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Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

August 11, 2015 by Sina 56 Comments
Last updated on: June 17, 2018

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Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

Who needs ground beef when you can fill your tacos with this delicious lentil walnut meat? I’ve always loved tacos, burritos, and Mexican food in general, but these vegan tacos with lentil walnut meat and homemade cashew sour cream we had the other day seriously blew my mind! A fresh, healthy, and savory filling topped with creamy sour cream all in a crispy portable shell – I mean how much better can life actually get?!

If you want it even healthier, try serving the filling in lettuce shells. Of course the taco lettuce wraps can’t make up for the crispiness of the real taco shells, but it’s still really delicious and just perfect for a healthy snack or a light dinner.

Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

The lentil walnut meat already tastes awesome on its own, but I think it’s even better with sour cream. I just love the combo of this hearty vegan meat alternative (I actually hate using this word as it’s not just a substitute but sooo much better!) and the creaminess and slightly sour taste of cashew sour cream. I also like eating this easy vegan version of sour cream together with potatoes and salad. The recipe really couldn’t be easier. You only need four ingredients (not including salt and pepper): cashews, water, one clove of garlic, and lemon juice. Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. I also used avocado, kidney beans, corn, tomatoes, and some lettuce to fill the taco.

Vegan Sour Cream

Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

I hope you like Mexican food as much as I do and give these vegan tacos with lentil walnut meat a try! If you do let me know how you liked them. I always love hearing from you guys! :-) Hope you all have a great week!

 

 

If you like these vegan tacos with lentil walnut meat or Mexican food in general, check out this tofu chili:

Spicy Vegan Tofu Chili

 

Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat
5 from 1 vote
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Vegan Tacos with Lentil Walnut Meat

This recipe is inspired by Angela Liddon's "Ultimate Green Taco Wraps".
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the lentil walnut meat:

  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1 cup brown lentils
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • salt
  • black pepper

For the vegan sour cream:

  • 1 cup cashews, soaked for 30 minutes
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • salt
  • black pepper

For the tacos:

  • 1 tomato
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup kidney beans
  • 1 cup corn
  • lettuce
  • about 8 taco shells

Instructions

  1. Cook the lentils according to the instructions. Drain and set aside. In a medium pan, roast the walnuts without oil for about 2 minutes or until they're lightly golden. Put the walnuts and the cooked lentils in a food processor and process until chopped. Make sure to leave some texture!
  2. In a medium pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sautée the onions for about 3 minutes. Then add the lentil walnut mixture and stir in the tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and the spices (paprika powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper).
  3. Make the sour cream: Drain the cashews and put all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Fill the taco shells with the lentil walnut meat, tomato, avocado, kidney beans, corn, and lettuce and top with sour cream.
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Filed Under: All Recipes, Beans/Legumes, Burger & Co, Recipe, Snacks Tagged With: healthy tacos, lentil walnut meat, vegan cashew sour cream, vegan sour cream, vegan tacos, vegetarian tacos

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Comments

  1. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    August 12, 2015 at 10:36

    Oh my gosh! These vegan tacos look just so YUM, Sina! Lentils and walnut are the most addicting things! Con’t wait to try these beauties! YUMMY!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 12, 2015 at 16:52

      Thanks, Anu! :-) I totally agree with you. Lentils are sooo good and healthy at the same time! They’re one of my favorite foods.

      Reply
  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    August 12, 2015 at 13:51

    Tacos are just perfect vessels of awesome…always ;)

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 12, 2015 at 16:52

      I totally agree with you, Rebecca! :-)

      Reply
  3. Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says

    August 12, 2015 at 16:28

    Tacos are one of the most fun things to veganize because you can hide all sorts of nutrition things under that myriad of spices and it almost always tastes exactly like tacos! I’ve never tried lentils, but I love lentils in veggie burgers, so I bet it would be deeelicious! And these pictures are beautiful! How you managed to get so many of them standing up in one pic is a mystery to me, mine are usually flopping all over the place :D haha Awesome recipe!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 12, 2015 at 17:02

      That’s so true, Natalie! :-) If you love lentil burgers I guess you should really give these guys a try. ;-) I was actually having the same problems when I took the pictures. Haha! They just wouldn’t stand up for even a second and I was getting reeeally hungry!! But then I had the idea to just put a lemon behind them to hold them up, which worked really well. So in the end, I was actually able to take some pictures and eat them before I was starving. :-)

      Reply
  4. kellie@foodtoglow says

    August 12, 2015 at 18:22

    Wow, Sina these look fantastic – and read fantastic too. I do use lentils (and keep cooked bags of them in the freezer) but haven’t given them a taco vibe. Totally doing this the next taco craving! Pinning etc :-)

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:26

      Thanks, Kellie! :-) Oh I’ve never thought of freezing lentils. This is such a great idea! Do you just cook them and put them in freezer bags or in containers? I really gotta try this, it probably saves lots of time!

      Reply
  5. Kavey says

    August 12, 2015 at 18:28

    Oooh I love walnuts in sweets but never think to incorporate them in savoury!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:30

      Yeah, they’re so versatile and delicious! You really should give them a try in savoury meals, Kavey! :-)

      Reply
  6. Claire @foodiequine says

    August 12, 2015 at 18:32

    You need to get yourself a Taco holder to make them stand up effortlessly! Love the vibrant colours and flavours.

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:32

      Oh I’ve never known that there is such a thing as a taco holder, Claire! Haha. Thanks so much for the tip. :-) I really struggled to make them stand up, so I guess this will definitely help! ;-)

      Reply
  7. Jenn says

    August 12, 2015 at 20:29

    Wow, these looks so good! I love adding walnuts to “meat.” Your pictures seriously have me drooling!! Yum!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:34

      Haha! Thanks, Jenn! :-) The same happened to me when I looked at your bean tostadas yesterday! Isn’t Mexican food just awesome?!

      Reply
  8. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    August 12, 2015 at 20:49

    these tacos looks absolutely divine Sina, I wish I had this for lunch today! *drooling*

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:36

      Thanks, Manali! :-) So glad you like them and sorry for making you drool. ;-)

      Reply
  9. The Vegan 8 says

    August 12, 2015 at 21:19

    These look so incredible, they would be so perfect for lunch right now!! Love the bright colors!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:37

      Thanks, Brandi! :-)

      Reply
  10. Michele @ Two Raspberries says

    August 12, 2015 at 23:30

    wow! pinned these ;-) I definitely want to try these the lentil meat sounds amazing! I need some tacos I have been missing them for so long! YUM!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:38

      Thanks so much for pinning them, Michele! :-) Oh yeah, I just love tacos and Mexican food in general! Let me know how you liked them. ;-)

      Reply
  11. Harriet Emily says

    August 13, 2015 at 10:31

    These tacos are perfect! I am obsessed with walnut meat, and I love that you added lentils into the mix – that’s such a great idea! I definitely need to try these! So yummy!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 13, 2015 at 11:40

      Thanks, Harriet! :-) Let me know how you liked them. ;-)

      Reply
  12. Linda @ Veganosity says

    August 13, 2015 at 15:52

    This is such a great recipe, Sina! I love Mexican food and I can’t wait to make this meat replacer.

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 14, 2015 at 19:25

      Thanks, Linda! :-) Can’t wait to hear how you liked it.

      Reply
  13. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says

    August 14, 2015 at 9:18

    Wow, that lentil filling looks AMAZING! :) And I love Mexican food. This while dish sounds absolutely delicious <3

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 14, 2015 at 19:29

      Thanks so much, Audrey! :-) Mexican food is just awesome!

      Reply
  14. lucie says

    August 14, 2015 at 16:28

    I cant believe these tacos are VEGAN!!! Vegan sour cream? Wow. Girl, you seriously just made my day! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 14, 2015 at 19:29

      Haha! You’re welcome, Lucie! ;-) So glad you like them!

      Reply
  15. Cara Carin says

    August 25, 2015 at 22:55

    Hi Sina! These lentil tacos sounds so delicious!! And your photography is stunning! I absolutely love how colorful and bright it is xo

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 26, 2015 at 20:01

      Thanks so much, Cara! :-) So glad you like them!

      Reply
  16. rebecca says

    August 27, 2015 at 4:36

    oh wow love the look of these full of flavor

    Reply
    • Sina says

      August 28, 2015 at 10:48

      Thanks, Rebecca! :-)

      Reply
  17. Stevie says

    February 21, 2016 at 13:36

    Sounds really, really great! Will be tested today :)

    Reply
    • Sina says

      February 29, 2016 at 20:14

      Thanks, Stevie! :-) I hope you liked it!

      Reply
      • Stevie says

        March 2, 2016 at 21:00

        Oh yes, liked it so much! Thanks a lot! :)

        Reply
  18. Amanda says

    February 26, 2016 at 21:24

    Have you ever tried freezing any leftover “meat”? Seems to me that it would freeze fairly well. If you have tried it, how have you heated it up?

    Reply
    • Sina says

      February 29, 2016 at 20:30

      Hi Amanda! No, I haven’t tried freezing it yet as we didn’t have any leftovers yet. Haha! We’re good eaters. ;-) But I also think it would probably freeze well. Have to give this a try. Let me know if you do too. :-)

      Reply
  19. Jeanne Schmidt says

    March 30, 2016 at 14:12

    I can not pin any of your recipes. When I try to it takes me to a page of all pin pages to follow. .
    I don’t know what to do , can you help?

    Reply
    • Sina says

      April 18, 2016 at 19:11

      Hi Jeanne, I’m sorry, I haven’t had that problem before. :-( Are you trying to directly pin from my blog? If yes, you could also go to my Pinterest page (https://www.pinterest.com/veganheavenorg/ ) and pin the recipes from there. Or have you tried using another browser?

      Reply
  20. Kathryn Grace says

    April 18, 2016 at 16:01

    I’ll be making these soon. I don’t miss taco meat at all, but I’m trying to find a vegan version my meat-eating son-in-law will love as much so I don’t have to cook meat when our families get together for taco night. These look delicious! Sharing it, with gratitude, as my pick for #RecipeOfTheDay today on my foodie Facebook page, Twitter and elsewhere.

    Reply
    • Sina says

      April 18, 2016 at 19:29

      I really hope your family will like them, Kathryn! :-) And thanks so much for sharing! <3

      Reply
  21. Foodyfrauke says

    April 22, 2016 at 18:49

    Woowwww, this looks sooo delicious! I love the idea of replacing minced meat with walnuts and lentils, this will come on my list of “recipes-I-want-to-try-very-soon-because-they-look-so-delicious” ;)

    Reply
    • Sina says

      May 10, 2016 at 20:49

      Thanks, Frauke! So glad you like it. It’s one of our favorite recipes around here. Perfect for Taco Tuesday! :-)

      Reply
  22. Michaela says

    April 29, 2016 at 16:01

    Hi Sina, I made these tacos for lunch today as my friend stopped by and we loved them, all of us, including my kids and husband. I go almost 100% vegan and your recipes are so refreshing and original. You are great inspiration. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      May 10, 2016 at 21:03

      Hi Michaela, So glad you guys liked them! They’re one of our favorites around here too! :-) And thanks so much for the compliment. So great to have you as a reader!!

      Reply
  23. Kay says

    June 5, 2016 at 2:40

    I made these yesterday and they were simply amazing!!!! The sour cream is great too! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Jenna Henson says

    July 25, 2016 at 3:10

    Does this meat hold up well in the freezer?? Also how long does the sour cream last? Looks amazing ?

    Reply
    • Sina says

      July 25, 2016 at 12:38

      Hi Jenna, Thanks so much! :-) The sour cream lasts for about 2 days in the fridge if you put it in an airtight container. Unfortunately I haven’t tried freezing the lentil walnut meat myself yet, but a friend of mine did and she said it worked pretty well. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  25. Heidi says

    October 6, 2016 at 3:49

    The absolute best vegan taco meat I have made since becoming vegan over 2 years ago. My search is finally over. I LOVE YOU! Thank you so much for this recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Sina says

      October 7, 2016 at 10:06

      Hi Heidi, Thanks so much for your comment. So glad you like it this much! <3

      Reply
  26. Melissa says

    November 3, 2016 at 0:11

    Is it one cup of cooked lentils or one cup uncooked?

    Reply
    • Cindy says

      October 11, 2017 at 5:05

      I have the same question! It makes a huge difference in the texture. I’ve tried it both ways, and think I like it better with less lentils, but then it makes a lot less and it’d be much higher in fat because you’re eating more walnuts. Would love to know how it was intended!

      Reply
  27. Lisa says

    November 16, 2016 at 2:22

    I made these tacos for dinner tonight, they were wonderful ! Thank you!

    Reply
  28. Lisa says

    December 13, 2016 at 12:45

    I made these for dinner last night. Everyone loved them. We will for sure be having these again! Thank you!

    Reply
  29. Renee Coles says

    July 26, 2017 at 1:20

    Biggest problem I see with this recipe is actually getting the “meat” to the taco without eating it all first. Supper isn’t for another 30 minutes and I think I have 1/2 of it eaten already! DEE-licious! You need to try this. I toasted the walnuts in the oven for 10 minutes, that’s about the only change I made.

    Excuse me while I go have just ONE more spoonful…..

    Reply
  30. Dimitra says

    February 28, 2018 at 1:28

    So good! Thank you!

    Reply

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Hi, Thanks for stopping by! I'm Sina and this is my recipe blog where I share heavenly simple and sinfully delicious vegan recipes.

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