Just in time for Taco Tuesday, I give you my newest recipe for Vegan Carne Asada using soy curls. I had them last night and truly thought I was eating in some fancy Mexican Restaurant.
Soy curls are so versatile. You can turn them into super easy BBQ Sandwiches or even one of my favorite take-out dishes, Mongolian Soy Curl. But they really shine in Mexican dishes.
"Carne Asada" translates to grilled meat in Spanish, so soy curls are the perfect texture to imitate strips of grilled steak. And when you marinate them in this flavorful sauce and fry them in a pan?
Oh my....you'll swear you were eating inn your favorite taqueria.
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Why You're Going to LOVE Vegan Carne Asada
100% Vegan, Oil-Free, and Gluten-Free: Like all of my recipes, this recipe is made without any animal products or bottled oils and can easily be made gluten-free as well.
Super EASY to make: Seriously, you add everything to a bowl and marinate it for an hour. You can then cook it in a skillet, gill pan, whatever you like. Super simple.
No Weird Ingredients: Other than the soy curls, which you can buy online directly from Butler Foods, Amazon (affiliate link), or pick up at your local Whole Foods, you probably have all the remaining ingredients right there in your pantry.
It Might Just Change Somebody's Mind About Vegan Food: If your family is anything like mine, you probably have at least one person who says they could never give up meat. Have them try this - or any of my other husband-approved recipes (best damn vegan chili) - and see if they feel the same.
Key Ingredients for Vegan Carne Asada
Don't let the number of ingredients scare you - this recipe goes together quickly.
Butler Soy Curls
If you have never heard of these, they are little strips of non-gmo soybeans that have been steamed, pushed through an extruder into strips (think play-dough machines), then dried. Once you rehydrate them, they have a texture that are eerily similar to cooked chicken. Of course then you give them whatever flavor you want and cook them.
You can find them at Whole Foods, Amazon, and Butler Foods.
Chipotle, Smoked Paprika, Jalapeno
These give this recipe its meat-like grilled, smoky flavor. And no worries, even with the jalapeño, my spice-hating wife gives it just a 1 on her Spice 'o Meter scale of 1-5.
Lime & Orange Juice
You can cheat and use pre-bottled juice, but make sure you buy at LEAST 1 lime because you will want some of that lime zest too.
Cilantro
I know a lot of you hate the stuff, but it is a key ingredient and personally, I don't think you'll even taste it.
Mexican Oregano
Mexican Oregano truly is a different plant than Italian Oregano, with slightly different flavors as well. I can always find it in the Mexican aisle of my grocer, near the dried chiles, hanging in little cellophane bags. It's also courser than Italian, so I tend ro crumble it up between my hands.
*See the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact quantities and detailed cooking directions.
Making The Vegan Cane Asada
Step 1
Soak the soy curls in water for at least 30 min. Drain, rinse, then squeeze out as much moisture as you can. Then place into a 1 gallon ziplock bag or bowl for marinating.
Step 2
Meanwhile, add all the remaining marinade ingredients together in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Step 3
Pour the marinade into the bag (or bowl) with the soy curls and marinate for at least 1 hour, flipping the bag (or stirring) occasionally.
Step 4
Dump the contents into a large skillet and simmer over med-high heat until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Recipe FAQ
They make excellent tostadas, tacos, or burritos. You can also serve them in a rice bowl or in a salad.
In Spanish, it translates to "grilled beef".
Honestly, I can do without meat of any kind, real or imitation.
But if you're asking this question.... it's YOU I want to reach. People tell me they could never become vegan because they would miss their meat too much. Try this and see if you still feel the same.
Because I can make a meal taste just as good as if not better than what you are used to, only without harming any animals.
AND it's better for your health and our planet.
More Recipes Using Soy Curls
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Vegan Carne Asada Recipe
- Prep Time: 90 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Just in time for Taco Tuesday, I give you my newest recipe for Vegan Carne Asada using soy curls. I had them last night and truly thought I was eating is some fancy Mexican Restaurant.
Ingredients
- 8oz pkg Butler soy curls
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup low-sodium veggie broth
- 2 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- ½ cup lime juice
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 Tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbs molasses
- ½ onion finely diced
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 Tbs chipotles in adobo (finely chopped)
- 1 diced jalapeno (seeds & ribs removed)
- ½ cup packed chopped cilantro
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbs mexican oregano
- 1 Tbs smoked paprika
- 1 Tbs chili powder
- 1 tsp lime zest
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place soy curls in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let them rehydrate while you make the marinade.
- Finely dice all the veggies and place in a large bowl. Add all the spices and wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Drain the soy curls and squeeze as much moisture out of them as you can. Then place then in a large ziplock storage bag along with the marinade.
- Allow to marinate for 1 hour, occasionally flipping the bag to mix
- Heat a large skiller over med-high heat, then add the contents of the bag
- Stir frequently and cook the soy curls until all of the liquid has evaporated and the soy curls begin to brown.
- Serve in your favorite taco shells, tostadas, burritos, salads, rice, what have you.
- I garnished mine with diced red onion and my Green Chile Lime Salad Dressing (watered down a little)
Julie Carothers
I found your Vegan Carne Asada Recipe and showed it to my husband. He made it and i made the Green Chili Lime Salad Dressing. We put it in crispy tacos. BEST TACOS EVER!!! Thank you so much Chuck for the DELICIOUS recipes!!! WE LOVE IT SOOO MUCH!!! OUT OF THE PARK FLAVORS!!! Julie
Vicky
This was so yummy. I marinaded for about 3 hours and served over brown rice, topped with cherry tomatoes, shredded romaine with a tomatillo lime cilantro dressing. I'm happy there are leftovers for lunch! 😍
Jenny P
What would be a good substitute for soy curls? I can't have soy products.
Chuck Underwood
You could try it with portobello mushrooms
Brenda Schnell
Made this tonight and it was really good on steamed rice. Citrus notes a nice change from the usual Mexican flavours. It makes lots, so I will be freezing it with some rice to make some quick dinners for busy nights.
Terri
Made the Vegan Carne Asada and Green Chili Lime Salad Dressing for tostadas tonight. The Carne Asada was good, but the marinade was a little more citrusy than I expected. Was that the intention? Loved the Chili Lime dressing! Would try this again with a few minor adjustments to fit my tastes. Thanks for the inspiration!