This simple vegan ground beef substitute is made with TVP and tastes just like your favorite vegan ground meat. There’s a great way to make your favorite recipes with ground or minced meat that tastes just like the store-bought kind. You can turn any recipe that calls for ground beef into a vegan one. From the best plant-based lasagna to tacos and everything in between, you can use it.
This post contains affiliate links. As Amazon Associates, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Click here to read our full policy about affiliate links.
Today we have so many great vegan ground meat alternatives, like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods. I think that’s really cool. And I love them. As we all know, vegan meat substitutes from the store can get pricey. That’s why I always check to see if I can make something similar at home.
Turns out I can. Easily! I was inspired by someone who once made a comment on our vegan burger recipe. They had wondered how it would be turned into more of a similar texture of ground beef. They wanted to use it in place of ground beef for lasagnas and such. And I thought what a fantastic idea!.
So I gave it a try. I’m glad I did because now I can share this recipe for vegan ground beef with you all! These vegan grounds are the best filler for all your ground meat needs. It’s great for everything because you can season it however you like, just like with ground beef. It’s great for taco meat, shepherd’s pie, vegan bolognese sauce, etc. The only limit is your imagination!.
As more people explore plant-based eating, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) has emerged as a popular meat substitute. With its versatile texture and ability to soak up flavors, TVP can be used to create many typical meat dishes. However, a common question many cooks have is – how can you make TVP taste like beef?
While TVP has a neutral flavor on its own, with the right preparation and seasonings it can closely mimic the savory taste and hearty texture of ground beef. In this article I’ll share my top tips and tricks for transforming TVP into a delicious, beefy plant-based crumble. Keep reading to learn how to make TVP taste just like the real thing!
Why Use TVP as a Beef Substitute?
Made from soy flour, TVP contains plenty of protein and fiber It has a unique texture that replicates ground meat when rehydrated It readily soaks up juices and flavors, making it very versatile. Here are some of the benefits of using TVP instead of beef
- Much lower in fat, cholesterol and calories compared to beef
- Environmentally friendly and sustainable plant-based protein
- Supports animal welfare since it doesn’t require animal slaughter
- Significantly more economical than beef
- Shelf-stable with a long storage life
- Easy to cook and readily available
So if you’re looking for a nutritious, ethical and budget-friendly alternative for recipes that call for ground beef, TVP is a great choice!
Tips for Preparing TVP
To get started here are some key tips for preparing dried TVP before cooking
-
Rehydrate TVP by mixing with equal parts hot vegetable broth instead of plain water. The broth infuses savory flavor into the TVP.
-
Let the TVP soak for 5-10 minutes to fully rehydrate before use. It will take on a texture like cooked ground beef.
-
For extra flavor, try reconstituting in a marinade of broth, soy sauce, spices and herbs before use in recipes.
-
Squeeze out excess moisture from the rehydrated TVP to prevent dishes from getting watery.
-
Sauteing and lightly browning rehydrated TVP enhances its flavor.
Spice and Flavor Combos for Beefy Taste
The key to making TVP taste like beef lies in the seasoning. Here are some of my favorite spice blends and marinades:
-
Smoky: Smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke
-
Tex-Mex: Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic, onion, lime juice
-
Savory: Soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme
-
French Onion: Onion soup mix, garlic powder, thyme
-
Italian: Basil, oregano, parsley, fennel, garlic, red wine vinegar
-
Barbecue: Brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup
Allow the TVP to marinate in the sauce for 30+ minutes to really soak up all that delicious flavor.
Cooking Methods for Beefy Texture
To mimic the texture of crumbled ground beef, here are some cooking methods that work well:
-
Saute: Quickly saute TVP in a hot pan with oil to brown it slightly. The high heat helps recreate the crispy, fried texture of beef.
-
Simmer: Adding rehydrated TVP to stews, chilies and sauces and letting it simmer for 15-20 minutes allows it to absorb all the surrounding flavors. The longer it simmers, the beefier it tastes.
-
Bake: Baking seasoned TVP with a bit of oil at 350°F ensures it gets lightly browned while retaining moisture. Great for tacos or nacho beef.
-
Grill: Skewer seasoned TVP and grill for several minutes on each side to get grill marks and a smoky taste.
-
Stir Fry: Tossing TVP into a hot stir fry near the end quickly fries it for a Chinese beef-style dish.
No matter which cooking method you use, always remember to season the TVP boldly. The spices are key for bringing out that tasty beefiness.
TVP Beef Recipes to Try
Now that you know how to prep and cook it properly, here are some delicious recipes where TVP shines as a beef substitute:
-
TVP veggie chili – Just add TVP to your favorite chili recipe for heartiness.
-
TVP tacos/burritos – Season TVP with taco seasoning for the beef.
-
TVP bolognese sauce – Saute TVP as the base for a rich meaty sauce.
-
TVP meatballs – Mix TVP with eggs, breadcrumbs and herbs for juicy veggie meatballs.
-
TVP stuffed peppers – Fill peppers with highly seasoned TVP for a beefy taste.
-
TVP meatloaf – Yes, you can make a plant-based meatloaf with TVP! Mix with breadcrumbs, eggs, and ketchup.
Where to Buy TVP
Of course the Internet is always an option. Amazon sells a popular brand of TVP from Anthony’s Goods.
But it’s becoming increasingly popular and more easily available. You can probably find TVP from Bob’s Red Mill in your local grocery stores or health food stores.
Yes, TVP is a naturally gluten free product. Bob’s Red Mill is proud to say that their TVP is made and packed in a separate gluten-free facility, so you don’t have to worry about gluten getting into their other products. And it’s a great source of protein as well!.
How to Use Plant Based Ground Beef
You can turn all of your favorite recipes that call for ground beef into vegan ones. For example, you can use it to make potstickers, meat pies, stuffed peppers, casseroles, and lasagna.
Vegan Ground Beef | High-Protein Recipe
FAQ
How do you convert TVP to ground beef?
Does TVP taste like ground beef?
How to make TVP taste good?
How do you make TVP taco meat?
TVP doesn’t taste like anything on its own so this recipe for TVP taco meat uses lots of flavor. Start by sautéing onions and garlic with some oil. Oil adds much needed fat (flavor) to this recipe. Then simply toss in taco seasoning, TVP and veggie broth.
How do you cook TVP?
Take a heat-resisting bowl or saucepan and soak TVP* in the hot veggie broth for 10 minutes. When the time is up, squeeze the liquid out. As a result, you need to have moist, soft “minced meat” like in the below photo. While you wait for the TVP to get ready, peel and chop onion and garlic.
Is TVP a meat substitute?
TVP, short for textured vegetable protein, is a nutrition soy product often used as a meat substitute. The texture makes it a great alternative for ground meat in many recipes. It is made from a defatted soy flour mixture and dehydrated. You may also hear this ingredient referred to as soy meat or textured soy protein.
Can you make vegan ground beef with TVP?
This Vegan Ground Beef is made with TVP! It’s quick, easy and cheap, and best of all totally DELICIOUS and versatile! A while back I made some Tofu Ground Beef as an alternative to pricier store-bought vegan ground beef. It’s a great recipe and one of my most popular.