Tropical Vegan Tacos Recipe With Tofu
Whether it is taco Tuesday or just another day of the week when you’re craving some delicious Mexican food, you’ve got to give this easy vegan tacos a shot.
With little to no prep time, just a handful of ingredients and lots of delicious flavors, this is one vegan taco recipe you absolutely need to try your hands at.
In my humble opinion, these are one of the best vegan taco recipes out there, and that’s simply because they are ultra delicious and flavorful, and set the perfect example of how vegan food doesn’t need to be bland and boring.
I always find myself turning to this easy recipe during when I want to have a quick lunch, during busy weeknights or when we decide to have taco night at home, and it is always a win.
Why You’ll Love Tropical Vegan Tacos Recipe With Tofu
- Healthy and Hearty: Packed with tofu protein and vibrant tropical fruits for a nutritious meal.
- Vegan-Friendly: Completely plant-based, perfect for vegans or those exploring meat-free options.
- Tropical Twist: A unique combination that brings a burst of Caribbean flavor to your plate.
Vegan Tacos Cook Time
- Serves: 4 to 6 tacos
- Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients for the Vegan Taco Recipe
To make these vegan tacos, here’s the list of ingredients you will need.
- Olive Oil: Creates a rich base and helps to release the flavors of the other ingredients.
- White Onion: Adds a layer of sweet, aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Firm Tofu: The main protein, it carries the flavors of the spices well due to its mild taste.
- Garlic: Enhances the savory elements in the dish.
- Salsa: Introduces a tangy depth of flavor.
- Lime Juice: Brings a fresh, citrusy zing that brightens the dish.
- Chili Powder/Cayenne/Paprika: These spices add heat and smokiness to the dish.
- Oregano/Cumin: Contribute earthy and aromatic flavors.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herby note.
- Pineapple and Mango Chunks: Provide tropical sweetness, balancing the heat of the spices.
- Tortillas: The vessel for the taco fillings, introducing a soft, chewy texture.
Topping:
- Avocado: Optional, but can add a creamy, rich contrast to the spicy tofu.
- Salsa: Optional, but can enhance the tangy heat of the dish.
- Cilantro: Optional, but can provide an extra burst of freshness as a garnish.
How to Make These Easy Vegan Tacos?
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s the step by step process you’ll need to follow to make this recipe.
Step 1: Start With the Oil
Heat pan to medium heat then add in the olive oil.
Step 2: Add in the Onions and Cook
After oil heats, add white onion for 3 minutes to sweat.
Step 3: Add the Tofu and Cook
Add crumbled firm tofu, let cook for 4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Garlic and Cook
Add garlic. Cook on low to medium for 4 minutes.
Step 5: Season With Your Favorite Spices
Add in chili powder, cayenne, paprika, oregano, cumin, and cilantro.
Step 6: Top With Your Favorite Toppings
Top with lime juice and salsa tossed together. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
Add tofu mix to warm tortillas. Top the vegan tacos with pineapple, mango, avocado, salsa, and fresh cilantro.
Tips & Tricks to Make these Vegan Tacos
Ready to make vegan tacos the easy way? Keep these little tips and tricks handy.
- To enjoy the authentic Mexican taste and deliciousness, use corn tortillas and add a dash of chipotle sauce on the top of each vegan taco, right before you serve.
- Gluten free tortillas can also be a great option if you have dietary restrictions you need to stick to.
- If you love the heat Mexican food has, you can also add some chopped chipotle peppers or cayenne pepper into the mix.
- To enhance the flavor of the vegan taco filling, you can also add some tomato paste and a dash of hot sauce into the tofu crumble mixture, along with the other seasonings.
- I also love adding other veggies and toppings like chopped red onion, chopped iceberg lettuce, fire roasted tomatoes, roasted cauliflower and even some pineapple salsa if I have the time to put it together.
- Jerk seasoning can also be an excellent addition to the mixture and can lend the filling tons of extra flavor. If you don’t have it, stick to the classic taco seasoning or experiment with other smoky seasonings you have at hand.
How Do I Store the Leftovers?
Your leftover vegan tacos should be stored properly in an airtight container and refrigerated for 1-2 days max.
Make sure you reheat the taco filling well before you assemble everything together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Prep the Vegan Tacos in Advance?
You sure can! If you love tacos, and want to prep some of it ahead of time, you can prepare the vegan taco mixture a day or two in advance and refrigerate it until you are ready to put it together.
What Other Kind of Vegan Taco Meat Can I Use?
For this vegan tacos recipe, we’ve used tofu as the key filling ingredient, but you can experiment with many other meat alternatives of your choice.
I love the idea of using mock meats and soy chunks and mince, since they replicate the texture of ground beef the most accurately.
If you don’t have them, you could also stick to a simple mixture of seasoned black beans and whip up some black bean tacos. This one’s great, because you’ll also be getting a nice bump of plant based protein while you’re enjoying it.
I also think you could use white beans or any other canned beans of your choice, and reap similar results with recreating a vegan taco meat.
I’ve heard jackfruit tacos are a thing too, so if you have some time, you could experiment with using canned jackfruit and turning it into a nice filling too.
Tropical Vegan Tacos Recipe With Tofu
Whether it is taco Tuesday or just another day of the week when you're craving some delicious Mexican food, you've got to give this easy vegan tacos a shot. With little to no prep time, just a handful of ingredients and lots of delicious flavors, this is one vegan taco recipe you absolutely need to try your hands at.
In my humble opinion, these are one of the best vegan taco recipes out there, and that's simply because they are ultra delicious and flavorful, and set the perfect example of how vegan food doesn't need to be bland and boring.
I always find myself turning to this easy recipe during when I want to have a quick lunch, during busy weeknights or when we decide to have taco night at home, and it is always a win.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup white onion (or some onion powder)
- 1/2 block firm tofu; diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic; minced (or some garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons salsa
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (or chili flakes)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup mango chunks
- Tortillas
- Topping:
- Avocado (optional)
- Salsa (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
How to Make these Easy Vegan Tacos
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's the step by step process you'll need to follow to make this recipe.
Step 1: Start with the Oil
Heat pan to medium heat then add in the olive oil.
Step 2: Add in the Onions and Cook
After oil heats, add white onion for 3 minutes to sweat.
Step 3: Add the Tofu and Cook
Add crumbled firm tofu, let cook for 4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Garlic and Cook
Add garlic. Cook on low to medium for 4 minutes.
Step 5: Season with your Favorite Spices
Add in chili powder, cayenne, paprika, oregano, cumin, and cilantro.
Step 6: Top with your Favorite Toppings
Top with lime juice and salsa tossed together. Sauté for another 2 minutes.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
Add tofu mix to warm tortillas. Top the vegan tacos with pineapple, mango, avocado, salsa, and fresh cilantro.
Notes
Tips & Tricks to Make These Vegan Tacos
Ready to make vegan tacos the easy way? Keep these little tips and tricks handy.
- To enjoy the authentic Mexican taste and deliciousness, use corn tortillas and add a dash of chipotle sauce on the top of each vegan taco, right before you serve.
- Gluten free tortillas can also be a great option if you have dietary restrictions you need to stick to.
- If you love the heat Mexican food has, you can also add some chopped chipotle peppers or cayenne pepper into the mix.
- To enhance the flavor of the vegan taco filling, you can also add some tomato paste and a dash of hot sauce into the tofu crumble mixture, along with the other seasonings.
- I also love adding other veggies and toppings like chopped red onion, chopped iceberg lettuce, fire roasted tomatoes, roasted cauliflower and even some pineapple salsa if I have the time to put it together.
- Jerk seasoning can also be an excellent addition to the mixture and can lend the filling tons of extra flavor. If you don't have it, stick to the classic taco seasoning or experiment with other smoky seasonings you have at hand.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 6gSugar: 7gProtein: 8g
More Vegan Recipes to Try
If you’re a fan of vegan recipes, and are looking to jump on the plant based eating bandwagon, here are a few good ones you might want to check out.
