Introduction: Easy Vegan "Ground Beef" Taco Meat

This is a quick and easy recipe for making my favorite home cooked vegan taco meat. Even hardcore meat eaters like this. The trick is to create a tasty taco "meat" with a red tomato oily sauce that mimics beef. Use this in tacos, quesadillas, stuffed peppers, stuffed mushrooms, Sloppy Joes, or whatever you may think up.

Ingredients

  • Plain / Original Tempeh
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Olive Oil (mild) - or mix in vegetable oil with olive oil if it's a strong olive oil
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)

Ok, let's get this started...

Begin by oiling the pan with about 1/4 cup of oil into a skillet. Start it out on a med/high heat.

Step 1: Crumble, Smash, & Saute Tempeh

Crumble Tempeh by hand or with a wooden spoon in the skillet.

Smash it with a spatula.

Saute the Tempeh on its own for a little on a medium/high heat.

Step 2: Continue Saute and Add Spices and Tomato

Turn down the heat a bit so the spices don't burn.

Continue saute on medium heat.

Generously sprinkle paprika all over the top of the tempeh to taste.

Add 2 hearty pinches of cumin, about 1 Tsp, also to taste.

Add a dash of sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Stir it up!

Add about 1/4 cup of tomato sauce.

Stir and simmer at same heat.

Step 3: Cook Off Liquid From Tomato Sauce, Add Aminos

Continue simmer for a few minutes until it's less saucy.

The oil at this point should be a redish orange, similar to what you might see with ground beef taco meat.

Splash in just a little liquid aminos or soy sauce from a bottle with a drip top, about 1 teaspoon.

Stir and simmer for about 1 more minute.

Step 4: Remove From Heat and Use As You Like

Your vegan taco meat is ready to use in the meal of your choice!

Try it with

  • tacos (of course)
  • quesadillas
  • stuffed peppers
  • stuffed mushrooms (highly recommend!)
  • sloppy joes
  • casseroles
  • and more!

It's also easy to freeze and save for later!

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