Hormel is an old American company famous for their meat products such as spam, bacon, turkey, and ham. Even the oldest and biggest meat companies are realizing the demand for plant-based meat alternatives, especially after the success of vegan brands Impossible and Beyond Meat. Now plant-based and vegan meat products are being launched from unexpected companies like Tyson Foods and Nestle. Hormel is looking to join them in the plant-based meat sector.

Hormel is launching a line of plant-based meat alternatives called Happy Little Plants. The flagship product is an alternative to ground meat made with non-GMO soy protein. It’s chock full of protein at 20 grams, only 180 calories, and doesn’t have any preservatives, cholesterol. It’s even gluten-free.

Upcoming products in the plant-based line include Italian sausage, breakfast links, and bratwursts. Hormel’s Jim Splinter says the products are not trying to replicate the exact taste of meat, simply to be an alternative. He says they are just looking to give consumers looking to add more plants to their diet more choices. He says, “We found it does not need to taste exactly like meat so long as it is meeting the consumers’ culinary needs and packed with protein.”

Splinter also claims that because they aren’t trying to exactly replicate meat, their line has fewer ingredients and less fat than competitors while still having complete protein.

Happy Little Plants will be available at Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest this week at $8.99 per pound.

Make Your Own Plant-Based “Meat”

It’s great to see more plant-based options available in stores for consumers to make better choices, but still prefer to make food yourself from scratch? Try these recipes from the Food Monster App.

1. Cauliflower and Walnut Ground ‘Meat’ 

Source: Cauliflower and Walnut Ground ‘Meat’

This Cauliflower and Walnut Ground ‘Meat’ by Anja Cass is a 100 percent plant-based vegan meat substitute that you can use as taco meat, pizza topping, in Bolognese sauce, in lasagna, and many more recipes. If you are looking for a great mince meat alternative that doesn’t rely on vital wheat gluten or soy crumbles, then this tasty cauliflower and walnut mixture is perfect. Because it’s vegan, it’s also cholesterol free – this is the ultimate in healthy cooking that tastes amazing!

2. Homemade Chorizo Crumble

Source: Homemade Chorizo Crumble

The recipe for Homemade Chorizo Crumble by Dora Stone may take a little bit of time, but perfection is worth it. This chorizo is spicy and crumbly, with tons of umami flavor, notes of clove and coriander. Once ready, serve it with rice and beans, in tacos, or however you see fit.

3. Tempeh Mushroom Walnut Crumbles

Source: Tempeh Mushroom Walnut Crumbles

This Tempeh Mushroom Walnut Crumble mixture by Hailee Repko is a super versatile plant-based protein option to keep around. Top salads with it, mix it into soups, serve it with a side of rice, or toss it in a stir-fry. It’s protein-packed, salty-sweet, and extremely easy to make.

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!

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