In this vegan meat brands review, we present you some of the most popular vegan meat substitutes to give you as many options as possible for beef, pork, chicken, turkey, etc. and shows consumer ratings while discussing taste, texture, quality, nutrition, and a few dishes you can try them with.

They are either non-processed whole foods or processed plant-based faux meat. We will show you what goes into processed vegan meat substitutes so that you know in advance what you’re buying. Some of these products may contain soy and gluten while others don’t.

If you’re not one of those rare vegans who never liked meat or never eaten meat before then these cruelty-free, eco-friendly plant-based vegan meat substitutes are ideal when you crave for something vegan and meaty!

These meat substitutes can also come in handy when you’re looking to add some variety to your diet and when your loved ones or guests need a special treat. Such treats can show your non-vegan friends the kind of variations vegan menus can have.

Scroll down to be amazed by more than 40 vegan meat substitutes!

Note:

Since these are substitutes for regular meat products, we may have compared vegan meat to its meat counterparts from the faintish memories we have when we were omnis. Our intention was to be as detailed as possible (since some vegan meat products produced to resemble the taste of certain types of meat) but never to glorify meat in any shape or form.

Mushroom Brands Review

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Native Forest Organic Sliced Crimini Mushrooms Review

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (from 85 consumer ratings)

Crimini mushrooms also known as cremini, baby bella or Italian mushroom are coming from the same family of button mushrooms, thus making it a good substitute for button mushrooms. We feel crimini mushrooms provide something from both worlds of white button mushrooms and portobello mushroom to a degree as it’s in the middle state of maturity between the aforementioned varieties.

Native Forest Organic Sliced Crimini Mushrooms are made in USA and it is certified organic, kosher certified and gluten-free. There is nothing to be done on your part as it is ready to be served. You can drain and rinse the mushrooms to get rid of sodium.

Unlike in some canned foods, there was no metal taste in these mushrooms. They are delicious with nice fresh taste and add wonderful flavor to any recipe you might make with them.

The great thing about this product is its convenience in adding them to recipes. These tender and delicious mushrooms will be a lovely addition to soups, pizzas, stir-fries, pasta, stews, salads, sauces or any other recipe you see fit.

Ingredients: organic crimini mushrooms, water, sea salt

Other Mushroom Brands:

a) Roland Whole Mushrooms

b) Giorgio Organic Sliced Mushrooms

c) Mushroom House Dried Oyster Mushrooms

Jackfruit Meat Substitutes Review

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Aroy-D Young Green Jackfruit in Brine Review

 

Rating: 7.9/10 (from 123 ratings)

Manufactured in Thailand by Thai Agri Food Plc, it is no surprise as Thailand is one of the biggest producers of this largest tree-borne fruit. Don’t be fooled that it’s called a ‘fruit’ as this is one of the most versatile foods whether you want to make it like pulled pork, meaty savory curries, tacos, tortillas, vegan BBQ or consume as a sweet juicy fruit (ripened jackfruit).

Thai Agri Food Plc is a well-known manufacturer supplying food over 3 decades and has many quality standards in place (BRC, ISO, and UKAS) to ensure product quality.

The thing we like about jackfruit is, it doesn’t have any major taste of its own, but you can make jackfruit, the jack of all taste by seasoning it or mixing it with whatever you want as it absorbs other flavors really well. Considering the amount of work you have to do if you were to prepare it from a whole jackfruit, this is a breeze, preparing it so easily straight out of the can.

We recommend rinsing it well before using it. It took about 10 minutes to cook up and make jackfruit pulled pork. We added onions, green peppers, garlic and BBQ sauce and it tasted great! We love what a meaty* feeling you can get out of it and how it leaves you feeling full and satisfied!

In terms of nutrition only 40 calories per serving, so certainly no weight gain there while providing fiber, iron, potassium, carbs, vitamin B-6, magnesium and a bit of calcium & protein making it a healthy vegan meat alternative. No cholesterol, trans fat, GMO*, soy, and gluten. To compensate for the lack of protein you can consider combining it with protein-rich beans or nuts.

Ingredients: young green jackfruit (50 percent), water, salt, and citric acid (e330).

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Essentials Organic Jackfruit in Salted Water Review

Ratings: 9.4/10 (from 17 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

Again another Jack of all taste which we highly recommend! It is a fantastic organic meat alternative without being a processed faux meat substitute. Whether you want it like pulled pork, with pasta, wraps, tacos, burritos, and buns or any other recipe you fancy, this will do the job.

Essential Trading is one of the largest worker co-operatives in the UK, owned and operated entirely by its workers. With a particular interest in provenance and sustainability, they collaborate with producers out there to ensure all of the foods they pack are pure, healthy, and ethically sourced and grown organically by farmers in Sri Lanka.

Provides 86 calories per serving (100g), fiber, iron, potassium, carbs, vitamin B-6, magnesium and a bit of calcium & protein making it a healthy vegan meat alternative. Further, it is free of cholesterol, trans fat, GMO*, soy, and gluten. To compensate for the lack of protein you can consider combining it with protein-rich beans or nuts.

INGREDIENTS: young jackfruit (organic), water, sea salt, lime juice (organic).

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Tofu Brands Review

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Before getting into this vegan staple it’s always good to know its varieties and relevant uses. Though there can be more varieties, to simplify things there are four main varieties: soft, firm, extra firm which are regular tofu and then you have silken.

Silken tofu has a texture, well as the name says, smooth as silk like fine custard. It is undrained, unpressed and has the highest water content. All silken tofu is more delicate than regular firm tofu. Silken tofu works well in creamy and blended foods like smoothies, desserts, puddings, salad dressings, sauces, and dips. It can also be used as an egg substitute in baking.

Regular tofu, on the other hand, is pressed and has somewhat of a spongy texture. Tofu is dense and spongy and you can sometimes see a lightly imprinted pattern on its surface from the cloth used to press it. It can be sold as soft, medium, firm, or extra-firm, but these are quite sturdy.

The regular soft is a little more compact than silken but is softer compared to it’s firmer versions. Regular soft tofu easily soaks up the flavors of sauces and broths, thus it is often used in noodle soups and stews. Using it, you can make delicious spreads, or ‘scrambled’ tofu, a vegan take on scrambled eggs. If you pan-fry or deep-fry regular soft tofu it is likely to crumble.

Firm tofu is the most widely available and most versatile of the tofu types. Firm tofu doesn’t crumble, absorbs flavors well and can be used as a close substitute for cheese as well. It can also be fried in many ways as well, use in stews, filling or make spreads

Extra-firm tofu has less water than firm tofu, but the culinary possibilities of firm and extra-firm are almost the same, though extra-firm tofu doesn’t absorb marinades as well. On the other hand, extra-firm is much easier to fry. Firm or extra firm, it is best used in tofu stir-fry recipes, baking or any dish where you will want the tofu to retain its shape.

Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, Extra Firm Review

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 88 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Do note that this is silken tofu and not regular tofu. Mori-Nu silken tofu is made in USA with Non-GMO* soy manufactured by Pacific Nutritional Foods, Inc. (PNF), a subsidiary of Morinaga Nutritional Foods which supplies products since 1972.

We tested the extra firm version. It is firm enough to stir-fry, sautéing, and baking. The texture is, of course, silken and has a nice consistency, yet stays firm when cooking. You may use it for thicker sauces, soups, salads as well as entrées. It goes well with spices and very filling as silken extra firm comes with higher protein content.

Mori-Nu silken tofu is certified gluten-free, Non-GMO* Project verified and no preservatives added. Since it is packed in aseptic packaging (protects from bacteria, light and air without the use of preservatives which can last a year), it does not have to be refrigerated until it is opened. This allows you to store a few leaving more space in your refrigerator. Packaging is totally reliable as once it is opened, it tastes almost as good as fresh tofu.

Tofu is a great source of protein, and provides 50 calories per serving, calcium, iron, carbs and is low fat (heart healthy) with no cholesterol, and trans fat.

Ingredients: water, soybeans, isolated soy protein, gluconolactone (a non-dairy coagulant derived from food starch), calcium chloride.

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Other Tofu Varieties

a) Mori-Nu Organic Silken Tofu, Firm

b) Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, Soft

Clearspot Organic Tofu

TheVeganKind  (delivery: UK & international)

Tempeh Brands Review

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Tempeh Starter Culture Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 56 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Tempeh is a fermented vegan protein food (like blue cheese) originated in Indonesia and considered one of the healthiest vegan meat substitutes. Again like tofu, tempeh absorbs any seasoning or marination well, proving versatility.

This DIY tempeh is made in USA which comes with easy directions to make your own homemade healthy tempeh and it is Non-GMO* and gluten-free. This is only the tempeh starter, so it does not include the soybeans and you have to purchase the soybeans separately.

Once the tempeh was made it had a much firmer texture than tofu yet tender enough to easily cut into pieces of bean cakes. Everything tastes better when it’s fresh and what more can be better than a homemade tempeh? It has a nice earthy and nutty taste to it and a trace of rich mushroom-like flavor.

We thought it will make a nice vegan bbq or a bacon imitation. You can bake, sauté, grill or steam to make a great meat alternative. It will go well with soups, salads or sandwiches. If you’re using it as a vegan bbq or a bacon imitation you may use bbq sauce to enhance its flavor.

Tempeh is rich in protein, potassium, carbohydrate, iron, vitamin B-6, magnesium and promotes healthy digestion. We do not recommend as a reliable source of vitamin B12 due to our doubts on its bioavailability and fulfillment of RDI†. Further, tempeh is free of cholesterol, MSG‡, preservative, GMO* and gluten.

Ingredients: rice, soy beans, rhizopus oryzae culture.

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

† Recommended Daily Intake

‡ Monosodium glutamate

Tofurky Smoked Maple Bacon Tempeh Review

Rating: 4 out of 5 (from 29 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind  (delivery: UK & international)

Made in USA by Tofurky which provides plant-based food products since 1980. Many turkeys would be grateful for this company for revolutionizing the Thanksgiving dinner table setting a new cruelty-free trend. Tofurky is a member of Plant-Based Foods Association.

So we pan fried just like regular bacon. It kind of tastes like bacon* while still being tempeh at heart, so to speak. It was crispy just like how you would expect from regular bacon* to be and has the smoky, savory, and salty flavor to it. The pieces with more searing certainly tasted much closer to bacon. You may use BBQ sauce to enhance its bacon flavor as well.

While it has done a fairly good job of trying to mimic bacon, we appreciated it more as another tempeh variety on its own. We felt it would go well with rice, pasta, BLTs† or salads. So if you have a bacon craving this is something that you can definitely try.

It is much healthier than bacon as well which is free of cholesterol and rich in protein while providing potassium, carbohydrates, iron, calcium, vitamin B-6, magnesium. Tempeh promotes healthy digestion due to fermentation & fiber to boot.

Ingredients: organic soybeans, water, shoyu soy sauce (water, non-GMO soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), molasses, maple syrup, natural smoke flavor, autolyzed yeast extract, salt, organic apple cider vinegar, starter culture (rhizopus oligosporus).

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

† Sandwich filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato

Seitan Review

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Bob’s Red Mill Vital Wheat Gluten Flour Review

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 555 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

Seitan, unlike soy & tempeh, is not a soy-based product which is a protein made with wheat gluten and has a mild taste and a chewy texture like meat. Since it’s much easier to season, seitan is a great substitute for meat. It works like a sponge absorbing the flavors of seasoning or broth so it works really well with stews.

The name Bob’s Red Mill is no stranger in the sphere of whole grain products and this employee-owned company has been supplying quality products for over three decades. When you buy this product, you don’t have to spend on expensive seitan products at the store and you get to make your homemade seitan which is reliable in terms of taste, health, and quality.

The gluten had a very fine consistency and was much easier to combine with other additions. It was so easy to tailor it, according to any flavor we fancy as the texture is not as rubbery compared to other gluten flour, making it extremely quick and easy to prepare.

With seitan, you can make meat substitutes for “chicken”, and “beef”. The other uses of seitan are working as a binder when making vegan burgers, vegan meatballs, and TVP vegan jerky. It can also improve the elasticity and texture adding more volume when baking bread.

It is Non-GMO*, rich in protein, and provides iron, carbs, calcium, dietary fiber while being free of cholesterol, trans fat, and sodium. 

Ingredients: gluten (wheat protein – Non-GMO*, water, soybean oil, soybean extract, salt, and sugar

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Companion – Peking Vegetarian Roast Duck Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 23 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Imported from Taiwan this Non-GMO* wheat protein is a ready-made product by Companion Foods and they have been supplying products since 1959. You just have to heat and serve this flavorsome faux meat. It comes out of the can in large pieces which are quite flexible, and you can shred, tear, or chop in any way you want.

Now we’re not going to proclaim that it tastes like duck meat*, but it certainly tastes better than some chewy gluten products you would find. It has a meaty and tender consistency and has a texture or “skin” which resembles duck skin.

Further, the liquid in which it comes in has a savory, palatable, and Asian flavor. You can use this liquid or if you’re draining it you may use it for soups, or as gravy or stock for other recipes.

It is a very versatile product and can stir-fry, consume with fried rice, noodles, make vegan sushi, salads, appetizers, snacks and do much more.

Being a wheat protein it is a rich source of protein and provides iron and 83 calories per serving. Free of cholesterol, trans fat, preservatives, and artificial coloring.

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

TVP – Textured Vegetable Protein Review (TSP – Textured Soy Protein)

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Bob’s Red Mill Textured Vegetable Protein Review

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 746 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Textured or texturized vegetable protein (TVP) is also known as textured soy protein (TSP), soya mince, soy meat, or soya chunks. This is another vegan meat substitute that resembles meaty textures closely. This is made in USA coming from the popular whole grain product manufacturer, Bob’s Red Mill.

TVP is defatted (no fat weight-watchers, unlike meat!) soy flour which has been cooked under pressure and dehydrated. It is completely different to tofu or tempeh in terms of taste & texture and comes in the form of crumbles or chunks. It hardly has any soy taste in it and can easily be seasoned as it absorbs the flavors of your recipe really well. So the choice is yours to make it as fancy or as simple as you wish.

After doing rehydration, the flavor and consistency were excellent and tasted like ground beef.  To reconstitute you can add water and can use anything you fancy to enhance the flavor like soy sauce, BBQ sauce, spices, and vegan flavoring. Due to its ability to absorb flavors, to make the most out of it, do the seasoning or add more flavors as we have suggested. With that kind of preparation, you may fool many into believing that it’s ground beef or something like pork.

Being a very versatile product, it can be used as a thickener or add more protein in savory recipes or even in sweet recipes. Use it for pasta, lasagna, noodles, protein bars, cereals, cutlets or make vegan ground beef, vegan chicken, vegan chicken nuggets, burgers, vegan meatballs, tacos, chili, stew or soups.

While being an excellent source of complete protein which has all essential amino acids, Bob’s TVP is zero fat, zero cholesterol, and almost zero sodium. It is a good source of dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and all that for only 80 calories to keep your weight in check! It is gluten-free, Kosher pareve and has a long shelf life.

Ingredients: Defatted Soy Flour.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Hoosier Hill Farm Review

 

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (from 37 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

This Non-GMO* TVP is made in USA by Hoosier Hill Farm producing products since 1999.  It is made of domestic soybeans and shelf-stable. Do note that this TVP is a bit darker in color than other TVP due to the caramel color additive added to the product to give a closer look to meat burgers. The caramel coloring used in this TVP is Class IV Low 4MEI. Though caramel color is generally regarded as safe [1] [2], if you have an allergy or you avoid colas/soft drinks and other food products with caramel color you may want to avoid this product.

The taste of this TVP exceeded our expections, no doubt, and thought it would be perfect for meatballs, lasagna, spaghetti, hamburgers, chili or soups. It is also more finely ground which can be more useful in certain recipes.

Excellent source of protein and provides dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and calcium. Free of gluten, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Ingredients: Defatted soy flour.

*GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Natto Review

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Japanese Dried Fermented Beans – Hoshi Natto Review

 

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (from 77 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Natto the traditional Japanese fermented soy food which has been a diet for many years is one of the healthiest meaty alternatives you can find. Natto has a sticky slimy substance around it.

Some may call it stinky, foul or may not like its gooey consistency, but to put it politely we say it’s pungent and we have no problem with its smell, taste (umami) or consistency. We believe it’s a similar case to Marmite, how some people love or hate marmite or have an acquired taste.

This particular product can be eaten straight out of the package like a snack or you can make traditional natto by adding some water. Since the beans increase in volume once hydrated, you may first want to try it with a few beans to get an idea about the volume so that you can use it sparingly.

After giving it a good mix (mix it only with water before you add anything else to make it as slimy as possible), you can see the formation of that sticky substance and the strings that keep the beans sticky together. Then just top it onto your rice or anything that you prefer to eat it with.

By eating it with something like rice you can also minimize the taste of natto if you feel it’s too overpowering. For us, it was a refreshing experience to eat natto with rice, soy sauce, mustard and a bit of greens!

Natto is a great source of vitamin K2 (great for healthy bones), protein, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and rich in probiotics for healthy digestion. It is also free of cholesterol and low on fat.

Vegan Beef Brands Review

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gardein™ Homestyle Beefless Tip Review

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 295 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

gardein™ is a well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. To ensure quality, they have safe quality foods (sqf) audit program and the facilities are HACCP certified.

We just added a bit of water, coconut oil, onions, garlic, and sautéed it. After a few minutes added a bit of soy sauce as well. The aroma was so appetizing and after a few minutes, it was time to give it a go. It does look like beef no doubt and they have really done a good job of simulating the beef flavor. You may even fool others with this one into thinking it’s beef.

It can be seasoned in many other ways to get an alternate flavor and you may try it with rice, pasta, soups, tacos, etc. These beefless tips are a good source of protein, dietary fiber, and iron. It is also free of trans fat, and cholesterol.

Ingredients: water, vital wheat gluten*, soy protein isolate*, expeller pressed canola oil*, onions, yeast extract, methylcellulose, malted barley extract, onion powder, garlic powder, organic ancient grain flour (KAMUT® khorasan wheat, amaranth, millet, quinoa), organic cane sugar, white distilled vinegar, potato starch, sea salt, natural flavor (from plant sources), pea protein, spices, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber.

Rub: dehydrated vegetables (red bell pepper, garlic, onion), spices, organic cane sugar, salt, paprika powder. * Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat, and canola.

Dixie Diners’ Club – Beef (Not!) Strips Review

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (from 33 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Made in USA by The Dixie Diners’ Club which has been providing food for 30 years. Considering the product taste without any seasoning or flavouring, it has quite a mild taste and made to absorb whatever the flavors you add to them. You can also enhance the flavor by adding one of their vegan seasonings  as well. So do note the key here is to get the seasoning right to make it palatable.

Do not expect them to taste exactly like beef, but they do have a meaty feel to it with its texture and consistency. The appearance is quite realistic as well and comparable to meat. You can use it for pasta, rice, casseroles, burritos, soups, chilis, etc. The taste blends well with the recipes.

Serves 140 calories per servings, rich in protein, dietary fiber and provides calcium, iron, potassium, isoflavones, including daidzein, glycitein, and genistein. It is also free of cholesterol, sugar, gluten while being low fat and low sodium.

Ingredients: soy flour, corn (trace).

Vegan Ground Beef Brands Review

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gardein™ The Ultimate Beefless Ground Review

 

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 94 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

Made in Canada and another gardein™ product. It’s quite easy & quick to prepare. You may need to add more water depending on the quantity you prepare as it tends to absorb water really well. But don’t overdo it to make it mushy!

We thought it had a lighter consistency compared to ground beef which tends to be slightly firmer & heavier and had no greasiness to it which is a plus. The color was much like cooked ground beef, has a similar chewiness to it and tastes good. Nothing overpowering and we were pleased with the taste.

The product is rich in protein, dietary fiber and provides iron & calcium. Free of cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat (87% less fat than regular ground beef) and gluten.

Ingredients: water, soy protein concentrate*, expeller pressed canola oil*, organic cane sugar, caramel color, yeast extract, sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, natural flavors (from plant sources), spices. *Non genetically engineered soybeans and canola. Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat products.

 

Beyond Meat Beef Beefy Crumble Review

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (from 59 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

This fully cooked product is made in USA and brought to you by Beyond Meat which is a very ambitious company as they call themselves the “future of protein”. They are on an aspiring mission to bring a change to the way we eat plant-based meat alternatives which have a positive impact on the animals, health, and sustainability. What is special about Beyond Meat is that they have done studies extensively on the protein architecture of real meat and infused that same architecture into plant-based protein to give the best simulation possible.

As we sniffed it, the smell was quite flavorful, spicy, though not how meat would smell exactly, but appetizing. So we sautéed to see how it goes. The texture and consistency are very close to what ground beef looks like. Took a small piece to taste and boy, it was very much like ground beef*.

You may get a hint of grainy feel as you chew it but no doubt that this is by far, one of the best meat alternatives that we’ve tried. No doubt, that this meat substitute can be used to fool even the most ardent carnivore. We’re so excited that we’ve tried this product and thought it would go well with macaroni, lasagna, spaghetti, bolognese, sloppy joes, tacos, nachos, soups or anything you fancy that would blend well.

You can get all the directions to make it on the back of the package and it’s really simple! Provides 80 calories per serving (1/2 cup), a good source of protein, provides iron, dietary fiber, calcium, and only half the fat of ground beef! Free of gluten, soy, saturated fat and trans fat.

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

Vegan Jerky Brands Review

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Louisville Vegan Jerky Review

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (from 630 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Manufactured by Louisville Vegan Jerky Co. in USA with a story of humble beginnings, this product has its roots tied to an accidental discovery which turned out to be a pleasant one. You can read this story on the back of the package!

Today it is still close to its good old methods and made by hand in true artisan style with freshly sourced Kentucky ingredients. You also get to taste five flavors: Smoked Black Pepper, Smoked Chipotle, Sriracha Maple, Maple Bacon, and Carolina BBQ!

So first we tried the Smoked Black Pepper flavor. In terms of smell, it certainly smelled like jerky. The texture was really good, chewy, and fibrous. It was more like a soft jerky* than the hard ones. We definitely felt the pepper and savory taste of jerky.

Then we tried the maple bacon flavor. Wow, the smell was heavenly and smoky. Smokier than the black pepper and a slight bacon note as well. The texture was much similar to smoked black pepper. It was really flavorful where we felt like all those ingredients coming together and was so gratifying to our taste buds.

So, all in all, it was a great deal and we can easily give these a pass as vegan jerky. It’s a rich source of protein and provides iron, dietary fiber, and calcium. It’s free of gluten, GMO†, cholesterol, trans fat, and added sugar.

*We recall, when we were omnis

†GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Primal Strips Meatless Vegan Jerky Variety Gift Pack Sampler Review

 

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (from 934 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind  (delivery: UK & international)

Each variety pack contains 6 flavors: Hickory Smoked, Texas BBQ, Teriyaki, Mesquite Lime, Thai Peanut, and Hot & Spicy

Hot & Spicy: Made of shiitake mushrooms and it had a different texture to it. It is a lot softer than jerky. The spiciness was not immediate but comes after a while, chewing it.

Texas BBQ: This is made of Soy. Quite moist, unlike jerky, still it has got the texture of beef jerky. Has a close resemblance to the taste of pork* while being chewy like how jerky suppose to be. Has its own sweet & sour flavor to it and we didn’t detect any soy taste which is a plus. This one we felt was the closest to being a jerky*, though we enjoyed the variety of other flavors.

Hickory Smoked: Made of Soy and it smelled good. This was kind of sweet and peppery.

Teriyaki: It is made of seitan and slightly moist. Faintly sweet but not a lot of flavor here and was like chewing something rubbery.

Thai Peanut: This is made of seitan and has peanut butter. This seemed to have a stale taste to it and not the best out of the pack.

Mesquite Lime: Made of seitan, but honestly, we didn’t enjoy this one.

So the verdict is, this is something you can use as a snack, and some flavors have a good taste of its own, but can’t say it’s right up there as a substitute for jerky*. Doesn’t have that salty taste you get out of jerky. Out of the 6 flavors Texas BBQ, Hot & Spicy, and Hickory Smoked were our favorites. This will be handy if you’re going on a trip, hiking, etc.

No preservatives, no artificial colors and Non-GMO† certified. It is a good snack for high energy, high protein with no cholesterol. Main ingredients are soy, seitan & shiitake mushroom.

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Vegan Burger/Patties Brands Review

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Beef Flavors

gardein™  The Ultimate Beefless Burger Review    

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 230 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

Again this is from gardein™ the well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have the safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

We fried it for like 3 minutes per each side on medium heat and on low heat for few more minutes flipping once and it smelled so good. No doubt it does look like a regular meat burger and there is no shrinking like with beef burgers. Put some mustard, ketchup, lettuce and a slice of vegan cheese with it in a bun, it’s heavenly. Tastes like a meat burger, it was real and has a very strong smoky taste to it.

Apparently, it has 65 percent less fat than a beef burger. 1 burger provides 140 calories, rich with proteins, dietary fiber, and provides iron and calcium. It is also free of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

Ingredients: water, soy protein concentrate*, vital wheat gluten*, expeller pressed canola oil*, onions, soy protein isolate*, methylcellulose, yeast extract, onion powder, malted barley extract, garlic powder, dehydrated garlic, organic cane sugar, natural flavor (from plant sources), organic ancient grain flour (KAMUT® khorasan wheat, amaranth, millet, quinoa), sea salt, potato starch, spices (contain celery seeds), white distilled vinegar, natural smoke flavor, spice extracts, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, molasses, wheat starch, soy lecithin. *Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat and canola.

gardein™ Chipotle Black Bean Burger Review

 

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (from 82 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

This chipotle seasoned black bean burgers are slow cooked and brought to you by gardein™ (Canadian) providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

This burger is a bit spicy and hot (just the instant sensation we got), so if you’re someone who enjoys spicy stuff then this is something to try! By the look of it, gives the impression of a compact burger like an all in one package which has a lot going on in there.

We had our burger with avocado, a slice of vegan cheese, lettuce, tomato, and it was chewy, crispy, and delectable! We also felt a generous amount of rice in it which we enjoyed and there is corn as well to boot!

Provides 150 calories per burger, a good source of protein, dietary fiber, carbs, and iron. Free of cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat and gluten.

Ingredients: water, cooked black beans, cooked brown rice, vegetables (onion and corn*), expeller pressed canola oil*, roasted vegetables (corn*, red and green bell peppers) , soy protein concentrate*, tomato paste, potato starch, organic cane sugar, methylcellulose, sea salt, yeast extract, onion powder, spices, garlic powder, black bean powder, natural flavors (from plant sources), tomato powder, citric acid, lactic acid, instant coffee, molasses. *Non genetically engineered canola oil, corn, and soybeans. Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat products.

Chicken Flavor

gardein™ Crispy Chick’n Sliders Mini Delights Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 46 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

As we opened the package of sliders and buns, it smelled rich and flavorful and the sliders looked thick just as how they’ve shown it on the package. So the first impression is really good, hence we expected it to be delicious. We fried it per directions and had it with lettuce, tomato, a slice of vegan cheese and some mustard as usual.

Boy, gardein™ doesn’t disappoint us. It was delicious and crispy. Tasted like chicken nuggets resembling a McDonalds chicken burger*, really!

Crispy Chick’n Sliders Mini Delights are from gardein™ the well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

Provides 180 calories per serving, with protein, carbs, and iron. Free of cholesterol, and trans fat as well.

Ingredients: water, soy protein isolate*, vital wheat gluten*, yeast extract, modified vegetable gum, organic ancient grain flour (KAMUT ® khorasan wheat, amaranth, millet, quinoa), expeller pressed canola oil*, natural flavors (from plant sources), sea salt, garlic powder, potato starch, organic cane sugar, onion powder, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, vinegar, color added, extractives of paprika and turmeric. breading: water, rice flour, wheat flour*, modified corn starch, wheat gluten*, sugar, salt, spice, garlic powder, onion powder, yeast, baking powder, malted barley flour, ascorbic acid. bun: enriched wheat flour* (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, cane sugar, yeast, vegetable shortening (contains soy), canola oil, salt, rye flour, bacterial

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

 

Kraft Boca Spicy Meatless Chicken Patty Review

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (from 35 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Not very spicy, but these patties do have some spicy flavoring which is palatable and they taste very much like chicken. Anyone who didn’t know that these are plant-based patties may think these are chicken patties! These Boca patties were delicious, filling and a kinder way to enjoy a chicken burger*.

Made of soy, it’s a perfect choice for those who want a healthier chicken patty alternative that tastes similar to traditional chicken burgers*.

50% less fat than chicken patties, 140 calories per serving, a rich source of protein, and provides carbs, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. These are free of cholesterol as well.

Ingredients:

patty – water, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, contains less than 2% of wheat gluten, yeast extract, methylcellulose, salt, spice (contains black pepper), natural flavor (non-meat), hydrolyzed soybean and corn protein, hydrolyzed corn gluten, onion powder, sugar, succinic acid, thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin b1).

batter – water, wheat flour, onion powder, vinegar powder (maltodextrin, vinegar solids), dried garlic, salt, spices, washed raw sugar, paprika, maltodextrin, gum acacia, corn, natural flavor (non-meat), malted barley, rye, extractives of paprika, citric acid.

breading – wheat flour, dextrose, salt, dried yeast, caramel color, yellow corn flour, extractives of paprika and annatto for color. browned in corn oil.

Boca Vegan Veggie Burgers / Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers Review

a) Boca Vegan Veggie Burgers

 

b) Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (from 1627 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Note >>this offer may come with 2 packs of Oreos which have no animal products in the ingredients

Boca brand is a product of Kraft. For the review, we used the more popular Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burger product.

They look much lighter in color than a normal meat burger and has grill marks on one side. They have done a nice job of giving you that grilled flavor with some resemblance to the texture of a meat burger. It tastes more like a chicken patty* and has a nice chew to it with a crunchy crust. These burgers would certainly be a nice addition to a vegan BBQ!

70 calories per servings, and it’s really low in fat (no worries of weight gain!), free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and sugar. A rich source of protein and comes with carbs, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium.

Boca Vegan Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:  water, soy protein concentrate*, wheat gluten, contains less than 2% of dried onions, yeast extract, modified cellulose, salt, caramel color, natural flavor (non-meat), garlic powder, sesame oil.

Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers:

Ingredients: water, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, contains less than 2% of methylcellulose, salt, caramel color, dried onions, yeast extract, sesame oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, natural and artificial flavor (non-meat), disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate.

 

Pork Flavor

Loma Linda Choplets Review

Rating: 4 out of 5 (from 42 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Made in USA and brought to you by Atlantic Natural Foods LLC which is SQF certified, and HACCP certified.  We drained it and dipped them in vegan bread crumbs to fry with a little oil and fried till browned and crispy on both sides. You may dip these in wholewheat flour, plain cornmeal or any seasoned flour which can flavor the choplets.

These choplets were quite chewy and we felt these work more like a pork substitute* and the taste was quite similar to pork chops*.  It is versatile and you can fry them, ground up to use for burgers, dice for salads and limited only by your imagination. You may use it with soups, pasta, noodles, rice, salads and the number of ways to cook this is endless.

These have 90 calories per serving, and it’s really low in fat (great for weight watchers!), free of cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat. A rich source of protein and comes with dietary fiber too.

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

Vegan Hot dog/Sausage Brands Review

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Field Roast Mexican Chipotle Sausage Review

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 57 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Knowing what these guys are capable of having tried their vegan chao cheese, our expectations were high. Field Roast sausages are made in USA with traditional, old-country, sausage making practices and they don’t produce any non-vegan products, thus it’s fair to call them “a dedicated vegan producer”.

It definitely looked appetizing, flavorful and smelled good. So we sautéed it before we give it a go. Just cut it to see how it looks inside and it was sizzling and mouthwatering! Looks just like regular sausage and it does have a strong spicy taste, and quite hot, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying it. Do note though when you consume these with pasta, cheese, potatoes the spicy hotness can tone down.

If you like spicy and chipotle, we are quite sure you will like this. These simulated vegan sausages are quite big as well, thus considering the quality, size and taste it is a great deal and value for money.

You may even chop it and use it with a burrito or something similar. It was reassuring what a good brand Field Roast is in the sphere of vegan foods.  It was delicious, filling and we loved for trying an artisan vegan sausage with sizzle, texture, and personality!!

A rich source of protein, vitamin A and comes with carbs, calcium, and iron providing 230 calories per sausage. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. If you’re physically active then the sodium content shouldn’t be a problem either.

Ingredients: Vital wheat gluten, filtered water, expeller pressed safflower oil, onions, garlic, apple cider vinegar, yeast extract, chipotle peppers, onion powder, granulated garlic, brown sugar, sea salt, barley malt, spices, black pepper, paprika oleoresin, chili de arbol peppers, cumin and oregano.

Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausage Review

 

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (from 74 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

These sausages are a savory combination which consists primarily of apples & sage with other additions like Yukon Gold potatoes with a subtle hint of hickory smoke. It smells really good and looks like regular sausages inside as well. We sautéed it and tried with some ketchup and mustard.

No fake taste and you can feel the apple & sage sweet flavors. It is quite heavy on the sage and that was the most prominent flavor, but it was meaty overall and as we chew it we can feel the nice, thick consistency of it. All in all, it was a fresh experience with a unique and an interesting flavor which we have never experienced.

While you can use it as a hot dog you may try it with pasta, or anything similar. Again just eating one sausage was filling, considering the size. So, yet another cracker of a product from the artisan producer Field Roast from USA.

These sausages are a rich source of protein, calcium and come with carbs, and iron providing 220 calories per sausage. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. If you’re physically active then the sodium content shouldn’t be a problem either.

Ingredients: filtered water, vital wheat gluten, expeller pressed safflower oil, unsulfured dried apples, yukon gold potatoes, yeast extract, onion powder, barley malt, garlic, natural hickory smoke flavor with torula yeast, spices, sea salt and rubbed sage.

Tofurky Bulk Italian Sausage Review

Rating: 4 out of 5 (from 17 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

This is a product made in USA by Tofurky which provides plant-based food products since 1980. Many turkeys would be grateful for this company for revolutionizing the Thanksgiving dinner table setting a new cruelty-free trend. Tofurky is a member of Plant-Based Foods Association.

These sausages definitely have a great smell, oh that aroma…! It’s not fair to say that it tastes like an Italian sausage* but it is different and has a great taste of its own. We can feel the grains in it as well, which is complimenting the overall flavor. With some mustard and ketchup, we thoroughly enjoyed it, and it’s almost there simulating a regular sausage! It’s a thumbs up from us!

It is Non-GMO† Project Verified, a rich source of protein, iron and comes with carbs, calcium, and dietary fiber. Provides 280 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. If you’re physically active then the sodium content shouldn’t be a problem either.

Ingredients: Organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), vital wheat gluten, expeller pressed Non-GMO canola oil, water, shoyu soy sauce (water, non-GMO soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), organic soy flour, sundried tomatoes, basil, granulated garlic, sea salt, spices.

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Tofurky Kielbasa Style Sausages Review

 

Rating: 3.7 out of 5 (from 13 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

Another product from Tofurky (USA) which provides plant-based food products since 1980. We liked how it looked from the outside, you can smell the soy sauce in it and see the spices inside the sausage encased. The texture looks pretty much like a regular sausage.

This time we boiled these sausages for our taste test. The taste is not right up there yet to simulate a real sausage*, and somewhat bland with a meatball like consistency to it. Not really sure whether it was purely due to boiling than frying but that’s how it turned out.

So certainly not the best vegan sausage we’ve had but if you try other interesting ways of preparing it or consume with different combinations it may just be good enough.

It is Non-GMO† Project Verified, a rich source of protein and comes with iron, potassium, carbs, calcium, and dietary fiber. Provides 240 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. If you’re physically active then the sodium content shouldn’t be a problem either.

Ingredients: Vital wheat gluten, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), water, expeller pressed non-GMO canola oil, onions, shoyu soy sauce (water, non-GMO soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), organic soy flour, granulated garlic, sea salt, garlic puree, spices, organic cane sugar, mustard seed.

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

†GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Lightlife Jumbo Veggie Hot Dogs Review

 

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (from 5654 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

Lightlife has provided quality foods more than 30 years since 1979. This particular product has been there on the market since the 90’s and it has stood the test of time.

To get into the nitty-gritty of it, it definitely smells like a hot dog*, no doubt. Seems like they have really done a good job of seasoning. We had our hot dog with mustard, onions, tomato and relish. The texture and consistency were pretty much like a hot dog as well, but slightly softer and mushier.

The taste had a mild hot dog flavor*. We would recommend boiling them first before frying it with vegan butter/ cooking oil of your choice to get the best out of it or you may also grill these. If you tend to have a craving for hot dogs this may help curb it.

It is Non-GMO† Project Verified, a rich source of protein and comes with iron, calcium, dietary fiber and potassium. Provides 100 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. If you’re physically active then the sodium content shouldn’t be a problem either.

Ingredients: water, soy protein isolate, soybean oil, evaporated cane syrup, pea protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt, potassium chloride, bakers yeast extract, carrageenan, dried garlic, natural flavor (from plant sources), natural smoke flavor, xanthan gum, fermented rice flour, guar gum, oleoresin paprika (color).

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Loma Linda Big Franks Review

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 291 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

This USA product is supplied by Atlantic Natural Foods which is SQF certified, and HACCP certified (preventive approach to food safety). These are made with soy protein, onions, and natural smoke flavor.

It is pre-cooked so can be eaten directly out of the can or you can fry them (to get it crispy).  The texture definitely looks like hot dogs, nice and full. We had it with ketchup and vegan mayo and boy, it was scrumptious and we are delighted for giving it a go!

Since these sausages have a soft texture and consistency they could be easily broken down and used for other recipes as well. The broth in which they come in can also be used to add flavor to certain recipes. If you are searching for healthier alternatives for regular hot dogs, then this is something you may want to try! They are flavorful and we were thrilled with it.

These hot dogs are shelf-stable, have 58% less fat than beef dogs, and have only 80 calories per sausage. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and trans fat. A rich source of protein, and comes with iron, dietary fiber and B vitamins.

Vegan Deli Slices (Lunch Meat) Brands Review

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Tofurky Hickory Smoked Slices Review

 

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 401 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

Once again it’s Tofurky (USA) which provides plant-based food products since 1980. Certainly, it looks like a regular lunch meat in terms of texture and smelled pretty good.

Unlike some other products which add liquid smoke, Tofurky imparts a delicate smoke flavor to these deli slices as they smoke it in a real smokehouse over hickory chips to give an authentic smoky flavor and appetizing brown crust on the outside. So the hickory smokiness was spot on! 

It’s amazing how well these slices have been made to resemble the real thing. We had a few smoked slices with bread, vegan mayo, tomato, and lettuce. Honestly, these slices tasted like some real smoked turkey slices*, and we are in awe that these are plant-based, it was a delicious, filling sandwich!

So Tofurky this one is for you: “y’all have done such a good job with these slices and have even put some of the low-quality real turkey slices into shame and made so-called “high-quality” ones envy you!” If there is a quibble if at all, that would be the saltiness and moisture which lacked slightly and pretty sure they will improve on it. Perfect for picnics, lunches or straight out of the pack.

It is Non-GMO†, a rich source of protein and comes with iron, calcium, carbs, and dietary fiber. Provides 100 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat (great for weight watchers!).     

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Ingredients: water, vital wheat gluten, wheat protein, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), non-genetically engineered canola oil, natural vegetarian flavors, shoyu soy sauce (water, non-genetically engineered soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), non-genetically engineered corn starch, white bean flour, garbanzo bean flour, lemon juice from concentrate, garlic, onion, calcium lactate from beets, sea salt.

 

Tofurky Bulk Oven Roast Beef Deli Review

 

Our Rating for the Product: 3/5

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

TheVeganKind  (delivery: UK & international)

These Tofurky (USA) slices apparently made from the same delicious recipe as the Holiday Tofurky Roast. Smells good like regular deli slices.

We thought it was slightly thicker than Tofurky’s Hickory Smoked Slices, which is a plus! The texture is a bit artificial, but then again made out of plant-based ingredients, it’s good enough!

Eating it right out of the package, certainly tasted more like oven-roasted turkey*, but eating it as a sandwich was much tastier with lettuce, tomato, onions and vegan cheese. These slices would be handy for picnics, lunches or straight out of the pack for anything you fancy.

It is Non-GMO†, a rich source of protein, dietary fiber and comes with iron, calcium, and carbs. Provides 100 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat (great for weight watchers!).

Ingredients: water, wheat protein, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), non genetically engineered canola oil, natural vegetarian flavors, shoyu soy sauce (water, non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), non genetically engineered corn starch, white bean flour, garbonzo bean flour, lemon juice from concentrate, garlic, onion, calcium lactate from beets.

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Vegan Meatball Brands Review

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gardein™ Classic Meatless Meatballs Review

 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 179 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

gardein™ is a well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

We tried these with the usual sauce, pasta, and some vegan shredded cheese. When you look at the meatballs it does look like regular meatballs and tastes quite similar* to those. It is meaty, has good substance to it and pretty firm in consistency.  Very flavorful, quite chewy & moist and you can feel the herbs, spices and the pepper as well.  This would be a lovely addition to pasta, stews, meatball pizza, etc.

It is a rich source of protein, iron, dietary fiber and comes with carbs, calcium, and vitamin A. Provides 150 calories per serving. It’s also free of cholesterol, and trans fat.    

Ingredients: water, wheat protein, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), non genetically engineered canola oil, natural vegetarian flavors, shoyu soy sauce (water, non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat, salt, culture), non genetically engineered corn starch, white bean flour, garbonzo bean flour, lemon juice from concentrate, garlic, onion, calcium lactate from beets.

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

Loma Linda Vegetarian Burger Review

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (from 10 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

This is a product of Atlantic Natural Foods (USA) which is SQF certified, and HACCP certified (preventive approach to food safety).

It is quite a versatile product, think meatballs, burgers, loaf, sloppy joe, tacos, chili, burritos, soups, casseroles, pot pies, empanadas, shepherd’s pie, bolognese sauce, all in this can! Your herbs, seasoning, spices, and imagination!

Considering taste, they were perfect and it actually gets firmer and meat-like* as it simmers. The taste and texture were so good and having these cans can be quite convenient to whip up a meal.

A rich source of protein, B vitamins, and comes with iron, dietary fiber, and carbs. Provides 70 calories per serving. It is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat (great for weight watchers!).       

* We recall the taste when we were omnis 

Vegan Barbecue / BBQ  Brands Review

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Tofurky Barbecue Slow Roasted Chick’n Review

TheVeganKind (delivery: UK & international)

Our Rating for the Product: 4.5/5

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

It does look almost like pulled chicken* which is tempting and the taste was no disappointment, a pure treat, delicious and flavorful! The BBQ sauce was pretty similar to regular BBQ sauce and does have a slight smoky flavor while having a tangy kick to it, which is well complimented. It can be seared, steamed, or tossed cold with your favorite veggies.

This is another product by Tofurky (USA) which provides plant-based food since 1980. Tofurky is a member of Plant-Based Foods Association.

It is Non-GMO†, a rich source of protein and comes with iron, calcium, carbs, dietary fiber, and potassium. Provides 200 calories per serving. It is also free of cholesterol, and trans fat.      

Ingredients: water, vital wheat gluten, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), non-gm expeller pressed canola oil, organic cane sugar, yeast extract, oat fiber, vegan natural flavors, non-gm corn starch, sea salt, potassium chloride, granulated garlic, calcium lactate from beets, onion powder, spices, citric acid, titanium dioxide (a naturally occurring mineral).

Marinade: water, organic cane sugar, tomato paste, molasses, organic white vinegar, natural vegan flavor and color, sea salt, onion powder, granulated garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, xanthan gum.

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Vegan Chicken Brands Review

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Beyond Meat Lightly Seasoned Chicken Free Strips Review

 

Rating: 4 out of 5 (from 2040 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

They have really made it look like real chicken strips. It even tears apart like chicken and has that tenderness of chicken. It has a slight sticky texture on the outside and has grill marks on it as well. Smells so good and no doubt what so ever that it tastes like chicken!*. We are pretty sure, you can deceive many with this one into thinking that this is real chicken! It’s a thumbs up from us!!

What is special about Beyond Meat is that they have done studies extensively on the protein architecture of real meat and infused that same architecture into plant-based protein to give the best simulation possible. This would be a nice addition to salads, pasta, rice, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, fajitas, stir-fries, etc.

It is gluten-free, a rich source of complete protein, iron and comes with calcium, carbs, and dietary fiber. Provides 130 calories per serving, and also very low in fat compared to regular chicken being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.     

Ingredients: Water, Soy Protein Isolate†, Pea Protein Isolate, Lightly Seasoned Chicken Flavor‡ (Yeast Extract, Potato Maltodextrin, Natural Flavoring, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Citric Acid), Rice Flour, Non-GMO Expeller-pressed Canola Oil*, Soy Fiber*, Carrot Fiber, Contains 0.5% or less of: Dipotassium Phosphate, Salt, Spices, Sugar§, Titanium Dioxide (for color), White Vinegar, Potassium Chloride, Paprika

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

† Non-GMO Identity Preserved

‡ Vegan

§ Evaporated Cane Juice

 

gardein™ Lightly Seasoned Chick’n Scallopini

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (from 247 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

Quite happy with the size of it, pretty big and the smell was really good, not exactly like chicken but good enough and probably coming from their seasoning. You can always dust it with some flour for a more crispy texture but in our case we just sautéed it.

It does look like regular chicken with its texture, very realistic and moist. We really felt like eating a piece of chicken*, no faking, that was the thought that popped. All we can say is, another gardein™ success! Now we didn’t batter it, but pretty sure it would taste even better if you do so.

If you’re looking for something that tastes like chicken, then you should try this one. Quite a versatile product and you may have it with pasta, rice, salads, sandwiches, etc.

It is gluten-free and Non-GMO†.  A rich source of protein and comes with iron, calcium, dietary fiber, potassium and vitamin A. Provides 100 calories per serving and also low in fat (great for weight watchers!) being free of cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat.     

Ingredients: water, soy protein isolate, expeller pressed canola oil, methylcellulose, tapioca starch, yeast extract, organic cane sugar, organic vinegar, potato starch, salt, quinoa, natural flavors (from plant sources, contain celery), color added, mushroom dry matter, acacia gum. rub: dehydrated vegetable (red bell pepper, garlic, onion), spices, organic cane sugar, salt.  Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat products.       

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

Dixie Diners’ Club – Chicken (Not!) Strips Review

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (from 69 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

Made in USA by The Dixie Diners’ Club who have been providing food for 3 decades.  Do note that these are not “strips” rather, they are more like “chunks”.

These chunks definitely need a good base as they’re more like TVP with a spongy texture and taste after whatever flavoring you use. We seasoned these overnight and then reconstituted the following day. What we suggest is to cook these until it’s tender without undercooking them. Because if you undercook it, you may feel it more chewy & rubbery.

We simmered it for like 30 minutes which we felt was enough time to absorb the flavors and become tender.  The texture was more like chicken and it came out good probably due to the seasoning and the flavors were well absorbed while tasting quite close to chicken*.

If you are looking for something that looks and tastes like chicken, you can give it a go. You may use it for chile, pot pies, casserole, stews, soups, entrées, tortillas, and pasta. So the verdict is, it is a good chicken substitute, as long as you do the preparation right.

It’s a rich source of protein, iron, dietary fiber and comes with calcium, carbs, and potassium. Provides 140 calories per serving, gluten free, low sodium and also low in fat being free of cholesterol, and only 0.5 g of saturated fat.

Ingredients: soy flour

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

 

Loma Linda Tender Bits Review

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (from 122 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

This USA product is supplied by Atlantic Natural Foods which is SQF certified, and HACCP certified (preventive approach to food safety).  These are shelf stable, pre-cooked, and made with wheat gluten, oat flour, and soy protein.

The product can have a bland taste if you don’t season it properly. We coated these with seasoned flour and fried as suggested. Then we had these with some ketchup and they were savory and tasted great.  They did taste like chicken nuggets* and a very good alternative to filet or strips of chicken.

These tenders can be so versatile in a variety of recipes as you can make an easy appetizer or use for casseroles, stews, pasta, and salads.

High in protein, low in fat, and provides dietary fiber, and riboflavin. Free of cholesterol, trans fat, and sugar as well.

Vegan Crispy Nuggets/Cutlets Review

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Chicken Flavor

gardein™ Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n Review

 

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (from 469 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

gardein™ is a well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

It comes with battered pieces which look more like tempura chicken nuggets and with the sauce which it comes with would be a great way to mimic an East Asian chicken dish. You can either prepare it on a stove or in the oven. So we fried it while flipping each piece to get both sides browned and then added a bit of sauce (you don’t have to use the whole sauce packet here unless you really want to, as you can use it for another dish as well).

Then got those pieces coated well with the sauce by mixing it together. Do note that, if you use the whole sauce packet you may lessen the crispiness and it may get soggy. The sauce is slightly sweet and we thought it complimented well. It is the kind of sweetness you associate with oriental meat dishes. Inside it does look like chicken no doubt, with a meaty texture. Oh yes, definitely tastes like chicken nuggets*!

It has a shelf life of 360 days. A good source of protein, iron, and comes with calcium, carbs, and dietary fiber. Provides 130 calories per serving and it is also low in fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.

Ingredients:

water, soy protein*, vital wheat gluten, natural flavors (from plant sources), organic ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut ), expeller pressed canola oil, pea protein, carrot fiber, organic beet root fiber, organic evaporated cane juice, yeast extract, sea salt.

Batter: wheat gluten, modified cornstarch, toasted wheat crumbs, soy protein isolate, wheat flour, cane sugar, salt, onion powder, soy lecithin, spices, cream of tartar, baking soda, garlic powder.

Sauce: water, evaporated cane juice, rice vinegar, less sodium soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt, alcohol), fruit puree (water, mandarin and tangerine juice concentrate, chopped orange peels, natural flavor), salted sake (water, rice, salt), corn starch, Thai chili sauce (sugar, water, chili paste, garlic, vinegar, modified food starch, salt, fermented wheat protein, cayenne pepper, citric acid, xanthan gum), ginger, expeller pressed canola oil, white pepper. Product contains less than 0.5% alcohol *non genetically engineered soybeans

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

gardein™ Seven Grain Crispy Tenders Review

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 508 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

They looked like typical chicken nuggets. The look and smell were really good once they were done. Inside these crispy tenders looked chicken-like consistency and very well simulated. We’re pretty sure you can fool many with these ones into thinking they’re real chicken nuggets. It was heavenly with some tomato sauce and that was some indulgence!

These crispy tenders have a shelf life of 180 days. A good source of protein, and comes with calcium, iron, carbs, and dietary fiber. Provides 100 calories per serving and also low in fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.  

gardein™ is a well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

Ingredients:

Water, soy protein, vital wheat gluten, ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut ), natural flavors (from plant sources), potato starch, expeller pressed canola oil and/or safflower oil, pea protein, modified vegetable gum, carrot fiber, organic beet root fiber, organic evaporated cane juice, yeast extract, sea salt.

Seven grain breading: water, modified cornstarch, toasted wheat crumbs, wheat flour, onion powder, soy lecithin, spice, corn flour, baking powder, guar gum, rice flour, oat bran, oats, quinoa flour, amaranth flour, millet flour, kamut.

Fish Flavor

gardein™ Golden Fishless Filet Review

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 112 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

These fishless filets really look like some breaded cod and had the smell of a regular fish filet. The size, we would say a little smaller than a regular fish filet, but good enough. So we fried those as instructed and then taste tested.

After cutting it, the consistency we thought was slightly firmer than a regular fish filet. Not exactly flaky like regular fish, but the color was more reminiscent of fish which was appetizing. But then as far as taste is concerned, it’s delicious!

If you happened to love fish and chips before going vegan, then this is what you should be looking for, as we highly recommend it! There is no overwhelming fishy smell or flavor as well as it can be a turn off for some and gardein™ had hit the jackpot in terms of taste…they were scrumptious! Another gardein™ (Canadian) success!

These fishless filets are a good source of protein, dietary fiber and come with omega 3s, calcium, iron, and carbs. Provides 180 calories per serving and also free of cholesterol, and trans fat.       

Ingredients:

water, soy protein concentrate*, expeller pressed canola oil*, potato starch, methylcellulose, soy protein isolate*, sea salt, natural flavors (from plant sources), vital wheat gluten*, yeast extract, algal oil (plant source of Omega 3 DHA and EPA), citric acid, organic cane sugar, color added, onion powder, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, turmeric extract, paprika and rosemary extracts, natural smoke flavor.

Breading: water, enriched wheat flour (wheat flour*, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, tapioca starch, yellow corn flour, wheat gluten*, salt, onion powder, spices, garlic powder, baking powder, canola oil, soy flour, xanthan gum, paprika, sugar, turmeric, soy bean oil. *Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat and canola.

Vegan Pork Brands Review

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gardein™ BBQ Pocket Meals Review (Pulled Porkless) / Vegan Pizza Pockets

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (from 62 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

These come in individual packets separately and we baked these in the oven. They had a nice baked color, looked toasty and appetizing while smelling really good as if you’ve entered into a BBQ restaurant with a lot of briskets* though in this case, it is cruelty-free!

Just like pizza pockets, these have that powdery surface on top. Some may like it to be slightly bigger but we thought the size was kind of cute and much easier to consume. The dough is crisp and has a really good consistency. There is a nice BBQ* flavor coming from the paste inside, of course, that’s no surprise, having BBQ sauce in it.

When chewing it does feel like pulled pork* and stringy while having that flavor as well. Hands down these are some of the best vegan savory baked products we’ve found with a meaty paste, thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! Would be great to use as a snack, as a treat, or have when traveling.

These are a good source of protein, iron, and come with carbs, dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Provides 230 calories per serving and also free of cholesterol, and trans fat.        

Ingredients:

water, vital wheat gluten*, soy protein isolate*, natural flavors (from plant sources), yeast extract, expeller pressed canola oil*, garlic powder, onion powder, malted barley extract, organic cane sugar, sea salt, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, molasses.

BBQ sauce: tomato paste, organic cane sugar, water, organic apple cider vinegar, molasses, expeller pressed canola oil*, tamarind extract, sea salt, corn starch, spices, vinegar, yeast extract, natural flavors (from plant sources, contains celery), xanthan gum, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, natural hickory smoke flavor, modified vegetable gum. bun: enriched wheat flour* (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, organic cane sugar, palm flakes, baking powder, yeast, sea salt, natural flavor (from plant sources). *Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat and canola.

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

gardein™ Sweet and Sour Porkless Bites Review

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (from 21 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

These coated bites come with the sauce which adds the sweet n sour flavor, so we had to get it thawed first.  Make sure you don’t add the sauce prematurely to the porkless bites. Just wait until the bites are well sautéed and just keeping 1-2 minutes before you stop sautéing add the sauce.

Adding the sauce too early can ruin it due to overheating and may even caramelize. Once the sauce is added make sure you mix it well with the pork bites to get those fully coated. These pork bites do smell like real pork* and have a slight smoky flavor to it. The texture is quite firm and the taste is quite close to pork*. You may have these with rice, pasta and anything similar.

gardein™ is the well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes, which has safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

It is a good source of protein, iron, and comes with carbs, dietary fiber, calcium, and potassium. Provides 230 calories per serving and also very low on fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.        

Ingredients:

water, vital wheat gluten*, soy protein concentrate*, yeast extract, expeller pressed canola oil*, methycellulose, natural flavors (from plant sources), garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, minced garlic, organic cane sugar, miso paste (organic soybeans, organic rice koji, sea salt, water, koji spores), tamarind extract, tomato powder, malted barley extract, spices, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, molasses, wheat starch*, soy lecithin*.

batter: water, enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), expeller pressed canola oil*, rice flour, corn starch, sugar, salt, garlic powder, spice, leavening (cream of tartar, sodium bicarbonate).

sauce: water, organic cane sugar, distilled vinegar, tomato paste, pineapple juice concentrate, tamari soy sauce* (water, soybeans, salt, sugar), natural flavors (from plant sources), yeast extract, tamarind extract, spices, tomato powder, sea salt, carrageenan, garlic powder, onion powder, minced onion, xanthan gum, color added (contains paprika extract), ascorbic acid, canola oil, citric acid.  *Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat and canola.

* We recall the taste when we were omnis

 

Vegan Bacon Brands Review

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Check the link >> Tofurky Smoked Maple Bacon Tempeh

Vegan Fish Brands Review

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Loma Linda Fishless Tuna Review

 

Rating: 4 out of 5 (from 33 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? No non-vegan ingredients

The first impression was good as they have really done a good job of getting a similar appearance to tuna* with the texture and color. Not perfect, but good enough!

We made a sandwich and the taste was somewhere there compared to tuna, fair enough considering that it is a vegan product and not overly ‘fishy’ like canned tuna which can be a turn off for some. It was a filling sandwich. We also recommend using some vegan mayo, lemon juice, mustard, kelp, relish, salt and pepper with it to enhance flavor. In the end, did we like it? Yes we did, and quite a good vegan fish substitute.

You can make a tuna club sandwich, fish submarine, wraps, stir fry it, make a casserole, salad or have it with pita bread.

It is gluten-free, Non-GMO†, made in USA by Atlantic Natural Foods LLC  which is SQF certified, and HACCP certified (preventive approach to food safety). You may also know that there is no mercury exposure here unlike with real fish!

A good source of protein, and comes with carbs, calcium, and potassium. Provides 50 calories per serving and also very low on fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat

*We recall the taste when we were omnis

† GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Vegan Seafood Brands Review

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gardein™ Mini Crabless Cakes Review

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (from 61 consumer ratings)

Certified Vegan? Yes

You can quickly prepare it in minutes either on the stove or in an oven. Has a very nice crispy crust to it with a beautiful audible crunch, and inside it does look like crab cakes*. The texture is very soft, not greasy and it resembles crab cakes really well with a flaky crab like non-meat filler.

There is some seafood flavor to it to an extent without being too overpowering along with a hint of bell pepper, soy, and salty taste to it. We had it with ketchup and they were delicious! If you happened to love seafood before going vegan and if you have any cravings, this is something you can definitely try.

We feel this would go well with Asian dishes or you can use it as an appetizer, snack, a side dish or as a treat. gardein™ is a well known Canadian brand for providing meat substitutes for over 2 decades. They have safe quality foods (SQF) audit program, and the facilities are HACCP certified.

It comes with omega 3 which is a handy nutrient, especially for vegans, and a good source of protein, while providing carbs, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A. Provides 130 calories per serving and also very low on fat being free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.

Ingredients:

water, textured wheat protein (wheat gluten*, wheat protein*), expeller pressed canola oil*, vegetables (red bell pepper and green onion), soy protein isolate*, vital wheat gluten*, potato starch, natural flavors (from plant sources), methylcellulose, roasted garlic puree (roasted garlic, water), organic cane sugar, sea salt, yeast extract, lemon juice concentrate, tapioca starch, white distilled vinegar, color added, chickpea flour, spice, chia seed oil (plant source of Omega 3 ALA), algal oil (plant source of Omega 3 DHA and EPA), citric acid, modified corn starch.

Breading: water, enriched wheat flour (wheat flour*, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified corn starch, tapioca starch, yellow corn flour, onion powder, garlic powder, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate), canola oil, cane sugar, yeast, salt, soy flour, spice, xanthan gum. *Non genetically engineered soybeans, wheat, and canola.

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References:

[1] https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm364184.htm

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152495/