A Complete Guide To Plant-Based Meats
The Different Types Of Plant-Based Meats
Tempeh
Tempeh is a soy product made from fermented soybeans. However, it’s made in a unique way that makes it firmer than tofu and that gives it a nutty flavor and grainy texture. Tempeh is good for mimicking fish products, so consider battering and frying some for taco night.
Tempeh is one of the less processed options. And because it already has a firm consistency and shape, it can also be great for making faux chicken nuggets or chicken tenders.
Textured Soy or Pea Protein
This is what you’re going to find in most plant-based burger patties, sausages, ground beef and other products that really look, feel and taste like meat. It’s what you see in major brands today like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
Beyond Meat uses pea protein, making it good for those with soy allergies. However, the Impossible Foods meat is made from soy protein.
Seitan
Seitan is made from pure wheat gluten. It was a popular main ingredient in many faux meat products until some companies like Beyond Burger, recognized the need for a wheat-free product for those with gluten allergies.
Seitan is good for mimicking marinated meat, so think pulled pork sandwiches or tri-tip tacos. It is often also found in plant-based meatloaf.
Tofurky
Tofurkey is, as its name suggests, made with tofu, but it’s created with binders that give it its firm, loaf-like consistency. You’ll find wheat gluten in most Tofurkey products as well. Tofurkey is commonly found in faux whole turkeys for Thanksgiving, turkey burgers and turkey sausages.
Walnut-Based Faux Beef
This variety of faux meat isn’t often found in stores, but home chefs have taken a liking to it. Making this type of burger typically involves a combination of ground up walnuts, rolled oats and beets, along with seasonings of your choice. Those three main ingredients form a crumbly, nutty texture that resembles ground beef, and the beet adds good moisture, plus a meat-like color. This is one of the least-processed options.