Hello! Happy happy Monday to ya.
How was your weekend? Mine was fab.
After an insane week last week (and that’s putting it lightly), it was so so nice to have a weekend and relax. We spent the day with Mark’s parents in the city on Saturday, seeing and eating all the things. And Sunday was the perfect day of chilling and relaxation.
This weekend was such a perfect time to just…recoup. I was definitely feeling the stress from everything by the end of the week last week, but taking two days just to enjoy was definitely needed and exceptionally wonderful.
Plus, there was Mexican food involved, which is always a plus.
So let’s talk tofu quinoa taco meat.
I was planning our dinners out for the week last week, and Mark suggested we make taco salads.
Perfect. I love taco salads.
But then he said, “Oh, and can you make that tofu quinoa stuff again? I really liked it.”
He really liked it.
*mic drop*
But seriously. It’s so simple, I wouldn’t mind making it every day for him.
You take some quinoa. You take some tofu. Add seasoning. Sauté until slightly crispy. Devour in taco, burrito, quesadilla, enchilada, nacho, or salad form.
It’s delightful. Slightly crunchy from the quinoa, slightly chewy from the tofu. All-together perfect as a vegan taco meat option. Plus! It’s a nut-free version of our other fave: lentil pecan taco meat.
If you’re looking for more ways to use up this vegan taco meat, hang tight. One of my new favorite taco recipes, PLUS the most addictive slaw eeeever (ahem..⬆️), is coming later this week!
Vegan Tofu Quinoa Taco Meat
https://www.fooduzzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/tofu-quinoa-taco-meat-11.jpg
| Prep: | Cook: | Yield: serves 3-4 people | Total: |
A vegan taco meat replacement! It's naturally gluten free and is ready in about 10 minutes!
You'll Need...
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more if needed
- 1/2 cup quinoa, cooked according to package directions
- 1/2 block firm tofu, crumbled into small pieces (see photo)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp. granulated garlic
- 1 and 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
- salt + pepper
Directions
- Add olive oil to a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add quinoa and tofu, and mix to combine. Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic, paprika, and salt + pepper, and mix to combine.
- Allow mixture to cook until slightly caramelized, 5-7 minute. Be careful the mixture doesn't burn. Taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Additional Notes
Recipe inspired by Minimalist Baker
Yummy! My husband and I love having taco night but we usually buy our veggie “ground beef” from the store. Totally going to try this recipe so I can make my own!
Taco night is the best, isn’t it?! Let me know if you guys give it a try :)
Hi. Is The quinoa 1/2 cup measurement before or after it is cooked? Thanks!
Hi! It’s 1/2 cup uncooked :)
I’m always so wary of using tofu (not one of my favorites) but this looks SO delicious! I may just have to give tofu a try again!
Totally understand that, Liz. Up until a few months ago, I didn’t like it either!
I’ll bet that if I served this in a tortilla to my beef-loving friends they’d never know the difference! Okay maybe they might, but I’d laugh when they proceed to finish the tacos. ;)
:) It is delicious in a tortilla!
Hey do you press tofu first?
Great question! You definitely can. I didn’t, but it would work just as well if you did!
Made this tonight and it was delicious! And so easy! Used GF flour tortillas! Will make again soon
Woo hoo!! So happy you liked the recipe :) Tacos are love <3
thank you for this recipe. It was EASY and delicious. I did add some black beans and tomatoes while it finished heating through…perfect. I am an old lady and need new ideas and tastes!! love this one.
I’m so glad you liked it, Coreen!! :)
Made this today over some cilantro lime cauliflower rice, and YUM!!! Newbie to a vegan lifestyle, and I’m loving all the yummy recipes!
LOVE that idea!! Cilantro lime is one of my favorite flavors of summer :) Glad this recipe worked out for you, Jenn!
Just tried this as a taco salad and I really like it! Thanks a million. I had to squeeze the tofu through two strainers and it worked out great. I felt that it could have used a little more seasoning so personally, I’d add some more chili powder and cumin – but it’s good :) Thanks again!!
Love that idea, Cortney! So happy it worked as a taco salad :)
Delicious! Thank you ;)
So happy to hear that! :)
What if one used super firm tofu?
That should work just fine! Just make sure to crumble it :)
Made it for dinner and it was easy and delicious. I added some chopped green onions and about 1/3 can of chopped tomatoes. We ate it on a low carb tortilla with lettuce. My BF does not want to eat vegetarian but was fine with this meat substitute. Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear that, Tracy! We love this “meat” recipe :)
I am not much of a meat eater, but never tried tofu before. This is my very first time making tofu. I scoured Pinterest for an easy recipe for first time users of tofu, even though I am a well seasoned cook, and was happy when I found yours. Wow! I am pretty sure this will be my new go to recipe!! This is so tasty and very easy to make!! Thank you for sharing your recipe! :)
This makes me SO SO happy, Tamara! So glad you liked this :)
Do you have the nutritional facts?
Hey, Christina!
Sorry, but I don’t include nutrition facts :( You can plug the recipe into something like MyFitnessPal to figure it out!
Hello! This looks delicious. What kind of quinoa did you use (white, black, red)? Thank you!
Hey, Zoe! Great question. You can use any quinoa you desire, but I really like white quinoa. Black and red quinoa seem to be a bit chewier than the white :)
Do you think this recipe would work ok for meal prep? Like to make and then reheat? I have no experience with tofu so no idea about reheating etc
I think so! If you can reheat over the stove, that would be best. Otherwise, I’m sure heating it up in the microwave would work as well :)
Very good. I added a can of fire roasted tomatoes in a corn taco shell with green onions and cheese.
LOVE that idea! I love love love fire roasted tomatoes – yum!
It says half a block of tofu. Can you be more specific? How many ounces? I have different size blocks in the refrigerator. Also, do you think this would freeze well? Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!
Great questions! You’ll want 7.5 – 8 oz. tofu here! Freezing…not sure how tofu freezes to be honest. I have a feeling it could work! :) Let me know if you try it.
Husband approved! You can’t do better than that! I served by putting the mixture over a tossed salad and topped it with a taco dressing that I picked up at 101cookbooks. I first browned some onion in the cast iron pan and then added the quinoa, tofu, and spices. I used red quinoa because I wanted a nuttier flavor and the dark color it would add. Unfortunately, I measured 1/2 cup after it was cooked, so I’ll do it correctly next time! I had some issues with it drying out and sticking while cooking so I tossed in a few veggie bouillon (ice) cubes to keep the mixture moist. I will definitely be making this again! Thanks much!
SO true! Husband approved is THE best. :) So glad you enjoyed it, Suzy!
I looooved this recipe! I love eating tacos (& quinoa) and this was such an easy, great take on it! Thank you!!!
SO glad you liked it, Maddie!!
do you cook/boil the quinoa first?
Hi, Ali! You sure do!
I made these for the Superbowl, they were great!! I really enjoyed the texture of the firm tofu.
So glad you liked this, Djuana! Love the idea of making it for the big game!
Thank you so much! I am really excited to try this with my family. We went vegan July 2017. Quick question. To double the recipe, do I double the seasonings as well as the tofu and quinoa and see what the flavor is like first with just double tofu and double quinoa? We’re a large bunch and I try to cook enough for lunch a few days.
That should say “or” wait to see
Hi, Jovan! I’d taste as you go. Maybe start with just using 1.5 of the seasoning and adjust as you go!
When you add the quinoa is it cooked or uncooked?
It’s cooked already!
This was my first time cooking tofu and this is absolutely delicious! I was skeptical since my first experience with tofu was in a salad an I didn’t like it. But will definitely make this again….yummy!
So glad to hear that, Lola!! :)
Have you tried first toasting the quinoa?
I haven’t but I love the idea!
Loved this recipe!!! Will become a staple at our home. Thank you so much!