18 Vegan Meat Recipes (+ Brand Recommendations) (2024)

FAQs

Which plant-based meat is the healthiest? ›

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.

Grilled vegetables are a fantastic place to start! Colorful bell peppers, eggplants, zucchini, and even leafy greens like kale can take on a delightful smoky flavor when grilled. All you need is a dash of olive oil and your favorite herbs for a nutrient-packed, BBQ-friendly side everyone can enjoy.

From Impossible and Beyond Meat burgers to Gardein Chick'n and Tofurky, plant-based meat is just about everywhere. It's not just in the grocery store, either. With more and more plant-based meal delivery services and vegan options at dine-in and fast food restaurants, going vegan is getting less difficult by the day.

This often means the use of copious seasonings and spices, yeast extracts, enhancers like nut-based sauces and mushrooms, and coconut oil. Due to various ingredients and processes used, some brands of plant-based meat have actually accomplished the flavor of real meat…

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.

Con #1: Plant-based meat can be more heavily processed than animal meat. As some plant-based meat and mock meat products are created to replicate animal meat, they may undergo more processing. This leads to a high content of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.

Smoked meats can be high in phosphorus and potassium, which can severely impact those with kidney disease. Finally, the potential carcinogenic compounds formed during the smoking process can cause complications for individuals with a history of cancer or those at high risk of developing cancer.

What is it called when you are vegetarian but eat meat sometimes? ›

Flexitarian is a term coined to describe individuals who mainly eat a plant-based diet with the occasional meat or dairy added in. The word flexitarian has been around for a while but hit the mainstream in 2008 with the publication of the book "The Flexitarian Diet" by nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner.

For someone who wants to introduce vegetarian meals into their menu plan, some good points about Gardein are that the product is cholesterol free as well as trans and saturated fat free, which is something that meat can never claim to be. Gardein also provides all of the essential amino acids.

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.

Alternate sources of protein

Beans and legumes: Beans and legumes are a rich source of fiber and B vitamins. They are also a great replacement for meat as a source of vegetarian protein. Soy: One cup of boiled soybeans (172 g) contains around 29 grams of protein.

Many plant-based products of the past were a relatively straightforward mash of vegetables and whole grains that included oats and beans. And many of these foods can serve as plant-based meat alternatives, such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, and pulses.

Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. They're loaded with protein, fiber and many key nutrients including calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.

Some good vegetarian sources of protein include: legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils) nuts and seeds. soy products (including soy beverages, tempeh and tofu)