[Guest Post] Vegan Meat Substitutes by Michelle Rebecca

Vegan Meat Substitutes

Switching from a meat-based diet to a vegan diet takes some adjustment. While some people adapt quickly, others continue to have meat cravings. That's understandable: you may have eaten meat for decades.

When the urge to eat meat hits, don’t give in. Vegans are versatile and imaginative cooks, and over the years have created many meat-free dishes to satisfy your craving for what the Japanese call umami (the savory taste associated with meat).

With a little adjustment, you can often substitute the products listed below for meat in your favorite dishes. While this may seem as challenging as learning to use contractor accounting software, you'll quickly learn which meat substitutes to use with individual recipes.

Tofu

Ask a meat eater to name a meat substitute, and he'll probably say tofu; he’ll probably also say it’s bland and uninteresting. Tofu, made from soybean milk, is one of the best-know meat substitutes on the planet, and its mild, bland flavor is exactly why it’s a good meat substitute. Tofu soaks up other flavors, either during cooking or sitting in a marinade.

Use firm, water-packed tofu for recipes that call for grilling, frying or baking. Before using, press the water out by wrapping the tofu in a clean towel and pressing it under a heavy weight for about 30 minutes. Soak slices in your favorite marinade until they’re ready to cook.

Creamy or silken tofu, however, doesn't hold its shape during cooking, so it’s best for sauces, dressings and desserts.

While Western tofu recipes exist, China, Japan and other Asian countries have cooked with tofu for over 2000 years, so their recipes are a great way to introduce vegetarian cooking to meat-eaters.

Tempeh

Tempeh is the Indonesian equivalent of tofu, made with whole fermented soybeans. This makes tempeh more flavorful and thicker than tofu. Cooks usually soak tempeh in a marinade or sauce for an hour before cooking to soften the texture and smooth out the strong flavor.

Seitan

Seitan, made from wheat gluten, originated in Japan and was probably created to add umami to vegetarian cooking. A convincing substitute for chicken, seitan is also a good source of protein. You can buy seitan at most health food stores or find recipes for homemade seitan online.

Store-Bought Imitation Meats

Imitation meat products are showing up on grocery shelves. Your kids will find little difference between tofu dogs and meat-based hot dogs, especially if you barbeque them.

You can also find ground meatless products that mimic sausage, chicken, and beef. Some of these products are surprisingly good, but your mileage may vary from one product to another. Be sure to read the ingredients carefully: most are soy-based, and many rely heavily on sodium and salt for flavor.

Grains, Beans and Mushrooms

While grains, legumes and mushrooms won't trick many people into thinking they're eating meat, whole grains and beans are important sources of fiber, protein and vitamins. A good bean chili (sorry Texas!) is just as filling and fiery as its beef-based counterparts.

As for mushrooms, their chewiness and savory taste always make them popular vegan ingredients. If you're craving umami, stir-fry some mushrooms in oil and soy sauce. Add some fresh bread and you've got a delicious, savory treat.

Michelle is an aspiring writer who enjoys blogging about anything and everything! She loves how blogging gives her the opportunity to improve her writing skills, voice her thoughts and opinions, and share advice with an unlimited audience.