Description
This Raw Vegan Spicy Walnut “Meat” is a delicious, savory, and spicy plant-based alternative to ground meat. Made from whole food ingredients like soaked walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, spices, and lemon juice, it offers a healthy, unprocessed option perfect for raw food diets or anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful meatless dish. It’s versatile enough for tacos, wraps, stuffed peppers, or salads, and requires no cooking – just a quick blend in a food processor to create a satisfying, crumbly texture. This recipe is ideal for transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle and pleases both vegans and meat-eaters alike.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups raw walnuts, soaked overnight, drained & rinsed
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-free, soaked in filtered water until soft, drained and patted dry
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp fajita seasoning blend (salt-free, e.g., Spice Hunter brand)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup yellow onion
Instructions
- Prepare the walnuts: Soak 2 cups of raw walnuts overnight at room temperature. Once soaked, drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove any bitterness and soften the nuts for blending.
- Soften the sun-dried tomatoes: If using oil-free sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in filtered water until they are soft and pliable. Drain well and pat off excess water to prevent sogginess.
- Add ingredients to food processor: Place the soaked walnuts, softened sun-dried tomatoes, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp fajita seasoning, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion into a food processor.
- Pulse to desired texture: Pulse the mixture until it forms a coarse crumbly texture resembling ground meat. Be careful not to over-process into a paste; you want a crumbly, meaty consistency.
- Serve and enjoy: Use this raw walnut meat as a filling for lettuce tacos, veggie wraps, stuffed peppers, zucchini boats, or taco salads. Romaine or butter lettuce works best for wraps as they hold the filling well.
- Storage and make-ahead tip: Store the walnut “meat” in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Prepare in advance along with other toppings like pico de gallo or salsa for easy meal assembly throughout the week.
Notes
- This recipe is completely raw and vegan—no cooking needed.
- Use oil-free sun-dried tomatoes and soak them to maintain raw food integrity.
- Romaine or butter lettuce are preferred for wraps due to their sturdy leaves.
- You can substitute Brazil nuts for walnuts if you have a walnut sensitivity, but pecans are not recommended due to flavor differences.
- Perfect for meal prepping multiple dishes for the week using one batch.
- Pat excess oil off sun-dried tomatoes if they come in oil for a less greasy texture.
- Soaking nuts at room temperature is preferred for optimal softening.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight soaking time)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Meat Alternative
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Raw Vegan
Keywords: raw vegan, walnut meat, meat alternative, vegan taco meat, plant-based, raw food recipe, spicy walnut meat, lettuce tacos, raw vegan meat
