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    Home » Recipes » GAME DAY

    Jan 5, 2022

    Easy TVP Tacos

    4.99 from 97 votes
    | 40 Comments
    Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Delicious, fast, easy, cheap, and vegan! Everything about these easy TVP tacos speaks to my soul. Just 15 minutes to whip up this amazingly delicious and meaty taco filling. Top with your favorite taco toppings for a super easy dinner or lunch. YUM!

    Delicious, fast, easy, cheap, and vegan! Everything about these easy TVP tacos speaks to my soul. Just 15 minutes to whip up this amazingly delicious and meaty taco filling. Top with your favorite taco toppings for a super easy dinner or lunch. YUM! #itdoesnttastelikechicken #tacos #veganrecipes

    TVP (also called textured vegetable protein), is an affordable vegan meat alternative made from soy. Jess, who has worked with me for years, has been pushing me to make a recipe with TVP. I finally listened to her and tried it out. My god, she was so right. Thanks Jess!!

    TVP is SO quick and easy to work with, and just like tofu or soy curls, it's very bland in flavor (which is a good thing) as it makes the perfect base to suck up any seasoning you toss its way. As soon as I tested out the TVP I knew I immediately wanted to make vegan taco meat with it as it has the perfect texture, and when seasoned correctly tastes just like ground beef tacos- but better!

    Delicious, fast, easy, cheap, and vegan! Everything about these easy TVP tacos speaks to my soul. Just 15 minutes to whip up this amazingly delicious and meaty taco filling. Top with your favorite taco toppings for a super easy dinner or lunch. YUM! #itdoesnttastelikechicken #tacos #veganrecipes

    These tacos are so good, Adam and I have had them multiple times this week already. Whip up these easy TVP tacos, and serve them with your favorite taco toppings, such as salsa, vegan sour cream, guacamole, vegan shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped tomato, chopped onion, sliced avocado, or shredded lettuce. These are going to be your new favorite!

    TVP (textured vegetable protein)

    Common Questions:

    What is TVP?
    TVP is the short form for Textured Vegetable Protein. TVP contains just one ingredient: soy flour. TVP is most commonly found in granules as I use in this recipe, but you can also find it in large pieces such as chunks, slices, and strips. TVP is very affordable and shelf-stable so it's a great food to keep in your pantry at all times.
    Where can I get TVP?
    You may be able to find it in your grocery store in the health food section. Or you can find it at health food stores, international grocery stores, or you can order it online on amazon.
    Does TVP need to be soaked?
    TVP comes dehydrated so you need to add moisture. Some recipes call for soaking it ahead of time, but in this taco recipe, I found it quickest and easiest to add the dry TVP to the pan along with vegetable broth and allow it to soften and absorb the extra flavors right in the pan.
    Is TVP high in carbs? Is it high in protein?
    It's very low in carbs with only 9g of carbohydrates per ¼ cup of dry TVP granules. It's low in fat and very high in protein. So a great food for my vegan athletic friends!

    Saute onions and garlic

    How to make Easy TVP Tacos:

    Heat the oil in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan. When hot add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion turns translucent and just begins to brown, about 5 minutes.

    Add the TVP, vegetable broth, and spices to the pan.

    Mix in the vegetable broth, TVP, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, and salt.

    Simmer for 5 minutes until the broth is absorbed the the TVP is meaty

    Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetable broth has absorbed and the TVP is tender and chewy. If it gets a bit dry just add a splash more vegetable broth. Or if it is too wet continue to simmer a little longer until the vegetable broth is absorbed.

    Spoon into tortilla shells, and decorate with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

    Delicious, fast, easy, cheap, and vegan! Everything about these easy TVP tacos speaks to my soul. Just 15 minutes to whip up this amazingly delicious and meaty taco filling. Top with your favorite taco toppings for a super easy dinner or lunch. YUM! #itdoesnttastelikechicken #tacos #veganrecipes

    These TVP Tacos are:

    • Meaty
    • Bursting with spices
    • Chewy and tender
    • Protein-packed
    • Super quick and easy to make

    More delicious vegan taco recipes you might enjoy:

    Tofu Taco Crumbles
    Easy Soy Curl Tacos
    Easy Vegan Jackfruit Tacos
    Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

    If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.

    Bon appetegan!
    Sam Turnbull.

    4.99 from 97 votes
    (click stars to vote)

    Easy TVP Tacos (vegan!)

    Delicious, fast, easy, cheap, and vegan! Everything about these easy TVP tacos speaks to my soul. Just 15 minutes to whip up this amazingly delicious and meaty taco filling. Top with your favorite taco toppings for a super easy dinner or lunch. YUM!
    Adapted from my Tofu Taco Crumbles recipe.
    Prep: 5 minutes mins
    Cook: 10 minutes mins
    Total: 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 8 (makes enough filling for 6 - 8 tacos)
    PRINT PIN Save Saved! COMMENT

    Ingredients
     

    For the TVP

    • 1 tablespoon light oil, (such as canola or vegetable)
    • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
    • 1 ¼ cups vegetable broth or vegan beefless broth
    • 1 cup dry TVP granules, (textured vegetable protein)
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon cayenne, optional for spice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt, (or to taste)

    For the tacos:

    • 8 small tortillas, (flour, corn, or gluten-free)
    • Toppings of choice such as: salsa, vegan sour cream, guacamole, vegan shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped tomato, chopped onion, sliced avocado, or shredded lettuce.
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    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan. When hot add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion turns translucent and just begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
    • Mix in the vegetable broth, TVP, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetable broth has absorbed and the TVP is tender and chewy. If it gets a bit dry just add a splash more vegetable broth. Or if it is too wet continue to simmer a little longer until the vegetable broth is absorbed.
    • Spoon into tortilla shells, and decorate with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Make-ahead: Allow the prepared TVP taco meat to cool then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving of TVP taco meat without tortillas or added toppings (recipe makes 8 servings) | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 391IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Insta and let the world see just how amazing plant-based creations can be!
    Author: Sam Turnbull
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Course: Main Course

    More meaty vegan recipes you might enjoy...

    « Top 10 Vegan Recipes of 2021 (And Year-End Wrap -Up)!
    Vegan Ranch Veggie Dip »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robin says

      September 11, 2024 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yeah! This is now my go to recipe for ground taco meat! Tasty, versatile. I use these crumbles in tacos, burritos, salads …
      I now have taco night and enjoy every bite!

      Reply
      • Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says

        September 16, 2024 at 10:57 am

        Terrific! We love taco night!

        Reply
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    4.99 from 97 votes (78 ratings without comment)

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