Easy soy curl tacos take just 20 minutes to whip up, making them the perfect easy weeknight meal. The soy curls are pan-fried until they are browned, and then seasoned with Mexican-inspired spices to make them perfectly juicy, tender, chewy, and bursting with flavour! The perfect vegan chicken taco!
If you are new to soy curls, they are this amazing affordable 1-ingredient dried soy product, that when prepared correctly has a similar taste and texture to chicken. If you're not new to soy curls then you already know their magical properties! Easy and super quick to prepare, soy curls can take on any flavor you throw at them, the perfect tender chewy juicy bite. In my opinion, they are one of the most underrated vegan meat options out there! I always keep a few bags in my pantry at all times. You can find soy curls at bulk food stores, health food stores, vegan grocers, or on amazon.
This juicy flavor-packed vegan taco meat is amazing layered on soft tortillas with tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime. But if you have other favorite taco toppings feel free to sub whatever toppings you like!
To make Easy Soy Curl Tacos (Vegan Chicken Tacos):
Add the dried soy curls to a medium bowl and cover with warm water. Let soak for about 10 minutes until the soy curls have softened. Once softened, drain the water and squeeze the soy curls to get out the excess water. This will allow them to brown up nicely. Set aside.
In the meantime, add the vegetable broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne to a small bowl or measuring cup and whisk together. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan. Add the squeezed soy curls and fry for 5 - 10 minutes, stirring as needed, until the soy curls are lightly browned, and even slightly charred in some places.
Pour in the spiced broth and stir to combine. If needed add a splash more vegetable broth or water as needed to keep the soy curls moist. Remove from heat.
Warm the tortillas according to the package directions. Top with a serving of the soy curls, some chopped tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve hot.
These soy curls aren't just limited to tacos. Prepare the easy vegan soy curl tacos as written, stopping after step 3, and instead of making tacos, layer them onto a salad, serve them as a snack with ranch dressing for a dip, or toss them onto rice or pasta.
Bon Appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
Soy Curl Tacos (Vegan Chicken Tacos)
Ingredients
For the soy curls:
- 4 oz (2 cups) soy curls
- warm water for soaking
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne, (optional for spice)
- 2 tablespoons light oil, (such as canola or vegetable)
For the tacos: (or sub your favorite taco toppings)
- 8 small tortillas, (flour, corn, or gluten-free)
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 avocado, cubed
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced (optional for spice)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Add the dried soy curls to a medium bowl and cover with warm water. Let soak for about 10 minutes until the soy curls have softened. Once softened, drain the water and squeeze the soy curls to get out the excess water. This will allow them to brown up nicely. Set aside.
- In the meantime, add the vegetable broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne to a small bowl or measuring cup and whisk together. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan. Add the squeezed soy curls and fry for 5 - 10 minutes, stirring as needed, until the soy curls are lightly browned, and even slightly charred in some places. Pour in the spiced broth and stir to combine. If needed add a splash more vegetable broth or water as needed to keep the soy curls moist. Remove from heat.
- Warm the tortillas according to the package directions. Top with a serving of the soy curls, some chopped tomato, avocado, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve hot.
Debbie says
In Montréal, you can buy them at Nature Santé located right beside the Snowdon métro station.
Silver says
This recipe was soo good and very easy! Perfect for fajita night! Thank you for yet another wonderful recipe Sam 🙂
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
We're so glad you enjoyed!
Sam says
This is my third soy curl recipe and maybe third or fourth of your recipes and I absolutely love this recipe. I knew when I was putting together the taco sauce these tacos were going to be delicious and they are. I will make these often for sure!!! Thank you!!!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Fantastic! Thanks for the great review!
Christine Tetreault says
This was my first time using soy curls as I am in week two of the Veganuary challenge. This is a great, super simple, quick recipe. I cooked the entire package of soy curls and will make enchiladas with the leftovers. Can they be frozen?
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
I hope you're having fun with the Veganuary challenge! Yes, they should freeze well!
Jennifer says
This recipe is so good and so simple. I am making it 2-3 times a week for the last couple of weeks. I’m still not sick of it! I love the ease of throwing soy curls in a pan and some spices and then having something so delicious come out it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Gina Bisaillon says
Sounds wonderful and I'm dying to try them but I cannot find soy curls anywhere! (I live in Québec)
Sam Turnbull says
You can order them from places https://vegansupply.ca/ or on amazon. Many health food stores or bulk food stores should also carry them. Enjoy!
Gina B says
Thanks the suggestions but the first place is way at the other the country so shipping is prohibitive and locally in my small town there are no stores that sell it, I know because I have tried every place. I go to Montreal regularly and if somebody knows of a store there that carries it I can actually go there as long as it's accessible by the metro.