Beefy vegan crumbles are so easy to make from whole foods. These beefy-textured plant-based crumbles are made with walnuts, mushrooms, and either bulgur or quinoa. This is a perfect way to make vegan taco “meat” and can be used in pasta sauces and other preparations.
Nicely seasoned and deliciously moist, these crumbles are great in their own right, not necessarily as a dead ringer — excuse the metaphor — for ground beef.
In addition to using in tacos, these hearty crumbles are great as a burrito filling, and any other way you might use beefy crumbles — casseroles, pastas, to top pizzas, and more.
Quinoa or bulgur? Both of these grains work well in this recipe. Use super-grain quinoa if you want to keep this gluten-free (and also make sure to use GF soy sauce in that case) — or if it’s simply your preference. Learn more in our Guide to Quinoa. Bulgur, which is pre-steamed cracked wheat has a mildly nutty flavor and a texture that’s perfect for making crumbles. See more in our Guide to Bulgur.
For another way to make vegan taco crumbles, see Walnut and Tempeh Taco Filling.
Making traditional-style tacos
Use hard taco shells or soft corn tortillas. Layer with these beefy vegan crumbles followed by your favorite add-ons. Use any combination of shredded lettuce, vegan cheese shreds, chopped tomatoes, slivered onions, cilantro, vegan sour cream, and/or pico de gallo or salsa.
Explore more …
- Vegan Beef-less Ground Recipes Made with Whole Foods, 4 Ways
- Vegan Tex-Mex recipes your family will love.
- Easy and tasty recipes for using quinoa.
Walnut & Mushroom Vegan Taco Crumbles (with Bulgur or Quinoa)

Vegan beef-less taco crumbles are so easy to make from whole foods. This one features walnuts, and mushrooms, with the option of bulgur or quinoa.
Ingredients
- 1 cup bulgur or quinoa
- 1 tablespoon onion flakes
- 1 cup brown mushrooms, roughly chopped
- 1 cup walnut pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup good-quality ketchup
- 2 tablespoons barbecue seasoning (see Note) or 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa, your favorite variety
Instructions
- Combine the grain and onion flakes in a medium skillet with 2 cups water. Bring to a slow boil, then lower the heat and cover. Simmer until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the mushrooms and walnuts in a food processor and pulse on and off until they’re both broken up into tiny pieces. Don’t overdo it — you don’t want to end up with a puree.
- Add the mushroom and walnut mixture to the skillet along with an additional cup of water and the remaining ingredients except the salsa. Return to a simmer, then cook over medium heat until the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in half of the salsa, then turn the heat up to medium-high. Cook until the bottom of the mixture browns lightly, then stir; continue to do this until the entire mixture is touched with golden-brown spots here and there.
- Stir in the remaining salsa, cook for a minute or so longer, then remove from the heat. Use in tacos or any of the other ways suggested in this recipe’s headnote.
Notes
Look for barbecue seasonings in the spice section of well-stocked supermarkets. The original Barbecue blend and Mesquite by McCormick® are my favorites, but there seem to be new flavors all the time that are excellent as well.
If you like this beef-less ground, you might also enjoy …
See also lots more ideas in Veganize This!
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