Vegan Walnut Meat

Ingredients

If you're not already convinced that walnut meat is a good idea, here's some more good news: you only need a handful of ingredients to make it, and most of them are probably already in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:

Making this "meat" is incredibly easy, and it only takes five (5!!!) ingredients:

• Walnuts - This is the base of your "meat," and I honestly haven't found another nut alternative. That said, feel free to save some money and buy walnut pieces rather than halves; they're going to get pulverized either way!
• Garlic Powder - This is one of my favorite pantry ingredients because it adds a ton of flavor without needing to chop or peel garlic.
• Cumin - You can use ground cumin here, or feel free to use cumin seeds instead. Toasting cumin seeds prior to use will release even more of the flavorful oils.
• Chili Powder - Feel free to opt for something spicier like cayenne or hot smoked paprika if it's in your wheelhouse to do so.
• Tamari - I try to remain gluten free, but if that isn't a concern for you, soy sauce will work just as well. If you are avoiding soy, feel free to swap in liquid aminos or coconut aminos instead.

How to Make

Step 1: Make the Meat. Add all the "meat" ingredients - walnuts, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and tamari - to a food processor.

Step 2: Chop it up. Process the walnut mixture until it is finely chopped, but not puréed.

Meal Prep Tip: You can pre-make it a few days before so tacos can be made in mere minutes when you have a hectic day!

Optional Variations & Customization

If you want to make another variation on this raw vegan walnut meat, feel free to swap in other herbs and spices. Be sure to keep the tamari in the equation no matter which variation you prefer.

• Make your taco meat spicy by adding in more chili powder, or swapping it out for a more intense ground pepper like cayenne or ghost pepper.
• Give it Italian sausage vibes with some Italian seasoning and fennel seed. You can even add in some sun-dried tomatoes in place of the tamari/soy sauce.
• Get your curry on with garam masala, turmeric and ginger.
• Go Mediterranean with some oregano and cinnamon. And then maybe load it into pita shells with some vegan feta, sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and vegan yogurt?!? NOM.
• Or go for a simple vegan hamburger helper flavor using just garlic and onion powder. This can then be turned into vegan sloppy joe's or a tasty vegan bolognese.

Customization doesn't just apply to the walnut meat, either! You can also customize these vegan tacos by swapping in your favorite veggies or trading out your tortillas. Here are a few ideas:

• Choose soft corn or flour tortillas, or opt for hard taco shells or tostadas instead.
• Swap in shredded lettuce for the cabbage.
• Use some spicy salsa to amp up the Mexican vibes, or make your own pico de gallo to keep things mild.
• Add some vegan cheese for a little richness.
• Grab a larger wrap and stuff in some brown rice and refried beans for a vegan burrito.

The options here are pretty endless, so feel free to get as creative as you want!

Equipment

There's literally just one piece of equipment that you will need for making walnut meat - a food processor! So long as you have one, you should be able to whip up this amazingly delicious (and very convincing) plant-based ground beef substitute in no time.

How to Serve

Once you've made the walnut meat, feel free to use it however you like. I love adding it to tortillas and eating it like tacos, but you can also use this "meat" in myriad other ways. Here are some ideas:

• Topping on burrito or buddha bowls
• Added to nachos (with my vegan nacho cheese sauce)
• Stuffing in burritos
• Added to vegan queso for a vegan choriqueso dip
• Tossed with rice and stuffed into bell peppers
• Added to salads

Depending on your spice mix, you can also lean away from the Tex-Mex and towards whatever your heart desires. Use:

• In pasta sauces
• As a vegan "hamburger" helper
• In pitas
• In breakfast scrambles

The options are nearly endless! Simply use this walnut taco meat as you would the ground beef counterpart and revel in all the good you're doing for your body and the environment.

Expert Tips

Making walnut meat is pretty darn straightforward. However, if you have any trepidation about it, I've got you covered!

• Be sure to use RAW walnuts. Avoid anything that has been roasted and salted. Don't get me wrong, I love eating roasted nuts; they just don't work well for the texture we are going for!
• Don't over-process. Food processors are awesome pieces of equipment, but they're also extremely powerful. Make sure you don't end up with taco-flavored nut butter on accident! I like to use the "pulse" function once the walnuts get pretty small, which gives me better control over the final consistency of my walnut meat.
• Play with your food! Once you try making this walnut taco meat, expand your flavor horizons with the suggestions under "Optional Variations & Customizations." If you're anything like me, you'll be playing walnut meat on repeat in no time.

Walnut Nutrition

Walnuts are often touted as being a super food, and with good reason. These little nuggets have been associated with improved brain and heart health; decreased cancer risk; and the reduction of inflammation.

Walnuts are an excellent source of 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 and depression.

Walnuts are also a great source of plant-based protein and contain vitamin B6, magnesium, and fiber. Don't believe me? Here's yet another article listing over a dozen ways walnuts are good for you.

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