Raw taco meat recipe
1 cup walnuts
10 sundried tomatoes, soaked for at least one hour, preferably a few hours.
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Chili powder (start with 1/4 tablespoon, then add more to taste)
Cayenne powder (start with 1/8 teaspoon or less!) (This measurement has been revised and is better now!)
1/2-1 tsp sea salt
Raw taco meat recipe originally posted at Dimond Health
Directions
1. Soak your sundried tomatoes for at least one hour. Drain and pat dry before using.
2. Simply add all ingredients to the food processor and blend until it become the consistency of the photo above.
The Rawtarian's Thoughts
I have been a vegetarian since 2001. Once I went vegetarian I immediately replaced meat with soy products.
One of the most difficult parts of my transition to the raw lifestyle has been to give up the soy and tofu products that were staples in my husband's and my diet.
As you can tell by the ingredients, this raw taco meat recipe is quite small. Double up as necessary. I seem to like small recipes because I am thrifty and I want to try a small batch before I invest 2 cups of this or that into a recipe that doesn't turn out well.
This raw taco meat recipe has been an excellent, hearty base and my husband loves it--more than I do, even.
I often spread this recipe on romaine lettuce, and I top it with tomatoes and fresh sprouts. Sprouted adzuki beans go surprisingly well with this recipe.



Comments
Dauntless
Oct 22, 2009
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Now this is a recipe I've been searching for a long time, actually... I am also trying to learn how to make soft corn taco shells so I can make raw tacos for dinner. I LOVED tacos as a child and always got a thrill out of sinking my little teeth into a corn taco shell bursting with tomatoes, diced greens, onions, sour creme and spicey taco meat.
The idea of being able to enjoy a LIVING, Raw version of a favorite childhood food is very appealing, and dare I say it... acceptable! ;)
Thank YOU for sharing the recipe!
Kevin
Nov 16, 2009
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I picked up some sundried tomatoes today to try this recipe, but they came in tomato halves. When you say 10 sundried tomatoes, is that 10 sundried halves or 10 whole tomatoes worth (20 halves)?
The Rawtarian
Nov 17, 2009
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Hmm, great question! I'd never stopped to think about this before.
I took a look at my stash of sundried tomatoes, and I can't even really tell whether they are whole or half! I think they are halves. At any rate, they look a lot like these sundried tomatoes.
So, I think you are correct that what I really mean is ten "halves" of sun-dried tomatoes.
Does that make sense??
Kevin
Nov 18, 2009
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Yep, that makes sense. Those look like halves as the seeds are exposed.
I gave the recipe a shot assuming 10 halves and it was difficult to get down - I had to use quite a bit of lettuce and tomatoes to mask the taste. I think I overdid the cayenne/chili powder.
Have you tried the "taco meat" recipe that calls for coriander and cumin?
http://goneraw.com/recipe/spicy-walnut-taco-meat
Or this one?
http://www.live-green-smoothie-diet.com/2009/04/genuinely-meaty-raw-taco...
The Rawtarian
Nov 19, 2009
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Kevin, that sucks! I wonder, did I mean to write 1/4 teaspoon?? I haven't made this recipe lately so I can't recall the amounts. Please advise us as to whether you felt that the recipe called for too much spice.
And to answer you question, no I have not tried those taco recipes. If you try them, please come back and let us know which one you recommend.
Michele | aka R...
Nov 22, 2009
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Wow. That looks delicious! Now I'm wishing I hadn't eaten those walnuts on my salads all last week. LOL
I'll definitely be making this one soon! YUM!
*smiles*
Michele
Dimond
Nov 30, 2009
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Glad everyone is enjoying this recipe! :) Yes, it's tomato halves which is how they normally come. Though I've used smaller ones. You can use less or more of most of the ingredients, depending on your preference.
Great website, Laura-Jane. :)
Di
Sep 06, 2010
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Delicious, this is some raw food that I might be able to get my friends to eat :)
Alex
Oct 27, 2010
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I love walnut-based faux-meats but they get a little expensive if you make them too often, especially if you are using organic walnuts. So I've been working recently with this raw taco meat recipe which uses primarily sunflower seed (although still a little walnut for good measure). It's delicious, and even better I think when dehydrated.
Also, I definitely encourage adding cumin if you like that flavor. And cilantro too, mmmm :)
The Rawtarian
Oct 27, 2010
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It's weird. I can't stand cumin. Am I weird???? Love cilantro though! I'll have to try your recipe. I really enjoy trying new twists on old recipes.
Alex
Oct 27, 2010
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yes, you are weird :) that's probably my favorite spice, definitely in my top 3! i guess I won't invite you over for some tasty raw Indian food...
Brandon
Jan 15, 2011
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I love the recipe, but was so dissapointed to see that you were married! I hope to find a raw foodist just like you one day. You are inspiring!
The Rawtarian
Jan 15, 2011
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You will find her one day, I promise! Perhaps not raw, but raw-supportive, yes! Love your site, checking it out now.
The Rawtarian
Jan 26, 2011
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NEWS BULLETIN: This taco stuff tastes realllllly good inside a green pepper!!!
Casey
Apr 13, 2011
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I haven't tried this particular taco meat recipe, but with the sundried tomatoes, it looks far more exciting than the one I've been using.
I like to make "roasted" peppers (ala Ani Phyo) with Poblano peppers and use them as taco shells with cashew cheese, salsa and cilantro.
The Rawtarian
May 15, 2011
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Mmm never heard of those roasted peppers! Sounds tasty.
Michele
Aug 02, 2011
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Thanks for posting this recipe. My mom and I loved it! We're new to the raw food world and this recipe is a great filling, hearty food with a nice flavor (so many possible ways to incorporate it). Looking forward to trying some of your other recipes including the casserole!!
Ashlyn
Aug 11, 2011
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I am so thankful that you have this recipe to share. Every night I cook non-raw food for my family and sometimes I find it hard not to want to try it too. Last night was especially difficult because I made tacos which used to be one of my favorite meals. I remembered seeing your taco meat post and I already had some of your corn and flax chips on hand so I quickly made the taco meat and chopped up some olives, tomatoes, and lettuce. It was perfect! Even better than I imagined and my craving for SAD tacos disappeared.
Thank you so much for sharing another fantastic recipe that helps everyone enjoy and appreciate raw food living!
-Ashlyn
The Rawtarian
Aug 12, 2011
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So glad you remembered and were able to enjoy your very own raw tacos :)
It must be tough doing the non-raw thing for your fam! Good luck and stay strong. Biggest trick is to know how to satiate your cravings with raw stuff, which it sounds like you are excelling at :)
Sarah
Aug 22, 2011
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Hi Laura-Jane!
Oh WOW! I have dabbled with raw food for the past year, but really going for it now. Admittedly I am "weaning" myself onto it as my recipe repertoire improves! I won't be able to get a dehydrator for a while either ...
I just made this (had to mess with the quantities for just little old me!) and had it in corn tortillas (no dehydrator! But better than floury tortillas surely?!) with diced cherry tomatoes, cucumber and onion. It was absolutely delicious! I just went shopping and got some mushrooms ... going to try the soup tomorrow!
I am so thankful for this website! I was worried I would have to live off Raw Pasta forever, with the help of my trusty spiralizer, but I'm speedily learning new dishes so I have no excuse not to get my act together! Thanks Laura-Jayne!
The Rawtarian
Aug 22, 2011
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I am so glad you are enjoying them, Sarah!
Yes, wow, I agree the recipe repertoire is everything... It's the big difference between success and failure, IMO.
No worries about the dehydrator. There are lots of things you can do that are fun w/o one. But make sure you put one on your Christmas or birthday list. :)
Sarah
Aug 23, 2011
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I sure will! I am going to get an empty jelly jar, tape the lid down, put a whole in the top and donate so much a month to The Rehome A Brand New Dehydrator Cause! Meanwhile I'll do my homework on recipes, so by the time that jelly jar gets cracked open I'll be an expert on what to DO with it!
My husband is a meat-eater, but eats a lot of vegetarian dishes which I make, so I am still getting to grips with buying for him and me in one trip to the store, and getting the right stuff, and enough for the week. I think I am getting there!
I will admit, I've been maybe 60-70% raw since Saturday, and already feeling better and I think some weight has disappeared too!
The Rawtarian
Aug 25, 2011
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Congrats on your results already, Sarah!
That's great that your husband will eat lots of veg dishes. Keep sneaking healthy stuff in there without telling him, if possible. :)
Love your jelly jar dehydrator fund. :) Keep pumping change into it :)
Carrot Flowers
Oct 28, 2011
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This recipe looks yum, I really want to try it! What do you mean by soaked sundried tomatoes? When I buy them, they are always in a jar of olive oil or so. Will this do or do I need to take them out and wash them?
The Rawtarian
Oct 29, 2011
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Yes, that'll be okay to use. Just drain off the oil so they are not too wet and sloppy, but haven't them pre oiled like that is probably fine. You don't need to soak in this case because they are already soft and moist.
I usually by my sun-dried tomatoes totally dry (not soaked in any liquids) so that's why I suggested soaking.
Jinxy Pagan
Nov 28, 2011
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Hi Laura-Jane I just wanted to tell you I love all your recipes first off and that I was wondering if you cater?????
The Rawtarian
Dec 01, 2011
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Thank gosh no I don't cater and I never want to, lol
jess
Jan 08, 2012
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i made these tacos and added rehydrated red poblanos from my garden... topped with cashew sour cream, sprouts and fresh salsa soooo good!! my teenager and boyfriend loved them. thanks!!!
jess
Jan 08, 2012
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i made these tacos and added rehydrated red poblanos from my garden... topped with cashew sour cream, sprouts and fresh salsa soooo good!! my teenager and boyfriend loved them. thanks!!!
The Rawtarian
Jan 19, 2012
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Sounds DEEVINE!
Tracey
Jan 26, 2012
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um, found this on pinterest and am doing a raw cleanse. am SO glad i found it, it's SUPER tasty. mine looks more red than brown but it had a really great flavor. glad to have found your site.
Kareen EatingRight
Jan 30, 2012
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Absolutely delicious! I made the first batch, tasted it and immediately began gathering the ingredients for a second batch! I added garlic and chipotle pepper to mine. My husband raved about it today :)
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