Shredded Tofu Taco Meat • It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

Get ready to fall in love with my new Easy Vegan Tacos recipe made with Shredded Tofu Taco Meat! This is the BEST vegan taco meat you’ll ever taste! The secret is to use a cheese grater to grate the tofu into shreds- this gives it a texture similar to pulled chicken! The tofu is then sautéd with onion, garlic, tomato, and a homemade spice blend for the best taco seasoning. Just 30 minutes to make, these shredded tofu vegan tacos are bursting with flavor in every bite. 🌮🥳

I adore a good tofu taco, and my trusty tofu crumbles recipe has been a kitchen staple for years. Yet, there are moments when I either lack the time or simply don’t fancy firing up the oven. That’s why I love this new tofu taco meat recipe! It’s quicker and made in just one pan on the stove. This new vegan taco recipe has a texture and taste similar to chicken, which is a change from the beefy flavor of my original recipe. But both are favorites for Taco Tuesdays!

Serve this pulled tofu taco meat in a soft flour tortilla, or a crunchy taco shell with your favorite taco toppings. You can also wrap it up in a burrito, pile it on a taco salad, or sprinkle over vegan nachos! This vegan taco meat is about to become your new go-to recipe for taco night. So grab that cheese grater and let’s get shredding for some seriously tasty vegan taco goodness! 

Common Questions:

How do you make vegan taco meat with tofu? Very easily! Just shred a block of extra-firm tofu using a cheese grater. The sauté in a pan with onion, garlic, tomato, and taco seasoning for a delicious meaty taco filling.

What are some easy vegan taco recipes? Other than these Easy Vegan Tacos, you can find other super-simple vegan taco recipes on my blog like my Easy Vegan Jackfruit Tacos, Easy Soy Curl Tacos, Easy TVP Tacos, or my Vegan Tofu Taco Crumbles. Head over to the Vegan Taco section of my blog to see these plus many more ideas. 

What seasonings are best for shredded tofu tacos? Onion, garlic, soy sauce (which adds salt and umami) chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, ground cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes.

What are some creative toppings for vegan tacos? There are so many options when building a scrumptious vegan taco, but if I had to choose I’d go with: vegan shredded cheese, vegan sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onions, avocado chunks, cilantro, and spicy salsa. You could even add some sliced black olives or Tabasco Sauce for a bit of a kick!

Are shredded tofu tacos healthy? Yes! Tofu is an excellent plant-based source of protein, is low in saturated fat, and is cholesterol-free. Also (here’s a little talked about fact): Tofu is an excellent source of calcium and magnesium, which are essential minerals for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Making tofu a staple part of your diet could help promote bone density and lower the risk of osteoporosis. Take that dairy industry!!

How To Make These Vegan Tacos:

There is no need to press the tofu as any excess moisture cooks out in the pan. Simply drain off the excess water and pat dry. Use the large side of a cheese grater to grate the block of tofu into shreds. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion just begins to brown, 3 – 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and mix in the shredded tofu. Cook for about 10 – 15 minutes until the tofu begins to brown. The less time you cook the tofu the more tender it will be, and the longer you cook the tofu the more dry and chewy it will be, so cook to your desired texture.

Tip: don’t stir the tofu too much, let it cook for a couple of minutes without stirring so that the bottom can brown. Stirring too often will make it difficult for the tofu to brown.

Once the desired texture is reached, add the tomato, soy sauce and all of the spices and mix in. Continue to cook for another 2 – 5 minutes to heat through.

Fill your taco shells with the tofu taco meat, and top with desired toppings. Allow leftover tofu filling to cool before storing in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

This Shredded Tofu Taco Meat…

• Quick & easy to make
• Meaty, juicy, and bursting with flavor
• Can also be used in burritos, on nachos, or taco salads

What to Serve with Vegan Tacos…

Guacamole
Salsa or Pico de Gallo
Vegan Sour Cream
Vegan Nacho Cheese
Re-fried Beans or Black Beans
Fresh Veggies (Shredded Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes, Sliced Red Onions, Cilantro, Sliced Black Olives)
Lime Wedges (or lime juice)
Tortilla chips

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.