The Ultimate Guide to The Best Vegetarian Meat Substitutes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best vegetarian substitute for meat? ›

For me the most realistic meat substitute is Beyond Meat's Feisty Crumble. It tastes exactly like ground beef seasoned for tacos. If you're experiencing cravings or you want to help friends/family go veg*n, definitely try this product!!

Some whole foods, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and mushrooms, contain protein or have a meaty texture and can work well as meat substitutes. Food manufacturers often include these types of food in their vegetarian and vegan products.

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.

Specifically, meat substitutes like tofu, tempeh, and seitan have equal amounts of protein but with less saturated fat and more vitamins and minerals, besides B12.

Start with fish and poultry.

Begin with either fish or poultry and work your way up to heavier meats. This gives your body time to adjust so that you won't feel any discomfort. If you do experience discomfort, start even lighter, such as with a chicken broth.

Soya protein

Soya chunks and mince are very inexpensive ingredients that are easy to prepare. They consist of dehydrated soya which, once mixed with water, can be used as a meat substitute in almost any dish. Soya is most commonly sold as mince, cutlets, or balls.

Soy protein is still the plant protein that delivers the most meat-like taste and texture. Since it has been used for decades now, a lot of research has been done and its texturization process has been further improved.

Jackfruit. Often called the vegetarian meat, jackfruit almost tastes like lamb or mutton and has a similar texture. You can also cook it like an Indian chicken curry.

What protein can I eat instead of meat? ›

Tofurkey (a portmanteau of tofu and turkey) is a plant-based meat substitute patterned after turkey, in the form of a loaf of vegetarian protein, usually made from tofu (soybean protein) or seitan (wheat protein) with a stuffing made from grains or bread, flavored with a broth and seasoned with herbs and spices.

Plant-based meats can be a healthy part of a balanced diet if you enjoy them in the right way. Consuming plant-based meats in moderation along with fruits, veggies and other nutrient-dense foods can profoundly support your health.

Some meat alternatives include mycoprotein, such as Quorn which usually uses egg white as a binder. Another type of single cell protein-based meat alternative (which does not use fungi however but rather bacteria) is Calysta.

Salmon is one of the most nutritionally well-rounded burger alternatives available. Salmon offers a variety of health benefits if you are maintaining a low fat diet. You can enjoy salmon burgers as a fillet or combine shredded salmon with vegetables, aiolis, and flavorful spices.

You can bake, steam, fry or sauté tempeh and it is a great alternative to meat or fish. Besides the great flavor, tempeh is also high in iron, calcium and protein. Legumes Beans, lentils and peas are great protein-rich substitutes for meats, and can be used in anything from chili to soups.