25+ Awesome Vegan Recipes for Using Plant-Based Ground "Beef" (2024)

Whether using Beyond, Impossible, other vegan products, or DIY options, this roundup of hearty vegan recipes using plant-based ground “beef” presents a slew of tempting options. With so many meaty vegan ground alternatives on the market, there’s absolutely no reason to use the animal product.

Switching to plant-based foods is one of the single best ways to reduce your environmental footprint. It’s also kinder to animals and your heart.

Explore these delicious recipes for using plant-based ground from around the web. Some use packaged plant-based ground products; other are DIY using tempeh and other protein foods. Thanks to the creative bloggers who participated in this roundup for permission to feature links to their recipes and photos.

Plant-based ground options

There are lots of options on the market these days, including Beyond, Impossible, Gardein, Lightlife, Plant Pure, and others. Look for them in well-stocked supermarkets and natural foods stores.

For a spicier effect in some of these recipes you can also choose plant-based chorizo; No Evil makes great El Zapatista Chorizo.

Or, if you’re a DIY kind of cook, you can easily make your own vegan beef-less ground using whole foodslike nuts, quinoa, mushrooms, and more.

Casseroles using plant-based ground

Classic Vegan Meatloaf: For those who long for Mom’s classic recipe, this vegan meatloaf may be better than the real thing, for lots of reasons! Our most popular recipe.

Vegan Hotdish: AKA tater tot casserole, this recipe turns the original, traditional Minnesota casserole into something more wholesome, but still freaking delicious.

Vegan Chili Mac Casserole: From This Wife Cooks. The classic chili Mac made with all plant-based ingredients!

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie: From Vegan Huggs. This is pure comfort in every bite! The filling combines mushrooms, ground walnuts, grated carrots, and onions for a meaty mince that is savory and satisfying.

Vegan Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie: Another take on shepherd’s pie, this sweet potato variation is a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish, but you need not wait for a holiday to enjoy it.

Stovetop fare with plant-based ground:
Pastas, noodles, chili & more

Pasta with Vegan Bolognese Sauce: The meaty tomato-based sauce in classic pasta Bolognese is so easy make vegan using your favorite plant-based ground or homemade crumbles made with whole foods.

can be made with beefy plant-based ground that you spice up, or going straight to a spicy plant-based chorizo. You can also go full on DIY with a homemade plant-based ground using whole foods.

Vegan Chili Mac: The hearty dish known as “chili mac” is just what it sounds like — a cross between chili and macaroni and cheese. Also known as Cincinnati chili mac, it’s easy to make a vegan chili mac by using plant-based ground and vegan cheese.

Vegan Beefy Pasta Skillet: One of those carb-laden classic recipes that’s so comforting, this vegan beefy pasta skillet is part cheeseburger macaroni, kind of hamburger helper-ish, and all plant-based.

Quick Vegan Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Making these vegan chili-stuffed sweet potatoes is a quick route to a satisfying dinner. As an occasional alternative to plant-based ground, this recipe gives you the option of using quinoa.

Easy Vegan One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: From Delightful Adventures. Tacos and pasta join forces in this easy, family-friendly dish you can make in your Instant Pot or on the stove top. Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and easy vegan dinner idea everyone will love!

Vegan Picadillo (Tempeh & Lentil): From Running to the Kitchen, here’s a plant based version of this traditional Cuban recipe made with tempeh, lentils and potatoes. It’s packed with big flavors from Spanish olives, capers, raisins and spices in a hearty tomato base. Perfect served over rice, cauliflower rice, a bed of greens or zoodles.

Soups & Stews using plant-based beefy ground

Vegan Cabbage Soup: From Wow, It’s Veggie?! This vegan cabbage soup is so easy and delicious to make! The flavors are so warming and this soup is very hearty for winter.

Ultimate Vegan Chili: From Vegan Huggs: This chili is thick, hearty, and meaty! It’s loaded with veggies, beans, warm spices, and savory homemade tofu meatless crumbles. It’ll keep you cozy and satisfied during those chilly days, too!

Cabbage Roll Soup: From Vegan Yack Attack. Rich in flavor, but with limited ingredients, this cabbage roll soup is sure to satisfy. It makes a wonderful weekday meal, too, because it takes 30 minutes!

“Beefy” Sandwich & Burger Fare

Easy Vegan Philly Cheesesteak: From Wow, It’s Veggie?! This vegan Philly Cheesesteak is so easy and delicious to make and is prepared in the traditional style.

Vegan Sloppy Joes: From Fried Dandelions. Vegan Sloppy Joes with Lentils will instantly transport you back to your childhood! They’re packed with protein, veggies, and flavor, and make a perfect weeknight dinner!

Beyond Impossible Vegan Burgers and Sliders: From This Wife Cooks. These ultra meaty vegan beef and sausage burgers are made with a combination of Beyond Meat sausage and Impossible Foods ground beef. Perfect for cookouts or tailgating, these 100% plant-based burgers will satisfy even the most hardcore carnivores in the crowd.

Vegan “Beefy” Tacos & nachos

Easy Plant Protein Soft Tacos: It’s easy to make your own tasty plant protein tacos using any of the “beefy” vegan crumbles available these days. Or, you can make your own!

Best Vegan Tempeh Tacos: From Happy Kitchen. Chipotle corn salsa, fresh and zesty tomato pico de gallo, crunchy tacos complete with mouth-watering tempeh taco meat come together and create the BEST vegan tacos you’ll ever have. These tacos boom with the smoky flavor of chipotle peppers, sweet roasted corn, tangy tomato salsa and savory vegan taco meat that will leave you craving more!

“Beefy” Vegan Nachos Grandes: “Beefy” vegan nachos grandes take almost no time to make, and are fantastic party fare or even an emergency dinner. They’re also a great way to convince your skeptical friends to take a walk on the veg side.

… And more

Vegan meat lovers pizza: It might sounds like a contradiction, but made with easy swaps of plant-based proteins and cheese, this meaty pizza will satisfy eaters of all persuasions!

Vegan Burger Salad: From Thyme and Love. Craving a burger, but also a salad? This Vegan Burger Salad is the perfect solution! This salad has all your favorite burger toppings and then the salad is topped with a delicious homemade dressing.

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl: From The Cheeky Chickpea. Best vegan egg roll in a bowl, with beef-less ground, cabbage, veggies, and a simple Asian sauce. A deconstructed egg roll bowl that’s vegan, delicious and ready in 20 minutes!

Vegan Polish Mistakes – Easy Party Appetizer: From Veggie Inspired. Easy party appetizers served on co*cktail rye toasts with mounds of meat and cheese. And my version is all VEGAN! This is one snack that will please even the carnivores in your life.

Do you like the idea of making your own DIY plant-based beefy crumbles? Here are vegan beef-less ground recipes, four ways.

25+ Awesome Vegan Recipes for Using Plant-Based Ground "Beef" (2024)

FAQs

How do you make vegan meat taste like beef? ›

If you're not actually vegetarian, things like worcestershire, fish sauce, or beef stock can add a lot of that flavor you're looking for without adding meat directly. For actual vegan options: mushrooms, miso, fermented black bean, smoked salt, nutritional yeast, kombu, marmite.

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How do you commit to a plant-based diet? ›

How Do I Start a Plant-Based Diet?

Invest in meal kits. There are meal delivery services that send pre-made meals or ingredients right to your doorstep. ...
Fill up with vegetables. Cover half of your plate with vegetables for lunch and dinner. ...
Think differently about meat. ...
Cook a vegetarian meal at least once a week.

Sep 22, 2023

Keep Reading ›

What is vegan fried chicken made of? ›

Seitan, in this case. However this really depends on which recipe or product you use. Some recipes use pea protein or soy protein. Alternatively you can simply used clusters of oyster mushrooms, since their texture is naturally so meaty.

Find Out More ›

What is plant-based chicken made with? ›

Although components vary, certain materials are commonly used in meat and meat-free chicken products. These include water, wheat flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and other spices. The main difference is that plant-based chicken is usually made from soy protein and wheat gluten instead of animal flesh.

Learn More Now ›

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.

How do you make plant-based meat taste like real meat? ›

Umami is what gives savoury dishes that meaty, brothy taste – typically found as MSG. Some manufacturers will use what you might call an “umami bomb” to give plant-based applications the hearty, meaty taste consumers want from traditional meat.

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What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

Read On ›

What do you call a person who eats a plant-based diet? ›

A vegetarian is someone who follows a vegetarian diet—they don't eat meat of any kind (beef, chicken, fish—no animal flesh at all). The word vegan typically refers to someone who doesn't eat or use any products from animals—vegans don't eat meat or dairy, and they often don't eat other animal-derived foods like honey.

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What happens to your body when you start a plant-based diet? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

Is KFC actually vegan? ›

WHAT OTHER KFC FOODS ARE SUITABLE FOR VEGANS? Our beans and corn are vegan-friendly and can be added to your Original Recipe Vegan Burger & Drink order for just 50p. Click here for a full list of vegan-friendly foods available at KFC. Our kiosks also have symbols to indicate vegan menu items and ingredients.

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Why aren t KFC fries vegan? ›

But are the chips in KFC vegan? Unfortunately, KFC chips aren't vegan. They're cooked in the same oil as some of the chicken fryers, preventing them from being vegan; this is why the KFC vegan meal is only a burger and a drink.

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Are fried french fries vegan? ›

While many fries are free from animal ingredients, sometimes they contain dairy or may be fried in lard. In most cases, the fries you order from a fast-food restaurant are cooked in the same oil that's used to fry meat and other animal products.

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What is KFC plant-based chicken made of? ›

Beyond Fried Chicken is made mostly of soy and wheat proteins. It is also coated with similar breading to KFC's popcorn nuggets. The KFC website lists the ingredients of Beyond Fried Chicken, including water, enriched wheat flour, soy protein isolate, canola oil, wheat gluten, natural flavorings, and yeast extract.

Does KFC have a plant-based chicken? ›

What is Beyond Fried Chicken®? It packs all the delicious flavor you expect from KFC into a plant-based option. Developed exclusively for KFC by our friends at Beyond Meat®.

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What is KFC new plant-based chicken? ›

In January 2022, KFC's Beyond Meat nuggets, made from soy and wheat protein, went nationwide at more than 4,000 locations. Public opinion of the meat-free option was divided; some customers were firmly in favor of them, while others found them to be much denser and more expensive than conventional chicken.

How do they make plant-based meat behave like beef? ›

Beyond Meat uses beet extracts to color its product, while Impossible Foods relies on another iron-containing compound called leghemoglobin, an oxygen transport molecule found in the roots of legumes, such as soy. Like myoglobin, it has a red color and — according to Impossible — a meaty flavor.

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How do you mimic beef flavor? ›

To make your own spice blend: Start with a base mixture of salt, pepper, brown sugar, onion, garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Other great flavoring agents for beef-alternative dishes are: Vegan Worcestershire sauce – Adds that signature umami flavor.

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How do you replicate beef taste? ›

Here are some tips to achieve meat-like flavors in vegetarian dishes:

Mushrooms: Certain mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, and portobello, have a naturally meaty and umami-rich flavor. ...
Soy Sauce or Tamari: These fermented soybean sauces are packed with umami. ...
Miso Paste: Miso is another umami powerhouse.

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Oct 2, 2023

25+ Awesome Vegan Recipes for Using Plant-Based Ground "Beef" (2024)

Plant-based ground options

Casseroles using plant-based ground

Stovetop fare with plant-based ground:Pastas, noodles, chili & more

Soups & Stews using plant-based beefy ground

“Beefy” Sandwich & Burger Fare

Vegan “Beefy” Tacos & nachos

… And more

FAQs

How do you make vegan meat taste like beef? ›

Why aren t KFC fries vegan? ›

References

Stovetop fare with plant-based ground:
Pastas, noodles, chili & more