28 Vegan Recipes You’ll Love Even If You Like Meat (2024)

FAQs

How do you make vegetables taste like meat? ›

Vegetables can handle strong, assertive spices. Mix up a harissa spice mix, use some za'atarans, grab a barbecue powder, and rub it into whole heirloom carrots, cauliflower chunks, slabs of zucchini, and mushrooms. Marinate: Potentially meat like vegetables absorb flavors beautifully.

Flexitarian – people who mainly have a plant-based diet but that sometimes includes small portions of meat and seafood; sometimes also called 'semi-vegetarian'.

And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less. And they have a lower risk of heart disease than nonvegetarians do. Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

Mushrooms. Mushrooms are one of the most popular vegetables to replace meat due to their savory umami flavor and meaty texture. Portobello mushrooms are large enough to eat just like a burger and sturdy enough to be able to throw on the grill without falling apart.

Some whole foods, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and mushrooms, contain protein or have a meaty texture and can work well as meat substitutes. Food manufacturers often include these types of food in their vegetarian and vegan products.

Numerous studies have shown that vegans consume insufficient calcium and vitamin D, not only owing to the absence of dairy products but also due to calcium bioavailability problems in plant-based diets [28]. Vitamin D insufficiency exacerbates calcium shortage further owing to impaired intestinal absorption.

Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense.

What vegan food tastes like beef? ›

Like tofu, seitan is bland by itself in its taste, But as one of your meat alternatives, it can easily take the flavors of things like chicken and beef. Seitan makes a particularly great substitute for dishes like ribs. And it can also be found in stir-fries and sandwiches.

Jackfruit is a large tropical fruit that has a slightly sweet and fruity flavor and a meaty texture. It's often used as a replacement for meat in vegetarian or vegan dishes.

Mushrooms: Certain mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, and portobello, have a naturally meaty and umami-rich flavor. Incorporate them into your dishes by sautéing, grilling, or roasting them to enhance their meat-like qualities. Soy Sauce or Tamari: These fermented soybean sauces are packed with umami.