Vegan Tacos from the slow cooker is an easy way to get dinner on the table. Spicy chipotle in adobo sauce and some unusual ingredients, that you would never guess, go into the crockpot and in a few hours - Whoa! A vegan taco recipe keeper.
Mexican food is my favorite and to me, it consists of any concoction encased in soft or crispy tortillas.
The Slow Cooker Chipotle Tacos filling can be put in either kind of tortilla so that makes it doubly wonderful. I've also rolled the filling in soft tacos along with dairy-free cheese - like a burrito.
You can even put them in those very small tortillas and have street tacos. It's just good stuff.
Table of Contents
Simple Dining
Crock Pot recipes can be so easy and this Vegan Tacos with Chipotle in adobo sauce is one of the simplest.
All you have to do is round up all of the ingredients, put them in the crockpot, turn it on and ... that is it.
After the cooking time has ended all you need to do is spoon it down the middle of a taco shell and eat it up.
I have made this recipe many times and there are actually three different meals with three different taco shells in the photographs on this page.
This vegan taco recipe is just so easy and so tasty that I keep making it over and over again.
The recipe has an unusual list of ingredients. You would never guess what they are. I don't want to give it away. Try not to jump down to the ingredients list.
It makes it more fun that way.
If you do take a peek, read slowly so you can be surprised - more than once.
It is easy to double or triple the ingredients too. So take it to a potluck or serve to a huge crowd. The filling will freeze really well too.
Now, let's take a look at the ingredients! Can you guess what some of them are just from the picture?
Ingredients
- Pinto beans - are traditional in Mexican fare and the main ingredient for this flavorful mix.
- Corn - mixes so well with beans and they offer more nutrients too.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - are a very spicy addition that is just right for this recipe.
- Tomato paste - adds rich flavors for the basis of this taco mixture.
- Chili Sauce - is a surprise ingredient but what a wonderfully sweet addition. I've also used an Asian sweet chili sauce and it's really good too.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - gives a hint of depth for this saucy base.
- Ground Cumin - is also unusual but gives more of a tasty kick.
- Ground Cinnamon - isn't used too much in Mexican cooking but occasionally it adds exactly the spice that is needed.
- Taco shells - hard white or yellow corn shells or any of your favorites, hard or soft.
- Favorite toppings - can be kept simple because there is already so much flavor. A nice addition can always be lettuce, avocado and lime.
Instructions
Well, here we go. I am all about 'easy' cooking.
Cut up the chipotle peppers into smaller pieces.
- Put everything in the crockpot. You don't need a large crockpot for this size recipe. Stir well.
- Cook on low 3 to 4 hours or on high 1 ½ to 2 hours. If you cook on high stir occasionally so that the mixture doesn't burn or stick on the top edge.
- Spread quite a bit on your favorite taco shells, hard or soft.
- Top with lettuce or baby spinach or you could put it down as a bottom layer. In the photos I've used sliced romaine and on another night baby spinach.
- You can also add avocado and black olives. Lime is a nice touch too.
- Serve with rice if you like.
Let everyone spoon up their own filling and add the toppings that they want.
Can you freeze taco fillings
- This one? You can!
- IF FREEZING:
- Let cool to room temperature and then pack in rigid sided containers as defined in my article How to Prepare Food for the Freezer
- PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
- Remove from the freezer and put in the refrigerator a few (4 to 6) hours before serving.
- Put the filling in a saucepan to heat through and serve. You could heat it in the microwave too.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Tacos with Chipotle
Ingredients
- 30 ounces pinto beans, 2 cans, 15 ounces each, drained
- 1 cup corn, canned, frozen or fresh
- 3 ounces chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - from a can, chopped
- 6 ounces tomato paste - 1 can
- ¾ cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10 taco shells of your choice
- favorite toppings - lettuce, avocado, lime
Instructions
- Well, here we go. I am all about 'easy' cooking.
- Put everything in the crockpot except for the taco shells and the toppings.
- Cook on low 3 to 4 hours or on high 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Spread quite a bit on your favorite taco shells, hard or soft.
- Top with lettuce (I used sliced romaine and on another night - baby spinach).
- You can also add avocado. Lime is a nice touch too.
- Serve with some rice if you like.
Patty Haxton Anderson
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Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Mexican food is my favorite, too! These look sooooo good!
Ginny McMeans
Me too Ashley! Thanks!
Kristen
Oh I can't wait to try this recipe Ginny! Looks delicious!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Kristen. You will love it.
shari west
Hi Ginny! This recipe looks intriguing. But before I make it is it really a whole can of chipotle with one can of beans? Seems like it would be hotter than heck??? I cook with chipotle a lot but usually a T or more is enough.
Ginny McMeans
That is so great Heather. I love Mexican food too.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, the whole can is correct. I kept checking as I was adding but it was not too hot. My error is that there are two cans of pinto beans and I changed the recipe above. Thanks for the heads up. That still leaves all the chipotle peppers. Make sure you are getting the ones in adobo sauce because they are milder to me. I never found it too hot but I love hot seasonings. You may want to use half a can or a couple of peppers for your first attempt. Just to be safe.
Scott
Question regarding the Chili Sauce. Could the sauce be made at home? If not what brand would you recommend? The link directs to Amazon and that sauce is 18 dollars a jar.
Ginny McMeans
Hi Scott. Yes, you can make it at home. The Amazon link is actually for 6 jars but still a bit pricey. There are many chili sauces in the grocery stores and you can use any one you want. I actually do buy the one that is in the Amazon link but only one jar at a time at the store. I don't remember it being over $3.00 though. $2 something, I think.
Amy
Is that like an Asian type chili sauce (meaning spicy) or more like Heinz chili sauce (sweet-ish)?
Ginny McMeans
It is more like a Heinz sweetish chili sauce.
martha@ simple-nourished-living
These look so yummy! I've included them in a roundup of Slow Cooker Taco Fillings I recently posted: http://simple-nourished-living.com/2014/07/crock-pot-taco-fillings-recipes/
Alex Bailey
I love this recipe. The first time I used it one of the chipotle was a bit too hot. The second time I used half and it worked out great!
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much Alex. I adjusted the recipe too. Evidently my can of adobo was not as hot as normal but I have had hotter since so the above amount should be perfect for all.
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much Martha! I really appreciate it. 🙂
Erin
Made this and really enjoyed it! I couldn't find whole peppers but I could find a paste of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce so I taste-tested it and it worked out. Chipotle taste could have been stronger so next time I'd probably add more. Made enough to have extras for the freezer which is a plus. Thanks!
Lauri Rottmayer
Mmmmm so yummy! My husband loved them. I'm trying to veganize him and with recipes like this it will be easy. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
That is so fantastic! Yes! Keep coming back and veganize that husband 🙂 Thank you so much for telling me.
Kate
What do you mean by Chili Sauce? Who typically makes it?
Ginny McMeans
Hi Kate! Well, my favorite is actually called Homemade Chili Sauce and it comes in a round bottle at all grocery stores. It a little sweet and goes with so many things. It is not as expensive as it is on amazon but here is the link so you can see what the bottle looks like. https://www.amazon.com/Homade-Sauce-Chili-12-Oz/dp/B008401AWA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1479505296&sr=8-3&keywords=homemade+chili+sauce&linkCode=sl1&tag=vif0e-20&linkId=a2be28f4d3dbc3543bfe59145fba6077
Tracie
For the adobe is that supposed to say 1 can?? im not sure what 1 in means exactly
Ginny McMeans
Sorry Tracie. I switched recipe card designs and missed that. It is 1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
Jen
Hi!
I'm not sure what you mean by 'chili sauce' in the recipe!
Best,
Jen
Ginny McMeans
The one by Sona is my favorite Jen. Heinz has one too and a few others. Here is a link so you can see what it looks like and I'll add it in the recipe too. https://www.amazon.com/Sona-Homade-Chili-Sauce-12/dp/B0083ZZXT2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1494805814&sr=8-4&keywords=chili+sauce&linkCode=sl1&tag=vif0e-20&linkId=ee8baad9ec269a8a70d219d8bee83ba7
Amanda
What can I sub for chili sauce? BBQ sauce?
Ginny McMeans
Chili sauce is best Amanda. BBQ sauce would be too sweet. You'd have to do some taste testing but ketchup with a little bit of chili powder or cumin and then a touch of vinegar would be close.
Kay Brande
What cookbook is Slow Cooker Chipotle Tacos in? This is fabulous and I'd like to have it and others like it!
Ginny McMeans
It isn't in a cookbook Kay. It lives on my blog here at Vegan in the Freezer. If you click on the link on the menu, at the top of the page but under my blog title, that says 'Recipe Index' then you can see all of the recipes that I have on my blog. You can search for types in the search box too. You have made my day. 🙂
Kay Brande
OK thanks. Ill be a regular check in!!
Jenn
Made this tonight and it is really good! We felt like it tasted more like a chili than a taco filling. So for the leftovers, I'm going to thin it down a hair and just eat it in a bowl with some onions and Daiya. It would be good over a bed of spinach with corn chips on top, too, a la taco salad. Great tasting, versatile recipe. Thanks!!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Jenn. It really is an all around type of recipe. You have some great ideas coming with this and so glad you enjoyed it.
Robin
Can I substitute the unsweetened cocoa powder with something else? What would you recommend?
Ginny McMeans
Not really Robin. It helps bring out a depth of the other flavors. You'd have to leave it out.
Lori
How would I make this less spicy besides leaving out the peppers? Should I reduce the chili sauce, too? Thanks! I want my kids to eat it and they can't handle spicy food. (And let's be honest, my taste buds can't handle too hot either. LOL!) Thanks in advance!
Ginny McMeans
I think just leaving out the peppers in adobo sauce will do it. Chili sauce really is sweet rather than hot. It has spice but shouldn't be hot.
Rachel
What would be a good substitute for the chili sauce if I can't get it where I live?
Ginny McMeans
For this recipe there is no substitute. You can make your own though Rachel. 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, 1 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, dash ground cloves, dash allspice
Sharon
How much peppers in adobe sauce do you use in cup measurement.
Ginny McMeans
I would say that is about 2 tablespoons. If you like it hotter - at the end you can add a little more Sharon. But I think it will be fine.
AstroTalk
I tried the chipotle chili. And it is amazing. I loved it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
PujaNPujari
I tried on my own for the first time. It is amazing in taste and flavour of preparing Chipotle Tacos. Thanks for sharing!
Sue
Just made, and ATE these for lunch. I used the chili sauce recipe you provided in the comments. We LOVED them!! Thanks Ginny; you and your recipes rock!
Ginny McMeans
You rock Sue! You're so welcome and thanks for letting me know.
onegodmed
I tried the chipotle chili tacos. And it was amazing. I loved it. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
best astrologer in chennai
I loved this recipe I would like to thank you.