Tacos are simply great – either as a snack between meals or as a whole meal that is quickly on the table. If you choose the right filling/toppings, of course ;) Braised or pulled pork that is often used here, takes quite a while to get ready. Pulled mushrooms, on the other hand, can be ready much faster. That’s why these Vegan Carnitas aka. Pulled Mushroom Tacos with Guacamole are so popular in our house. Easy to prepare and ready in a flash. What could you want more after a long day at work ;)
I have to admit that the term »carnitas« is perhaps a bit misleading here. This term is actually used in Mexico for pork that has been cooked/braised – usually for several hours, so it becomes tender and delicious. Similar perhaps to slow braised beef we are familiar with here in Germany, or pulled pork that is popular in the US, for example. This cooked meat aka. »carnitas« can then be used for various dishes, such as tamales, burritos or even tacos. Besides that the term »carnitas« is also often used for tacos filled with this type of cooked meat… which is not the case here, because there is no real meat involved ;P
So the next time you order »vegan carnitas« from a taco food truck, you might risk irritated looks. Unless, of course, they are on the menu ;) These days vegan tacos are not that uncommon anymore – even if the dish is usually predominantly meat-heavy. Maybe we should just stick to »Pulled Mushroom Tacos«. That’s what’s in the tacos – even if it looks like pulled pork ;)
Anyway. The big advantage of the vegan taco version over the »original« is definitely the amount of time you have to put in. Roasting/simmering pork takes several hours as mentioned above. Only then is the meat nice and tender and falls apart easily. The mushrooms just have to be shredded with forks, briefly fried and with a hot and spicy sauce added they are ready to go! If you are working quick the tacos can be ready in less than 30 minutes. The perfect weeknight dinner! ;)
I really love tacos – easy to prepare and so many options to choose from. Sautéed or braised meat, chicken, or mushrooms like these here – plus some lettuce and veggies, and you’re basically ready to go! We pretty much always have a pack of tortillas lying around at home and are able to quickly prepare something with it. Fortunately, those tortillas normally have a long shelf life ;) Of course, real »Taconistas« could also make those tortillas themselves. Not really too complicated ;P
Here are some more taco recipes you should definitely try. Something with fish (salmon) and delicious tacos for breakfast with chicken and fried eggs. Great if you want to eat tacos all day long ;P
INGREDIENTS / ZUTATEN
(4 servings)
For the guacamole:
1/2 red onion
2-3 garlic cloves
2-3 stalks of cilantro
1 medium tomato
1 large ripe avocado
1/2 lime (juice)
some chili flakes
salt, pepper
For the vegan Sriracha mayo:
1.8 oz. (50g) vegan mayonnaise*
1-2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce*
1/2 lime (juice)
1 small spring onion, in rings
salt, pepper
For the pulled mushrooms:
some oil for frying
9 oz. (250g) small king oyster mushrooms, shredded
1 red onion, sliced
6.8 fl. oz. (200ml) vegetable broth
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1-2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce*
1 tsp. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika powder*
salt, pepper
For the tacos:
some oil for frying (optional)
16 small wheat tortillas (6 inches)*
2 romaine lettuce
1/2 red onion, finely sliced
some fresh chopped cilantro
salt, pepper
pimientos de padrón, fried (optional)
some lime wedges
(4 Portionen)
Für die Guacamole:
1/2 rote Zwiebel
2-3 Knoblauchzehen
2-3 Stängel Koriander
1 mittelgroße Tomate
1 große reife Avocado
1/2 Limette (Saft)
Chiliflocken
Salz, Pfeffer
Für die vegane Sriracha Mayo:
50g vegane Mayonnaise*
1-2 TL Sriracha Sauce*
1/2 Limette (Saft)
1 kl. Frühlingszwiebel, in Ringen
Salz, Pfeffer
Für die Pulled Mushrooms:
etwas Öl zum Anbraten
250g kleine Kräuterseitlinge, zerrupft
1 rote Zwiebel, in Spalten
200ml Gemüsebrühe
2 EL Tomatenmark
1-2 TL Sriracha Sauce*
1 TL Ahornsirup
1/2 TL Smoked Paprika Pulver*
Salz, Pfeffer
Für die Tacos:
etwas Öl zum Anbraten (optional)
16 kleine Weizentortillas (15cm)*
2 Salatherzen (Romana)
1/2 rote Zwiebel, in feinen Spalten
etwas gehackter Koriander
Salz, Pfeffer
Pimientos de Padrón, angebraten (optional)
einige Limettenspalten
DIRECTIONS / ZUBEREITUNG
1. For the guacamole, peel a red onion and roughly dice half of it, cut the rest into very thin slices and set aside (for serving). Peel and coarsely dice the garlic. Wash the cilantro, dry, remove the thicker stems and add them to a blender together with the onion and garlic and blend until finely chopped but not mushy. Wash the tomato, cut it in half and remove the watery insides. Cut the remaining flesh into small cubes. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and then mash the flesh with a fork in a small bowl until creamy. Add the diced tomatoes, onion and garlic mixture as well as the lime juice and mix to combine. Season with some chili flakes, salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.
2. For the vegan Sriracha mayo, mix the vegan mayonnaise with Sriracha sauce and lime juice. Cut the spring onion into fine rings, add to the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. For the pulled mushrooms, shred the mushrooms with two forks into small pieces. Peel the onion, cut in half and slice finely. Heat up some oil in a non-stick pan and fry the onion and the shredded mushrooms for about 3-4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, Sriracha sauce, maple syrup and smoked paprika, mix well and fry for another a minute or so. Deglaze with the veggie broth and mix everything well. Reduce heat slightly and let the mushrooms simmer until the sauce has thickened considerably. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and keep warm.
4. Wash and dry the lettuce and cut into fine strips. Lightly toast the wheat tortillas either in a large skillet with a little oil or simply warm them briefly in the microwave. To serve, spread some guacamole on the warmed tortillas, add lettuce strips and some of the finely sliced onion on top, add a small portion of the pulled mushrooms as well and drizzle with Sriracha mayo. If you like, you can spice things up with additional Sriracha sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to your liking, and sprinkle the tacos with some chopped cilantro. We like to pack a few sautéed pimientos on top of the tacos as well (optional), and then serve with additional lime slices, so everyone can drizzle some juice on top if they like.
1. Für die Guacamole eine rote Zwiebel schälen und die Hälfte grob würfeln, den Rest in sehr feine Spalten schneiden und für später (zum Servieren) zur Seite stellen. Knoblauch schälen und grob würfeln. Koriander waschen, trocknen, die dickeren Stängel entfernen und dann zusammen mit Zwiebel und Knoblauch in einen Mixer geben und alles einmal durchmixen. Es sollte alles kleingehäckselt sein, aber kein Brei. Die Tomate waschen, halbieren und die wässrigen Innereien entfernen. Das verbliebene Fruchtfleisch der Tomate in kleine Würfel schneiden. Die Avocado halbieren, den Kern entfernen und dann das Fruchtfleisch mit einer Gabel in einer kleinen Schüssel zu einer cremigen Masse zerdrücken. Die Tomatenwürfel, die Zwiebel- und Knoblauch Mischung und den Limettensaft dazugeben und alles vermengen. Mit Chiliflocken, Salz und Pfeffer würzen. Abdecken und zur Seite stellen.
2. Für die vegane Sriracha Mayonnaise die vegane Mayo mit Sriracha Sauce und Limettensaft verrühren. Frühlingszwiebel säubern und in Ringe schneiden, zur Sauce dazugeben und mit Salz und Pfeffer würzen. Zur Seite stellen.
3. Für die Pulled Mushrooms die Kräuterseitlinge mit zwei Gabeln zerrupfen. Die Zwiebel schälen, halbieren und in dünne Spalten schneiden. Etwas Öl in einer beschichteten Pfanne erhitzen und darin dann die Zwiebelspalten und die zerrupften Kräuterseitlinge für 3-4 Minuten scharf anbraten. Tomatenmark, Sriracha Sauce, Ahornsirup und Smoked Paprika dazugeben, alles gut vermengen und etwa eine Minute anrösten lassen. Mit Gemüsebrühe ablöschen und alles gut verrühren. Die Hitzezufuhr etwas reduzieren und die Pulled Mushrooms so lange köcheln lassen, bis die Sauce stark eingedickt hat. Mit Salz und Pfeffer würzen und dann vom Herd ziehen und warmhalten.
4. Den Salat waschen, trocknen und in feine Streifen schneiden. Die Weizentortillas entweder in einer großen Pfanne mit ein wenig Öl leicht rösten/aufwärmen oder in der Mikrowelle einfach kurz erhitzen. Zum Servieren dann etwas Guacamole auf den warmen Tortillafladen verstreichen, Salatstreifen und einige feine Zwiebelspalten darauf verteilen, eine kleine Portion der Pulled Mushrooms darauf geben und mit Sriracha Mayo beträufeln. Wer mag, kann hier noch mit zusätzlicher Sriracha Sauce nachschärfen, mit zusätzlichem Salz und Pfeffer würzen und alles mit ein wenig gehacktem Koriander bestreuen. Wir packen gerne noch ein paar angebratene Pimientos mit auf die Tacos (optional) und servieren dann mit zusätzlichen Limettenscheiben, damit sich jeder nach Belieben noch etwas Saft darüber träufeln kann.
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Here is a version of the recipe you can print easily.
PrintVegan Carnitas aka. Pulled Mushroom Tacos
- Prep Time: 00:20
- Cook Time: 00:10
- Total Time: 00:30
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mexico
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Delicious tacos that look like “Carnitas” – these here just made without meat. Vegan Carnitas aka. Pulled Mushroom Tacos with Guacamole and Sriracha Mayonnaise. So good!
Ingredients
For the guacamole:
1/2 red onion
2–3 garlic cloves
2–3 stalks of cilantro
1 medium tomato
1 large ripe avocado
1/2 lime (juice)
some chili flakes
salt, pepper
For the vegan Sriracha mayo:
1.8 oz. (50g) vegan mayonnaise*
1–2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce*
1/2 lime (juice)
1 small spring onion, in rings
salt, pepper
For the pulled mushrooms:
some oil for frying
9 oz. (250g) small king oyster mushrooms, shredded
1 red onion, sliced
6.8 fl. oz. (200ml) vegetable broth
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1–2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce*
1 tsp. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika powder*
salt, pepper
For the tacos:
some oil for frying (optional)
16 small wheat tortillas (6 inches)*
2 romaine lettuce
1/2 red onion, finely sliced
some fresh chopped cilantro
salt, pepper
pimientos de padrón, fried (optional)
some lime wedges
Instructions
1. For the guacamole, peel a red onion and roughly dice half of it, cut the rest into very thin slices and set aside (for serving). Peel and coarsely dice the garlic. Wash the cilantro, dry, remove the thicker stems and add them to a blender together with the onion and garlic and blend until finely chopped but not mushy. Wash the tomato, cut it in half and remove the watery insides. Cut the remaining flesh into small cubes. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and then mash the flesh with a fork in a small bowl until creamy. Add the diced tomatoes, onion and garlic mixture as well as the lime juice and mix to combine. Season with some chili flakes, salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.
2. For the vegan Sriracha mayo, mix the vegan mayonnaise with Sriracha sauce and lime juice. Cut the spring onion into fine rings, add to the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. For the pulled mushrooms, shred the mushrooms with two forks into small pieces. Peel the onion, cut in half and slice finely. Heat up some oil in a non-stick pan and fry the onion and the shredded mushrooms for about 3-4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, Sriracha sauce, maple syrup and smoked paprika, mix well and fry for another a minute or so. Deglaze with the veggie broth and mix everything well. Reduce heat slightly and let the mushrooms simmer until the sauce has thickened considerably. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and keep warm.
4. Wash and dry the lettuce and cut into fine strips. Lightly toast the wheat tortillas either in a large skillet with a little oil or simply warm them briefly in the microwave. To serve, spread some guacamole on the warmed tortillas, add lettuce strips and some of the finely sliced onion on top, add a small portion of the pulled mushrooms as well and drizzle with Sriracha mayo. If you like, you can spice things up with additional Sriracha sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to your liking, and sprinkle the tacos with some chopped cilantro. We like to pack a few sautéed pimientos on top of the tacos as well (optional), and then serve with additional lime slices, so everyone can drizzle some juice on top if they like.
Notes
Let your creativity shine in the kitchen!
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