Portions: 4 personas Calories: 334kcal |
Being vegan doesn't mean you can't enjoy this fabulous Cuban dish. This vegan picadillo is a wonderful textured soy recipe that is every bit as good as the traditional picadillo, and the best thing is that even meat-eaters will devour it with gusto.
By - Revised . Original Oct 13, 2025.
Vegan Picadillo - Textured Soy Recipe.
Why we ❤️ it
- Textured soy "meat" has a texture very similar to ground beef and maintains its consistency during cooking.
- This dish has a lot of "umami" flavor, which makes it very similar to the original, which is my goal so that even non-vegans can enjoy it.
- This mince is very economical and goes a long way. With just a little textured soy and vegetables, you can make a healthy meal for the whole family.
Vegan Picadillo - Textured Soy Recipe
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Utensils and tools
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 100 grams fine textured soy protein, [1¼ cups]
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- 1⅓ teaspoons salt, divided (or to taste)
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tablespoon sweet paprika
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided (or to taste)
- ½ cup pitted green olives
- 3 floury potatoes, medium (wash, peel, and cut into cubes)
- 2½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, or parsley
Preparation
1. Make the sofrito
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat.Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent.Add the garlic, red pepper, and textured soy protein, and cook, stirring, until the garlic releases its aroma (30 seconds to 1 minute).
2. Add vegetables
- Add tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, bay leaf, paprika, half the pepper, olives, and potatoes.Add the vegetable broth, stir, and cover.
3. Simmer
- Cook covered, stirring every couple of minutes, so that everything cooks evenly.When the potatoes have softened, reduce the liquid to your liking.Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf.
4. Serve
- Remove from heat. Add the cilantro and mix.Serve hot.
Top tips
- With chicken: You can use ground chicken instead of ground turkey and follow the same instructions.
- Storing leftovers: Refrigerate and serve the next day. You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to one month.
- Other vegetables: You can add other vegetables, such as green peas or canned sweet corn.
You can make a turkey picadillo with potatoes instead of zucchini. In that case, add the potatoes when you add the carrots.
Serving suggestions
Serve this picadillo with Brown rice, Spring rice, or White rice, a few slices of avocado, and some delicious fried ripe plantains.
Leftovers are perfect for filling empanadas, tacos, or as a vegan filling for a vegan potato pie.
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Learn more
What's textured soy or soy meat?
Soy meat, also called textured soy or texturized vegetable protein, is a soy-based plant product. It typically contains no flavorings or colorings and is suitable for vegans and celiacs (check the label to ensure there is no cross-contamination).
Textured soy is rich in protein, magnesium, and phosphorus and contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates. It is an excellent substitute for animal protein and very low in cholesterol.
Vegetable soy protein is available on the market in different sizes, from large chunks for soups to this one that simulates ground beef and is perfect for making a dish almost identical to traditional Cuban picadillo.
How to cook textured soy?
Some recipes for texturized soy include rehydrating it before cooking. In this recipe, it is rehydrated during cooking, which allows it to absorb the flavor of the spices and seasonings, which in my opinion makes it more flavorful.
Apart from this picadillo, you can prepare larger pieces in a vegan asopao, soy stew, or vegan filling for empanadas.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
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