If you need a quick, flavour-packed, high-protein filling for tacos, burritos, or meal prep, this Smoky Mexican-Style Vegan Ground Meat has you covered. It’s meaty (but completely cruelty-free), smoky, and full of savoury goodness. The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make. Unlike most ready-made vegan meat alternatives, this has no weird ultra-processed ingredients—just simple, real food. A bit of TVP, some bold seasoning, and about 15 minutes are all you need. Use it straight away or batch-cook for the week—because honestly, once you’ve made it, you’ll want it on everything.
😋 Why You’ll love this recipe!
- Incredibly quick – Ready in no time, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Packed with flavour – Smoky, savoury, and perfectly spiced.
- Super versatile – Ideal for tacos, burritos, nachos, or meal prep.
- High-protein & low-fat – … what more do you want?
📝 Ingredient notes
75g TVP (textured vegetable protein) – The base of this recipe, giving it that classic ground meat texture.
600ml water – Used to rehydrate the TVP.
1 tbsp soy sauce – Adds umami and depth. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
2 tsp liquid smoke – Essential for that deep, smoky flavour.
1 small onion & 2 cloves garlic – Finely chopped for flavour and texture—because everything is better with garlic.
2 tbsp taco seasoning – Use homemade (recipe coming soon!) or a store-bought mix.
2 tbsp tomato purée – Adds richness and helps bind the flavours together.
1 tbsp olive oil – Not just for cooking! It also adds fat, which is key for replicating that juicy, meaty mouthfeel.
1 tsp MSG – Boosts savoury umami goodness. It really takes this over the edge, making the flavours more balanced and deeply satisfying.
1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch) – Helps thicken the mixture slightly for the perfect texture.
🥣 How to make this vegan ground meat
- Prep the aromatics – This is another super quick and easy recipe. Start by dicing the onion as finely as you can, then mince or slice the garlic.
- Sauté for flavour – Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. We’re using a full tablespoon here because fat is key for making this rich and giving it a good mouthfeel. Fry the onion until it starts to turn translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the taco seasoning and toast it for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the tomato purée, mix well, and cook it out for a minute to get rid of any raw flavour. Then, stir in the soy sauce and liquid smoke.
- Rehydrate the TVP – Add the dry TVP to the pan, stirring well so it gets fully coated in all that flavour. Pour in 600ml of water and let it absorb. Depending on your TVP, you might need to add a little extra water. This is also the perfect time to sprinkle in the MSG—mix it through for that next-level savoury depth.
- Thicken it up – While the TVP is absorbing, make a quick cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornflour (cornstarch for the Americans in the room) with 1 teaspoon of cold water. Stir it into the TVP mixture to help bind everything together so it doesn’t fall apart. If it’s looking too dry, feel free to add a splash more water—you can always boil it off until you get the perfect consistency. The great thing about TVP is that it’s pretty hard to overcook.
- You’re done! – That’s it! Super easy. Now load it into your favourite tacos, burritos, or whatever Mexican-inspired dish you’re making with a little Pico de Gallo. If you fancy a more standard vegan ground meat try this recipe!
🤔 Frequently asked questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and actually tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop. It also freezes really well—just defrost and reheat in a pan with a splash of water.
What can I use instead of TVP?
If you don’t have TVP, you could try finely crumbled firm tofu, lentils, blitzed mushrooms, or even some walnuts. Or a combination of any of the above. Just keep in mind that the texture and water absorption will be different, but you can use this as a base idea.
Is this spicy?
Not really! The spice level depends on the taco seasoning you use. If you like it hotter, add some chili flakes, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños.
Can I use store-bought taco seasoning?
Absolutely! A homemade mix is always great (recipe coming soon), but store-bought works fine. Just check the ingredients—some blends can have added sugar or fillers.
How do I stop it from drying out?
If it looks dry while cooking, just add a splash more water. You can also mix in a little more olive oil for extra richness. TVP is very forgiving, so it’s hard to mess up!
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Smoky Mexican-Style Vegan Ground Meat
Equipment
- Wide pan
Ingredients
- 75 g TVP
- 600 ml Water
- 1 tbsp Soy
- 2 tsp Liquid Smoke
- 1 Medium Onion
- 2 Coves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Taco mix
- 2 tbsp Tomato puree
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp MSG
- 1 Tsp Corn Flour
Instructions
- Prep the aromatics – Dice the onion and mince or slice the garlic.
- Sauté – Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the taco seasoning, toast for a minute, then add the tomato purée, soy sauce, and liquid smoke.
- Rehydrate the TVP – Add the TVP and stir to coat in the seasoning. Pour in 600ml of water and let it absorb fully. Add the MSG and mix well.
- Thicken – Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch) with 1 tsp cold water. Stir it into the TVP mixture to help bind everything together. Add more water if needed, then cook until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve – Use in tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired dish!
Notes
- Taco seasoning: A homemade blend works best (recipe coming soon!), but store-bought is totally fine.
- Water absorption: Different TVP brands may need slightly more or less water—adjust as needed.
- MSG: Optional, but it really enhances the savoury depth of the dish.
- Texture control: If the mixture looks too dry, add a splash more water. If it’s too wet, let it cook down a bit longer.
- Storage: This keeps well in the fridge for up to **4 days** and freezes beautifully for easy meal prep.