Low-Fat Raw Vegan Hard Shell Tacos Recipe
Introduction
If you’re looking for a fresh, vibrant twist on tacos, these raw vegan hard shell tacos are perfect. Made from simple, whole ingredients without added oils or complicated steps, they offer a crisp shell and flavorful filling that’s light yet satisfying. Ideal for a low-fat, plant-based meal that celebrates seasonal produce.

Ingredients
- 1 medium courgette, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 2 cups freshly ground flaxseed
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 clove garlic (optional)
- Pinch Celtic sea salt (optional)
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 small beetroot, roughly chopped
- 1-2 cloves fresh garlic (optional)
- 1 bunch curly kale
- 1/4 cup flaked dulse
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1.5-2 tsp ground cumin seed (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1 tsp ground chipotle peppers (organic, non-irradiated)
- Juice from 1 fresh lemon
- 1/8-1/2 tsp spirulina (optional)
- Celtic sea salt to taste
- 7 sundried tomatoes, soaked for 2 hours
- Spring water (reserved from tomato soaking)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 fresh green chili
- Several sprigs of cilantro (coriander leaf)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the courgette, red bell pepper, jalapeño, lemon juice, and optional garlic and salt into a food processor. Blend until the mixture reaches a soup-like consistency.
- Step 2: Gradually add the ground flaxseed, about 1 cup at a time, pulsing and mixing until the dough becomes thick and wet, similar to dough.
- Step 3: Using a rubber spatula, spread the dough into circular shapes on silicone dehydrator sheets.
- Step 4: Dehydrate the shaped dough at 108°F for 1.5 hours. Then remove the trays, flip the shells onto slatted dehydrator sheets, peel away the silicone sheets, and continue drying for 60-90 minutes.
- Step 5: While the shells are still flexible, place cardboard rolls in the center of each circle and fold the shell around the roll to form a hard taco shape.
- Step 6: Dehydrate the shaped shells for an additional 13 hours. Remove rolls and continue dehydrating until the shells are completely crisp and ready to serve.
- Step 7: For the filling, place carrots, beetroot, dulse, garlic, and spices into the food processor. Pulse until ingredients are reasonably combined but not fully pureed.
- Step 8: Gradually add kale starting with stems, pulsing until incorporated. Scrape the sides as needed and add fresh extras such as green chilis and cilantro if desired.
- Step 9: To make the sauce, blend sundried tomatoes, reserved soaking water, garlic, cayenne, cumin, chipotle, green chili, and cilantro until smooth but thick.
- Step 10: Fold the sauce into the vegetable mixture until evenly combined.
- Step 11: Fill the prepared hard shells with the raw vegan taco filling and enjoy immediately for a crisp, flavorful meal.
Tips & Variations
- Use cardboard rolls or any similar cylindrical object to shape shells easily and reuse materials you have around.
- Adjust the spice levels in the filling and sauce according to your heat preference.
- Try swapping out kale for collard greens or cabbage for a different texture in the filling.
- For a nutty crunch, add some crushed raw nuts or seeds into the filling.
- If you don’t have a dehydrator, experiment with very low oven temperatures to dry the shells slowly, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Storage
Store the hard shell tacos separately in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain their crispness. The filling and sauce can be kept refrigerated for 2-3 days in a sealed container. Reassemble just before serving to keep the shells crunchy. Avoid refrigeration of prepared tacos as moisture will soften the shells.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these tacos without a dehydrator?
While a dehydrator is ideal for slowly drying the shells at a low temperature, you can try an oven set to the lowest temperature with the door slightly open to mimic drying. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Is this recipe suitable for people with nut allergies?
Yes, this recipe uses flaxseed instead of nuts to create the taco shells, making it a great option for those avoiding nuts. Just ensure your other ingredients are nut-free and processed in a safe environment.
Print
Low-Fat Raw Vegan Hard Shell Tacos Recipe
- Total Time: 16 hours
- Yield: 6–8 taco shells with filling (serves 3-4) 1x
- Diet: Low Fat, Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
This recipe presents a vibrant and nourishing low-fat raw vegan hard shell taco, crafted without any cooking or added oils. Featuring dehydrated courgette and red pepper shells made from ground flaxseed, these tacos are filled with a spiced raw vegetable ‘meat’ made from carrots, beetroot, kale, and seaweed. A zesty, spicy sauce ties everything together, delivering a fresh, wholesome meal perfect for those seeking a nutrient-rich, plant-based, gluten-free, and oil-free option.
Ingredients
Hard Shell Tacos
- 1 medium courgette, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 2 cups freshly ground flaxseed
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/2 clove garlic (optional)
- Pinch Celtic sea salt (optional)
Low-Fat Raw Vegan Taco “Meat” Filling
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped into segments
- 1 small beetroot, roughly chopped into segments
- 1–2 cloves fresh garlic (optional)
- 1 bunch curly kale
- 1/4 cup flaked dulse
- 1 tsp cayenne (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1.5–2 tsp ground cumin seed (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1 tsp ground chipotle peppers (organic, non-irradiated)
- Juice from 1 fresh lemon
- 1/8–1/2 tsp spirulina (optional)
- Celtic sea salt to taste (optional)
Spicy Sauce
- 7 sundried tomatoes, soaked for 2 hours
- Spring water (reserved from soaking tomatoes)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tsp ground cayenne (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1 tsp ground cumin seed (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1 tsp ground chipotle peppers (organic, non-irradiated)
- 1 fresh green chili
- Several sprigs of cilantro (coriander leaf)
Instructions
- Prepare the Hard Shell Dough: Place the chopped courgette, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic (if using), and lemon juice into a food processor. Blend until the mixture achieves a smooth, soup-like consistency.
- Add Ground Flaxseed: Gradually add freshly ground flaxseed one cup at a time into the vegetable mixture, pulsing the food processor between additions. Continue until the mixture thickens to a wet dough-like consistency.
- Form Taco Shells: Using a rubber spatula, spread the dough into circular shapes evenly on silicone dehydrator sheets. Ensure each circle is of even thickness for uniform drying.
- Initial Dehydration: Place the trays into the food dehydrator set at 108°F and dry for 1.5 hours to begin setting the shells.
- Flip and Continue Drying: Remove the trays, carefully flip the shells onto slatted dehydrator trays, peel the silicone sheets away gently, and continue drying for another 60 to 90 minutes to further dry and set the shells.
- Shape the Taco Shells: While the shells remain flexible, place a cardboard paper roll cylinder along the center of each tortilla and fold the shell around the roll to form a taco shell shape.
- Final Dehydration: Leave the shaped shells to dehydrate for approximately 13 hours to dry completely and crisp up. Once crisp, remove the rolls; the shells should hold their shape and be ready to serve.
- Prepare the Filling: In a food processor, pulse the chopped carrots, beetroot, fresh garlic (if using), flaked dulse, cayenne, cumin, chipotle peppers until reasonably incorporated but not overly processed.
- Add Kale: Gradually add curly kale stems and leaves, pulsing to incorporate. Scrape down the sides as needed to mix evenly. Optionally, add fresh green chilies and cilantro for extra flavor and texture.
- Make the Sauce (Optional): In a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, blend soaked sundried tomatoes with reserved soaking water, garlic, cayenne, cumin, chipotle peppers, fresh green chili, and cilantro until smooth but thick.
- Combine Filling and Sauce: Fold the blended sauce into the vegetable filling mixture until evenly combined, enhancing moisture and binding the filling.
- Assemble and Serve: Fill the crispy raw hard taco shells with the prepared low-fat raw vegan filling. Enjoy immediately in a vibrant, healthy meal.
Notes
- Using silicone dehydrator sheets prevents sticking and eases removal of the tortilla shells.
- The optional garlic and Celtic sea salt can be added or omitted based on personal preference or dietary needs.
- Cardboard paper roll cylinders are used as inexpensive, reusable taco shell formers during dehydration.
- Spirulina is optional and used to deepen the color of the filling to mimic a browned appearance.
- If you don’t have a food dehydrator, this recipe will not work as intended because slow, low temperature drying is critical to achieve crispy raw shells.
- All spices should be organic and non-irradiated for best flavor and health benefits.
- The sauce is optional but recommended for added flavor and moisture to help hold the filling together.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, oil-free, and suitable for raw, vegan diets.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Dehydrating
- Cuisine: Raw Vegan
Keywords: raw vegan tacos, low fat raw vegan recipe, dehydrated taco shells, vegan taco filling, gluten free raw meal, oil free raw vegan tacos, healthy vegan tacos, raw food recipes

