What do you love about tacos? All of the flavor tends to come from the seasonings on the meat. Well, you can use the same seasonings that impart those smoky, robust, and signature taco flare on a raw vegan diet. Cumin, chili powder, paprika, sea salt, and garlic can all be enjoyed while cleansing. But what about the meat? While you cannot have meat, you can pulse walnuts and packaged sun-dried tomatoes with the spices to achieve a ground beef-like texture.

The taco “meat” that you end up with is slightly chunky and incredibly hearty. For the sun-dried tomatoes, make sure to buy the packaged variety, not the ones sold in oil. The acidity from the sun-dried tomato can be a little intense, but the avocado, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and lettuce leaf help counteract the salt. In fact, the romaine lettuce leaf, which acts as the tortilla in this recipe, offers a refreshing crunch. Hit the taco with a squeeze of fresh lime and you’ll be transported to your favorite taco stand.

If you enjoy the walnut taco “meat” in this recipe, you can use it in other creations. Save some and place a dollop or two on a salad during the cleanse. You can also pulse some cauliflower in a food processor to achieve cauliflower rice and mix in the taco “meat” with it. You’ll have your very own raw vegan burrito bowl, which you can top with tomatoes, avocado, onion, and cilantro. The possibilities are truly endless!