In hindsight I think it was more of the salty flavouring that masked the meat flavour for me as I never liked the taste of meat.
    These sound like a great alternative. I can’t have soy much, though I love it, it doesn’t love me. So this is perfect. I also like your idea of using lentils (which don’t love Terry – so this really is perfect for both of us haha).
    Chipotle has vegan options????
    Thanks for sharing at HVF co-hostess! I’m pinning! I hope you have a fabulous week.

    Reply

    • I’m going to try the lentils next!

      Yes, I was so excited to hear Chipotle has vegan options! The sofritas, black and pinto beans, white and brown rice, the fajita veggies, and guacamole are all vegan. (At least that’s what PETA says)

      Reply

  21. I’m a big fan of veggie tacos and I love to try various vegan filling recipes so I am so delighted that you shared your healthy and delicious Walnut “Meat” Tacos recipe with us at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing this!

    Reply

  23. These look amazing! Can’t wait to try them. Curious though…..

    Did you ever try heating up the walnut mixture? I like my ‘meat’ hot. It seem like a quick sautee just to warm them wouldn’t change much other than temp?

    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Hi Calyb! Thanks so much!

      I have actually never tried heating them up but I but that would be tasty. Like you said just a quick sautee probably wouldn’t change anything at all. If you do try it, let me know what you think. I may try that next time I make them too!

      Reply

  24. This was delicious! I love that it made plenty to eat during the week! I actually ate mine warm. I also sautéed them with black beans, a little onion and a little red bell pepper. So good! It also tastes good with a little hot sauce! Will be making it again! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • I’m so glad you liked them Andrea! Yes, I take leftover of them to work too!
      Yum, I love the idea of adding the beans and veggies, I’ll have to try that too (plus the hot sauce, I put that on everything!). 🙂

      Reply

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