Vegan Walnut Taco Meat Recipe

Name: Walnut Meat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil (or vegetable broth); 1/2 medium yellow onion (small dice); 2 large cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils (French, Puy, brown or green (1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)); 1 cup finely chopped walnuts; 1 teaspoon cumin powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1/4 teaspoon chili powder; 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1/4 cup vegetable broth (plus more as needed); 1 1/2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce); 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish (optional)); Fresh lime juice (to taste (optional)); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Easy Vegan Walnut Taco Meat, ready in 15 minutes, and made with 7 budget-friendly ingredients. This vegan recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and heart healthy omega-3s. It's a lighter version of pure walnut meat. It includes lentils for more fiber, protein and a reduction in calories. (Nut-free option)

Walnut taco meat with lentils in a white bowl topped with chopped cilantro.

Walnut Taco Meat is versatile, tasty, and the perfect addition to vegan tacos, spaghetti bolognese, stir-fries, stuffed peppers, chili, burritos, wraps, sloppy joes, and lasagna. Make it in summer, the holidays, or any time of year.

Walnut meat in tacos on a white plate with lime wedges and avocado sauce.

While walnuts offer numerous health benefits, they are also calorie-dense, and not especially high in protein. That's why I created a walnut meat recipe that combines lentils and walnuts. Lentils are high in plant-based protein, and relatively low in calories. The combination of crunchy walnuts with chewy lentils is the ideal texture for a vegan meat substitute.

This walnut taco meat was inspired by my Tofu Taco Meat recipe, as well as my Best Vegan Meatloaf on this site.

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👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
🥑 Substitutions
📖 Instructions
💡 Expert Tips
🍽 Recipe FAQs
🍽 Related Recipes
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Chopped walnuts, cooked lentils, chopped onion, tamari, tomato paste, garlic, spices, and vegetable broth in bowls on a white wooden board.

Walnuts contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an essential fatty acid, meaning that you must get it from foods because your body can't produce it. Walnuts have more ALA than any other nut. They are also rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols. Walnuts can be a helpful addition to a weight management plan. Their combination of healthy fats, protein, and fiber can help keep you feeling fuller for longer, potentially reducing overall calorie intake. Walnuts contain fiber, which is essential for promoting a healthy gut. Their slightly crunchy texture is ideal for making walnut meat.
Use Puy, French, green or brown lentils for this vegan taco meat recipe. You can cook your own, or use canned lentils to save time. Lentils are high in protein and fiber, and packed with iron.
Optional ingredients: Add fresh lime juice, and chopped fresh cilantro for serving to pack in even more flavor.

See recipe card for quantities.

🥑 Substitutions

Nut-free - Use roughly chopped sunflower seeds instead. Pulse them briefly in a food processor beforehand.
Tamari - use an equal amount of soy sauce, or substitute with 3 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce instead
Nutritional yeast - add some for a deep savory and almost cheesy flavor
Spices and herbs - experiment with various fresh or dried herbs and spices (basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, taco seasoning)
Lentils - use quinoa instead of lentils
For serving - Add fresh lime juice an chopped cilantro for even more flavor. Serve with sliced avocado and pita, flatbread or tortillas.
Avocado cream sauce - Make Vegan Tacos and serve them with my Avocado Crema.

See my Vegan Lentil Recipes page for more easy, high-protein dinner ideas.

📖 Instructions

If cooking your own lentils, use ⅔ cup dry. Simmer them in a medium saucepan over low heat with enough water to cover by about 2-inches high. Cook until al dente. Strain using a large sieve, and set aside to drain.

Step 1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and garlic for about 3 minutes, or until fragrant.

Cooked onion, garlic, walnuts, and lentils in a white skillet.

Step 2. Add the lentils, and walnuts and cook for 1 minute more.

Large white nonstick skillet with cooked onion, lentils and chopped walnuts, with spices and tomato paste.

Step 3. Add the spices, and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Lentils, onions, tomato paste, and garlic cooking in a white skillet with cilantro on a scraper above.

Step 4. Pour in the tamari, and vegetable broth. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens, adding more broth as desired. Season with fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper. Garnish with cilantro or parsley.

🌮 How to Make Walnut Meat Tacos

Brushing flour tortillas with olive oil using a wooden silicone brush with grey bristles.

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF, or use a large nonstick skillet. Brush one side of the tortillas with oil. Flip them over, oil-side down onto a nonstick baking sheet.

Flour tortillas folded with filling on a white baking sheet.

Step 2. Place the walnut taco meat on one-half side of the tortillas. Fold the other side over to cover the filling.

Four vegan baked taco with avocado cream and lime wedges on a white baking sheet.

Step 3. Place a second baking sheet on top of the folded tacos for the first 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Remove the top baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes more, or until the desired crispiness.

🥑 For the Avocado Crema: Blend 1 avocado, 1 clove garlic, ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro, ½ cup vegan yogurt, 1 small seeded and chopped jalapeño, and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Add water or olive oil for blending. Season with salt and pepper, and more lime juice to taste.

💡 Expert Tips

Chop the walnuts in a food processor to save time. Pulse until large crumbs form. Do not over process into flour.
Do not overcook the lentils or they will become mushy. Use a large skillet to cook the walnut taco meat so it browns readily.
Storage: Walnut meat is great for batch-cooking and meal prep because you can easily make a lot at one time and leftovers freeze well. It lasts for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, stored in an air-tight container. Or freeze walnut meat in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
For serving: Reheat walnut meat in the microwave, oven (380ºF), or stovetop until warmed through. If it becomes too dry, add vegetable broth.

🍽 Recipe FAQs

How do I make tacos with left over walnut taco meat ?

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Brush one side of the soft tortillas with olive oil. Place the tortillas oil-side down onto a nonstick baking sheet. Top one-half side with refrigerated walnut meat. Place a second sheet on top to press the tacos down. Bake for about 20 minutes, removing the top baking sheet halfway through.
For the Avocado Cream Sauce: Blend 1 avocado, 1 clove garlic, ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro, ¼ cup vegan yogurt, 1 small seeded and chopped jalapeño, and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Add water or olive oil for blending. Season with salt and pepper, and more lime juice to taste.

How much protein is in walnut meat?

This Vegan Walnut Meat has 16 grams protein per serving.

Do I need to soak the walnuts for making walnut meat?

No. You do not need to soak the walnuts for this Walnut Meat recipe. They do not impart a bitter taste. In fact, you hardly taste them at all. They are there to give this vegan meat its slightly crunchy texture.

Do walnuts need to be refrigerated?

Walnuts, shelled or unshelled, require refrigeration if you want them to last longer. Exposure to warm temperatures for long periods of time will cause the fat in walnuts to change and turn rancid. Place them in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on when you plan on using them. If you are going to use them within a month, keep them in the refrigerator.