Vegetarian Ground Beef Tacos (Printable)
Seasoned vegetarian filling topped with fresh vegetables and avocado in warm tortillas
# What You Need:
→ Vegetarian Filling
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 12 oz vegetarian ground beef substitute (soy-based or pea protein)
05 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 cup water
→ Tacos & Toppings
13 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
16 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
17 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
18 - 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
20 - Lime wedges, to serve
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add vegetarian ground beef substitute, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and heated through.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly to coat the protein evenly with spices.
05 - Pour in water and cook for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is heated through and achieves a slightly saucy consistency. Remove from heat.
06 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels for 20–30 seconds until pliable and warm.
07 - Spoon seasoned vegetarian filling into each warm tortilla. Layer with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cheese, avocado slices, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
08 - Arrange tacos on a serving platter and accompany with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get all the satisfaction of taco night without the heavy feeling afterwards
- The seasoning blend works magic on plant-based meat, creating depth that surprises even skeptics
02 -
- Let the filling rest for a couple of minutes off the heat before assembling, as this allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set slightly
- Warm tortillas make or break this recipe, so do not skip this step even if you are in a hurry
03 -
- Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to intensify their flavors
- Mash a small amount of avocado into your filling for extra creaminess that nobody will suspect but everyone will appreciate