Vegan Tacos Recipe - Ready In Just 20 Minutes!

Traditionally, this Mexican dish is served with beef mince, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a vegan tacos version.

Packed with flavor, not only these tacos high on most people's list of favorite comfort foods, they also make a great party dish.

So why not invite a few friends over for some tasty vegan tacos? Which, by the way, are coincidentally pretty-darn healthy!

Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

8 taco shells*
1 can black beans
1 can cannellini beans
200g vegan mince**
200g mushrooms
1 large onion
1 medium red pepper
3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp vegetable stock powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp chili powder
2 tbsp olive oil

* You can buy crunchy corn taco shells or soft wheat tortillas depending on preference and availability.

** Some supermarkets stock vegan mince, which comes in many forms. Several brands have frozen vegan mince and some brands offer a ready-to-cook mince alternative. If you buy dry soya mince, all you have to do is add hot water in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to make 200g, as per this recipe.

Garnishing Options:

Vegan tacos can be enjoyed in their purest form using just the ingredients above. However, if you'd like to add some garnishes, here are a few options:

Vegan yoghurt
Vegan cheese (block or grated)
Fresh lettuce
Fresh tomatoes
Fresh lime
Tomato salsa
Guacamole
Grilled pineapple (as seen in the picture at the bottom of the page)

Equipment:

Oven tray
Baking parchment
Can opener
Chopping board and knife
Large frying pan
Wooden spoon
Pastry brush
Grater

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C or gas mark 4. Line a flat baking tray with parchment paper.

Using the pastry brush, apply a light layer of olive oil to your taco shells and lay them out on the oven tray. Try to arrange them in a way where they do not touch one another.

2. Peel and finely chop the onion. Cut the pepper into thin strips, then thinly slice the mushrooms. Peel garlic gloves and use the fine side of the grater to grate.

3. Prepare your garnish. Depending on what you choose to use, you may need to wash the lettuce, chop tomatoes, grate vegan cheese, grill pineapple or even make guacamole.

However, if you wish to save time, there are many store-bought alternatives such as grated cheese, ready-to-eat salad, or pre-made salsa dip.

4. Heat the remaining olive oil in the frying pan, then add the vegetables you chopped up.

Fry for approximately 7-10 minutes until the onions are browned and the peppers are slightly softened, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon.

5. In the meantime, open the cans of beans and drain the liquid.

6. Once the vegetables have reached the desired color and consistency, add vegan mince and both varieties of the beans.

Finally, add the spices and vegetable stock powder to the frying pan, and distribute it evenly throughout the mix. Stir the contents of the pan thoroughly and fry for about 5 minutes.

7. Place the tray with the taco shells into the oven and heat for 2-3 minutes.