25+ Awesome Vegan Recipes for Using Plant-Based Ground "Beef" (2024)

Whether using Beyond, Impossible, other vegan products, or DIY options, this roundup of hearty vegan recipes using plant-based ground “beef” presents a slew of tempting options. With so many meaty vegan ground alternatives on the market, there’s absolutely no reason to use the animal product.

Switching to plant-based foods is one of the single best ways to reduce your environmental footprint. It’s also kinder to animals and your heart.

Explore these delicious recipes for using plant-based ground from around the web. Some use packaged plant-based ground products; other are DIY using tempeh and other protein foods. Thanks to the creative bloggers who participated in this roundup for permission to feature links to their recipes and photos.

Plant-based ground options

There are lots of options on the market these days, including Beyond, Impossible, Gardein, Lightlife, Plant Pure, and others. Look for them in well-stocked supermarkets and natural foods stores.

For a spicier effect in some of these recipes you can also choose plant-based chorizo; No Evil makes great El Zapatista Chorizo.

Or, if you’re a DIY kind of cook, you can easily make your own vegan beef-less ground using whole foodslike nuts, quinoa, mushrooms, and more.

Casseroles using plant-based ground

Classic Vegan Meatloaf: For those who long for Mom’s classic recipe, this vegan meatloaf may be better than the real thing, for lots of reasons! Our most popular recipe.

Vegan Hotdish: AKA tater tot casserole, this recipe turns the original, traditional Minnesota casserole into something more wholesome, but still freaking delicious.

Vegan Chili Mac Casserole: From This Wife Cooks. The classic chili Mac made with all plant-based ingredients!

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie: From Vegan Huggs. This is pure comfort in every bite! The filling combines mushrooms, ground walnuts, grated carrots, and onions for a meaty mince that is savory and satisfying.

Vegan Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie: Another take on shepherd’s pie, this sweet potato variation is a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish, but you need not wait for a holiday to enjoy it.

Stovetop fare with plant-based ground:
Pastas, noodles, chili & more

Pasta with Vegan Bolognese Sauce: The meaty tomato-based sauce in classic pasta Bolognese is so easy make vegan using your favorite plant-based ground or homemade crumbles made with whole foods.

can be made with beefy plant-based ground that you spice up, or going straight to a spicy plant-based chorizo. You can also go full on DIY with a homemade plant-based ground using whole foods.

Vegan Chili Mac: The hearty dish known as “chili mac” is just what it sounds like — a cross between chili and macaroni and cheese. Also known as Cincinnati chili mac, it’s easy to make a vegan chili mac by using plant-based ground and vegan cheese.

Vegan Beefy Pasta Skillet: One of those carb-laden classic recipes that’s so comforting, this vegan beefy pasta skillet is part cheeseburger macaroni, kind of hamburger helper-ish, and all plant-based.

Quick Vegan Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Making these vegan chili-stuffed sweet potatoes is a quick route to a satisfying dinner. As an occasional alternative to plant-based ground, this recipe gives you the option of using quinoa.

Easy Vegan One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: From Delightful Adventures. Tacos and pasta join forces in this easy, family-friendly dish you can make in your Instant Pot or on the stove top. Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and easy vegan dinner idea everyone will love!

Vegan Picadillo (Tempeh & Lentil): From Running to the Kitchen, here’s a plant based version of this traditional Cuban recipe made with tempeh, lentils and potatoes. It’s packed with big flavors from Spanish olives, capers, raisins and spices in a hearty tomato base. Perfect served over rice, cauliflower rice, a bed of greens or zoodles.

Soups & Stews using plant-based beefy ground

Vegan Cabbage Soup: From Wow, It’s Veggie?! This vegan cabbage soup is so easy and delicious to make! The flavors are so warming and this soup is very hearty for winter.

Ultimate Vegan Chili: From Vegan Huggs: This chili is thick, hearty, and meaty! It’s loaded with veggies, beans, warm spices, and savory homemade tofu meatless crumbles. It’ll keep you cozy and satisfied during those chilly days, too!

Cabbage Roll Soup: From Vegan Yack Attack. Rich in flavor, but with limited ingredients, this cabbage roll soup is sure to satisfy. It makes a wonderful weekday meal, too, because it takes 30 minutes!

“Beefy” Sandwich & Burger Fare

Easy Vegan Philly Cheesesteak: From Wow, It’s Veggie?! This vegan Philly Cheesesteak is so easy and delicious to make and is prepared in the traditional style.

Vegan Sloppy Joes: From Fried Dandelions. Vegan Sloppy Joes with Lentils will instantly transport you back to your childhood! They’re packed with protein, veggies, and flavor, and make a perfect weeknight dinner!

Beyond Impossible Vegan Burgers and Sliders: From This Wife Cooks. These ultra meaty vegan beef and sausage burgers are made with a combination of Beyond Meat sausage and Impossible Foods ground beef. Perfect for cookouts or tailgating, these 100% plant-based burgers will satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores in the crowd.

Vegan “Beefy” Tacos & nachos

Easy Plant Protein Soft Tacos: It’s easy to make your own tasty plant protein tacos using any of the “beefy” vegan crumbles available these days. Or, you can make your own!

Best Vegan Tempeh Tacos: From Happy Kitchen. Chipotle corn salsa, fresh and zesty tomato pico de gallo, crunchy tacos complete with mouth-watering tempeh taco meat come together and create the BEST vegan tacos you’ll ever have. These tacos boom with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers, sweet roasted corn, tangy tomato salsa and savory vegan taco meat that will leave you craving more!

“Beefy” Vegan Nachos Grandes: “Beefy” vegan nachos grandes take almost no time to make, and are fantastic party fare or even an emergency dinner. They’re also a great way to convince your skeptical friends to take a walk on the veg side.

… And more

Vegan meat lovers pizza: It might sounds like a contradiction, but made with easy swaps of plant-based proteins and cheese, this meaty pizza will satisfy eaters of all persuasions!

Vegan Burger Salad: From Thyme and Love. Craving a burger, but also a salad? This Vegan Burger Salad is the perfect solution! This salad has all your favorite burger toppings and then the salad is topped with a delicious homemade dressing.

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl: From The Cheeky Chickpea. Best vegan egg roll in a bowl, with beef-less ground, cabbage, veggies, and a simple Asian sauce. A deconstructed egg roll bowl that’s vegan, delicious and ready in 20 minutes!

Vegan Polish Mistakes – Easy Party Appetizer: From Veggie Inspired. Easy party appetizers served on co*cktail rye toasts with mounds of meat and cheese. And my version is all VEGAN! This is one snack that will please even the carnivores in your life.

Do you like the idea of making your own DIY plant-based beefy crumbles? Here are vegan beef-less ground recipes, four ways.

25+ Awesome Vegan Recipes for Using Plant-Based Ground "Beef" (2024)

FAQs

How to commit to a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-Based Diet Tips

Some people like to dive straight in, but if switching cold turkey (or should we say cold tofu?) feels too extreme, it's okay to start slowly. Try incorporating a few plant-based meals each week or shifting animal products from a centerpiece of your meals to a garnish as you make the transition.

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Is it hard to go plant-based? ›

But transitioning to a plant-based diet, especially when you've been eating the Standard Western diet, can seem daunting. The truth is, though, that with a little planning, moving to a whole foods plant-based or plant-forward eating style is not difficult at all.

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What can I feed a vegan guest? ›

Starters: Dips, pita, nuts, and olives, or roasted bell peppers. Mains: A grain salad and soup combination or a pasta and salad; sometimes, herbed and lemony couscous with Moroccan spiced chickpeas and vegetables. If it's a small crowd of close friends, a hearty soup or chili and cornbread does the trick.

Learn More Now ›

What is the healthiest plant-based meat to eat? ›

As with any food, the healthiest options among plant-based meat alternatives are the ones you can eat in as close to their original, whole form as possible. For example, jackfruit flesh or a soy food like tofu undergoes significantly less processing than products like the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger.

What does plant-based meat do to your body? ›

Specifically, they found that those who consumed plant-based meats fell below the daily requirements for calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B12. Plus, those eating these foods exceeded the reference values for sugar, saturated fat and sugar. This group did consume more fiber than the meat-eaters.

What happens to your body when you start a plant-based diet? ›

A plant-based diet reduces your risk for other diseases too.

The benefits of eating mostly plants are not limited to reducing your cancer risk. A plant-based diet also has been shown to reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some mental health illnesses.

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Can you eat bananas on a plant-based diet? ›

Foods like olive oil, bleached flour, refined sugar and white rice, even though they are plant-based, are all processed foods and are not included in a WFPB diet. Plant-based means that the food you eat comes from plants, including: Fruits – apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas, mango.

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Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

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What are the negatives of a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based diets carry some risk of inadequate protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. But these risks are readily overcome by choosing the right vegetarian foods and, when necessary, supplements. For example, soy, quinoa, and nuts are good sources of protein, and tofu, lentils, and spinach are good sources of iron.

How do I start a plant-based diet for dummies? ›

Ease into a plant-based diet with one meal or one day

Go meatless one day a week.
Make breakfast more about whole grains, like whole-grain toast or oatmeal, than animal products, like eggs, milk and bacon.
Eat plant-based until dinner.
Add greens like spinach or kale to your daily meals.

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Apr 30, 2024

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What sort of foods do most vegans love having? ›

11 Foods Healthy Vegans Eat

Legumes. ...
Nuts, nut butters, and seeds. ...
Hemp, flax, and chia seeds. ...
Tofu and other minimally processed meat substitutes. ...
Calcium-fortified plant milks and yogurts. ...
Seaweed. ...
Nutritional yeast. ...
Sprouted and fermented plant foods.

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Does plant-based meat need to be cooked? ›

Plant-based meats need to be cooked to the right temperature to make them safe. Advice from the CDC includes these tips. Cook hamburgers to at least 160 degrees F. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F and fish to 145 degrees.

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How do you make plant-based meat taste like meat? ›

Umami is what gives savoury dishes that meaty, brothy taste – typically found as MSG. Some manufacturers will use what you might call an “umami bomb” to give plant-based applications the hearty, meaty taste consumers want from traditional meat.

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Can you eat plant-based meat without cooking? ›

In fact, it's generally recommended that you don't eat plant-based meat raw as it can still come with food safety risks. This is the case with any food that's not properly handled, cooked, or stored.

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Does plant-based meat taste like meat? ›

Consumers cite flavors including chargrilled and caramelized notes as favorites for plant-based burgers, in addition to “intense meaty flavor (slightly smoky, umami, and savory),” according to the report.