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If you are planning on what to make on your next taco night, then this Chipotle Lime Tacos recipe is exactly what you need. Enjoy the smoky, spicy, and savory tempeh filling nestled in a soft tortilla topped with your choice of veggies! These flavorful tacos are easy to make and will be the best vegan street-style tacos you will ever have since going plant-based!
Homemade Chipotle Lime Tacos
Tacos are a Tex-Mex favorite of many, no doubt about it. So we made a vegan version that will give your classic taco filling an amazing boost of flavor! Chipotle and lime are a fiery yet refreshing duo that infuses each bite with heat and zing. It is a great dish to add to your healthy meal plan, as you can make the tempeh filling way in advance and just pile them in small street-style tortillas with diced tomatoes, diced onions, and cilantro! Take note though, they are pretty spicy. So if that is not your thing you will want to adjust. You could use more or less of the chipotle in vegan adobo to adjust the heat.
Ingredients Needed
- Tempeh – This is a high soy protein alternative to meat. It has a firm, meat-like texture and a mild earthy flavor that makes it ideal for this recipe.
- Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce – These are rehydrated smoked and dried jalapenos in a robust and fiery sauce! Use it moderately if you are not a fan of spicy food.
- Lime juice – Will cut through all the savoriness and spiciness giving the taco sauce the perfect ratio of flavors.
- Chili powder – Adds another layer of heat to the dish. You can also use cayenne pepper or red chili flakes as a replacement.
- Cumin – A classic taco spice that adds a warm and slightly sweet taste to the dish.
- Smoked paprika – Provides the taco filling with a rich, smoky flavor.
- Oregano – Adds a bold peppery flavor.
- Tortillas – You can use flour or corn tortillas, depending on your preference. You can also use taco shells instead if you prefer a crunchier version.
- Garlic
- Onions
- Water
Optional for garnish
- Cilantro
- Tomato
- Onion
How to make the Chipotle Lime Tacos
1) Cook the tempeh. Boil the tempeh in water for 10 minutes. Drain and let it cool.
2) Make the Chipotle mixture. Using a bowl, mix together chipotle pepper, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic, paprika, oregano, and onion. Mix it thoroughly.
3) Make the Tempeh Filling. Slice the tempeh into small pieces. Cook them in a nonstick pan for 5 minutes then add the chipotle mixture and mix well. Add 1/8th cup of water and cook on medium heat for another 5 minutes.
4) Assemble. Get a small tortilla and assemble your tempeh and top it with cilantro, tomato, and onion (if using).
Add-ons and Variations
- Use more veggies. You can brighten up your tacos using shredded purple cabbage, lettuce, corn kernels and what ever you fancy.
- You can make Handmade Flour Tortillas yourself! However, if you don’t have time to prepare the tortillas from scratch, premade corn tortillas will suffice. Before using it for tacos, it may need to be heated and softened.
- Top it with avocado slices or homemade easy guacamole.
- Serve this with Creamy Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Verde on the side to make it even more exciting.
- Add some dairy-free cheese or vegan feta on top for that extra creamy finish.
- You can also use the tempeh filling with your burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, sandwiches or salads.
Tips when Making Chipotle Lime Tacos
- Make sure that you properly drain the boiled tempeh before frying them for that perfect sear.
- Cut the tempeh into equal bite-sized proportions. This is to ensure that they all cook evenly and absorb the flavors a lot better.
- Use a large enough pan or skillet so it does not get overcrowded when frying the tempeh pieces. This is to ensure that they crisp up nicely.
- To create a more smokey flavor, char those tortillas. If you’re using a gas range, blistering the tortillas over the flame is easy. If not, heat the tortillas in a hot cast-iron skillet until they puff and burn slightly.
Storing Notes
For Chipotle Lime Taco leftovers, you can pack them up in freezer bags and store them in the fridge for 4-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them in an airtight container for a few months. I would suggest storing each element – chipotle, toppings, and tortillas separately for longer shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between flour and corn tortillas? Corn tortillas are firm and chewy in texture, whereas flour tortillas are soft and flexible. They are both delicious but corn tortillas are better if you are on a gluten-free diet.
- Tofu or tempeh: which is healthier? Tempeh is often perceived to be a better alternative than tofu, despite the fact that they both provide a rich nutritional profile. Tempeh contains lots of health benefits like protein, fiber, and vitamins similar to tofu. One of the advantages of tempeh is that it is fermented, making it easier to digest and supplying healthy bacteria to the gut.
- Are the canned Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce spicy? Yes, they’re spicy, but not to the point where they’ll burn your mouth off.
You might also want to try these other yummy Taco recipes:
- Roasted Veggie Tacos – My favorite healthy go-to taco that’s perfect for potlucks and dinner gatherings. It’s simple and straightforward, not to mention a popular crowd-pleaser.
- Impossible Tacos – These tacos are one of my favorites since they’re quick and easy to make, and they’re great for a snack, lunch, or dinner. Every meal is tasty and protein-rich, leaving you satisfied but not sluggish.
- Breakfast Tacos – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Enjoy these flavorful breakfast wraps that are meatless yet still deliver the nutrition you need to be on the move. Breakfast tacos are a full meal that may be eaten for lunch or dinner too.
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Chipotle Lime Street Style Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 package of tempeh cut into four pieces
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce minced
- 2 Tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Tablespoons of dried minced onions (onion powder will work)
- ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon of oregano
- ⅛ cup of water
- 8 tortillas
- Minced cilantro for garnish (optional)
- Diced tomato for garnish (optional)
- Diced onion for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, boil water, add tempeh and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from water and let cool.
- While tempeh is cooling, mix the chipotle pepper, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic, paprika, oregano, and onion in a small bowl.
- Dice the tempeh into small pieces and place in a nonstick pan for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add the chipotle mixture to the tempeh and mix well, then add 1/8th cup of water. Continue to cook on medium heat for 5 more minutes.
- Place tempeh on a small tortilla, and top with cilantro, tomato, and onion (if using).
Notes
- Make sure that you properly drain the boiled tempeh before frying them for that perfect sear.
- Cut the tempeh into equal bite-sized proportions. This is to ensure that they all cook evenly and absorb the flavors a lot better.
- Use a large enough pan or skillet so it does not get overcrowded when frying the tempeh pieces. This is to ensure that they crisp up nicely.
- To create a more smokey flavor, char those tortillas. If you’re using a gas range, blistering the tortillas over the flame is easy. If not, heat the tortillas in a hot cast-iron skillet until they puff and burn slightly.
These tacos are incredibly tasty!
These tacos were really good! You made tempeh taste great and I thank you for that, lol.
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!
I could eat these tasty tacos every day of the week!
Sameeeee! So good!
I had such a not so great experience the last time I ate tempeh I’m so nervous to try it again but these look so good, I might need to take the risk.
These chipotle lime tacos look ahhhh-mazing!
Jeez these tacos look absolutely incredible! All my favourite ingredients too.
Tempeh is so hard for me to enjoy unless it’s cooked a specific way! This recipe is delicious. Next time, I think I will try marinating it prior to cooking. Great recipe as always!!!!!!
the chipotle lime flavour is so addictive!
These tacos are so delicious – such great flavours!