Quesatacos with Cajun Gochujang Mushrooms (nut-free with gf and sf options)

This is quite a fusion taco filling! Most of the time these kind of recipes come about when I’m just cooking a quick meal for the evening, and I end up adding whatever I see in my spice pantry or in the fridge.

I literally open the fridge or the spice cabinet and use what looks good. So, I added some Tex-mex chili powder blend, cajun seasoning, and gochujang to these mushroom quesatacos, and it gave them this amazing flavor profile.

This is a super quick recipe. You just add the onions, mushrooms, and all of the sauces and spices to the pan, and let them cook down until the mushrooms are cooked and everything starts to kind of caramelize.

Then you stuff that filling into tacos with a little bit of cheese that you grill the tacos like quesadillas in the same skillet with a little bit of of hot sauce on the outside, so that the tacos get this nice flavor. For making it a meal, add some lightly mashed black beans or pinto beans to the mix or serve with a side of spiced beans!

Why You’ll Love Quesatacos

• Quick and easy lunch or dinner.
• Packed with amazing cajun gochujang mushrooms and creamy, gooey vegan cheese.
• Crispy tortillas with hot sauce and chili powder for extra flavor.
• Nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free options.

More Vegan Taco Recipes

• Tikka Masala Birria Tacos
• Cauliflower Taco Meat
• Crispy Quinoa Tacos
• Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Tacos
• Barbacoa Mushroom Tacos

Ingredients and Substitutions

• oil – To sauté.
• red onion – Adds umami flavor to the filling.
• mushrooms – This is the base for your filling. I like to use white, cremini or portobello
• soy sauce – You can use tamari for gluten-free.
• ginger garlic paste – Adds so much amazing flavor to complement the gochujang! Use minced garlic and ginger if needed
• maple syrup – Enhances the sweetness in the gochujang.
• lime juice – For tang.
• gochujang – Adds a spicy-sweet-umami flavor. Use gluten-free and/or soy-free, if needed.
• ground spices – You’re seasoning the mushrooms with paprika, Tex mex chili powder, and cajun spice blend. You’ll also sprinkle some chili powder on the outsides of the tacos before grilling them in the pan.
• tortillas – Use gluten-free, if needed.
• hot sauce – Choose your favorite!
• vegan cheese – Adds melty creaminess to the quesatcos.
• toppings – Top these with chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeños and some vegan sour cream.

Tips

• While the mushrooms are cooking, make sure to stir a few times to make sure they aren’t sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• You can put cheese on one side of the mushrooms or both sides when you’re stuffing the tacos. It depends on how cheesy you want these!

How to Make Mushroom Quesatacos

First, make the cajun gochujang mushrooms.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil and onions and stir for a minute. Then, add the mushrooms, all of the sauces, and the spices and salt and mix really well. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, opening the lid every 6 minutes or so to stir a little bit and check to make sure the nothing is sticking to the skillet. The mushrooms release a lot of moisture as they cook, so you shouldn’t need to really add any extra moisture. If they are drying out too much then splash a bit of water or stock.

Continue to cook until the mushrooms are cooked to preference. Then, remove the mushrooms from the skillet or just move them to the side, if you have a large enough skillet.

Now, make the quesatacos.

Take one tortilla and brush some hot sauce on one side and sprinkle a little bit of the chili powder. Then, place tortilla into the skillet, hot-sauce-side down.

Add some of the mushrooms and some cheese to half of the tortilla, and fold the tortilla over. You can add cheese on both sides of the mushrooms, if you like.

Continue to cook until the tortilla gets golden on one side. Then, flip and continue to cook until the tortilla is golden on the other side, as well.

Repeat for all the tortillas, then immediately garnish with some onion, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño, and/or vegan sour cream. Slice and serve while it’s still hot and crispy.

What to Serve with Mushrooms Quesatacos

You can serve this on its own or with some salsa for dipping! If you want a side, include chips and queso.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is this recipe allergy friendly?

This recipe is naturally nut-free. 

To make the quesatacos gluten-free, use the tamari instead of soy sauce, make sure that your gochujang is gluten-free, and use gluten-free or corn tortillas.

To make it soy-free, use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and ensure that your gochujang is soy-free. Or use Gochugaru flakes and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

What are quesatacos?

These are cheesy tacos with that you crisp up like a quesadilla.