Raw Vegan Spicy Walnut “Meat”

This raw vegan spicy walnut “meat” recipe is savoury, spicy, so delicious and has been a hit whenever I’ve brought it to gatherings. It makes for a tasty, healthy meat alternative and I have made it for so many parties, dinners and friends and they all rave about it!

This is NOT one of those processed meat alternatives. I do not consider those options, while vegan, to be healthy nor will I eat them. I prefer whole food sources as much as possible for the base of my recipes. As many of the processed meat alternatives are GMO, lab food and vague as to what the ingredients are.

It makes for a great meatless recipe as you are trying to transition to a plant-based diet.  My husband, who is a carnivore, in the literal sense of the word, loves this recipe when I make raw vegan tacos. If you know my husband you know that says a whole lot! So if he loves it I know you will too!

Having a husband who mostly eats meat it can be challenging finding recipes that he enjoys well. This spicy walnut ground meat is one I can count on for him to eat along with me. So, if you have family members that aren’t vegan this is a good starter recipe to have them try.

It’s really important as you transition to have some staple comfort food recipes that you find really satisfying. This meatless ground meat is so simple and easy requiring only a food-processor.  No pans or stove needed! No oily greasy mess to clean up afterward.  I love the simplicity of a raw food plant-based diet!

 I actually was asked to prepare a raw food dinner for some friends of mine for their dinner party.  So I decided to make these tacos along with other dishes.  There were some hardcore meat lovin’ men in the crowd so I was a little nervous to see how they would like these.  When I finally asked what they thought they didn’t even stop chewing to answer they just put their thumbs up in the air and nodded their head while tearing the taco up! 🙂 They finished the entire platter of tacos. That was the best compliment ever!

So, needless to say these would make an excellent platter to bring to any dinner party.  And like always say, you don’t have to tell anyone the dish is raw or vegan just say you brought lettuce tacos.  As long as something tastes good no one even cares what it’s called, they’ll be too busy scarfing them down to put a label on it.

This walnut meat is great to make in advance to have ready for the week.  It’ll last 3 to 5 days in the fridge and it’s perfect to have prepared along with some pico de Gallo, salsa and chopped veggies ready to go. After a long day you don’t even need to think, just pull it out of the fridge and you’re set.

You can make so many different dishes with this ground meat. Raw stuffed peppers as shown int he photos with a dollop of cashew sour cream, lettuce tacos, veggie wraps, zucchini boats or even taco salad. I you make this early in the week you could easily have 4-5 different meals for the week with just one meal prep!

Servings 4-5

Recipe:

2 cups raw walnuts, soaked over night drained & rinsed

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes,( if they are oil-free soak in filtered water until soft, then drain and pat excess water off)

1 clove garlic

1 tsp fajita seasoning blend  ( I used the salt-free  Spice Hunter brand)

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup yellow onion

Put all the above ingredients in a food-processor and pulse blend until it becomes a course crumble mix.

If you plan on using this as lettuce wraps Romaine lettuce or butter lettuce works the best because they hold really well. Enjoy!

If you make this walnut taco meat, let us know in the comments below or share a photo on Instagram and tag @justglowingwithealth and hashtag it with #justglowingwithhealth. I love seeing what you’re eating!