Ground Meat Substitute

Transform your favorite dishes with this hearty and flavorful Ground Meat Substitute, a plant-based twist on traditional ground meat that's perfect for tacos, pasta sauces, casseroles, and more. This nutritious vegan recipe combines earthy mushrooms, crunchy walnuts, and protein-packed lentils, all seasoned with a savory blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder for a smoky, spiced kick. Quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes, this meatless mixture is seasoned with soy sauce and aromatics like garlic and onion, ensuring a rich and satisfying taste in every bite. Whether you're looking to reduce meat consumption or embrace a completely vegetarian lifestyle, this versatile ground meat alternative is a must-try kitchen staple.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the walnuts into a food processor and pulse several times until they resemble a coarse, crumbly texture. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 2

Rinse and clean the mushrooms thoroughly, then roughly chop them. Add the mushrooms to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to overprocess into a paste.

Step 3

Peel and dice the onion, and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, sauté the onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 6

Add the minced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.

Step 7

Stir in the processed walnuts, cooked lentils, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Cook the mixture for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and warmed through.

Step 9

Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 10

Remove from heat and use the ground meat substitute immediately in your favorite recipes, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	849.6 grams (849.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1597

Total Fat 121.10g	155%
Saturated Fat 13.70g	69%
Polyunsaturated Fat 64.60g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2694mg	117%
Total Carbohydrate 94.10g	34%
Dietary Fiber 31.50g	113%
Total Sugars 21.80g
Protein 52.50g	105%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 247mg	19%
Iron 14mg	79%
Potassium 3170mg	67%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.0%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 22.5%