My daughter recently became a vegetarian and I discovered that quinoa is a very nutritious grain which actually is also a complete protein! Quinoa is gaining recognition as a very healthy food for other reasons too- it is high in antioxidant phytonutrients and even contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. This Sweet Potato Quinoa Vegan Taco Recipe will make you love quinoa for its hearty, satisfying feeling. These sweet potato quinoa tacos make a complete meal that is tasty and great for the whole family.
Vegan Quinoa Tacos
I have to say that I got the idea for these tacos when I was watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network. Guy Fieri featured a restaurant that served tacos with quinoa and sweet potato and I had a bag of quinoa that Nuts.com had sent to me so I decided I would try to make my own version. It came out great. Unlike most grain, quinoa is rich in protein and B vitamins so it is particularly great for vegetarians and vegans.
We went light on the chipotle because my kids don’t like too much spice. However, the hint of chipotle contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the bright, herbaceous cilantro. The acid of the lime brightens things up and makes your mouth water. Yum!
Happy vegan taco night!
Serves 4 (about 8 tacos)
Simple Ingredients:
- 1/4 ground habanero powder or ground chipotle chili powder (make your own or buy it)
- 2 small peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- tortilla shells, I used soft flour tortillas because I like soft tacos
- 2 cups of very finely sliced red cabbage
- tomatillo salsa aka salsa verde (my husband makes his own but you can also buy it from brands such as Jardine’s, Frontera, and others)
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
How To Make Sweet Potato Tacos:
1. Combine all of the taco filling ingredients (ground chipotle powder, sweet potatoes, quinoa, vegetable broth, jalepeno, salt, and ground cumin) in a pot and bring to boil. Then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
2. While the filling cools a bit, prepare your garnishes.
3. Assemble tacos. Warm tortillas are easier to handle without them breaking and they taste better. Lay down the warmed tortilla shells (a few seconds in the microwave or in a warm skillet) on a plate and scoop on the sweet potato quinoa filling. Then garnish with red cabbage, cilantro, tomatillo salsa, a bit of vegan sour cream and some lime juice. Fold them over and serve.
You can serve these sweet potato quinoa tacos by themselves or with some tortilla chips. I hope you enjoy the sweet potato quinoa taco recipe. It is actually quite easy to cook.
Variations:
- You can absolutely use soft corn tortillas or crunchy taco shells if you prefer those.
- If you’d like even more protein, black beans make a yummy side dish to serve with this quinoa taco filling. Or refried beans.
- Other great options for side dishes include corn tortilla chips and pico de gallo.
- Pickled red onions are a tasty garnish with these tacos.
- Cubed avocados are also a delicious topping to consider.
These veggie tacos are so flavorful and delicious, you won’t miss the meat. I know I love having new vegetarian dinners to try for Meatless Mondays! Do you think you will make these sweet potato quinoa tacos? Tag me in your Taco Tuesday photos @familyfocusblog and let me know what you think of this vegan taco recipe!
Printable Recipe Card For Vegan Tacos With Sweet Potato and Quinoa
Sweet Potato Quinoa Vegan Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 chipotle powder
- 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 small jalepeno, seeds removed and diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 8 small tortillas
- 2 cups red cabbage, sliced
- 1 cup tomatillo salsa
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine all of the taco filling ingredients (ground chipotle powder, sweet potatoes, quinoa, vegetable broth, jalepeno, salt, and ground cumin) in a pot and bring to boil. Then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook about 20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- While the filling cools a bit, prepare your garnishes.
- Assemble tacos. Lay down the warmed tortilla shells (a few seconds in the microwave or in a warm skillet) on a plate and scoop on the sweet potato quinoa filling. Then garnish with red cabbage, cilantro, tomatillo salsa, and some lime juice. Fold them over and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Sweet Potato Quinoa Vegan Taco Recipe
Serves: 4
|
Amount Per Serving: 2 tacos
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 345.58 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 4.37 g | 6.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 0.57 g | 0% | |
| Trans Fat 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol 0.0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 902.49 mg | 37.6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 68.7 g | 22.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 10.31 g | 40% | |
| Sugars 7.27 g | ||
| Protein 11.51 g | ||
| Vitamin A 47.98 % | Vitamin C 41.31 % | |
| Calcium 13.1 % | Iron 22.32 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Benefits of Vegan Tacos:
Vegan tacos offer a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional meat-based tacos. Here are a few reasons why they might be appealing:
- Health Benefits: Vegan tacos can be packed with a variety of vegetables, legumes, and grains, providing a rich source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can help in maintaining a balanced diet and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
- Environmental Impact: Choosing plant-based options can reduce your carbon footprint. The production of plant-based foods generally requires fewer resources, such as water and land, and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal agriculture.
- Animal Welfare: Vegan tacos align with the ethical considerations of avoiding animal products, thus supporting the welfare of animals by reducing the demand for meat and dairy products.
- Versatility and Flavor: Vegan tacos can be incredibly versatile, allowing for a wide range of ingredients and flavors. From spiced beans and lentils to roasted vegetables and innovative plant-based proteins, there are endless possibilities to keep your meals exciting and satisfying.
- Digestibility: Many people find plant-based foods easier to digest than meat, which can lead to improved digestion and overall gut health.
Conclusion
Sweet potato quinoa tacos have a delightful combination of flavors and textures that make them a delicious and satisfying meal. The sweet potatoes bring a natural sweetness and slightly earthy flavor, which adds a comforting and hearty element to the tacos. Quinoa has a slightly nutty taste and a chewy texture that complements the softness of the sweet potatoes. It also adds a good source of protein to the dish. Toppings like fresh cilantro, lime juice, avocado, and salsa verde add a burst of freshness and acidity that balances the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the nuttiness of the quinoa. Delicious!
Overall, sweet potato quinoa tacos are flavorful, with a mix of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes, and a satisfying contrast of textures. I hope you enjoy these easy vegan tacos! Share your pictures of your next taco night on social media @familyfocusblog!
Related Posts:
Sweet potato nourish bowl recipe
Mum Days says
This is one of the best vegan taco recipes..thank you. I loved the taco seasonings you choose. Just right! I added some avocado slices and these no meat tacos were a huge hit with my family. These are absolutely delicious vegan tacos.
Woody says
This recipe has all of my favorite taco toppings. Delish!