This version of vegan taco “meat” was the result of a botched a batch of chickpea fries. When my roommate commented that they tasted like tacos, it sparked a lightbulb moment that led to this recipe!
Why You Should Try This Vegan Taco Meat
- Tasty and nutritious: With crispy edges, tender centers and abundant spices, this easy taco meat substitute is vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free friendly, nut-free. Chickpea flour is also a great source of fiber, protein, folate and iron.
- Quick to make: With just three main ingredients, you can make a big batch in under an hour!
- Economical: Chickpea flour is cheap and nutrient-dense! Chickpea flour is also known as garbanzo bean flour, besan or gram flour. You can find chickpea flour in many grocery stores (sometimes it’s located in the ethnic secion), or you can order it online. I’ve found chickpea flour in my local Hispanic supermarket, local Indian grocery stores, and more recently at my local Kroger!
- Satisfying meat subsitute: Use this delicious and filling plant-based option anywhere you would normally use ground beef or chicken.
How to Make Chickpea Taco “Meat”
- There are really just 3 ingredients for this vegan taco meat: chickpea flour, seasoning and onion!
- Cook chickpea flour and seasoning in water until thickened (texture of a drippy polenta)
- Drizzle the polenta onto a baking sheet (or another baking pan or even a few large plates!) and let sit for 20 minutes until semi-firm in texture
- Fry the nuggets with onions and seasoning for an incredibly tasty vegan taco meat!
How to Serve Vegan Taco “Meat”
- Tacos: serve in flour/corn tortillas or these vegan/gluten-free tortillas topped with salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Or serve in crunchy purple cabbage leaves for more color!
- Sandwiches: Layer taco meat with a smear of hummus, some shredded lettuce or coleslaw, and pickled onions.
- Salad: Try a big southwestern-style salad with the taco meat, black beans, brown rice, corn, avocado, pico de gallo or salsa on a bed of shredded lettuce, cabbage or massaged kale.
- Burritos: Inspired by Chipotle, try using a big tortilla to wrap up some cilantro-lime rice, taco meat, beans, guac and salsa!
- Make a big batch (you can easily double or triple this recipe) and use it in all of the above!
Chickpea Taco Meat
Ingredients
For the taco seasoning:
- 3 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano optional
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- few grinds pepper
For the taco meat:
- 1 cup chickpea flour*
- 1 small white or yellow onion, chopped
- olive oil
- salt
Instructions
Make the taco seasoning:
- Whisk all taco seasoning ingredients together.
Make the taco "meat"
- Whisk 3 tablespoons of seasoning into the chickpea flour, breaking up any clumps for a smooth consistency.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to medium and whisk in chickpea flour, again trying to eliminate most lumps–the mixture should begin to thicken immediately. If mixture starts to splatter, lower heat and continue to cook the mixture for an additional minute. Turn off heat.
- Using the whisk, drizzle the chickpea mixture in small clumps over a large baking sheet, leaving space between each clump (you may need several). This creates the "meat" shape and texture. Let the mixture cool and firm up for at least 20 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, heat a few teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Add onion, 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and a big pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until onion is softened.
- Scrape the chickpea mixture off the cookie sheets with a spatula and add to the pan with another tablespoon of taco seasoning. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add additional seasoning to taste, if needed.
- Serve hot with tortillas, cabbage leaves or on top of a salad!
Notes
*Chickpea flour is also called besan or gram flour. I buy large bags at my local Hispanic superstore, but you should be able to find it in the ethnic section of most grocery stores.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Beth
This recipe does not work! I let it dry out for 30 mins and it was still mushy. The seasonings were good but it definitely was not the right texture!
erika
Hi Beth, so sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Adding this recipe to my list to re-test and will try to see if I can update the method for better results.
Allison
I am making this right now and cooking the onions …. This is so awesome. I am looking forward to other recipes.
erika
Yay!! How’d it turn out? Hope you loved it!!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
Erika! This sounds sooooo healthy and delicious. I love when inspiration comes in the most random places – way to go roommate for inspiring such a yummy looking dish!
I wanted to let you know that we’re heading to Houston tomorrow and we’re taking you up on your recommendation. We’ll have dinner tomorrow night at Provisions! Thank you for all your helpful suggestions! xoxo.
erika
Woowoo!!! How was it?? I hope you super enjoyed. If you have time for another bite while you’re in Houston, Common Bond is a new pastry cafe place that’s amazing!
And glad you to hear you like the look of this taco meat! Haha yes, thank goodness for roommates!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
Sadly, our flight got delayed FOUR hours and we had to cancel our reservation :'(
We ended up celebrating birthdays over lunch the next day at Americas, which we thought was actually pretty delicious. And then for lunch on Sunday we had Corkscrew BBQ (in The Woodlands), which was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. My husband’s dad had to get in line at 8am on Saturday to get some BBQ for us to eat on Sunday (it’s apparently got lots of hype and is totally worth it). HIGHLY recommend.
erika
Oh no!!!!!!!! That’s SO SAD but I’m so glad you still had a great meal at Americas (I took my bf there for his bday two years ago, so good job! I approve ;)) And happy belated birthday!!!
Ooh my roommate’s mom lives up in the Woodlands so I’ll have to tell her to try Corkscrew! Glad you had a successful eating trip to Houston! 🙂
Christina Summers
Just made this yesterday for a packed lunch today at work! Turned out well. Here is a picture of it served with cauliflower rice:
http://imgur.com/diUGAKk
erika
Christina, that looks fabulous!!! Thanks for sharing the photo–I’m glad it turned out well for you! 🙂
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen
This is awesome…you are awesome! I can’t wait to make this 🙂
shelley @ Bacon Egg & Cheese{cake}
Eeeks i totally know what you mean about pre- and post- start of school. I miss my free time! 🙁 🙁 Love this vegan taco meat, looks so simple too and would probably be suuuuper awesome to make a big batch and throw into random salads 😀