| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 13g | 3g | 50g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 6g | 18g | 1g |
Why I Love Mexican Shepherd Style Tacos with Vegan Meat Substitute
I’m excited to share one of my personal favorite dishes with you, Shepherd Style Tacos with Vegan Meat Substitute. A rustic Mexican classic reimagined, this dish is not only brimming with bold flavors but is also kind to the planet and your waistline. I first came across these tasty bites during a summer vacation in Monterrey. The tender vegan meat, punchy spices, and fresh toppings are what make these tacos a stand out–a perfect blend of the traditional Mexican cooking I so admire, with a fresh, modern, and vegan flair.
An Ode to the Vegan Kitchen
Vegan cooking is all about creativity and innovation. With the absence of animal-based products, it’s a joy ride into the world of wholesome grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables, and fruits. And when it comes to vegan meat substitutes, they offer a lush textural contrast to these bases, almost mimicking the flavor and feel of traditional proteins. And, if prepared well, they can beautifully hold their own against any meat-based dish.
The Shepherd’s Style Tacos with Vegan Meat Substitute are a testament to this. It’s hearty, spicy, and satisfyingly textural, while being entirely plant-based – a perfect fit for a vegan diet.
Flavors of Mexico meets Texas
As a Texan, my palate was naturally introduced to the blend of Tex-Mex flavors, where Mexican ingredients meet Texas-style preparation. I love incorporating this culinary symphony into my cooking. While it’s true that traditional Mexican food varies from that in Texas, I find it fascinating to experiment by adding a Texan touch to the authentic dishes, and these Shepherd Style Vegan Tacos are a perfect example.
The backbone of the Shepherd Style Tacos is the vegan meat substitute that’s cooked in a medley of ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. These spices beautifully echo the heartiness of meat, making it a perfect plant-based alternate. The generous garnish with fresh ingredients like avocado, vegan cheese, and sour cream pulls the dish together, adding a welcoming creaminess to the sturdy tacos.
Salute to the Inspirations
There may not be a specific chef who inspired this particular recipe, but my cooking style has greatly been influenced by the likes of Kenji López-Alt, a renowned chef famous for his creative vegan recipes.
In the end, what makes these Shepherd Style Tacos with Vegan Meat Substitute special isthe blend of flavors, the playful textures, and the true spirit of Mexican cuisine intersecting with a modern, vegan twist.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 cups of vegan meat substitute
- 6 taco shells
- 1/2 cup of diced onions
- 1/2 cup of diced bell peppers
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon of ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of vegan cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup of salsa
- 1/2 cup of vegan sour cream
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Method
Step One
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are just softened, around 3-5 minutes.
Step Two
Add the vegan meat substitute to the skillet and cook it according to its package instructions. It’s usually best to break up any large chunks and make sure it’s heated through.
Step Three
Now, add the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together to evenly coat the meat substitute and vegetables in the spices.
Step Four
Pour in the canned diced tomatoes and let everything simmer together for another 5-7 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a delicious filling for your tacos.
Step Five
While the taco filling is simmering, you can prepare your taco shells. Typically, you can do this by baking them in the oven for a few minutes until they’re warmed and slightly crispy.
Step Six
After your taco shells are prepared and your taco filling is ready, it’s time to assemble your tacos. Start by spooning some of the meat substitute mixture into each shell.
Step Seven
Top each filled taco shell with shredded vegan cheddar cheese, diced avocado, salsa, and a dollop of vegan sour cream.
Step Eight
Finally, garnish each taco with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy your Shepherd Style Tacos with Vegan Meat Substitute!
