Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is plant-based ground beef made of? ›

It depends on the brand, but most plant-based meats are made from pea or soy protein, a type of fat, and some sort of binder, but they may also contain natural and artificial flavors to make the product taste more like meat.

Plant-based meat cooked to medium-rare (125 degrees) is mushy and pasty. On the flip side, cooking plant-based meat until well done (160 degrees) yields meat with an unpleasantly bouncy, chewy texture. We found medium doneness (130 to 135 degrees) to be the sweet spot for tender, juicy meat.

To replace 1 lb of ground meat: use 1/3 lb of TVP and 1 1/3 cups of boiling water or broth. Place dry TVP in a bowl and pour boiling water or broth over the granules. Stir and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Soy protein concentrate and pea protein are common ingredients used to mimic the true taste and texture of real meat. Editor's note: Some plant-based meat options, notably Impossible Foods products, contain GMO soy.

Some plants also have heme; and in plants it is carried by the protein leghemoglobin, which is closely related to myoglobin (Impossible Foods, 2018). Using this heme protein in the burger patty, allows it to better mimic the taste of an animal meat burger.

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.

New research shows that although plant-based meat products are generally healthier than meat equivalents, they can be higher in sugar and are often lacking important nutrients found in real meat.

According to data from the Good Food Institute, plant-based meat is still two to four times as expensive as traditional meat. With inflation cutting into people's paychecks, paying double for a similar experience is not an ideal choice for omnivores.

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.

Is seitan good or bad for you? ›

Is Seitan Healthy? In many ways, yes, seitan is quite a healthy option. The seitan nutrition facts are hard to argue with: notable amounts of protein, iron, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. This combination of macro- and micronutrients can result in some pretty impressive health benefits.

Textured vegetable protein alone is pretty bland—which is one of the beauties of it. Because TVP absorbs the flavors in the liquid used to cook it in, it's incredibly easy to dress up the taste. Most commonly used as mock meat, TVP can be seasoned to resemble chicken, bacon, sausage, beef and so much more.

Items like beans, tofu, and textured vegetable protein can be used to replace meat in almost any dish and they cost less than meat. Beans and legumes are great in soups, burritos, and casseroles. Tofu works well in chilies, stir-frys, soups, or even when made into burgers.

To rehydrate your TVP, pour boiling water or broth over the desired amount and let it soak for 5-10 minutes, or until it's reached the desired texture. Because textured vegetable protein is quite bland on its own, we recommend rehydrating it with a broth to boost its flavor before combining it with a meal.

New research shows that although plant-based meat products are generally healthier than meat equivalents, they can be higher in sugar and are often lacking important nutrients found in real meat.

Interestingly, the plant based burgers may not be the best choice for people following a heart-healthy diet, as they are higher in saturated fat than turkey burgers and contain substantially more sodium than lean beef burgers.