High Protein TVP Tacos

This is one of the easiest high protein meals you can make; it takes very little time and not many ingredients! This is a perfect recipe for meal prepping, and would be a great starting point if you’re trying to eat a more plant-based diet. I made this for my non-vegan parents and even they liked it! It’s also the perfect thing to make for a large get together – just do a build-your-own taco bar, with this seasoned TVP, beans, your favorite toppings and, of course, vegan queso!

This seasoned TVP can also be used in other things like stuffed bell peppers, burritos, enchiladas, etc. Which makes it perfect for meal prepping, because you can cook a really large batch and then eat it in different ways throughout the week! If you haven’t cooked with TVP much before, it’s a really easy ingredient to use and since it’s soy-based, it takes on anything flavor you give it!

Ingredients

Seasoned TVP

• TVP – Textured Vegetable Protein – this is just de-fatted soy flour. It’s a shelf-stable ingredient that can be found at most stores near the gluten-free flour options. You can also buy it online if you’re having trouble finding it at your store. My go-to brand is Bob’s Red Mill. The protein per calorie on TVP is awesome, which makes it a perfect ingredient to add where you would typically find meat. Because it’s soy-based, it doesn’t really have its own flavor and will take on whatever flavor you give it!
• Nutritional Yeast – if you haven’t cooked with Nutritional Yeast (nooch) before, it is also a shelf-stable ingredient, and it gives a cheesy, savory flavor to foods. You should be able to find this at most grocery stores; if not, you can also buy this online. What I think is most surprising about nooch is the protein content; it’s excellent!
• Taco Seasoning – I like to use pre-made taco seasoning; Siete is the brand I’ve been using lately. I don’t use a ton because I’m very sensitive to spicy foods, so if you aren’t a little bitch like me, feel free to dump a ton of taco seasoning and pepper or whatever else you badasses like to eat 🙂
• Onion and Garlic Powder – these are just my favorite spices; I feel like they go with just about every recipe!

Other Ingredients

• Tortillas – the calories and macros for this recipe are based on using Mission Plant Protein Tortillas; they have 7 grams of protein for 70 calories each! If you will be going with different tortillas, just remember that your calories/macros may change.
• Vegan Shredded Cheese – I used Violife Mexican blend; it’s just my favorite shredded cheese. You can use whichever cheese is your favorite! If you’d rather use a vegan queso, I think this recipe is awesome; it uses soy milk, nooch and cashews:
  • https://proteindeficientvegan.com/recipes/vegan-queso.
• Romaine Lettuce, olives, salsa – these are just the toppings I used. You can use whatever toppings you like best on a taco. If you have more creative toppings, I’d love to hear what they are! I’ve been using the same taco toppings since I was like 5 years old.
• Vegan Sour Cream – I used Kite Hill when I made this. I really like Tofutti Sour Cream as well. If you’re looking for something lower calorie/higher protein or just something more WFPB (Whole Food Plant Based), this homemade sour cream recipe uses tofu as the base:
  • https://proteindeficientvegan.com/recipes/high-protein-sour-cream

Instructions

Making the Seasoned TVP

• In a medium-heat pan, add the TVP, water, nutritional yeast and all the spices (taco seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and salt). I like to do this immediately, before the water starts to cook off, so that the TVP is evenly seasoned throughout. I like to use a wooden spoon when I cook this, because the TVP will likely stick to the pan (it’s pretty much unavoidable). With the wooden spoon you can safely scrape the TVP off of the bottom of the pan. I stirring every couple minutes or so to avoid the TVP burning.
• You will cook this for about 10 – 15 minutes until the TVP is somewhat browned and the moisture level is what you’re looking for.
• If you’re looking to add in cooked veggies, I usually cook the veggies (such as onions, etc.) for like 5 minutes or so before adding the TVP.

Making the Tacos

• Now you just make the tacos with your seasoned TVP and whatever toppings you’re using. Remember, if you’re using different toppings or tortillas, you will probably end up with different calories/macros that what is listed in this recipe.

Silly Little Haiku

Tacos on Tuesdays

Taco Tuesdays on Mondays

Tacos Every Day