As promised, here's my recipe for vegan beef so you can make my Vegan Beef Nachos. And just in time for the Super Bowl.
It's such an oxymoron, right? Vegan beef. Kind of like same difference or sweet sour.
But how do you have beef, that's meat, become vegetarian, which is a plant based diet, you ask?
Easy peasy! It's made by combining baby Bella mushrooms with walnuts and seasoning it with spices so it not only resembles ground beef, but it tastes similar to it too.
Notice I say "resembles ground beef" and "tastes similar to beef" and not "exactly like beef" because you cannot get vegetables to have the exact same texture and taste of beef. So if you're expecting that, you will be disappointed. Let's just say, it's as close as you can get to beef with mushrooms, walnuts, and spices.
And because it reminds me so much of ground beef, I'm calling this mushroom and walnut meat, vegan beef. And I've seasoned it so it goes along perfectly with any Mexican dish calling for ground beef.
This vegan beef is to ground beef what coconut milk is to cream and milk. The taste and texture is so close, it's amazing! It even looks similar, as you can see from the photos.
Even one of the carnivorous males I work with liked it. He will remain nameless since he's afraid it will ruin his reputation as a carnivore. Men {shaking my head}.
You can use this vegan beef in any recipe calling for ground beef, such as burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, and even on top of pizza. However, I'm not sure how it will hold up in soups or gravy. But if you do use it in that matter, please let me know how it worked for you.
If you're vegan or just want to eat healthier, be sure to stop by regularly because I will definitely be using this vegan beef in more recipes to come because I'm loving it and it's so easy to make.
Let me know how you like it and what recipes you plan on using it in.
Vegan Beef (Mushroom and Walnut Meat)
A vegan "beef" made with mushrooms and walnuts that can be used in any recipe calling for beef. Especially flavorful in burritos, tacos, beef nachos, quesadillas, and on top of pizza.
Prep time: 10 minutesCook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup walnuts, soaked in water overnight
- 1/2 cup dry walnuts
- 10 ounces baby Bella mushrooms, washed under running water
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tablespoons red onion, diced
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- After mushrooms are washed, dry them with a paper towel and slice. Set aside.
- Add dry spices into a small bowl. Set aside.
- Drain water from walnuts that soaked overnight and add to food processor bowl.
- Combine sliced mushrooms, dry walnuts, onion, and garlic to food processor bowl.
- Pulse on High until mushrooms and walnuts are processed into small pieces. You might have to remove pieces stuck to sides with a spatula in order to process all ingredients. Be careful not to process too long or your mushrooms and walnuts will be formed into a paste. We don't that. We want small, crumbly pieces.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil.
- Once oil is heated, add contents from food processor and spices. Stir together. Continue to stir occasionally while cooking mushroom and walnut mixture for about 5 minutes or until mushroom & walnuts are heated.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Can use in a recipe immediately or can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
Inspired by ~ Michelle at Pure formulas recipe site, Green and Delicious.
