Whether you want to cut down on your meat consumption or cut meat out entirely, you can make plant-based meals that mimic the taste and texture of many meat dishes.

Try making one of these recipes for a meaty taste and texture. They’re good options for transitioning your taste buds to vegetarianism or veganism.

1. Seitan and Mushroom Bourguignon

Porcini mushrooms and Life Smart Bacon give this rich dish a meaty texture. Make this when you want to impress someone, and pair it with the suggested Boxer wine.

Get the recipe here  or click on the image below.

2. Vegan Sloppy Joes

Get the taste and texture of sloppy joes in this vegan take, using tempeh. Getting the protein content of meat is easy with tempeh, a fermented soybean product. One cup provides a whopping 31 grams of protein, one of the highest among plant sources.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below

3. Pineapple Jack BBQ sandwiches

This BBQ sauce is sweet and tangy because of the drained crushed pineapple and Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. The author says the recipe makes enough sauce for 1 pound of seitan, tofu, tempeh, or 6 large portobello mushrooms

Get the recipe here  or click on the image below.

4. Lentil Loaf

Lentils provide 18 grams of protein per cup and are a good, healthy food to eat regularly on a vegan diet. Other ingredients include onion, flax seed, and olive oil. Top with BBQ sauce or ketchup.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

5. Vegan Bolognese Sauce

If you miss spaghetti and meat sauce, look no further than this vegan recipe, which includes mushrooms, lentils, and tempeh. All three give a meaty texture, and when combined, you might be 100 percent fooled it’s a fake take.

Get the recipe here  or click on the image below.

6. The Vegan Gutbuster Sandwich

The name is inspired by a 3/4-pound pizza slice the author used to gorge on in college. Don’t think about buying fake meat; this recipe shows you how to make vegan Italian sausage from scratch, as well as the “gut buster” inside fillings.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

7. Homemade, Veggie-Full Ground “Meat”

Instead of buying a packaged meat alternative, try making your own faux ground beef out of plant foods like walnuts, cauliflower, and olive oil. The recipe calls for soy sauce, but you can omit for a soy-free “fake meat” to put in lasagna.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

8. Reuben Burger

Complete with sauerkraut, this Rueben Burger is meaty and hearty. The recipe calls for a blend of eight spices on the patty for one kicked-up sandwich. The burger patty itself is made with texturized vegetable protein, vital wheat gluten, onion dill pickle juice, and tomato paste.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

9. Vegan Tofu “Scallops”

Are you a pescetarian who wants to go full-out vegetarian? This recipe mimics seafood. The “scallops” are made with tofu, tamari, and vegetable broth. Serve over pasta or in a scampi to help you stop eating fish.  

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

10. Vegan Spinach  “Chicken” Curry

This chicken alternative has a high protein content and fewer calories than real chicken. Try this if you love Indian curries made with chicken.

Get the recipe here or click on the image below.

 

Lead image: Vegan Philly Cheezsteak Sandwich