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

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

Are you as inspired as we are to cook great vegan food? We certainly hope so! By subscribing to our newsletter, you can have all these ideas emailed directly to your inbox. Or, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get ideas added to your newsfeed.

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is plant-based ground beef made of? ›

Meat products, like beef, bacon and sausage, come from animal sources, like pigs (pork), cows (beef) and chicken. Plant-based meat, on the other hand, may look and taste like your favorite meats, but it is made from a variety of meat-free ingredients, like soy, pea, wheat gluten, pulses or even jackfruit.

How do you cook plant-based beef? ›

Heat non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add Beyond Beef. Cook about 5-8 minutes, breaking up to desired crumble size and stirring frequently. If adding sauce, simmer for up to 30 minutes. Mix dry and wet ingredients per your favorite recipe.

How do you make vegan ground beef taste better? ›

Best Ingredient to Replace Meat

Black lentils or TVP are good substitutes if you don't have soy curls. This vegan ground beef also includes mushrooms and either sunflower seeds or walnuts. The added richness from nuts or seeds really takes the flavor over the top, but you can omit them if needed.

How do you make plant-based meat taste like 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.

Does plant-based meat actually taste like meat? ›

Due to various ingredients and processes used, some brands of plant-based meat have actually accomplished the flavor of real meat… while others taste similar but not quite like the real thing.

Is impossible meat actually healthy? ›

The Impossible Burger can be a sustainable alternative to regular burgers and does contain higher amounts of several important nutrients, including vitamin B12, folate, and thiamine (3, 4 , 5 ). However, the Impossible Burger contains more sodium than regular ground beef and is lower in some vitamins and minerals.

Is plant-based ground beef healthy? ›

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.

How do plant-based burgers taste like meat? ›

Some plants also have heme; and in plants it is carried by the protein leghemoglobin, which is closely related to myoglobin (Impossible Foods, 2018). Using this heme protein in the burger patty, allows it to better mimic the taste of an animal meat burger.

What does plant-based ground beef taste like? ›

These create a warm, earthy aroma during cooking and deliver a juicy, meaty texture and umami flavor. The mushrooms and pea protein form a dynamic duo here, ensuring the crumbles have a chewy bite—not unlike meat, but not unlike hearty vegetables, either.

How to cook beyond meat like ground beef? ›

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. Microwaving, boiling or deep frying.

How do you make fake meat taste like meat? ›

For a more general kind of meaty taste that can imitate chicken or pork, I like nutritional yeast flakes. Soy sauce and miso can help make something salty and a bit meaty. Mushrooms can also help with the meaty aftertaste.

Can I be plant-based and still eat meat? ›

The diet consists primarily of food made of plants: fruits and vegetables in addition to nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. A plant-based diet is not a vegetarian or vegan diet; you can eat poultry, beef, eggs, fish, and dairy products, however most of your nutrient intake is coming from plant-based food sources.

What do vegans eat that taste like meat? ›

Tofu: Tofu, also known as bean curd, is made from soybeans and has a texture similar to meat when cooked. It can be seasoned to have a meaty flavor and is commonly used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes.

What seasoning adds meat flavor? ›

Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.

Are plant-based burgers better for you than beef? ›

Interestingly, the plant based burgers may not be the best choice for people following a heart-healthy diet, as they are higher in saturated fat than turkey burgers and contain substantially more sodium than lean beef burgers.

Is plant-based ground beef real meat? ›

Though Not 'Real' Meat, Plant-Based Products May Harbor the Same Pathogens. Meat continues to dominate on the grill, but the market for plant-based “meat alternatives” is growing. That growth is due in part to a belief that plant-based products are healthier than animal-meat and less susceptible to pathogens like E.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5349

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.