Minced meat substitute - what options are there?

More and more people are considering vegan alternatives to meat. The reasons for this are varied: intolerances, environment, health or ethics. Nevertheless, you don't have to miss out on delicious recipes like spaghetti bolognese, burgers or lasagne.

In this article we'll take a closer look at what alternatives you have. There are different products that are suitable as minced meat substitutes , with different advantages and disadvantages.

Now let's take a closer look at the various plant-based alternatives to ground meat . This overview will help you make the ideal choice for your recipes. Whether for a hearty Bolognese or a juicy burger – discover how diverse and tasty minced meat substitutes can be.

If you have vegan protein sources and at the same time need a minced meat substitute , you've come to the right place. Lenses are great for this! First you can cook them, then they change their consistency by becoming significantly softer. Now you can season them.

• When choosing lenses, you should pay attention to the color. Red lentils are particularly less suitable as a meat substitute because they tend to become a bit mushy.
  
  
• It's better to use brown or green lentils if you need a recipe with vegan minced meat .
  
  
• Also make sure not to cook the lentils for too long so that they don't become too soft and are still firm to the bite.

Lentils can be used for a wide variety of dishes, such as Bolognese sauce or stews . You can also easily use lentils in a vegan lasagne .

You should just make sure that you don't have any digestive problems with soy have. For example, some people experience bloating or stomach pain a few minutes after consumption.

However, this can also be related to an intolerance to some foods. If you have any symptoms, consult a doctor to investigate the symptoms in more detail.

Making your own vegan mince works easily using pea protein. Like the soy granules, the pea protein should be softened in a broth beforehand. You usually get the peas in a dry form, the consistency is reminiscent of breadcrumbs.

Some alternatives for mince contain pea protein, which is made from isolated protein from the yellow peas. This is separated from water and other components present in the peas before being sold in isolation.

Greenforce also has a vegan alternative to minced meat for you, consisting of protein-rich peas, free of gluten or preservatives and flavor enhancers.

Mushrooms are an unusual but healthy alternative and could also be suitable for your recipes. They contain important nutritional values ​​and substances , such as calcium, magnesium, protein and vitamins B, C and D. In addition, mushrooms are low in calories and consist mostly of water.

You can buy mushrooms anywhere, depending on your priorities, in the supermarket or the nearest health food store. Alternatively, if the season is right, you can simply collect them yourself. The following are particularly suitable alternatives to minced meat :

• Oyster mushrooms
• Mushrooms
• King oyster mushrooms

Make vegan bolognese from mushrooms : Clean and cut the mushrooms. Then put them on a tray and put them in the oven at 50 °C for about half an hour. You can use this time to prepare any additional ingredients you want to add. For example, garlic, onions or carrots are suitable.

Take the mushrooms out of the oven and fry them in a little oil. Then season well, for example pepper, salt, paprika and chili. Then it's time for the other ingredients, such as carrot pieces, tomatoes or other vegetables .

Tofu as a substitute for minced meat ? It is working! In many stores you can get ready-made tofu that has a crumbly consistency . This one is best. If you have pieces of tofu at home, you can use that too.

To do this, simply break it apart with your hands or a fork. There shouldn't be a lot of liquid, otherwise the tofu won't get crispy. You can press the tofu dry to remove the water.

You can prepare a suitable marinade for your minced meat from tomato paste, soy sauce, agave syrup and lime juice. Then season well, for example with garlic, pepper and salt. Chili can also be suitable if you want it a little spicier.

• To prepare, simply place the crumbled tofu in a pan with oil and fry over medium heat without stirring.
• After about 5 minutes, the tofu should be crispy and golden brown in color.
• Stir once or move the pan vigorously so that the other side is also fried until crispy.

For the marinade , put all the prepared ingredients in a bowl and stir until there are no lumps left. Add the finished marinade to the tofu and stir well over low heat so that the marinade can spread well and heat up.

This is a particularly healthy alternative . You don't necessarily have to use a specific substitute; many people simply add significantly more vegetables to their recipe.

Nuts can also be added to add more flavor and healthy fats. You can simply chop these into small pieces and add them. Alternatively, sunflower seeds also provide valuable minerals and give a special taste.

This version is particularly suitable for casseroles or stews and you can do without a substitute product. Add a lot more cauliflower, zucchini or other favorite varieties of yours and just try out the original recipe in this version!

A mixture of kidney beans and oat flakes can make an interesting substitute for minced meat and has an authentic consistency . It is also important here not to use too much liquid so that the substitute does not completely soften and affect the consistency.

• The two ingredients are mixed and made into a mass; a little soy sauce is added
• Then it is seasoned properly to create the taste
• Onions and garlic are added

The mixture can then be fried in a little oil in a pan. It is also stirred and chopped until it looks like minced meat.

Should you have asked yourself before : “ What is vegan mince made of?” “, you now have some possible answers. They all differ in consistency and taste, only by trying them will you find your favorite substitute products .

If you are looking for a healthy alternative or if you like the mushroom taste, you could simply use mushrooms . They are available everywhere and contain important minerals. Replacing meat with pure vegetables is also very healthy and is suitable for stews or casseroles.

Particularly popular substitutes are lentils and peas . Both are particularly rich in protein. The use of soy granules or tofu is also widespread.

Seitan can also be used if you want to try to use the most authentic substitute for meat. The consistency is fibrous and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from meat if prepared appropriately! However, it contains large amounts of gluten and is not suitable for those suffering from celiac disease.

A mixture of oat flakes and kidney beans cooks quickly. Kidney beans are mixed with oat flakes and soy sauce, seasoned heavily and fried like regular minced meat . This replacement is cheap and quick to prepare.

In any case, you won't have to go without lasagne, spaghetti bolognese or other delicious minced meat recipes in the future and you now have a few options for minced meat substitutes !