Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2024)

The sky's the limit with this totally vegan ground beef substitute!

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (1)

Get ready, because your life is about to change for the better. Once you make this vegan ground beef recipe, there’s no stopping you. The sky’s the limit! Just like that, you can swap in this quinoa “beef” for any recipe that calls for traditional ground beef. We’ll show you how in just a minute,but for now let’s just take a minute and really let it sink in.

Vegan ground beef. That sounds like endless possibilities to me!

First of all, let’s take a look at how we got here. I started my journey towards vegan ground beef like so many others: with meatless Monday. Because it was such a great challenge,it really helped to expand my cooking in such a great way. It was also a perfect way to fill at least one day of the week with lots of produce, and it made me feel better, too!

I started with tofu and tempeh (both being really natural meat replacements), and then I went from there. As I continued, I found myself wanting more, but most of all, I wanted something that had the texture of ground beef.

Then it hit me – quinoa has a delicate and crumbly texture, kind of similar to ground beef or turkey, so all I needed to do to transform it into a valid substitute was tomake it a little bit stickier. I baked it with some chopped walnuts, tomato paste, and nutritional yeast and voila – vegan ground beef was born!

How to Use Vegan Ground Beef

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2)

You can use this ground beef substitute any way you use normally cooked ground beef or turkey. Just add it to your favorite casserole dishes, wrap it up in a tortilla to make tacos or burritos, or have some fun with Asian-style lettuce cups. It’s so versatile and neutral tasting, and it will pick up other spices and flavors really nicely.

All you need to do is change up the flavor profile a little bit to customize it to your needs. For example, we’ve suggested adding salsa, garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin for Mexican dishes. This will give the vegan ground beef that taco-seasoning characteristic we all know and love, but that’s not all. We also suggested a way to make it taste more Italian-style by adding marinara, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This is perfect for lasagna or pasta casserole dishes.

Really, all you need to do is put some thought into the flavor profile of the cuisine you’re cooking. Then, spice the vegan ground beef up appropriately, and then you can enjoy! Sesame oil, ginger, and green onion would be great additions to Asian cuisine, whereas coriander, cardamom, and turmeric would be perfect for Moroccan-style dishes.

If you can’t think of where to get started, let us help! Here are 10 ideas off the top of our head, but if nothing sounds like it will hit the spot, let us know in the comments and we’d love to give you more suggestions!

Vegan Meat Ideas:

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (3)

  • Tacos
  • Spaghetti Vegan Meat Sauce
  • Enchiladas
  • Burritos
  • Taquitos
  • Lasagna Filling
  • Asian Lettuce Cups
  • Tortilla Wraps
  • Chili
  • Casseroles

And now, without further ado, the recipe itself. We can’t wait to hear how this turned out for you, so let us know below!

4.80 from 25 votes

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe

This healthy, tasty, and versatile Vegan Beef recipe is perfect for a plethora of dishes.

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Yield 10 people

Serving Size 0.5 cup

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Author Gale Compton

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (4)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Vegan Meat Base

  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
  • 1 cup walnuts raw, finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

Mexican Dishes

  • 1/2 cup salsa no sugar added
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin

Italian Dishes

  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano or Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Add quinoa, broth, salt, and pepper to a medium pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low-boil and cook until the broth is absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Turn off the burner, cover the pot and allow to set 5 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

  • Add all other ingredients to the quinoa, stir to combine. Evenly spread on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, stir, evenly spread on the sheet and continue baking 15 minutes.

  • Remove sheet and enjoy in your favorite Mexican or Italian dishes. Vegan meat keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week or can be frozen for later use.

Notes

Please note that sprouted quinoa only takes 1 1/2 cups broth. Follow the directions on the package if unsure how much liquid to add or how long to cook.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 163mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2

Keywords dairy-free, Diabetic-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much TVP for a pound of ground beef? ›

To replace 1 lb of ground meat: use 1/3 lb of TVP and 1 1/3 cups of boiling water or broth. Place dry TVP in a bowl and pour boiling water or broth over the granules. Stir and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Use as directed in your recipe.

How do you cook plant-based beef? ›

Plant-based meat cooked to medium-rare (125 degrees) is mushy and pasty. On the flip side, cooking plant-based meat until well done (160 degrees) yields meat with an unpleasantly bouncy, chewy texture. We found medium doneness (130 to 135 degrees) to be the sweet spot for tender, juicy meat.

Can I substitute Impossible meat for ground beef? ›

Anything you make with ground beef can be made with Impossible Beef. Let's start out our revamped ground beef dinner ideas with a Cheesy Impossible™ Shepherd's Pie.

How to cook beyond meat like ground beef? ›

Do not consume raw. Heat non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add Beyond Mince. Cook for 5-8 minutes, breaking up to desired crumble size and stirring frequently. If adding sauce, simmer for up to 30 minutes.

How much does 1 cup of TVP make? ›

Plain TVP 1 cup yields 2 ¼ cups 3 oz. yields 14 oz. TVP can be added directly to soups and stews, or rehydrated for a healthy, meatless option. To rehydrate, add 2 cups of water to 1 cup of TVP and soak or simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Is TVP cheaper than beef? ›

TVP is primarily used as a meat substitute due to its very low cost at less than a third the price of ground beef and, when cooked together, will help retain more nutrients from the meat by absorbing juices normally lost.

What is used to make plant-based meat taste like meat? ›

Soy protein concentrate and pea protein are common ingredients used to mimic the true taste and texture of real meat. Editor's note: Some plant-based meat options, notably Impossible Foods products, contain GMO soy.

Can you overcook plant-based meat? ›

Like beef from cows, Impossible Burger can be overcooked. We recommend cooking it to medium and slightly browned.

Is plant-based meat better for you than beef? ›

New research shows that although plant-based meat products are generally healthier than meat equivalents, they can be higher in sugar and are often lacking important nutrients found in real meat.

Why is impossible beef so expensive? ›

Plant-based beef alternatives are more expensive than beef because of production costs. Even though the plant-based beef industry uses less grain to create its products than what gets used for livestock feed, the scale is much smaller. This leads to higher costs, which get passed to consumers.

What is the best meat substitute for ground beef? ›

Textured vegetable protein, also known as TVP, is a meat-free protein source made from defatted soy flour that can be bought at health food stores or online. It's a shelf stable ingredient that's available in a minced shape, which when rehydrated is eerily similar to the texture of ground beef.

How to cook plant-based meat? ›

11 Tips You Need When Cooking With Plant-Based Meat
  1. Choose the right plant-based meat for your recipe. ...
  2. Let it marinate to infuse more flavor. ...
  3. Don't be afraid to give it a good sear. ...
  4. Season, season again, and season some more. ...
  5. Add some smoky flavor notes. ...
  6. Make it saucy. ...
  7. Boost the umami. ...
  8. Don't skimp on the fat.
Dec 4, 2022

How to cook impossible meat like ground beef? ›

The best part about Impossible Burger is that it cooks like ground beef. For fillings, sear while stirring until well browned. If you're serving up burgers, we recommend cooking for 2-3 minutes per side.

What holds plant-based meat together? ›

Common binders used in plant-based meat include soy protein isolate, methylcellulose, carrageenan, and modified starches. Overall, these binders improve the thickening, gelation, and textural properties of end products. Methylcellulose is an especially common binder.

What is the ratio of liquid to TVP? ›

The ratio of water to TVP should be 1:1. To reconstitute the TVP, you simply add hot water and let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes. The TVP will begin to fluff and take on the texture of ground beef.

How much TVP is one serving? ›

A serving of 1/2 cup, or about 50 g of TVP, provides 24 g of protein (compared to 50 g of ground beef which provides 13.5 g of protein). It also provides 9 g of fiber and 0.5 g of fat, plus more than 40% of your daily iron needs.

How much TVP does it take to make 500g of mince? ›

You want to use the right amount to rehydrate without becoming too 'spongy' and so that the TVP does not require draining. For every 170g (⅓ lb/6 oz) TVP (which rehydrates to an equivalent amount of 500g + of meat mince), use 320 ml liquid stock.

How many pounds of grain are needed to produce one pound of ground beef? ›

In reality, it takes 2.5 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef we eat in the United States. For the first six to eight months of a calf 's life it is primarily consuming mother's milk with a nibble of grass and hay to stimulate their rumen development. An average calf is 600 pounds before it begins to eat grain.

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