Tacos are a popular Mexican dish and most are served with vegetables and meats such as ground beef or chicken. If you're vegan, you can enjoy tacos too, by making them vegan using plenty of fresh vegetables. There are a variety of way to make vegan tacos, and any of the recipes provided below can be switched up to suit your desired ingredients.

Ingredients

Black Bean Vegan Tacos [1]

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¾ - 1½ teaspoon salt
  • 2½ cups canned black beans, with the liquid
  • 2 limes
  • 3-4 teaspoons smoky hot sauce
  • 2-3 ripe avocados
  • Chipotle or tomatillo salsa
  • 10-12 mini corn tortillas
  • Shaved onion and/or chopped cilantro (optional)

Tofu Vegan Tacos [2]

  • 12 ounces firm tofu, drained and cut into 8 slices
  • 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
  • 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced
  • 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 limes, one zested and juiced, one cut into wedges
  • ¼ cup nonfat plain vegan yogurt
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • ¼ cup shredded vegan "mozzarella" or "pepper jack" cheese
  • ¼ cup jarred salsa verde
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 small summer squash, diced
  • ½ medium red onion, diced
  • 1 ear sweet corn, removed from cob
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 medium red pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • â…“ cup full fat, plain vegan yogurt
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro + extra for garnishing
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 6-8 corn tortillas

Buffalo Vegan Tacos [4]

  • ½ cup brown rice flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk, divided
  • 1½ teaspoons onion powder, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 medium head of cauliflower
  • ½ cup vegan mild buffalo sauce
  • ½ ripe avocado
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • ½ teaspoon garlic, minced (about 1 clove)
  • 6-8 corn tortillas
  • Taco toppings (red cabbage, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, jalapeno slices, etc.)

Lentil Vegan Tacos [5]

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ cup red onion finely diced + additional â…› cup
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • ¾ cup dried brown lentils
  • 2 cups mushroom or vegetable broth
  • â…“ cup bulgur wheat
  • â…” cup water
  • 2 medium avocados, halved and pitted
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 10 taco shells
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Black Bean Vegan Tacos

  1. Stir for about 10-15 minutes. The onions should be brown and soft.
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  2. Mix for about thirty seconds with a wooden spoon.
  3. Mix again and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Add additional salt or hot sauce if desired. The mixture will begin to thicken but there will be some liquid left. Set aside.
  5. Lift the tacos every few seconds to avoid them from burning or crisping.
  6. Allow the tacos to cool off for about 10 minutes.
  7. Garnish the tacos with shaved onions, chopped cilantro, salsa, or chipotle. Enjoy!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Tofu Vegan Tacos

  1. Place the tofu slices on a stack of paper towels. Stack with more paper towels and place a heavy skillet on top of it. Allow all the tofu water to come out; it'll take about 10 minutes.
  2. Toss well until fully combined together.
  3. Season with a desired amount of salt and pepper.
  4. Cook for about 7 minutes, flipping after 2 minutes, to allow the tofu to crisp slightly.
  5. Stuff the tacos with the tofu, coleslaw mixture, and vegan cheese. Drizzle over the vegan yogurt mixture and salsa. Enjoy!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Grilled Vegetable Vegan Tacos

  1. The vegetables should be brown.
  2. Blend well until well-combined and the mixture is creamy.
  3. Stuff the tacos with the roasted vegetables and avocado cream sauce. Enjoy!
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Buffalo Vegan Tacos

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon onion powder, garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix until fully combined.
  2. Break into pieces.
  3. Toss well until fully coated.
  4. Blend the avocado, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, ¼ cup milk, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a food processor. Blend until well-combined.
  5. Stuff the tacos with the buffalo cauliflower and the rest of the taco toppings. Enjoy!
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Lentil Vegan Tacos

  1. Cook until the onions are soft.
  2. Saute for an additional 30 seconds.
  3. Let it boil uncovered for about 10 minutes.
  4. Let the lentils simmer for about 5 minutes until tender.
  5. Allow it to simmer for about 12-15 minutes until it's tender.
  6. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
  7. Mash the avocados with the rest of the red onion, cherry tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro leaves. Mash until fully combined.
  8. Stuff the tacos with the lentil mixture and top it off with avocado sauce. Enjoy!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What meat substitutes or replacements can I use for a vegan taco?
    Bekah Rife
    Certified Plant-Based Chef
    Bekah Rife is a Certified Plant-Based Chef based in Los Angeles, California. Bekah has over eight years of professional experience and studied plant-based cooking in culinary school. Currently, she specializes in diet consulting and recipe development. She also offers cooking lessons and catering services.
    Certified Plant-Based Chef
    Expert Answer
    For a meat substitute in vegan tacos, there's the walnut taco option, where walnuts are crumbled and seasoned with taco seasoning and additional spices for added depth. Another excellent choice is sautéed mushrooms, known for their meaty texture, delivering a satisfying taco experience without the need for actual meat. Additionally, jackfruit can be sautéed to perfection, taking on a smoky or barbecue flavor and shredding akin to pork, making it an ideal substitute for classic pork tacos. With these diverse and tasty meat alternatives, you won't even miss the meat in your tacos.
  • Question
    If I'm vegan, how can I have the Greek yogurt that's an ingredient in the tofu one?
    Community Answer
    Simply use a dairy-free Greek yogurt.
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      Warnings

      • Take caution not to over-cook the vegetables for too long or they will end up burning and blackening.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Mixing tool
      • Stovetop or oven
      • Iron skillet
      • Baking tray
      • Serving plate


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