Ever wondered about the yummiest plant-based foods that taste just like meat? Well, you’re in for a treat. Vegan meat substitutes are growing fast (so different from even just 5 years ago), with so many tasty options that even your carnivore friends might not notice the difference. These foods are good for animals and also for our planet, plus they taste great. It’s a food adventure where everyone wins.
Top 10 Plant-Based Vegan Meat Substitutes
1) Impossible Foods Plant-Based Ground Beef
Impossible Foods’ plant-based ground beef is incredibly meaty, savory, and juicy, and actually quite hard to tell apart from natural beef. A molecule called heme gives it that authentic beefy flavor and aroma. Even meat lovers are impressed by how closely it mimics beef flavor and texture. It sizzles in the pan, creating crispy edges while staying tender inside. This ground beef alternative is perfect for burgers, tacos, or any dish where you want that meaty taste.
Each serving contains 19g of protein. The Impossible Burger is cholesterol-free and has less saturated fat than 80/20 ground beef. It’s also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including B12, iron, and zinc.
Cooking with Impossible ground beef is a breeze, especially if you’re familiar with regular ground beef. It’s versatile and can be used in any recipe that calls for ground beef. Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or baking, it performs just like traditional meat. To get that perfect sear, cook it for 2-3 minutes per side. For crumbles, let it brown undisturbed before stirring.
2) Beyond Meat Beyond Burger
Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger patty looks and cooks just like natural beef. It’s made from pea protein and uses beet juice to create a “bleeding” effect to mimic the juiciness of a beef burger.
The Beyond Burger has a savory, meaty taste that’s impressively close to natural beef. While it doesn’t smell exactly like beef when raw, it develops a delicious aroma once cooked. The patty has a dense, slightly chewy texture that satisfies like a traditional burger. Some tasters note a faint coconut scent, likely from the coconut oil used for “marbling.” When seasoned well and topped with your favorite burger fixings, it’s hard to tell the difference from a beef burger.
Each patty contains 21 grams of protein, rivaling that of beef burgers. It’s also cholesterol-free and has less saturated fat than traditional beef patties. The burger is fortified with vitamins and minerals typically found in animal products, including vitamin B12 and zinc.
It’s perfect for classic burgers, but don’t stop there. Use it in tacos, meatballs, or stuffed peppers. The patties can be crumbled for use in pasta sauces or chili.
3) Gardein Plant-Based Chick’n Tenders
These crispy, breaded tenders are perfect for kids and adults alike. You can cook them in the oven or air fryer for a quick and easy meal. They’re versatile, too – great on their own, in sandwiches, or chopped up in salads.
These tenders have a crispy, crunchy outside and a juicy inside, just like chicken tenders. The breading gives them a satisfying crunch while the inside stays tender. Some people say they’re so close to the real thing that it’s hard to tell the difference.
Gardein tenders have 15 grams of protein per serving. They use a mix of wheat and soy proteins to achieve this high protein content.
You have two main options for cooking these tenders: baking or air frying. To bake, preheat your oven to 450°F, spread the tenders on a baking sheet, and cook for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. For air frying, cook at 400°F for 14-16 minutes. Both methods give you crispy, golden tenders. Remember, they cook from frozen, so there’s no need to thaw.
4) Tofurky Plant-Based Deli Slices
These slices come in various flavors and are perfect for quick lunches or creative recipes. The Hickory Smoked slices have a real smoky flavor from spending time in a smokehouse. Peppered slices are spicy without being too hot, perfect for those who love a kick. The Italian Deli variety includes herbs, spices, and sundried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist.
Each serving contains about 13 grams of protein. They’re low in saturated fat and contain zero cholesterol. Tofurky slices are also fortified with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, and are only 100 calories per serving.
Try a classic club sandwich using Hickory Smoked slices, lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayo. Use Peppered slices with pepper jack cheese and mustard for a spicy kick. The Italian Deli slices work great in a grilled sandwich with caramelized onions and vegan cheese. You can also crumble the slices to use in salads or wraps.
5) Field Roast Plant-Based Sausages
These sausages are made using traditional sausage-making techniques but with a plant-based twist. They’re made from grains, vegetables, and spices. This combination gives the sausages a meat-like texture that’s satisfying and very tasty.
Field Roast sausages come in several mouthwatering flavors. The Smoked Apple and Sage variety combines sweet Granny Smith apples with savory Yukon Gold potatoes and aromatic sage. The Italian sausage features a blend of eggplant, red wine, garlic, and fennel for an authentic taste. For those who like it spicy, the Mexican Chipotle sausage packs a punch with smoked chipotle peppers and chili de arbol.
These plant-based alternatives get their protein from vital wheat gluten. Some products also include wheat protein isolate and pea protein for added nutritional value. They range from 23-26 grams of protein per serving.
They can be grilled, pan-fried, or air-fried. Try crumbling the Italian sausage into pasta sauce for extra flavor. Or, slice the Smoked Apple and Sage variety for a delicious addition to a tofu scramble. These sausages hold up well to heat and maintain their texture when cooked.
6) Field Roast Hot Dogs
The field roast hot dogs have a smoky flavor and meaty texture that closely resembles traditional hot dogs. They’re also high in protein and low in fat.
These vegan hot dogs shine on the grill. They develop a nice char and grill marks, just like their meat counterparts. To grill, lightly oil the hot dogs and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning. The result is a juicy, flavorful frank that’s perfect in a bun with your favorite toppings.
7) Upton’s Naturals Jackfruit
The texture of Upton’s Jackfruit is remarkably similar to shredded meat. It has a satisfying chewiness that mimics pulled pork or chicken. It’s also really good at absorbing seasonings, which makes it perfect for tacos or stir-fries. This plant-based alternative is low in fat, cholesterol-free, and high in fiber. It’s also rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.
Try it in tacos, sandwiches, or as a topping for salads. The Bar-B-Que flavor works excellent in pulled “pork” sandwiches, while the Chili Lime Carnitas is perfect for Mexican-inspired dishes. For a quick meal, simply heat and serve over rice or in a wrap.
8) Daring Chicken
Daring Chicken pieces seriously mimic the taste and texture of real chicken. They’re tender, juicy, and have a layered shred that’s almost indistinguishable from animal chicken. They’re available in flavors like Original, Cajun, Lemon & Herb, and Teriyaki.
Each serving of Daring Chicken has 14 grams of plant protein. It’s also low in fat and calories, with only 2 grams of fat and 90 calories per serving.
Daring Chicken is versatile and easy to prepare. You can sauté it in a non-stick pan with a bit of oil, bake it in the oven, or even air fry it for a crispy texture. It works well in stir-fries, salads, sandwiches, and any recipe that calls for chicken.
9) Lightlife Ground Meatless Crumbles
Lightlife ground meat closely mimics traditional ground beef. It has a neutral taste that easily absorbs flavors from seasonings and sauces. Its texture is light and fluffy with a slight chew. Many people find it surprisingly similar to natural ground beef, especially when used in recipes like tacos or kofta.
These no-meat crumbles have 20 grams per 4-ounce serving and is made primarily from soy protein concentrate. Lightlife ground meat is also lower in saturated fat than traditional ground beef.
Lightlife ground meat is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It works well in tacos, bolognese sauce, meatballs, and so much more. Its neutral base makes it adaptable to many cuisines, from Mexican to Middle Eastern dishes.
10) Upton’s Seitan
Upton’s seitan has a meat-like texture that’s impressively chewy and satisfying. It comes in several flavors, including traditional, chorizo, and chick’n. The traditional variety is minimally seasoned so the chef can adapt it to their taste or recipe. The chorizo flavor adds a spicy kick with guajillo, garlic, and cumin, while the chick’n mimics poultry.
Each serving contains 18-21 grams of protein. It’s also low in fat and cholesterol-free. It’s great in stir-fries, sandwiches, tacos, and as breaded “chicken” tenders. For best results, pan-fry with a small amount of oil or bake into your favorite recipes.
