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Home » Recipe Index » Sides

Walnut Meat (VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE)

Modified: May 6, 2025 · Published: May 1, 2021 by Gigi & Sersie · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This tasty walnut meat crumble is also known as "magic" meat. It's a delicious and healthy whole food, plant-based vegan substitute for ground beef. It's also gluten-free, soy-free, and perfect for meal prep.

side top close up of vegan walnut meat in a white bowl with loose walnuts, cauliflower and a mushroom blurred on the side
walnut meat crumble is a healthy substitute ground beef

For Italian inspired meals, add Italian seasoning and fennel seeds to this magic meat to create Spaghetti Ragu with Meatballs, or Veggie Lasagna.

This vegan meat crumble can also be used in Southwestern inspired meals. By adding ground cumin and chili powder, you can use this walnut meat to make "Magic" Meat and Bean Tostadas, or Vegan Black Bean Tacos.

Other uses for this crumble include adding it to vegan nachos, veggie pizza, rainbow salad or veggie chili.

While there are several variations, the base of this vegan meat is made with these six ingredients.

What you need to make this walnut meat:

  1. Cauliflower
  2. Mushrooms (cremini, baby bella or white button)
  3. Raw walnuts
  4. Garlic powder
  5. Onion powder
  6. Coconut aminos
top view of all six ingredients of vegan magic meat: cauliflower, mushrooms, walnuts, garlic powder, onion powder and coconut aminos against a white marble surface.
ingredients for vegan magic meat: cauliflower, mushrooms, walnuts, and seasonings

How to Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 177°C).

Pulse walnuts in a food processor and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Roughly chop mushrooms and add them to the food processor. Pulse the mushrooms and add to the same mixing bowl.

Finally, roughly chop cauliflower and add them to the food processor. Pulse the cauliflower and scrape down the sides, if necessary. Add processed cauliflower to the mixing bowl.

Add garlic powder, onion powder and coconut aminos to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine.

Evenly spread the walnut meat mixture onto a parchment-lined or silicone mat baking sheet.

Place in the 350°F (or 177°C) oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. About 15 to 20 minutes into baking, use a closed spatula to carefully turn or stir the mixture, and continue baking for the remainder of the time.

Remove from oven, stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using.

This recipe makes 4 cups of cooked walnut meat crumbles.

top view of walnuts in a food processor
1. add walnuts to the food processor
side view of walnuts being processed in a food processor
2. pulse walnuts until ground and add to a large mixing bowl
top view of roughly chopped mushrooms in a food processor
3. add roughly chopped mushrooms to the food processor
top view of processed mushrooms in the food processor
4. pulse mushrooms until processed and add to the mixing bowl
top view of cauliflower florets in a food processor
5. add cauliflower florets to a food processor
top view of processed cauliflower in a food processor
6. pulse cauliflower until processed and add to the mixing bowl

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top view of ground walnuts, mushrooms and cauliflower in a large stainless mixing bowl
7. walnuts, mushrooms and cauliflower in the large mixing bowl
top view of dried seasonings being added to the mixing bowl with ground walnuts, cauliflower and mushrooms
8. add dried seasonings to the mixing
top view of coconut aminos being added to the mixture in a large mixing bowl
9. add coconut aminos to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients
top view of a wooden spoon mixing the ingredients together in the mixing bowl
10. stir until all ingredients are well combined
side top view of the walnut meat mixture being added to a parchment lined baking sheet
11. evenly spread walnut meat mixture onto a parchment- (or silicone mat) lined baking sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350°F (or 177°C)
top side view of the walnut meat mixture being turned with a spatula mid way through the baking process
12. mid-way through baking, take a spatula and carefully turn or stir the walnut meat mixture and continue baking for the remaining time
top view close up of walnut meat in a white bowl with loose walnut pieces, cauliflower and mushroom on the side
this magic meat crumble can be used in several dishes making it ideal for meal prep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vegan meat made out of?

Many processed vegan meats are made with pea protein, oils and other ingredients difficult to pronounce. The saturated fat content can be high and nutrient-density is often very low. This vegan meat recipe is made with whole plant foods: cauliflower, mushrooms, and walnuts.

Is vegan meat good for you?

The healthfulness of vegan or plant-based meat depends on the ingredients. This vegan meat recipe is healthy because its made with whole plant foods. The processed, store-bought kind is often made with ingredients with low nutrient-density, but high calorie-density. So, if health is a concern to you, it's best to make your own plant-based meat at home.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers of this vegan "magic" meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

We hope you love this walnut meat recipe as much as we do. Please rate and leave a comment below. Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us @danielsplaterecipes so we can see your creation!

top side close up of vegan walnut meat in a white bowl with loose walnut pieces, cauliflower and mushroom on the side

Walnut "Magic" Meat

5 from 2 votes
Course: Sides
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 111kcal
Author: Gigi & Sersie
Print Pin Rate
This tasty walnut meat crumble is also known as "magic" meat, and is made with only six ingredients. It's a delicious and healthy whole food, plant-based vegan substitute for ground beef. It's also gluten-free, soy-free, and perfect for meal prep. 

Equipment

  • 1 food processor

Ingredients  

  • 4 cups of cauliflower 13-ounce weight, about one small head of cauliflower
  • 4 cups mushrooms 6-ounce weight, cremini/baby bella or white button
  • ¾ cup raw walnuts
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp coconut aminos or 1 Tbsp regular aminos
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Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 177°C).
  • Pulse walnuts in a food processor and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Roughly chop mushrooms and add them to the food processor. Pulse the mushrooms and add to the same mixing bowl.
  • Finally, roughly chop cauliflower and add them to the food processor. Pulse the cauliflower and scrape down the sides, if necessary. Add processed cauliflower to the mixing bowl.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder and coconut aminos to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
  • Evenly spread the walnut meat mixture onto a parchment-lined or silicone mat baking sheet.
  • Place in the 350°F (or 177°C) oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. About 15 to 20 minutes into baking, use a closed spatula to carefully turn or stir the mixture, and continue baking for the remainder of the time.
  • Remove from oven, stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • This recipe makes about 4 cups of cooked walnut meat. 

Notes

Leftovers/Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 392mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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Gigi & Sersie

Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue have over 25 years of combined experience in plant-based nutrition and health coaching. Their passion for healthy eating inspired them to create Daniel’s Plate, a recipe site focused on whole food, plant-based meals.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. D. Watson

    January 12, 2024 at 7:14 am

    5 stars
    This recipe hits the spot when you are craving a great meatless 🌮. I'm not a big meat eater and this is a great alternative.
    Thank you so much for creating this
    wonderful plate.

    Reply
    • Rebecca A Clarke

      May 15, 2024 at 11:35 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe tastes so good. It is one of those recipes that keeps you on target long term. I would consider it as staple recipe.

      Reply
      • Gigi & Sersie

        May 25, 2024 at 5:47 pm

        Yes! Its made with easy to get ingredients and can be used in salads, tacos, burritos, and buddha bowls.

        Reply
5 from 2 votes

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