Amazing Raw Vegan Tacos With Sun-Dried Tomato Walnut Meat

raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos lined up on a dish

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Valentine's day is right around the corner - and what better way to tell someone special that you love them and appreciate them, than by cooking up a delicious healthy and tasty raw vegan meal? hint.hint. 😉

Plus, restaurants are overrated and completely jammm packed on Vday.

raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos on a dish

Raw Vegan recipes are my favorite favorite everrr. And I'll take a raw vegan meal present for valentine's day any day. 😛

Something about the fresh, colorful, vibrant ingredients that almost always accompany raw vegan dishes are so enticingly yummy.

One of the first raw vegan dishes that I ever tried, and is now my favorite, is raw vegan romaine lettuce boat tacos. Soooo much goodness in one dish. Get ready.

raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos

five things to know about this raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos recipe:

  • Even though it looks extremely complicated.. It's notttt! This is such a perfect recipe for beginners. Do not be afraid my friends. YOU CAN DO THIS! It's pretty much fail proof too.
  • Refined OIL free because there is no need for processed oils in this recipe. We get enough healthy fats from the yummy walnut meat and guac. 😉 Check out more details on how to make walnut taco meat here.  It's really not that hard to make and taste amazing!
  • There is NO cooking involved, say whattt! That's the beauty of raw foods. All you have to do is prepare each part, layer the raw vegan romaine tacos, and eat eat eat. The quicker I can get to the 'eating' part, the happier I am. #nothappywhenhungry Am I rightttt?
  • These raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos are so colorful and vibrant and happy, which makes for a perfect dish for a special occasion, a birthday, a celebration, or ummm VALENTINE'S DAY, which is right around the corner.. so ladies and gents.. take note 😉 and surprise, errr scratch that, WOW your Valentine with this yummy yummy dish.
  • Don't forget the sauce. Although this dish is super yummy on its own, make it even more unbelievably tasty by drizzling a little bit (more like a lot a bit), of our Ultimate Green Cilantro Garlic Sauce (click for recipe).

romaine lettuce leaves on parchment paper

Let's talk about the layers 

This recipe is a bonus because it includes three other recipes in one! It's just one of those dishes where you need three recipes to make one recipe hahaha, #complicatedveganprobs.

But no need to fear. It's really not hard. I've broken down the steps. It's like I'll be right there with ya in the kitchen guiding you along.

Raw Vegan Walnut Meat 

Start by making the Walnut Meat first.. you're going to have to soak the walnuts and sundried tomatoes so make sure to get that started first and then you can work on everything else while they soak.

Make sure to only soak the walnuts for about 20 minutes! If you soak any longer, the meat tends to get a mooshy, paste-like texture which is not cool.

Also make sure nottt to overprocess once you get everything in the food processor. Just process enough that everything is broken down, well combined, but still crumbly. See this picture below.

PS. You can eat as is for a raw vegan version orrrr if ya wanna get naughty, you can totally roast this in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes, and the flavor intensifies so much more.

food processor with walnut meat

easy raw vegan pico de gallo 

The Pico De Gallo is super simple and flexible. I offer measurements so that you can get a general idea but feel free to experiment with your own quantities. Basically chop up all of the ingredients (tomatoes, red onions, garlic and cilantro), and cover with lime juice. YUM.

Raw Vegan Pico De Gallo In a Bowl

anddd the guac, can't forget the guac!

I don't get too complicated with guac. Slice your avocado in half, throw it in a bowl, add some lime juice and mash up with a fork! You can also add some minced garlic and dash of cayenne or pepper.

raw vegan guac in a bowl

As you can probably already tell, the three recipes that make the really big main recipe are super easy and simple. Once you've made each part, layer your raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos as you wish and enjoy.

Oh and don't forget the sauceeee! This one goes really well with our Ultimate Green Cilantro Garlic Sauce (click for recipe).

A baking dish with raw vegan romaine lettuce tacos

Okay friends, let me know if you try it, what you think, how did it taste...

Also, let's be friends on Instagram: @sproutingzeneats  and tag me if you make this beauty!

We're also on Facebook: @sproutingzeneats and on Twitter: SproutingZen.

with love + gratitude,

Jen ♥

Print

Amazing Raw Vegan Tacos With Sun-Dried Tomato Walnut Meat

a picture of raw vegan taco on a table

Raw Vegan Romaine Lettuce Tacos that are easy and so yum. Romaine lettuce boats topped with raw vegan walnut meat, pico de gallo and of course guac!! Oil free | Gluten free | Raw Vegan

  • Author: Jen
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 to 8 tacos 1x
  • Category: Main Entree
  • Cuisine: raw vegan

Ingredients

Scale

For the taco base:

  • 7 to 8 romaine lettuce leaves (if you buy one head of romaine lettuce or a package of romaine lettuce, you’ll have more than enough to make this recipe. Each leaf makes one taco.)

For the toppings:

Raw Vegan Walnut Meat – 

  • 1/2 cup of walnuts (soak for 20 minutes, 20 minutes only!)
  • 1 cup of DRY almonds
  • 5 to 6 sun dried tomatoes (oil free)
  • 1 tablespoon chickpea miso
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon of each = garlic powder and onion powder
  • dash of = salt, pepper, cayenne to taste

Simple Vegan Pico De Gallo – 

  • 1 or 2 tomatoes
  • 1/2 of a red onion
  • 1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • a handful of cilantro give or take
  • the juice of 1 lime

Easy vegan guac – 

  • 1 to 2 Hass Avocados (depending how many tacos you are making, if you are making more than 4 tacos I’d go for 2 avocados)
  • 1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • juice of one lime
  • dash of cayenne and black pepper

Extra Toppings For Added Flavor and Yumness – 

  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Sauerkraut
  • Fresh cabbage slices
  • Olives

Top with our favorite Ultimate Green Cilantro Garlic Sauce 

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain the romaine lettuce leaves and set aside.
  2. Prepare the toppings as follows:

Easy Walnut Meat:

  1. Soak the walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes for 20 minutes only! If you soak walnuts for too long, they become too soft and paste-like vs crumbly.
  2. Place almonds, miso, and the rest of the spices in the processor and once walnuts and sundried tomatoes have soaked for 20 minutes, add those too. Process until crumbly. Make sure not to over process because then it will be more paste-like. Once it reaches a crumbly consistency, stop. (see picture for reference)
  3. If you want raw walnut meat then serve as is (if you’re not raw vegan, you can go ahead and roast the meat in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes for extra YUMMMness!

Easy Pico De Gallo:

  1. In a bowl add the following: Chopped tomatoes, chopped red onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, squeeze the juice of one lime and combine until all ingredients are coated. You can also add a pinch of salt and pepper. However, I keep mine salt-free and it tastes amazing this way.

Easy Guac:

  1. Place the avocado meat in small bowl, add the minced garlic and add the juice of one lime. Using a fork, mash up the avocado until your desired consistency. You can also add a dash of cayenne and black pepper to taste.

Once you have your walnut meat, pico de gallo and guac ready to go:

  1. Lay out romaine lettuce boats on a dish and begin adding the toppings. I like to follow this particular order: walnut meat, pico de gallo, guac, and then any extra toppings I might have on hand such as jalapenos, sauerkraut, hot sauce, and green cilantro garlic sauce.
  2. Serve and ENJOY! So gooood.

Notes

  • Each romaine lettuce makes one taco. You can usually buy a head of romaine lettuce and it’ll bring plenty of leaves for this recipe. I suggest 7 to 8 because that’s how much the walnut meat, pico de gallo, and guac are enough for but feel free to double the recipe if you need to make more tacos.
  • This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to add or remove any toppings or ingredients to suit your needs and taste buds.
  • This is a raw meal which is best served and consumed immediately. Left overs will last in the fridge for about 2 days in airtight sealed glass containers.

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About Jen

A former registered nurse turned stay-at-home-mama, yoga teacher, and holistic health + wellness enthusiast. I share my homemade healthy recipes + natural living content to help women and moms live healthier and happier lives.

41 Comments

  1. Albert Bevia on January 29, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    These tacos are rocking!!! I would have never thought to use walnuts to make a raw vegan meat…now that is stunning

    • Jen on January 29, 2018 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks Albert!! Give the taco meat a try, I’m sure you’re gonna love it. It’s sooo tasty.

  2. Laurel | Catching Seeds on January 29, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    This is SO fresh and vibrant! I can’t wait to try the taco meat. Those sun dried tomatoes!

    • Jen on January 29, 2018 at 5:11 pm

      Thank you so much Laurel! Fresh foods are the best aren’t they? The taco meat is my favoritee favorite ever. Let me know if you give it a try. 🙂

  3. Cleo @ Journey to the Garden on January 29, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    This looks like an amazing recipe. I think I might make it and take it to work for my co-workers to have tomorrow. I soooo love your recipes! Always something new to try!

    I remember my one month foray into a raw diet ……. when I went back to cooking again I thought, “WHAAAATTT??? Everything takes so long to prepare!” Raw is soooo easy. I really miss eating that way.

    • Jen on January 30, 2018 at 10:45 am

      Ohh I think your co workers would LOVEEEE this. Let me know how it goes if you do go ahead and make it!! 🙂 Also, I know exactly what you mean.. cooking does tend to take longer than just “preparing” a raw dish but with cooked meals there is the convenience of being able to cook it ahead of time and store it for a later date. With raw foods, I usually can’t meal prep as much because since everything is fresh, it’ll spoil sooner. ah everything has a pros and cons haha.

  4. Astrid on January 29, 2018 at 11:19 pm

    Very colorful and creative! Keep up the good work with wholesome foods. That’s what’s all about. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

    • Jen on January 30, 2018 at 10:46 am

      Thank you Astrid. Your comment made my day. Totally agree with you, gotta keep spreading that wholesome foods love! 😉

  5. Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter on January 30, 2018 at 9:29 am

    Wow Jen, my only ‘slight’ problem is I kept salivating whilst looking at your gorgeous vibrant photos! This post is a true celebration of wholesome healthy food! Love the idea of walnut ‘meat’ with sun dried tomatoes. Will be sure to try this dish when the days get warmer!

    • Jen on January 30, 2018 at 10:47 am

      Tania, you had me there for a second. 😛 Hahaha. Thank you for your beautiful comments, always make my day. That walnut meat truly is delicious with so many flavors involved!

  6. Mairi on January 30, 2018 at 12:27 pm

    This is so colourful! I have got to try this out – just the thing to brighten up my kitchen in dready January.

    • Jen on February 1, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      Oh yes these colors are perfect to brighten up a dready winter evening!

  7. Sarah Newman on January 30, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    These are gorgeous! I looove walnut ‘meat’! It’s been too long since I’ve made it – will have to try your version! 🙂

    • Jen on February 1, 2018 at 8:24 pm

      Yes yes yes try it and let me know. I’m in love with it.

  8. Michelle - Hold the Moo on January 31, 2018 at 4:46 am

    These tacos are beautiful. Have not made walnut “meat” before so I am quite curious.

    • Jen on February 1, 2018 at 8:24 pm

      Hey Michelle! Walnut meat is super tasty, and goes great with so many different dishes such as tacos, burritos, nachos! Ah the possibilities are endless. 😛

  9. jenna urben | the urben life on January 31, 2018 at 5:30 pm

    So fresh and colorful! That garlic sauce looks amazing

    • Jen on February 1, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      Thank you Jenna. The garlic sauce is soooo good.

  10. Leslie-Anne on February 1, 2018 at 11:04 am

    This is a fantastic idea! I’ve never thought to use walnut and sundried tomatoes as ‘meat’. The sundried tomatoes are a brilliant addition – they are super flavourful and a bit oily so they’d add that right meaty feel.

    • Jen on February 1, 2018 at 8:26 pm

      Hi Leslie. Walnuts and Sun dried tomatoes go so great together, I think you’d really enjoy this recipe. 🙂

  11. Honey @ The Girl Next Shore on February 4, 2018 at 10:13 am

    This is definitely something I would recreate! I’ve had walnut meat previously without knowing it was walnut (but knowing it was vegan), and when my friend told me what she did, I was absolutely shocked – I didn’t even miss meat at all!

    • Jen on February 5, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Ha I totally know what you mean. The first time I tried ‘walnut’ meat I was shocked as well, and totally hooked. 😛

  12. Wanda on February 4, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    They look so pretty and sound so tasty I had to pin this recipe to revisit later! Yum!

    • Jen on February 5, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks Wanda! They sure are pretty. 🙂

  13. Ali Hanson on February 4, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    These look very good, I am growing my vegan recipe collection to make sure am ready for and friends with different dietary needs. This looks like a winner!

    • Jen on February 5, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      Hi Ali, Yes that is a great idea, to have several recipes ready for friends with dietary restrictions. I am sure they would love this one.

  14. Rachel on February 5, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Yum!!!! Def gonna try this. Sharing!

  15. Nicole | What She Ate on February 5, 2018 at 3:24 pm

    You’ve got me dreaming of summer with this one. I need to get back into eating more raw meals daily. I always feel better when I do. Thanks for sharing, Jen! 🙂

    • Jen on February 5, 2018 at 9:27 pm

      Ah yes. This is a perfect summer meal. 🙂 So fresh and bright. I feel ya, I always feel better when I’m eating mostly raw as well. <3

  16. Rezel Kealoha on February 5, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    I would love to get this dinner for V-day and better yet I have everything for this salad so I might make it tonight!!

    • Jen on February 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

      Yayay! This would make for a perfect V day dinner! <3

  17. Mairi on February 6, 2018 at 8:24 am

    We don’t have enough tacos here in the UK – so I usually make do by making my own, and these ones look fabulous! Definitely going to try them, yay!

  18. Michelle Stelly on February 6, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    Babe this looks so colorful and delicious! Great job I love it!

    • Jen on February 7, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      Yayayay! Glad you like them!! Aren’t they so cute for Vday?! I love the pink dusting on top.

  19. Heather @ The Pennywise Playbook on May 9, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Um, excuse me, Jen. These look frickin’ AMAZING!!! Making my mouth water! Totally Pinning these for a summer dinner!!! 😀

    • Jen on May 11, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      Haha! Thanks Heather for such an awesome comment! These are pretty delicious!! <3 Have a beautiful weekend!!!

  20. Terri with EatPlant-Based on May 10, 2018 at 8:48 am

    These raw tacos look amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try!

    • Jen on May 11, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      Thanks Terri! They’re definitely delicious! <3 Have a wonderful weekend.

  21. Katherine on January 25, 2019 at 9:13 am

    Hi,

    I loved this recipe so much that I featured it on my best of post, 37 Healthy Valentine’s Day Recipes: Indulge Without The Bulge.
    I have used one image and a small quote from this page, and have given full credit to you and linked back to this page.
    I would love it if you came and checked it out.

    Have a fantastic day!
    Katherine from GreenThickies.com

    • Jen on January 25, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      Hey Katherine! That’s awesome thank you so much for featuring this recipe. I am heading to your page right now to check it out!! Happy Weekend.

    • Jen on January 26, 2019 at 6:03 pm

      Hey Katherin,
      I couldn’t find the article.. do you mind replying with the link? Thank you! 🙂

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