Vegan meat alternatives are a great way to cut down on meat consumption while still enjoying the familiar flavors that we love. While it’s totally possible to cook and season fresh vegetables and fruits to taste meaty, nowadays there are also tons of readymade products that come in familiar meat form and make your life easier in the kitchen. Some people may stay away from tofu and certain other products because they contain soy, but did you know that there are plenty of meat alternatives out there that are completely soy-free? It’s true. It’s all just a matter of research. There are soy-free seitan sausages, veggie-centric burger patties, “ground beef” crumbles made from pea protein and even bacon bits made from beans! These products have all of the meaty flavor you crave, without any actual meat, and without any soy! But we’ll let the products speak for themselves – here are 12 soy-free and vegan meat alternatives we think you should check out.
Hilary's Root Veggie Burger
Hilary’s Root Veggie Burgers are perfect for people who, in addition to meat and dairy, are looking to cut soy out of their diets. They’re made from millet grains and, as you would assume, a bunch of root veggies, including turnips, beets, and sweet potatoes. These burgers are also nut-free, gluten-free, and corn-free, making Hilary’s an ideal patty for people of several different diet types. Reviewers are saying that these burgers make it easy to eat veggies, have a wonderful flavor, and “exceed expectations.” To see if you feel the same, you can get this 12-package order (two patties per package) for about $50.
Neat Foods Breakfast Mix
Neat Foods Breakfast Mix is a gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO meat alternative that is made with pecans, chickpeas, whole grain oats, organic maple sugar, garlic, sea salt, and spices. Each 1/3 cup serving size of this product is 200 calories and provides five grams of protein. Unlike some other meat alternatives, however, this product does not come pre-shaped. Instead, it is a ground beef-type crumble that you mix with an egg replacer and shape into sausage links, patties, or whatever other shape you desire. Reviewers are saying that this mix has a great flavor, is made with wholesome ingredients, works well in sausage form, and is equally good in crumble form for tossing in tofu scrambles or quiches. You can get one 5.5-ounce package for about $5.
Sunshine Burgers Falafel Burgers
Aren’t food fusions wonderful? They’re unique, flavorful, and let you enjoy two cuisines at the same time. Sunshine Burger Falafel Burgers are the perfect example. They’re made with brown rice, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, and yellow split peas, and are given their authentic Mediterranean flavor with tahini, cumin, parsley, and sea salt. Each patty provides nine grams of protein, seven grams of fiber, 20 percent of your daily iron, and 30 percent of your daily magnesium. Reviewers are saying that this burger is tasty and made from good quality ingredients. This bulk purchase for 12 boxes comes out to a little over $2.00 per burger.
Field Roast Apple Sage Sausage
Field Roast Apple Sage Sausage is an artisan vegan sausage made with water, wheat gluten, pressed safflower oil, eggplant, onions, yeast extract, red wine, garlic, barley malt, onion powder, dried red pepper, fennel seed, granulated garlic sea salt, and spices. Each serving (one sausage) is 240 calories and provides 26 grams of protein, three grams of fiber, and 10 percent of your daily iron. Reviewers are raving about these sausages, commenting that the flavor is “incredible” and “bursting with umami,” that they are very hearty, and that they work for a variety of different cuisines. You can get a pack of 12 cases (48 sausages in total) for about $72, that’s $6 per package.
Pacific Foods Italian Herb Seitan
Want to add a little protein to your bowl of spaghetti? Check out Pacific Foods Italian Herb Seitan. This product goes beyond vital wheat gluten, and includes sprouted lentils and red beans, as well. It also has a slight zest to it due to the inclusion of garlic and cayenne pepper. It is soy-free, organic, and yeast-free and each serving has 15 grams of protein. You can get two 12 ounce packages (eight three-ounce servings) for $57. A bit expensive, but if you don’t have these in your local store, it might be worth it.
Tandoor Chef's Vegetable Masala Burgers
Tandoor Chef’s Vegetable Masala Burgers are basically the Indian spices you love swirled into a soft, potato-y patty. Specifically, this soy-free burger is made with potatoes, canola oil, carrots, green beans, water, bread crumbs, bell peppers, corn, turmeric, ginger, and mustard seeds. They’re not too high in the protein department at two grams per patty, but the variety of vegetables is something worth noting. Reviewers are saying that these burgers are flavorful but not spicy, filling, and a nice change to the typical veggie burger. You can get a pack of 12 boxes (four patties per box) for about $33.
Beyond Meat Feisty Crumbles
Who would’ve thought you could take a vegetable like peas and turn them into a beefy, meat-like crumble? Beyond Meat Feisty Crumbles takes the power of peas and transform them into a savory product that, according to reviews, tastes and feels just like ground beef! Each serving (1/2 cup) has 13 grams of protein, three grams of fiber, and just 120 calories. It’s also gluten and soy free. Reviewers have been using this product in tacos, pasta sauce, chili, and Shepherd’s pie. You can get eight 11-ounce bags for about $46.
Native Forest Organic Young Jackfruit
Young jackfruit, a tree fruit native to Asia, has a fleshy interior with a mild flavor. Its meaty texture that is remarkably similar to pulled pork and shredded chicken makes it the perfect alternative that is soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. Native Forest Organic Young Jackfruit is a product with simply three ingredients: organic young jackfruit, water, sea salt, organic lime juice. As reviewers have pointed out, Native Forest does not use a syrup to submerge the jackfruit like some other companies, and as a result, the sodium levels remain low. Reviewers are saying that this jackfruit is very tasty, is extremely versatile and can be seasoned in all sorts of different ways in accordance with the recipe you’re cooking. Reviewers have also shared that it’s not very easy to find this product in stores. You can get a pack of six 14-ounce cans for about $16.
Dr. Praeger's Super Greens Burger
While some veggie burgers try to emulate meat, others embrace the delicious flavor of veggies. Dr. Praeger’s Super Greens Burger is a prime example of this. The patties are made of six “super greens”: kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, turnip greens, spinach, and collard greens, as well as cooked quinoa, potato flakes, arrowroot powder, cooked teff, hemp protein, and spices. Reviewers are saying that these burgers are yummy, easy-to-make, and “perfect for someone who wants their vegetables.” You can get a pack of 12 boxes (four patties per box) for about $80 – that’s about $6.50 per box.
Elianni Organic Veggie Roll
Elianni Organic Veggie Roll is a gluten-free and kosher veggie sausage made with peanuts, filtered water, mushrooms, onions, non-hydrogenated sunflower oil, potato starch, carob powder, sea salt, yeast extract, paprika, thyme, nutmeg, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. This is a thick and dense roll that is meant to be sliced. Each serving (three 1/4-inch slices) is 130 calories and provides six grams of protein, five grams of fiber, and some essential vitamins. Reviewers are saying that this sausage is hearty, delicious (especially if you’re a mushroom fan), and can be used as a replacement for burger patties in addition to sausage. You can get one 14-ounce package for $7.
Field Roast Lentil Sage Deli Slices
Looking for a healthier alternative to cold cuts? Check out Field Roast Lentil Sage Deli Slices. Instead of meat, these slices are made primarily from water, vital wheat gluten, and expeller pressed safflower oil, and then seasoned with garlic, onion power, sea salt, carrots, and lentils. Reviewers have had successful results using it in cold sandwiches, as well as warm panini sandwiches. To try something new in your sandwich, you can get one 5.5-ounce package for about $3.
Cool Foods Vegi Bacon Bits and Dips
Do you sometimes crave bacon even though you’re looking to keep meat off of your plate? Maybe you miss bacon bits on top of your salad, baked potato, or soup. If this sounds like you, consider checking out Cool Foods Vegi Bacon Bits and Dips. These shelf-stable bacon bits are soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. They are made with six ingredients: pinto beans, sunflower oil, salt, yeast extract, natural flavors, and vitamin E. Reviewers are saying that these plant-based bacon bits are “basically delicious on anything and everything,” have a very clean ingredient profile, and “taste just like bacon.” To see if you feel the same, you can get one three-ounce bag for $6.25.
Lead image source: Tandoori Masala Black Bean Cheeseburgers
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Jill Stein: Create local, sustainable, organic, plant-based food system
For the first time in history, the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) is establishing an animal-rights committee to help bring animal issues to the national political stage. In a vote of 67-14, the GPUS National Committee passed a proposition authorizing the historic animal welfare agency that will serve to inform and advise Green Party candidates and officeholders on animal issues. “Animals have inadequate protection by local, state, and federal law,” the proposition detailed.
While the independent political party does not make any formal mention of veganism in its doctrine–unlike that of the Humane Party–its platform has a focus on “peace and non-violence, ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, and social justice.” Its 2016 presidential candidate Jill Stein has spoken out in favor of a “Green New Deal” that would include creating a “local, sustainable, organic” food system that promotes “wonderful and nourishing plant-based foods.”
#jillstein #vegan #vegetarian #greenparty #plantbased
Meling Balloo
we’ll have to check which one we prefer! then we can order babe :D
Definitely