This Tempeh Tacos recipe from Betty Goes Vegan by Anne & Dan Shannon is a quick, easy meatless dinner. Crumbled tempeh makes a great sub for ground beef!
The Year Without Tacos
I get migraines. Crazy migraines. Migraines that make me see strange glowing orbs. Migraines that make me leave hair salons in ambulances. But the worst thing about my migraines is that they cause me to have weird aversions to certain foods.
So, for example, when I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch and got a migraine a few hours later, suddenly I could no longer stomach PB&Js. The very thought of them would make me feel sick to my stomach. Usually I get over these aversions after a few months, but then there was the time I got a migraine after eating tacos—oh, it was bad. And I wasn't able to eat tacos for a full year.
The Year Without Tacos will go down as one of the worst years ever. Because along with veggie burgers and pasta, tacos were part of the trifecta of easy go-to meals in our household. I felt a little bit lost without taco night. Tacos are fast! They're delicious! And putting them together is kind of fun too, right? It was a happy day when I finally found myself thinking, "Hey, you know what? I feel like tacos for dinner! I FEEL LIKE TACOS AGAIN!"
About the Recipe
Now you can make tacos with vegetables and beans and potatoes, but my favorite tacos are made with crumpled tempeh. (If you're unfamiliar with tempeh, be sure to check out my How to Use Tempeh post!) I've made a lot of tempeh tacos in my day, but the ones from Anne & Dan Shannon's new cookbook Betty Goes Vegan
I received a copy of Betty Goes Vegan a few weeks ago and with 500 recipes, it is HUGE. As the title suggests, the inspiration for this book was Betty Crocker's cookbook. While it's fun to see all those classic recipes get meatless remakes, this isn't necessarily a cookbook I'd buy for myself because most of the recipes call for meat substitutes, which I don't use. This would be more of a "I'm going to check this out from the library" type of book for me. But if you do use meat substitutes in your cooking, this book is a great source of mealtime inspiration.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package tempeh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Mexican-spiced diced tomatoes I used the tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 fresh jalapeño diced
- 2 –4 tsp chili powder 2 was plenty for us!
- 3 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp minced chipotle pepper
- ¼ cip Bragg's liquid aminos coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce works too
- ½ red onion diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 2 tbsp water
- salt + pepper to taste
- olive oil mister or cooking spray
- dash of liquid smoke I omitted this
- 6 –8 hard taco shells
- vegan cheese guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Crumble your tempeh into a large mixing bowl. Then, using a large spoon, mix in the garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chipotle pepper, and Bragg's. Once your tempeh is completely mixed into the spices, mix in the onion and pepper. Then drizzle the water 1 tablespoon at a time into your mix while stirring your ingredients continuously. Taste a little bit of your tempeh and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Spray your favorite cast-iron skillet or frying pan with a heavy coating of olive oil cooking spray, and then heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, toss in the tempeh mixture and liquid smoke. Flip your tempeh-vegetable mixture a few times so that it browns evenly. You'll know it's ready when your vegetables are tender and your tempeh has crispy edges. It should take about 10 minutes.
- While your tempeh is cooking, heat your taco shells slightly in the oven following the directions on the package.
- Once your taco shells are warm, fill them with the tempeh and vegetable mixture. Top with vegan cheese and set aside so it can melt slightly.
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, black olives, lime wedges, and anything else you like on your tacos!
Nutrition
Disclosure: I received a copy of Betty Goes Vegan to review on Oh My Veggies. There's an affiliate link in this post, so if you were to order the book from Amazon through my link, I would receive a small percentage of the sale price.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love tempeh! this is such a great use for it. Ive never heard of that cookbook but it looks like a keeper. Gorgeous images as usual!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oh man, that stinks about the migraines. When we get them they start with that zig zaggy lightning bolt that gets bigger. NOT fun. Never had food aversions though...that would REALLY suck. No tacos!? Sigh. But glad to see your bringin' tacos back (yeah!)...sorry Justin Timberlake moment.
Kiersten says
The migraines have been a lot better lately, actually. I upped my magnesium and it's the only thing that's ever worked for me as a preventative. But when I do still get them, yes, I get those lightning bolts & orbs too. The last really bad aura I had was on Election Day. I dragged myself to the polling place, but I'm still not totally sure who I voted for. 😉
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
When I was veg I didn't use meat substitutes either, I felt like it screamed "I'm using this because I can't use meat!" When what I really wanted to scream was, "Vegetables are awesome and you don't need meat!!" The only exception was the occasional use of soyrizo and even though I now eat meat, I still love soyrizo!
Kiersten says
My husband still loves meat subs. I send him to the grocery store for cilantro and he comes back with a box of riblets. For me, I have no desire to eat the real thing, so the substitutes don't really appeal to me on any level. Except Field Roast! Have you ever had that? It's pretty tasty.
Dani says
Field roast is better than ANY lunch meat! The local sandwich shop (east side deli in pdx) makes field roast sandwiches piled with veggies---I crave field roast more than meat!
Kiersten says
I miss the Field Roast lunch meat! I used to buy it when I lived in Madison, but I can't find it anywhere around here. Sausages yes, lunch meat no. :/
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
I used to deal with migraines - knock on wood - and they are just not fun. I had vision issues too. Less stress and well, a more ketogenic diet have kept me in the clear for a lot of years. Very cool this is made with tempeh! It's the only soy I eat - when I do. Looks sooo good too!
Kiersten says
My migraines are a lot better now, but I went through a stretch last winter where I was getting them just about every other day. It was really, really horrible. :/
Kristina says
oh, I hear ya on the migraines - I get the fun ones like losing my peripheral vision in the middle of class. as much as I hate my migraines, I would really hate a year without tacos.
these look fantastic . this is such a great book, I'm having fun looking through it!
Kiersten says
Yes! I get those too. True story, the first time I got a migraine with aura, I was at work. I used to supervise college students at a library and I was seeing floaters for a while and then slowly, my entire field of vision just faded to black. There were about 5 of my employees in the room and I started crying, "Oh my God! I'm going blind! I can't see! What's happening to me?!" Oh man, it was not one of my finer moments, but I thought I was having a stroke. I'm sure they all went home that day and told their roommates about my epic meltdown.
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
Must try this! I love tempeh
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
You weren't kidding about the long ingredient list! Like you, I don't use the meat substitutes. I don't even use tofu. I just leave it out or use a combination of ingredients that don't require meat. (This is on my meatless meals, of course seeing as how I'm not a complete vegetarian at all.)
Kiersten says
It's definitely a long list of ingredients, but then I thought about all the ingredients in a typical taco seasoning mix and realized that's probably why--no seasoning mix = lots of spices in the recipe. 🙂
Richa says
oh my.. a year without tacos.. hope you find things that help control them migraines.
these tempeh ones look amazing.
Kiersten says
Yeah, it was a long, sad year!
Rochelle @ WheatlessRochelle.com says
Wow, those look incredible! I have that book on my Kindle (well, Kindle for iPad app, actually) but I haven't checked it out yet. And gosh, I'm glad tempeh is gluten free!
Kiersten says
It's definitely a fun cookbook! I made the matzo ball soup this week too and it was amazing. 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I just cooked with tempeh for the first time the other night when I made tempeh burritos. These tacos sound so delicious. I am definitely a tempeh convert :).
Kiersten says
Yay! This would make a great burrito filling too. Or nacho topping! So many possibilities. 🙂
Courtney Jones says
Awe, that is really crummy about the migraines. My boyfriend get them like that too and it just breaks my heart. I hate not being able to do anything to help him.
I bought the Betty Goes Vegan cookbook and was also disappointed in the amount of meat substitutes used. I'm not opposed to using them, but I prefer when I don't have to. I did not like the texture of meat, so fake meat products don't really thill me. *haha* I do think this cook book is awesome for those who use subs. SO many great sounding recipes!
Kiersten says
That's exactly how I feel too. I think meat substitutes are great for people who miss meat or who want to eat meat but for whatever reason can't, but I really hate the texture and taste of meat, so the subs are so unappetizing to me. I do love Field Roast, but I think it's because they're not trying to taste like meat, you know?
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
I'm a huge fan of tofu but have to admit I've never tried tempeh. I know, weird, especially for a vegetarian of nearly ten years, but my food aversions are often irrational. Tempeh just never really appealed to me (must be the mold!). BUT, I had a read of your "how to use tempeh" post and I think I'm brave enough now to go out and buy some.
(Sooo jealous of your yellow LC pan!)
Kiersten says
The mold is a little bit creepy, I admit. 🙂 But when you crumble it up, it makes such a fantastic substitute for ground beef! I'm not one to judge anyone else's food aversions though, since I have plenty myself.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Those look so tasty and I am a huge sucker for a good taco!
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
I'm lucky - I don't get migranes, but I do occasionally get a really bad headache with a migrane aura (floaty coloury things in my peripheral vision) which are weird and freaky. I do understand getting sick and having an aversion to a recently ate food, which is why I haven't had a pizza pretzel in over 20 years...
I love love love tempeh! It's bonkers hard to find where I live, unfortunately. I've only found one store that has it, and they only have it some of the time. Whenever they do I stock up on as much as I can and stash it in the freezer. There has been a long tempeh dry spell, but hopefully soon it'll be back in my life again and I can try these tacos!
Kiersten says
I'm lucky that none of my food aversions have lasted 20 years! Tempeh is definitely my favorite vegetarian protein. Okay, maybe tied with lentils. 🙂 Have you tried making it yourself? I used to go to a restaurant that made their own and it was delicious, although I'm sure it's quite a process!
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
Katie, I get the auras without migraines as well. Apparently it's fairly common. Let's hope we don't develop the other symptoms at some later stage!
Pam says
I have gazed at these three time in the past 24 hours. This will be dinner next Friday. Lol, my stomach just growled.
Pam
Kiersten says
I hope you like them! 🙂
Genevieve says
These sound like hearty and spicy tacos - kind of like chili but scooped into a hard shell instead! Glad you shared your thoughts on that cookbook too - I would definitely like to check it out, but I agree with you that the style of cooking doesn't quite match my tastes. At least this recipe sounds like it would please meat lovers too!
Kiersten says
There are definitely some recipes made without meat subs (I made an awesome matzo ball soup recipe from the book last week!), but if you don't cook with them very much, I'd suggest checking this cookbook out from the library and or at least browsing through it at the bookstore before buying it...
HilLesha says
Looks great! I've been wanting to buy this book for a few weeks now, but wasn't sure if it would be a waste of money. Now, I think I will definitely get it!
Kiersten says
If you eat a lot of meat substitutes, you will like it! 🙂
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
That cookbook sound really intriguing! What a great idea to remake classic recipes that we all grew up with! And I can't imagine the thought of not eating tacos for a whole year - torture! But I have the same food aversions too - migraines or tummy issues either one.
mjskit says
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of tempah, but I do love all of the spices you used in this recipe! What a mouthful of flavors!! Great looking tacos!
Shirley says
That hairstyling migraine story is scary! Did a doctor ever rule definitively on what caused it? Have you sworn off hair dye permanently? I know what you mean about the unintentional aversion therapy. I once tried Southern chicken and dumplings when I had some flu and threw up, and now I can't stand the thought of the stuff. Or maybe I truly don't like soggy steamed biscuits. Anyway, I've never tried tempeh but these look good!
Kiersten says
It was more a matter of ruling things out, and after that they just concluded that it had to be some kind of weird migraine-related reaction. I think it was the fumes from the dye!
Veggie says
These tacos look wonderful. Kind of said you can't eat PB&J after migraine. Everbody should be able to eat PB/J all the time. 🙂
Rachel says
these were SO GOOD! I convinced my boyfriend to eat a vegan diet with me for one month. (neither of us were vegetarians when we started, although that may change!) I am a marathon runner, and I wanted to try a healthy new diet and was inspired by a vegan distance runner. BUT, after a few weeks of green juice and lots of salads, my meat-and-potatoes, 200 pound, former military Southern boyfriend was getting antsy. These were just the trick! We both agreed that we did not miss the meat AT ALL! (Although I admit we missed real cheese).
Thanks for sharing! Next up will be baked fried rice and veggie tempeh sloppy joes!
Kiersten says
Yay, I'm so glad to hear it! I think I would get a little antsy after a few weeks of green juice and salads too. 😉
Brenda Williams says
These look good...never tried tempeh, but sounds like I need to get some and use it.
McKel | Nutrition Stripped says
Thanks for sharing! This is one of my favorite ways to use tempeh 🙂
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
I've never tried tempeh but now I'm inspired!