• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • About Sam
    • FAQ's about veganism
    • Press
    • Contact
      • Reader Inquiries
      • Business Inquiries
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Video
  • Start Here

It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
  • Start Here
    • Tips to Use This Site
    • Press
    • Contact me
    • FAQ About Veganism
  • Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Cookbooks
    • Recipes
    • Start Here
      • Tips to Use This Site
      • Press
      • Contact me
      • FAQ About Veganism
  • Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Game Day Favourites

    July 21, 2021 47 Comments

    Easy Soy Curl Tacos (Vegan Chicken Tacos)

    6.4K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    Easy Soy Curl Tacos! (Vegan Chicken Tacos). Just 20 minutes to make, these soy curl tacos are juicy, tender, chewy, and bursting with flavour! The perfect vegan chicken taco! Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #tacos

    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.

    Easy Soy Curl Tacos! (Vegan Chicken Tacos). Just 20 minutes to make, these soy curl tacos are juicy, tender, chewy, and bursting with flavour! The perfect vegan chicken taco! Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #tacos

    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):

    soak the soy curls in warm water, then when soft, squeeze out the water.

    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.

    Mix the vegetable broth and spices.

    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.

    pan-fry the soy curls until browned

    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.

    and the seasoned broth and stir to coat.

    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.

    Easy Soy Curl Tacos! (Vegan Chicken Tacos). Just 20 minutes to make, these soy curl tacos are juicy, tender, chewy, and bursting with flavour! The perfect vegan chicken taco! Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipe #tacos

    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.

    Print Recipe
    4.93 from 27 votes

    Soy Curl Tacos (Vegan Chicken Tacos)

    Just 20 minutes to make, these soy curl tacos are juicy, tender, chewy, and bursting with flavour! The perfect vegan chicken taco! Gluten-free and oil-free options.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    ingredient tag: avocado, tomatoes
    Servings: 8 soft tacos
    Calories: 217kcal
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    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
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Notes

    Oil-free: to make oil-free, omit the oil and instead do a water or broth sauté.
    Toppings: feel free to sub your favorite taco toppings. Other toppings that I enjoy are guacamole, salsa, vegan cheese shreds, vegan sour cream, chopped lettuce, corn, grilled veggies, or black beans.
    Make-ahead: prepare the soy curls up to step 3. Let cool then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Assemble the tacos fresh. 
    Other serving options: 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1taco (recipe makes 8 tacos) | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken
    « Vegan Spicy Black Bean Pita Sandwich
    My Everyday Oil-Free Salad Dressing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      January 26, 2023 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      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!!!

      Reply
    2. Christine Tetreault says

      January 22, 2023 at 9:54 am

      4 stars
      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?

      Reply
      • Jess @ IDTLC Support says

        January 24, 2023 at 2:36 pm

        I hope you're having fun with the Veganuary challenge! Yes, they should freeze well!

        Reply
    3. Jennifer says

      December 29, 2022 at 8:03 pm

      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!

      Reply
    4. Gina Bisaillon says

      September 09, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      Sounds wonderful and I'm dying to try them but I cannot find soy curls anywhere! (I live in Québec)

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        September 13, 2022 at 3:20 pm

        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!

        Reply
        • Gina B says

          September 13, 2022 at 6:43 pm

          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.

    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sam Turnbull

    Hi Friends!

    I'm Sam. Bestselling cookbook author and full-time vegan recipe creator! I LOVE vegan food, but it didn't start that way. As someone who comes from a family of hunters, butchers, and chefs I'm the last person I thought would go vegan. Here's My Story →

    Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Amazon.com • Amazon.ca • Barnes & Nobel • Indigo • Kobo • Book Depository

    Amazon.com • Amazon.ca • Barnes & Nobel • Indigo • Kobo • Book Depository

    Footer

    Stay Connected

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright

    I love when you share! All of the images and text on this site is the property of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Feel free to share photos and quotes with a link back to my original post. Do not share entire recipes, large bodies of text, or edit my photos in anyway without first obtaining permission from me. Social media shares are always welcome. Thank you!

    Affiliate Link Disclosure

    On this site, I sometimes use affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken would receive a small cut, at no cost to you.

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    COPYRIGHT

    I love when you share! All of the images and text on this site is the property of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Feel free to share photos and quotes with a link back to my original post. Do not share entire recipes, large bodies of text, or edit my photos in anyway without first obtaining permission from me. Social media shares are always welcome. Thank you!


    AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE

    On this site, I sometimes use affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken would receive a small cut, at no cost to you.

    Privacy Policy | Contact | About | Sponsor Newsletter

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 - IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE CHICKEN