Taco Tuesday is Back!
Is it taco Tuesday but you’re a little bit too vegan? Do you feel like you’re wasting your life way waitin’ on a sombrero in the corner to resume its rightful position? A garden fresh vegan street taco is the easy solution for all your vegan blues.
Coming from a hispanic background if a taco didn’t have heat, it wasn’t worth a heap.
I’ll apologize in advance if these sweet and spicy treats offend your tastebuds! You can easily modify by adding a smidge less cayenne pepper.
What Can I put in Tacos Instead of Meat?
- There are actually a ton of options here! The novice vegan may choose something a little more traditional that mimics a standard beef taco. These could include
- Tofu (use extra firm, squeeze out the water with your hands and crumble).
- Textured vegetable protein.
- Commercial manufactured beef crumbles such as Boca crumbles.
- Jackfruit (this kinda mimics the taste of beef).
- Quinoa
- Cauliflower (breaded and baked)
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Black Bean
- Lentil
- Sweet Potato
- Chickpeas
Are Soft Taco Shells Vegan?
Taco shells will traditionally be created with corn or flour as a base.
Most taco shell brands you can purchase that the grocery today will be vegan. This is because the oil which is used to create manufactured taco shells is typically plant based.
Historically, lard would be used create tortilla products. However this is much less common today than it was in say 1980.
However, if grandma is making soft tortilla shells you might want to examine the ingredients! Homemade tortillas still likely contain lard and therefore are not a good option for someone following a vegan path.
What are the Healthiest Tacos?
Has your day to day become mundane? Have you been desperately searching for that little miracle in every moment?
Do yourself a favor. Get yourself a bag of sweet potatoes. Discover the new best friend you never knew you needed.
Now I don’t truly believe there is a “healthiest” taco. But one made entirely from your favorite plants will be lower in fats and higher in fiber when compared to our meat filled taco competitor.
The kind of nutrients you will you find in a sweet potato taco like this one include:
- Vitamin A– supporting vision and immune system.
- Vitamin C– for collagen formation and immune support.
- B6
- Protein
- Potassium
- Fiber
- Manganese
Other ways to make your taco a little more nutrient dense is by not frying your taco shell. This will reduce calories and fats on the menu!
Fun Taco Toppings
Radishes are an under utilized natural beauty that completes any dish. Especially a garden fresh taco!
Some thing you might not know about radishes is that they contain calcium, vitamin K, zinc, copper, and manganese. They are also pretty dang easy to grow yourself if you’re feeling adventurous.
I tucked these little beauties In with a bed of garden sprouts. Garden sprouts come in all varieties. My first choice was some radish sprouts but we’re still out of season for those here. These micro salad greens really did the trick. Either will work for this recipe.
Garden sprouts are rich in thiamin, b6, folate, iron and selenium.
From The Garden-Cheese Sauce Without Animal Origins
Vegan Taco Seasoning
I used to truly believe that I could not produce a taco without that little packet of 99 cent crap they convince you in the store is necessary for fiesta success.
Guess what-real taco seasoning is made from real spice! Taco seasoning doesn’t need all that additional junk they put in the packets either.
For example corn syrup. maltodextrin anyone? Gross, why on earth do I need or want these ingredients in my taco!
Make your vegan taco seasoning with these ingredients instead:
- cumin
- paprika
- dill
- oregano
- berbere
- onion powder
- cayenne pepper
- curry powder
Think outside the mystery packet. Combine these flavors in any way you like to create the perfect vegan taco.
What's Your Favorite Taco on a Tuesday?
If you’re looking for a taco treat straight from the garden you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for a kick of spice with a savory finish I’ve got you covered. Love even more spice? Try tossing on some jalapeño salsa to these fresh tacos.
What are some of your favorite ways to build a taco masterpiece with less traditional ingredients such as sweet potato? Do you love spicy or savory? Please share your wisdom with a new vegan foodie below!
Vegan Street Tacos
Equipment
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 8 small tortillas corn or flour
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup cilantro
- 1 cup garden sprouts
- 1 whole avocado large
Vegan Taco Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cayanne pepper
- 2½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1½ tsp rosemary
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
vegan cheese sauce (nooch)
- 1 cup soaked cashew
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp lime juice fresh squeezed
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup water more for desired texture
Instructions
Creating Cajun Seasoning
- Combine salt, oregano, paprika, rosemary, pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in dish.
- chop up sweet potatoes for fresh taco fixings
- cover sweet potatoes in olive oil and seasonings. Lay flat on sheet pan and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes (a little less or more for desired tenderness).
Cheesy Vegan Cream Sauce
- soak 1 cup cashews for about an hour. Drain.
- add cashes, garlic, lemon juice, water, apple cider vinegar, and nutritional yeast to high powered blender. Blend. Add water at the end slowly until desired consistency is achieved.
Building Your Fresh Tco
- Top flour or corn tortillas with about 1/2 cup sweet potato. Add radishes, sprouts, about 1/4 avocado, and 2 tbsp vegan cream sauce.
