Beefy Vegan Tacos Recipe

Plant-based eating meets robust flavors with this vegan tacos recipe that will defy your expectations! You can satisfy your taste buds in just 20 minutes, making Taco Tuesday a breeze!
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Beefy vegan tacos lined up, served in hard shell tortillas with various ingredients scattered around.
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Tacos are a fun and delicious way to enjoy bold flavors and fresh ingredients! This vegan tacos recipe combines savory plant-based proteins with vibrant veggies and zesty seasonings to create tacos everyone will love. With simple ingredients like vegan ground beef, avocado, and fresh salsa, you can whip up a colorful and satisfying meal in no time. Plus, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive taco night with friends!

What makes these tacos extra special is the variety of flavors and textures. The veggie beef is seasoned with smoky spices and tomato sauce, while crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes add freshness and balance. You can customize your tacos with toppings like vegan cheese, pickled onions, or cilantro to make them your own. Instead of plant-based beef, you can use tofu, jackfruit, cauliflower, tempeh, lentils, mushrooms, fajita veggies, and beyond.

These tacos are proof that plant-based meals can be exciting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying! But, if you feel like celebrating with fast-food tacos, make sure to check out this Del Taco vegan menu guide, vegan options at Chipotle, and eating vegan at Taco Bell articles. So helpful to browse before you get too hungry!

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Tacos

This vegan tacos recipe is bursting with bold flavors and fresh, colorful ingredients! With hearty plant-based ground beef, zesty tomato sauce, and your favorite toppings, it’s a meal everyone will love. Not convinced? Here are more reasons to love it:

  • Quick and Easy to Make. These tacos are simple to put together, even on a busy day. Plant-based beef cooks quickly, and chopping fresh veggies is a breeze. You’ll have a satisfying, homemade meal on the table in no time.
  • Packed with Flavor. Vegan tacos made with plant-based beef and tomato sauce are bursting with flavor! The plant-based beef is seasoned to perfection, while the tomato sauce adds a savory, rich base. Combine that with fresh veggies, and every bite is a delicious mix of bold and bright flavors.
  • A Crowd-Pleasing Option. Everyone loves tacos, and this recipe is sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike. The hearty, savory filling satisfies taco cravings, while the vibrant toppings make them visually irresistible. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo parties, family dinners, or taco nights with friends!
  • Great for Meal Prep. Make a big batch of the plant-based beef filling and enjoy tacos all week long. Store the cooked filling and chopped veggies separately, so everything stays fresh. When you’re ready, just heat and assemble for a quick, delicious meal!
  • Perfectly Versatile. This recipe is super versatile, making it easy to customize to your taste. Add spicy jalapeños, creamy avocado, or tangy pickled onions for extra flair. Whether you love a classic taco or something unique, this recipe works for everyone.
Vegan tacos close up showing many chopped vegetables in a hard corn taco shell.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Discover the key ingredients that make vegan tacos delicious and satisfying! From savory plant-based ground beef to zesty seasonings, each element adds bold flavor and texture. Plus, we’ll share easy substitutions to help you customize your tacos to suit your taste and pantry staples:

  • Vegan Ground Beef: Mimics the texture and savory taste of traditional beef, making the tacos hearty and satisfying. If you don’t have plant-based ground beef, try lentils, crumbled tofu, or tempeh as substitutes. Beyond Meat, Gardein, Lightlife, Impossible, and Quorn are just some of the brands that offer meatless ground beef!
  • Tomato Sauce: Brings a rich, slightly sweet base to the taco filling. If you don’t have tomato sauce, try using crushed tomatoes, salsa, or even a few tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with water.
  • Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami to the taco filling. It’s a secret ingredient that makes the flavors pop! If you don’t have vegan Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos can work as substitutes. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar for a touch of acidity.
  • Seasonings (Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, dried basil, garlic powder, and dried oregano): These seasonings bring the taco filling to life! If you don’t have Lawry’s seasoned salt, use regular salt with a pinch of paprika or onion powder for a similar effect. Fresh oregano or basil can replace dried ones, though you may need to adjust the quantities. For garlic powder, minced garlic or granulated garlic works just as well.
  • Tabasco Sauce: Gives the taco filling a spicy kick and a touch of vinegar tang. It adds a little heat, making the tacos more exciting and flavorful. If Tabasco sauce isn’t your thing, try hot sauces like Cholula, Sriracha, or your favorite chili sauce. For a milder option, use a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper instead.

How To Make This Vegan Taco Recipe

Making these plant-based tacos is quick, simple, and so satisfying! You’ll cook a flavorful vegan ground beef filling with rich seasonings and layer it into warm taco shells. Add fresh veggies and your favorite toppings for a meal that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

Step 1: Cook the Filling – Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the plant-based ground beef until browned. Stir in the tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and seasonings, mixing well. Let the filling simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 2: Assemble the Tacos – Warm your taco shells or tortillas, then fill them with the seasoned plant-based mixture. Top with your favorite fresh veggies, like lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado. Add optional toppings like dairy-free cheese, tomatillo salsa, or lime juice, and enjoy!

Vegan tacos in crunchy shells surrounded by various plant-based toppings.

Serving Tips and Suggestions

Take your vegan tacos to the next level with these fun and tasty serving tips! These ideas make your taco night even more delicious and exciting:

  • Build a Taco Bar – Set up a taco bar with bowls of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and vegan cheese. Let everyone customize their tacos with their favorite extras. It’s perfect for parties or family taco nights!
  • Add a Creamy Element – Top your tacos with a dollop of dairy-free sour cream or a drizzle of homemade avocado lime sauce. The creaminess balances the spiciness from the Tabasco sauce and adds a smooth texture.
  • Turn It Into a Taco Bowl – Skip the shells and serve the seasoned filling over a bed of salad greens, steamed rice, or on top of quinoa salad. Add your favorite toppings for a colorful and hearty taco bowl that’s easy to eat and just as tasty.
  • Use Soft and Crunchy Shells – Combine soft tortillas and crunchy taco shells for the best of both worlds. Layer the soft tortilla underneath to catch any delicious filling that falls out of the crunchy shell. It’s a mess-free way to enjoy your tacos!
  • Pair with a Zesty Side – Serve your tacos with a side of zesty mexican rice, colorful bean salad, or spicy refried beans. These simple sides complement the bold flavors of the taco filling and make the meal even more satisfying.

FAQs

How do I store plant-based taco leftovers?

To store leftover vegan tacos, separate the taco filling from the taco shells and toppings. Place the filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Keep the shells and toppings (like lettuce and avocado) in separate containers to maintain freshness. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the filling and assemble your tacos again!

How can I make these vegan tacos gluten-free?

Luckily, this is pretty easy to do! Swap regular taco shells or tortillas for gluten-free alternatives like corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas. For a gluten-free, vegan ground beef substitute, try lentils, crumbled tempeh, or roasted chickpeas, all seasoned with the same spices and tomato sauce for a tasty filling. You can also use a gluten-free, plant-based “beef” substitute, just make sure it’s labeled gluten-free. With these simple swaps, you can enjoy delicious, gluten-free vegan tacos!

Can I use this filling for burritos as well as vegan tacos?

You sure can! It would make them a lot more transportable if you’re someone who’s constantly on the go or want a quick meal to grab from the fridge. Another advantage of burritos is that you can pack way more veggies in it, which is always a good idea when it comes to those picky little ones. Try it! You can even try to make your own homemade tortillas at home!

A hand reaching for a vegan taco in a line up of five crunchy corn tacos on a piece of white parchment paper.


If you make this Vegan Tacos recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!

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Beefy Vegan Tacos

5 from 6 votes
If you've been looking for the ultimate meaty plant-based tacos, this vegan tacos recipe is it! They are filling and packed with flavor while simultaneously ticking your 5-a-Day boxes. Add any extra veggies you wish and we dare you to try and eat just two. Hint: Not easy!
Beefy vegan tacos lined up, served in hard shell tortillas with various ingredients scattered around.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells, your pick!

For the vegan taco meat

  • 24 ounces vegan ground beef, two packages
  • 16 ounces plain tomato sauce, 2 small cans
  • 2 ounces vegan Worcestershire sauce, watch out for anchovies!
  • 1 tablespoon Lawry's seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 5 drops Tabasco, optional

Taco toppings (Optional)

  • lettuce or cabbage, shredded
  • onion, finely diced
  • jalapeño, finely diced
  • tomatoes, diced
  • avocado, sliced
  • vegan cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salsa

Instructions

  • Over medium heat, add vegan beefy crumbles, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, basil, garlic powder, oregano, and Tabasco (optional). If the mixture appears very thick and dry, add a splash of water.
  • Cook covered for 5 minutes. Then uncover and allow to simmer until moist but not liquidy.
  • Heat soft tortillas or taco shells, assemble the vegan tacos with your favorite fixings, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Storing Leftovers: Separate the taco filling from the taco shells and toppings. Place the filling in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Keep the shells and toppings (like lettuce and avocado) in separate containers to maintain freshness. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the filling and assemble your tacos again!

Nutrition

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 6935mg | Potassium: 2081mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1084IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 555mg | Iron: 13mg
Course — dinner, Lunch
Cuisine — Mexican
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5 from 6 votes

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Recipe Rating




6 comments
  1. 5 stars
    Tacos are amazing! I love how these look 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I would totally make tacos every day if I could! Such a great recipe 🙂

  3. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    Meaty tacos sound amazing! I have my recipe for our next taco Tuesday 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Fantastically filled tacos! The seasoning is spot on. You’ll never miss the other kind. Taco Tuesdays will never be the same – in the best way possible. Make them tonight!

  5. 5 stars
    Taco perfection!! Such a great weeknight dinner for the family. I also love this with crumbled tofu instead of vegan beef crumble 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    These tacos are so easy to make and so delicious! The seasoning works great with tofu, too.

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