Meat-Free Mondays – TVP Tacos
Posted on January 12, 2009 by
It doesn’t matter if your goal is a vegetarian meal or a money saving one, TVP tacos are good cheap, vegetarian eats. Even though Textured Vegetable Protein really needs a better name, it’s a great kitchen staple.
I buy TVP in bulk at my natural foods store, and store it in a jar on the shelf. It’s a great way to stretch the time between trips to the grocery store, and it’s much cheaper than buying ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Plus, tacos are saucy and sloppy and loaded with other tasty stuff. You won’t even miss the meat.
DowntoEarth.org has a recipe that is pretty close to the way I make TVP tacos. I love Hain Taco Seasoning, but you can use the taco seasoning you’ve always used if you’re tied to a certain brand.
My mom used to use TVP. I prefer venison for my tacos (it’s free thanks to my dad!). I always mix up my own taco seasoning, much cheaper!
I LOVE TVP to make tacos! Burritos and nachos too! Yum!
I love TVP! I just made a big batch of TVP chili yesterday, and will be freezing lots of it for quick dinners.
Interestingly, it was sort of hard to find TVP at the store yesterday. My regular grocery store (that I walk to) used to stock it in their bulk section, but no longer. The other grocery store that’s within walking distance doesn’t have it either. So, I had to drive to the natural foods store to get it.
I think that TVP must have lost some of its popularity with all of the mock-meats on the market today: Morningstar Farms, Gardenburger, etc. It’s too bad, because TVP is way more affordable and it doesn’t require refrigeration.
So what is the current thinking on soy intake and health? I can’t ever keep track of all the breast cancer updates, and it makes me somewhat wary even though I like things like TVP tacos. Any idea?
I’ve never heard of this stuff before but definitely want to try it. Where would you normally find this stuff in the grocery store? I’m assuming with tofu…?
Susy – I’d love your taco seasoning recipe!
Dianne – I totally have to make nachos with TVP now!
Kathy – It is harder to find, isn’t it? I have to go to the natural foods store across town to buy it. I buy a ton when I do to stock up. I can’t eat all the other meatless products b/c they have wheat in them, and since they are so pricey and processed, and I do eat chicken and fish, it just wouldn’t make sense anyway.
Amy – I get confused too. I eat soy in moderation, and I’ve decided that’s okay for me, but I guess everyone has to make that decision for themselves. They Mayo Clinic recommends soy for reducing hot flashes and also as part of a heart healthy diet, so I think it’s okay to eat some.
Mrs. T – It’s a shelf stable ingredient. Try bulk foods, or in an area of the store that has packaged dry goods. I haven’t seen it in a regular grocery store, so I think you might need to check a natural foods store for it.