Vegetarians & Vegans Support Group

I enjoy soy products and tofu, but it's so hugely processed that I can't eat it. I get ill health side effects. I would really do your research on soy products. Soy beans are very healthy, but the processed products not so much. If I do eat soy...I usually go with the extra firm. It seems to hold up better when preparing.

So other than tofu, what is a good substitute for meat texture in foods? While I can do without it, my family is still craving SOME meat meals.

An excellent substitute that I've found is textured vegetable protein (TVP). You can get flavored kinds, or non-flavored. I have only tried the non-flavored kind, but I do recommend it. It's so good as a meat substitute, that I just ate some vegetarian chili from a can the other week at a party, and I was freaked out, because I thought they had put meat in it! I even showed my friends a piece of it on my spoon and we were all kind of convinced it was a mistake at the factory or something crazy along those lines. We looked on the can and it turns out the company adds TVP to their chili! lol

I've also tried this product called Soy Curls by Butler. It is the whole soy bean and you rehydrate it before adding it to sauces, casseroles, etc. It's the same process as TVP. The texture reminded me of chicken.

Good luck! I hope I was able to help!

Seitan is a great meat substitute. There are also some frozen "ground" meat substitutes that are great in tacos, spaghetti, chili, etc.
Crumbled or sliced tempeh...Also, if you freeze tofu, and then thaw it, the consistency changes, and it is more "meaty."

I prefer straight tofu... Not a big fan of substitute meat. Cause in the end it isn't meat, and I don't try to fake it. If I wanted to eat something that tasted like meat.... I'd eat meat damn the consequences...

Tofu is extremely versatile. The thing is to get used to using it as an ingredient in your cooking. It comes in many varieties from silk to extra firm.... and there are certainly differences in them...

extra firm works well in savory dishes, and for grilling.
silk in sweet ones
medium is a good vehicle for experimentation.

you just have to practise working with tofu as an ingredient... but it is a lot of fun to try...

I personally don't find tofu straight from the box to be a good meat substitute at all. I'd go for the vegetarian or vegan ground beef, or maybe Morningstar Chicken or Beef strips. Either moringstar or gardenburger makes bbq riblets that are scrumptious and taste exactly like the real thing. Also, there's one brand that has a great sausage links, but I can't remember the name - the box is white and purple. And Tofurky makes good sausage substitutes. The Italian sausage is one of my favorites and you can use it for subs or sandwiches or in spaghetti