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Vegan taco bowl with lentil taco meat, brown rice, limes, corn, tomatoes in a bowl.

Vegan Taco Bowl


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Allie
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

These vegan taco bowls are piled high with hearty walnut-lentil taco meat, zesty cilantro-lime brown rice, crunchy fresh toppings, and a creamy cashew-lime crema.


Ingredients

Scale

Cilantro brown rice

  • 2 cups uncooked brown rice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro

 

Walnut lentil taco meat

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups cooked brown lentils 
  • ¾ cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup low-sodium or salt-free vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
  • Salt to taste, if needed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

 

Cashew lime crema

  • ½ cup raw cashews (soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed)
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Pinch of salt (optional)

 

Toppings

  • 1 avocado (deseeded and diced) or guacamole
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Your favorite salsa or pico de gallo
  • Your favorite greens (kale, spinach, lettuce)

Instructions

Cilantro brown rice

  1. Cook the brown rice according to the package.
  2. When the rice is done and still warm (but not hot), add the lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and chopped cilantro.
  3. Stir to combine.

 

Walnut lentil taco meat

  1. While the rice is cooking, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the onion with a pinch of salt, and cook until translucent.  For oil-free cooking, add water as needed if the onion is sticking, about a tablespoon at a time. (Or use a neutral-tasting oil)
  2. Turn down the heat, add the chopped walnuts, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Then add chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, and coat the onions and walnuts with the seasonings. Cook for about 30 seconds.
  4. Add the cooked lentils, vegetable broth, and tamari.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer (no need to boil) and cook covered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. The liquid should be cooking out.  If the mixture becomes too dry, add a little more vegetable broth to hydrate the lentils.  
  7. After 10 minutes, if the lentils still have excess liquid, remove the lid, continue cooking, and stir frequently to evaporate excess liquid.
  8. Taste, adjust for seasoning, mash some of the lentils for a creamier texture, and stir in the fresh lime juice.

 

Cashew lime crema

  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

 

Assemble

  1. Add the rice, taco meat, and any toppings to a bowl. Then top with a dollop of lime crema.

Notes

The nutrition facts do NOT include toppings or any oil.

Check out vegan lentil taco meat for how to cook lentils.  3/4 cup dry lentils yields about 2 cups cooked.

Soak the raw cashews overnight or place the cashews in a bowl, cover them with boiling water, and soak for 1 hour.

I use salt-free chili powder and make my own using this recipe: chili powder.

Use low-sodium vegetable broth, or make your own salt-free version using this method: slow cooker vegetable broth.

If you use canned lentils, they can be very salty. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the recipe.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Mexican