New Year. Time for resolutions, setting goals, and maybe abstaining from… something. For some of you one of those things might be less meat, and more plant-based food. If you’re thinking about eating less meat in 2024, but feel the need for meat-like something on your plate, then read on.
I get it. So many of our meals revolve around meat. After all, it’s what goes in the middle of a sandwich. So finding something analogous to meat not only smooths the dietary transition, it can streamline the social aspect of meals with friends and family. Not to mention consuming less fat and zero cholesterol. But in recent years there has been a plethora of non-meat offerings popping up in your grocer’s freezer. Whether shopping for your next dinner party or just Meatless Monday lunch, it can be a little daunting.
So here are some of my favorite plant-based meat alternatives (in no particular order):
Beyond… all of it. Beyond Meat burgers, sausage, etc. are juicy, easy to cook and tasty. Just avoid the bulk packaged backyard burgers often found at the warehouse clubs. If in doubt check the instructions- if it suggests adding oil when pan frying I suggest you avoid them. The original burgers are top notch, and better than many “real” hamburgers I’ve had. Grilling them works great, but I find the skillet just as effective. The Beyond breakfast sausage is also really good. Note the patties fry from frozen, but the links should be thawed. Go figure.
Gardein… most of it. Really like their fishless fries and crabless cakes, but they make several faux meat things that are excellent. All of these are intended for oven or air fryer.
Gardein also offer canned soups and chili, but I’ve never tried them. I am not a fan of their semi-prepped meals or bowls which seem a bit pricey.
Soyrizo. Great for pizza topping or egg/tofu scramble. Oily as shit (just like real chorizo) but no lymph nodes. Ick! I usually prep it in the microwave before adding it to pizza or whatever. Sprinkle a dab of water and cover it or you’ll make an orange mess.
Aldi Meatless Balls. Very basic, but a good simple addition to salads or pasta. And of course, they’re cheap!
Quorn, nuggets or cutlets. The best chicken’t I have ever had. I prefer the breaded nuggets or patties. It’s made from mycoprotein (mushroom protein) and is usually best prepared in the oven or microwave.
Eat Meati. Another mushroom product that really goes for the authentic texture and feel of steak is Meati. Almost a bit too real for moi.
The breaded chicken cutlet is my preference- but if you’re a fan of steak give it a go. Most are also gluten free. Unfortunately not cheap, or easy to find.
And finally… Riblets are back! Morningstar Farms is constantly changing their offerings (and their ingredients, much to the dismay of vegans). The elusive Riblets have come and gone from store shelves at least three times I can recall.
Read more about this highly anticipated vegan McRib alternative.
The box contains two riblets, each in a boil or microwave-safe package with barbecue sauce. Quick and easy, and admittedly not for everybody. But I really like the texture and taste. And while it’s been many, many years since I’ve had the real thing, I honestly think they’re better (assuming the word “real” can be used to describe anything from McDonalds).
So. Hopefully that’s helpful for someone. Did I miss one? Let me know what your favorites are in the Comments below.
Thank you so much for posting this. I’ll check them out. I like impossible burger and I like it better in the skillet. I buy the bulk so I can do my own mix-ins. I add Worcestershire sauce (haven’t tried the vegan yet) and red pepper powder of some sort. Then other ingredients if I’m in the mood. I’ve had the impossible burger at Charleston’s and it’s pretty bland. Maybe getting some different sides would help.
You’re welcome!
I’ve also found the Impossible burgers from restaurants pretty meh. I’ll have to give it another try with the bulk pack.
While there probably isn’t anything wrong with moderating meat consumption there are 22 amino acids that are essential to human life that are nearly impossible to attain eating exclusively vegan. To do a life-long vegan diet right you have to know exactly what you are doing. Beyond their role as residues in proteins, amino acids participate in a number of processes such as neurotransmitter transport and biosynthesis. And, no, crickets aren’t going to do it either. Besides, An experimental study involving 75 house cricket farms detected parasites in 244 (81.33%) of the samples among which 30.33 were potentially pathogenic for humans. Edible insects like crickets are an underestimated reservoir of human
parasites. Parasites from edible insects like crickets are able to multiply in humans, which contributes to their survival and also permits serious infections to develop from just a single organism. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. As far as fake meat is concerned, there isn’t reliable data on heath effects but it’s probably generally safe to consume. And, if you’re worried about global warming from farting cows? Don’t be. There is absolutely zero scientific consensus on cataclysmic consequences stemming from climate change. Bottom line: Don’t over consume. Watch your weight. And never feel guilty about eating a juicy steak every once in a while.
Having a Beyond breakfast sausage sandwich right now from your list here. I really like it. Thanks again for the info.
Good, you’re welcome!