Vegetarian Ground Beef with Taco Seasoning

Transform your taco night with this delicious and protein-packed Vegetarian Ground Beef with Taco Seasoning! Featuring crumbled extra-firm tofu infused with a flavorful blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic, this recipe delivers the perfect plant-based alternative to classic taco meat. Enhanced with a touch of soy sauce, tomato paste, and a hint of maple syrup for depth and richness, this vegan-friendly dish is ideal for tacos, burritos, nachos, or salads. Ready in just 30 minutes and packed with bold, smoky spices, this meat-free recipe is a quick, nutritious, and satisfying way to elevate your favorite Mexican-inspired meals—perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz extra firm tofu
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 0.25 cup water
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu block for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture. You can do this by placing the tofu between two plates and adding weight on top.

Step 2

Crumble the pressed tofu into a bowl using your hands or a fork until it resembles the texture of ground beef.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the crumbled tofu to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown.

Step 5

While tofu is cooking, combine onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl to create the taco seasoning mix.

Step 6

Stir the taco seasoning mix into the tofu, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Step 7

Add soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, and water to the skillet. Stir the mixture well until the tofu is coated and the sauce is evenly mixed.

Step 8

Allow the mixture to simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the tofu is richly colored and flavorful.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 10

Serve the vegetarian ground beef in tacos, burritos, or as a topping for salads. Enjoy your plant-based meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(586.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	979.7

Total Fat 63.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2514.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 42.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g	0%
Total Sugars 20.3g
Protein 68.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2792.8mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 1571.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.5%

Protein: 26.9%

Carbs: 16.7%