Just because you are vegetarian doesn't mean you need to miss out on taco night! Nor does it mean you need to eat meat look-a-likes that can really have you questioning how a 'natural' and 'healthy' product could look so similar to ground beef. The key to a great vegetarian taco is the seasoning, so whatever protein you choose to use in your tacos, so can give them the taste of tacos without the meat.
I chose to use a mix of black and kidney beans, but chickpeas and lentils have also had the same success for me. One can of beans will produce enough meat substitute for 4 large tacos or 6 small tacos.
I chose to use a mix of black and kidney beans, but chickpeas and lentils have also had the same success for me. One can of beans will produce enough meat substitute for 4 large tacos or 6 small tacos.
Gypsy Boots Trail |
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Prep Time
15 minutes |
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Cook Time
30 minutes |
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Total Time
45 minutes |
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Ingredients
- 1 can of beans or lentils of your choosing (I used a mix of black and kidney
- Chopped veggies to dress your tacos: kale, tomato, green pepper, red onion, carrot, etc
- we added artichoke because we love them and had an open can in the fridge
- Cheese!
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 paprika
- 1/4 onion powder
- 1/4 garlic powder
- 1/4 oregano
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
Directions
- Begin to soften canned beans in a medium to large frying pan over medium heat, with just enough water to cover them
- While this happening, in a small bowl mix together seasoning spices
- Once water has almost disappeared (5-8 minutes), use you potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to mash beans into a chunky paste. Don't worry about making this smooth
- Now stir seasoning spices into beans and add 2-3 cups of water to the frying pan
- Allow beans, water, and spices to simmer for 20 minutes until most of the water has evaporated and you are left with soft, seasoned, bean paste
- This is the 'meat' for your tacos. The chunkier the beans the more familiar the texture, however, with this taco seasoning spice you want notice the meat is missing because the flavour will be the exact same.
- Assemble tacos and enjoy
Notes
- If you are using this seasoning for ground beef, double the recipe for the seasoning spices for each pound of beef