Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2024)

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Plant-Based

4.81 from 26 votes

by Gale Compton

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Published: March 5, 2018 Last Updated: February 25, 2021

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

Plant-Based Ground Beef Recipe (2)

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 (4)

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 (5)

  • 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!

4.81 from 26 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 (6)

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 to 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.

What is plant-based ground beef made of? ›

Ingredients: Water, Pea Protein*, Avocado Oil, Natural Flavors, Rice Protein, Lentil Protein 2% or less of Methylcellulose, Potato Starch, Pea Starch, Potassium Lactate (to preserve freshness), Faba Bean Protein, Apple Extract, Pomegranate Concentrate, Potassium Salt, Spice, Vinegar, Vegetable Juice Color (with Beet).

What are 3 of the most famous plant-based meat brands? ›

Top 10 Plant-based Meat Companies : growing sustainable, plant-based food industry
  • Impossible Foods. Impossible Foods Inc. ...
  • Gardein™ ...
  • Beyond Meat. ...
  • Quorn Foods. ...
  • Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ...
  • Amy's Kitchen. ...
  • Morningstar Farms. ...
  • Sunfed Meats.

What vegetables can you substitute for ground beef? ›

Well, if you don't want real or fake meat, you can try some vegetables. Mushroom and eggplant can work in some ground meat recipes, if it is diced small and seasoned well. Beans can also fill out a recipe.

How to cook Beyond Meat ground 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 cook plant mince? ›

You'll need to place the block of mince and a splash of oil in a pan on a medium/low heat and let it fall apart naturally as you turn the block over occasionally,” Andrew says. “This will take around 15 minutes until the mince can be fully broken up, and then an extra 10 minutes to crisp the mince up.”

How is plant-based meat prepared? ›

How Do They Make It Resemble Meat?
  1. Extract proteins from raw materials.
  2. Use heat through an “extrusion” process to structure/texturize the proteins. ...
  3. Add additional coloring, flavor, and aroma agents.
  4. Treat the product for microbial contamination.
  5. Package and ship off to grocery stores.
Oct 4, 2022

Can you make plant-based meat at home? ›

Make easy, delicious vegan ground beef using textured vegetable protein mixed with tomato paste and seasonings. Alternatively, make a black bean burger using black beans, eggs, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and bread crumbs. You can also make meatless chicken with wheat gluten and chickpeas.

Why did plant-based meat fail? ›

According to data from the Good Food Institute, plant-based meat is still two to four times as expensive as traditional meat. With inflation cutting into people's paychecks, paying double for a similar experience is not an ideal choice for omnivores.

Is plant-based meat junk food? ›

Plant-based meat alternatives often contain more sodium than animal meats—in some examples up to six times more—and some of them contain added sugars, artificial coloring, and controversial additives like carrageenan and methylcellulose, which are bulking agents.

Which plant-based meat is the healthiest? ›

Lentils. “Lentils are natural foods, rich in fiber, protein, and potassium,” says George. Lentils are also pretty much the most unprocessed forms of plant protein you can find. Limiting processed foods is helpful so that you can avoid excess sugar or sodium.

What is a cheaper alternative to ground beef? ›

Ground Turkey

This beef substitute is a fantastic choice to select when you're looking to add more protein to your menu. As a bonus, it's also cheaper than ground beef. Enjoy it in pasta, meat sauces, and anything else that would typically call for ground beef.

What not to do when cooking ground beef? ›

10 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Ground Beef
  1. Thawing ground beef on the kitchen counter. ...
  2. Not choosing ground beef with the right fat content. ...
  3. Not choosing the right pan. ...
  4. Placing the meat in the pan directly out of the fridge. ...
  5. Forgetting to preheat the pan. ...
  6. Stirring the meat too much as it cooks.
Jan 13, 2024

What is the closest thing to ground beef? ›

With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.

Does plant-based meat need to be cooked? ›

Plant-based burgers should be cooked until reaching an internal temperature of 160ºF as measured with a digital thermometer.

How long to cook plant-based beef? ›

In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm one tablespoon of oil. Crumble the plant-based beef into the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about three minutes.

What is the best way to cook plant-based burgers? ›

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet with oil and cook the patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until well-charred and cooked through. Remove from the heat, brush with Worcestershire sauce, and serve with desired fixings.

How do you know when plant-based beef is cooked? ›

If its a potato based patty, look for a crust on top that is browned, and being able to poke it should have steam rise out of it. Its rather simple to tell when its done. For soy patties, its slightly harder - my rule of thumb has always been to wait for the grill marks to appear on it, and then wait about 5 minutes.

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