This raw vegan walnut meat is a yummy, healthy alternative to a beef taco filling that still packs a protein punch. It's ridiculously easy to make and is so tasty that even omnivores will want second helpings!
Once you make a batch of this vegan meatless ground "meat," you can use it in tacos, burritos, buddha bowls, nachos, or Walnut Meat Vegan Taco Wraps. You can even stir it into a batch of my vegan queso for a plant-based choriqueso that's sure to bring the house down!
The nuts are blitzed in a food processor until they are in small pieces. When combined with some spices and seasonings, the walnuts magically transform into something that honest-to-goodness actually tastes like taco meat!
The trick to making walnut meat extra delicious is the seasoning. The tamari gives the walnut crumbles a sort of umami, "meaty" flavor, and the cumin and chili powder give it all the taco vibes.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This raw vegan walnut meat is:
- Easy to make - it just takes 10 minutes!
- No cooking involved
- Super versatile
- Packed with healthy fats and protein
- Perfect for meal prep,
- An amazing plant-based substitute for seasoned ground beef, and
If you're not in the mood for taco meat, simply swap out the seasonings! Read more in the "variations" section below - this walnut meat can also be a substitute for crumbled sausage, added to red pasta sauces for "bolognese," or turned into sloppy joe's.
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!
If you come up with any winning combos I should know about, be sure to let me know in the comments below!
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.
FAQs
Nope! The walnut meat is a raw, vegan meal, making it perfect for taking anywhere. Because of this, it is great for picnics or packed lunches. It's also great for making taco salads. All that said, feel free to heat it up if you want a warm meal!
Once made, the taco "meat" should last for up to a week in the fridge, or up to a month in the freezer.
While walnuts might be off the table, there are still lots of options for you. While I haven't done it myself yet, I'd like to try using sunflower seeds to make this meat. If you don't want to be a guinea pig, go a totally different route and use tofu crumbles, tempeh crumbles, jackfruit, lentils, or chickpeas instead!
Short answer - yes! I have made this walnut meat countless times and every time I get SO MANY compliments. Even omnivores really love this dish.
Other "Meaty" Vegan Recipes
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Walnut Meat
Ingredients
WALNUT TACOS
- 1.5 cups walnuts whole or pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon tamari can sub soy sauce if not gf or coconut aminos if you do not do soy
Instructions
- Add walnuts, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and tamari to a food processor and process until mixture is chopped finely but not pureed.
Video
Notes
- Walnut meat will last in the fridge for about a week, or in the freezer for about a month.
- 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.
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them.Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Vicki says
These look really good... I usually do a lentil taco "meat" for my tacos, but I will have to give this a try!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Vicki! I haven't tried lentil tacos but I need to give those a try too! 🙂
Angela says
Oh my goodness, what a great idea! We make lentil tacos a bunch so I am excited to shake it up and try these out, thank you!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Angela! I need to try lentil tacos. Let me know what you think if I try these!
Rachel says
I make a "meatball" with walnuts. Never would have thought to use it as taco meat!! Great idea.
Mary Ellen says
I'll have to check out your walnut "meat" ball! That sounds great!
Jean says
I make walnut meatballs also. They are incredible!!!
Mary Ellen says
I totally need to try to make those Jean!
kimmythevegan says
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.
Mary Ellen says
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)
Debbie Woodruff says
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!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Debbie! The meat alternatives would be good in there too. Those Chipotle sofritas are really good too.
Raia T. says
Sounds like a yummy meat-free meal! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Allergy Free Thursdays, Mary Ellen!
MaryEllen@VNutrition says
Thanks Raia! 🙂
Courtney's Cookbook says
Nice! I'm always on the lookout for veggie-friendly taco-filling alternatives and these looks fab! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Courtney! Now that I love tacos I'll be looking for lots of veggie friendly alternatives. 🙂
fitfoodiemama says
These look deliciously amazing! Pinned for later- thanks for linking up 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Annmarie! 🙂
Deborah Smikle-Davis (@debsmikdav1) says
Hi Mary Ellen,
These walnut meat tacos look so yummy and "meaty". And the lime cashew sour cream sounds amazing! They are a perfect idea for a satisfying lunch. I can't wait to make these.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Deborah! Let me know if you give them a try! I made extra of the lime sour cream and have been putting it on everything this week lol!
Miss Whisk (@Miss_Whisk) says
These look so delicious Mary Ellen!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Sarah! 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
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.
Mary Ellen says
Aw, thanks so much! 🙂
Yes, I know how much you love your tacos! I'm so glad I got on the taco train too!
Megan says
I made the “meat” tonight for our loaded nachos. The meat was delicious and I hardly noticed it wasn’t ground beef. I do have a question. I used unsalted, raw walnuts. Is that what I was supposed to use? I think next time I’ll at least toast the nuts and perhaps salt them too. I added a little salt to the finished product. Thanks for the recipe!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Megan! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Yes, I do use raw unsalted walnuts. I've never toasting the nuts first but if you do let me know how it turns out!
Tawnie Kroll says
These sounds so yummy! Very creative!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Tawnie!
Cadry's Kitchen says
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.
Mary Ellen says
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!
ModVegan says
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.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Margaret!
Wow, your grandmother knows what's up! That's so cool, I'd love to try a vegan mincemeat pie. 🙂
Jenn - a traveling Wife says
I never would have thought to use walnuts as a meat replacement for tacos. Genius.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Jenn!
Lee says
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!
Mary Ellen says
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!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
These look wonderful and much healthier than fake meat alternatives, thanks!
Mary Ellen says
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.
Mary Ellen says
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. 🙂
Ellie | Hungry by Nature says
What a clever "meat"! I have never thought of using walnuts before - I will have to give it a try!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Ellie! Let me know if you give it a try! 🙂
kateringforveggies says
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! 😉
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Kate! They are so easy to make - and delicious too! So glad I found the goodness of tacos lol!
Vivian says
Do you soak the walnuts overnight and then blend in a food processor like the cashews?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Vivian, no you don't have to soak the walnuts. The cashews are soaked so they can be blended more smoothly.
I hope you enjoy!