How do you replace Meat

Thanks for posting this question.. so interested in replacing meat.. i started this week and im consuming soy based products.

Morningstar Farms crumbles for ground beef. Their "sausage" patties are really good too.

That's what I was gonna say!

My point about not trying to "relace meat" is thatt I think some people eat those substitutes and say "i could never be vegetarian because fake meat isn't good"..... which is missing the point really, there are so many fantastic meals that taste great but don't happen to have meat in them.

Yes, good point.

Any meat substitutes on the shelf are processed food-like products, and probably no better for you than the meat. But there is no need to just eat rice and salads. Beans make a good meat substitute, and some dishes are good just made with no meat, and no substitute. And everybody loves fruit!!! Fruit can even be a meat substitute in some dishes. Try fajitas with mangoes cut into strips instead of meat for some awesome deliciousness.

I am looking for replacements for the following:

Chicken Breast
Sausage
Turkey Grounded
Beef Grounded

I know you can't completely replace these things but am looking for alternatives so I can make the same meals but with something that isn't meat. Trying to switch over to vegetarianism but I will not eat salads and rice all the time. (Of course, I'm new to this.)

For chicken breast I eat gardein scallopini, sausage I use tofurky sausage, ground meats I use yves ground or TVP (textured vegetable protein)

There are plenty of substitutes out there, crumbled chopped or sliced tofu can "mimic" many different meats.

There are some great ideas in here. I can't wait to try them all.

Morningstar Farms crumbles for ground beef. Their "sausage" patties are really good too.

Hooray for GMOs!

I am looking for replacements for the following:

Chicken Breast
Sausage
Turkey Grounded
Beef Grounded

I know you can't completely replace these things but am looking for alternatives so I can make the same meals but with something that isn't meat. Trying to switch over to vegetarianism but I will not eat salads and rice all the time. (Of course, I'm new to this.)

Tofu

Quorn scares me. It seems to be completely processed and man-made. Nothing natural bout it from what I can tell. Even though it is yummy, I think we're better off eating more naturally sourced food and saving Quorn for special occasions (if ever)

I've been hearing about a product called "Quorn". Apparently its a soy based product. Read about it here http://www.quorn.com.au/Home/

Quorn is actually made from mushroom/fungi protein! It is delicious but expensive.

Just look in your grocer's frozen section-- there are many brands of frozen meat substitutes in crumbles or balls or patties. I love artichoke burgers!

Black Beans
Lentils
Quinoa
Nuts
Eggs


All great alternatives to meat. Truthfully, if you're going to rely on processed meat replacements you would be better off sticking to lean organic meat. Less processed, more nutritious. Of course, I don't know your motives for going veggie. If you're switching for health reasons, it's something to consider.

I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to be a vegetarian and then spend their time trying to find something that is like meat. If you are going to be a vegetarian, eat vegetables. Learn to love them for what they are. If not, stop wishing you were eating meat, and just eat the meat already.

Just my little ever so humble opinion.

Also, if you are looking for a fantastic cookbook that follows the above philosophy check out the Fields of Greens cookbook. Amazing recipes in there.

I am a vegan also but I don't eat soy either, well....very very rarely, liquid a tsp of Bragg Liquid Aminos fermented non-GMO soy as flavor for some dishes.) I think a lot of vegans way overdo the soy. Especially if it is not 100% organic soy (GMO!)

Some staples at my house (all organic so no GMO)

ezekiel sprouted corn tortillas
black beans
white cannelini beans
pinto beans
village harvest brown organic rice (great price on Amazon)
organic raw almonds
walnuts
cashews
oatmeal (rolled oats or steel cut)
quinoa
produce (LOTS!! If you join a CSA you can have organic local farm veggies delivered right to/near you in bulk)
daiya "cheese" (no soy or dairy and melts well for homemade pizza or things like stuffed mushrooms)
Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast - Large flake (1/4 cup of this is 113% of daily b12 requirement)
almond milk
Navita's Natural raw cacao powder (lots of fiber, protein, iron, antioxidants, best price amazon in double pack)
Bob's Red Mill Ground Flax Seed (great egg replacer for recipes like pancakes, etc.)


My favorite breakfast:
1 organic apple cut up (80 cal)
1/2 oats (160 cal)
1/8 cup chopped walnuts (100 cal)
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (60 cal)
1/2 tablespoon 100% organic real maple syrup grade b (25 cal)

Lots of protein and fiber and keeps you full for hours!

Fave lunch:
1/2 cup white cannelini beans
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (kind of makes it seem 'cheesy')
veggies galore (2 zucchini, onion, garlic, jalepeno or red hot chili pepper, mushrooms, tomato, etc)
(22 protein!)

or
2 ezekiel sprouted corn tortillas
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 avocado
topped high with homemade salsa (roma tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, serrano pepper)
(homemade sriracha is really good too, I love spicy stuff though!)

or

1/2 avocado (diced up)
1 organic small navel orange (peeled and up up into chunks)
1/4 cup quinoa cooked in 1/2 cup organic low sodium veggie broth
red pepper (flakes are ok)
(add avocado and orange after cooking quinoa and putting on a place, good to eat totally cooled too, like packing for work lunch. Sounds weird but it's really good, kind of sweet and savory but the avo and orange totally makes the dish!)

Fave dinners:
black bean and sweet potato enchiladas in either whole wheat or ezekiel corn tortilla (black bean, sweet potato, onion on the inside) cooked with some green chili sauce (homemade or store bought) + avocado cilantro "sauce" on top. SO good. Original ecipe here, I modify for calories and I try not to eat a lot of gluten: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/05/04/vegan-enchiladas-with-cilantro-avocado-cream-sauce-2/

That sauce is to die for yummy though!

Another fave is to do the same as above but to stuff the corn tortillas with black beans, spinach, and mushrooms. YUM!

Tonight I made homemade pizza, whole wheat dough crust + layer of shredded zucchini, nutritional yeast (for b12), tomato sauce, garlic, onion, mushroom, grape tomatoes, olives, and some daiya "cheese."

For FAST dinners I do whole wheat pasta with a vegan tomato or red pepper sauce (trader joes or Fresh and Easy has some organic ones for $2.99) with a side of steamed green beans or asparagus.

Another fast one is Udon noodles (hakubaku organic are my fave, wheat) cook in FOUR minutes. I steam a bunch of veggies (zucchini, carrots, spinach, whatever you like) + cashews on the side with a bit of coconut oil and some Braggs liquid amino (it is soy though, fermented though and non-GMO but you could also use a homemade sriracha if you like spicy)

A good snack:
2.5 tablespoons organic raw cacao powder
8 oz almond milk
1 medjool date (to sweeten, cut the pit out first)
5 almonds
chuck all in blender with handful of ice....yum! Only 210 cal too and lots of protein and fiber and 13%+ daily iron.

Hummus is another great snack....or guacamole....with some organic corn chips (I like the Fiesta Mix ones from Fresh and Easy, still has 140 cal per serving though.)

This week I am going to try to make a "mole" sauce with my raw cacao powder and some ancho chiles. There are TONS of awesome websites with ideas. If you put in vegan + whatever you are looking for.....tons of options. HTH!

Just use BACON.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I'm currently 'transitioning' as it were, and this thread has been brilliantly informative! Thank you for the great website links and Desiree, the great meal suggestions! I am adding new ingredients to my big 'vegetarian' shopping list every day and feel confident that I can make this work for me.

I'm not against eating meat, but I am against eating what this country passes off as meat. If I could find some TRULY organic meat then that would be fine, but often, even what is labelled as organic and sold at a premium, is filled with just as much crap as the non-organic. I'm going to be a lazy researcher and not post any evidence to back this up, but it's enough for me to stop wanting to eat it. The chickens on my Granddad's farm however...