Vegan Meat: Shopping Guide, Health Info & More

By KD Angle-Traegner / Last Update: October 2019

Faux, fake, mock, meat analogs, or plant proteins; no matter what you call them, vegan meat products are more common than ever.

Not surprisingly, there has been a lot of talk about these products. Are they healthy? How do vegan meats help animals? Why would vegans want to eat something that is like meat if they don’t eat meat?

And, perhaps the most asked question of them all, do vegan meats taste good?

Veggie burgers may not save the world, but they do save the life of cows.

Here’s everything you need to know.

 

If you’ve ever wondered what vegan meat is, this section is for you.

Often referred to as “fake,” vegan meat and dairy products are quite real. So, why do people call them fake? A look back at the etymology of the word “meat” actually shows that the word is rooted from the Old English term, “mete,” which meant “item of food.” (1)

Vegan meat — also called faux, fake, mock, meat analogs, or plant proteins — are products that mimic certain qualities of animal-based meat-like textures, flavor, or appearance, for example. They are made from a variety of ingredients such as soy, textured vegetable protein, or wheat gluten, to name a few.

Note that there is a difference between “meatless” and “vegan meat.”  The term “meatless” can refer to a product that still contains trace amounts of animal products (such as eggs, casein, whey, or other animal-derived enzymes). On the other hand, “vegan meat” does not contain any animal ingredients at all.  Check the labels carefully when purchasing.

There are plenty of good arguments in favor of vegan meats. First, for some people, they can help them transition into an entirely vegan diet. These products imitate products that people are already familiar with, making them easy to integrate into favorite meals. Plus, they’re convenient. Most of them come precooked.

Next, the ritual of food plays a significant role in people’s familial and social lives. Food is powerful in the way it brings people together. Having vegan options that mimic formerly traditional foods allow everyone to participate in the celebration. Not to mention, vegan meats taste good too.

Finally, but perhaps most significantly, when compared, vegan meats will have additional benefits over non-vegan ones by default.

There are ethical and environmental concerns surrounding the creation of animal products. Living vegan addresses these. But also, if we can live without harming others, why wouldn’t we? 

Vegan meats allow us to do precisely that.

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about vegan meat.

If vegans don’t want to eat animal meats, then why would they want to eat something that looks like and tastes like meat?

This question is much more common than you might think.

Some people have a hard time understanding why vegans would want to eat something that tastes like meat but the answer is straightforward: It’s because they like the taste. 

Vegans remove animal-based meats from their diets not because they don’t enjoy their taste, but most often because of ethical, environmental, or health-related reasons.

What is vegan meat?

Vegan meat — also called faux, fake, mock, meat analogs, or plant proteins — are products that mimic certain qualities of animal-based meat like textures, flavor, or appearance, for example. They are made from a variety of ingredients such as soy, textured vegetable protein, or wheat gluten, to name a few.

Note that there is a difference between “meatless” and “vegan meat.”  The term “meatless” can refer to a product that still contains trace amounts of animal products (such as eggs, casein, whey, or other animal-derived enzymes). On the other hand, “vegan meat” does not contain any animal ingredients at all.  Check the labels carefully when purchasing.

What’s the point of vegan meat? I tried it and it doesn’t taste like meat.

It’s inevitable. When non-vegans try vegan meats for the first time, they will compare the taste to their animal-based counterparts. Comparisons like this can often result in the person exclaiming, “it tastes nothing like meat!”

Sometimes, they’re right.

While some vegan meats try to replicate the taste or texture of animal-based meat, others don’t; it varies widely from brand to brand. Some brands are so similar that even professional chefs have a hard time telling the difference.

Meat analogs can provide a bit of familiarity for people transitioning towards a vegan diet. Also, the ritual of food plays an important role in people’s family and social life. Food is powerful in the way it can bring people together. Having vegan options that replace former traditional foods allow everyone to participate in the celebration together.

Not only that, vegan meats taste good.

Do vegan meats actually promote the use of animals?

Sigh. No.

Taste is subjective, but nutrition is not. Here’s some information to consider when choosing to consume these vegan products.

Are Vegan Meats Healthy?

When talking about the nutrition of vegan meats, one point comes up more often than any other; the abundant amount of sodium they contain. It’s mentioned so often because it’s true.

Salt as a flavor enhancer and preservative is ubiquitous in processed foods, and vegan items are not exempt. While we do need some in our diets to assist with functions like muscle contraction, it is possible to consume too much when relying on convenience items, like vegan meats.

How much is too much?

According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, the average American consumes slightly over 3,400 mg per day of sodium. This amount is over 1,000 mg more than the recommendation of 2,300 mg per day, which translates into around one teaspoon of table salt. (2)

So, what does that mean as far as food goes?

An average veggie sausage (think Tofurky or Field Roast) contains roughly 600 mg per link. A veggie patty can easily have 500 mg, while deli slices average 300 mg per serving. Add to this that you may be using bread or a bun, along with high salt condiments like pickles or ketchup, and you could easily push 1,000 mg for that single meat substitute portion of your meal.

Doing the math, you can see how it’s easy to push the salt envelope if you consume these meat substitutes at most meals.

Why do we need salt at all?

Our bodies need some sodium for essential functions like muscle contractions; however, in excessive amounts, salt can increase blood pressure. This condition, known as hypertension, causes the heart to work harder. It can also stress other organs, like the kidneys, and lead to a stroke.

A diet high in sodium can raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Here in the United States, heart disease and stroke are the nation’s first and fifth leading causes of death. (2)

Don’t eliminate, diversify instead

Must you give up your favorite vegan meat to maintain your sodium intake within the daily guidelines? Not necessarily, according to vegan dietitian Anya Todd MS, RD, LD. The key is reducing your consumption and adding some basic protein-rich staples into the mix will help balance out your sodium levels.

“There is no evidence that incorporating processed veggie meat into your diet has negative health impacts. For many people, these options enable them to transition more easily to being vegan, which is always a win in my book. Do I believe diets should be primarily based on whole foods? Yes, but I also think a healthy, compassionate diet can include some vegan sausages now and again, too.”

Todd advises including other protein-rich plant foods like beans, tofu, and tempeh to the menu several times a week. All of which, in their natural states, are low in sodium.

Deli Slices, Bacon & Jerky

Generally speaking, you’ll be able to find vegan deli, bacon, or jerky in well-stocked grocery stores.

Look for them in two places; in the produce section in a refrigerated case alongside tofu and other meat-free products as is the case for deli meats and bacon, or in the snack aisle in the case of the jerky.

• Field Roast
  Lentil Sage, Wild Mushroom, Smoked Tomato

• Lightlife
  White Bean & Kale, Chickpea & Red Pepper, Bologna, Ham, Pepperoni, Turkey

• Quorn (coming soon!)
  Smoky Ham, Chicken-Free

• Tofurky
  Smoked Ham, Oven-Roasted, Peppered, Hickory Smoked, Bologna, Italian

• Yves Veggie Cusine
  Bologna, Turkey, Ham, Salami, Pepperoni

• Lightlife Smart Bacon

• Lightlife Smokey Tempeh Strips

• Phoney Baloneys Coconut Bacon

• Sweet Earth Hickory & Sage Smoked Seitan Bacon

• Tofurky Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

• Upton’s Naturals Seitan Bacon

• Yves Veggie Bacon

Want more bacon? Visit the Vegan Bacon Guide for a comprehensive look at all things crispy, smoky, and delicious. Includes a shopping guide and more than 50 vegan recipes to try at home.

• Cocoburg Coconut Jerky
  Original, Tangy & Spicy, Ginger Teriyaki

• Dr. Amy’s Organics Eggplant Jerky
  Original, Spicy

• Jewels of the Forest Shroom Jerky
  Sweet Chili, Sesame

• Louisville’s Vegan Jerky
  Pete’s Smoked Black Pepper, Tod’s Smoked Chipotle, Enid’s Perfect Pepperoni, Reuben’s Smoky Carolina BBQ, Paulette’s Maple Bacon, and many other seasonal flavors

• May Wah Vegan Jerky
  Bacon, Teriyaki, Spicy, Beef

• Pan’s Mushroom Jerky
  Original, Sea Salt & Pepper, Applewood BBQ, Zesty Thai

• Primal Strips Jerky
  Teriyaki, Hickory Smoked, Hot & Spicy, Mesquite Lime, Texas BBQ, Thai Peanut

• Sakara Watermelon Jerky

• Sam’s Harvest Jerky

• Savory Wild Portabella Jerky
  Sweet Balsamic & Golden Fig, Roasted Garlic & Black Pepper, Sesame Ginger Korean Chili

• Seva Foods Coconut Jerky
  Original, Chipotle Lime

• Stonewall’s Vegan Jerquee
  Original Mild, Original Wild, Peppy Pepperoni, Beef, Beef Teriyaki, Spicy Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Country Ham, Hot Pastrami

• Su Mama
  Black Pepper, Hot & Spicy, Roasted, BBQ strips, Shreds

• Unisoy Vegan Jerky
  Mild Spicy, Cracked Black Pepper, Teriyaki

• Vegan Dream Jerky
  Cowgirl, Hickory Pepper, Hot Chili Pepper, Teriyaki

Vegan Burgers, Sausages, Hot Dogs & Ribs

Luckily, you’ll be able to find a wide variety of vegan burgers, sausages, hot dogs, or even ribs in many grocery stores.

Look for them in several places; in the produce section alongside other meat-free products, in the freezer section, and also in the section with other dry mixes.

• Amy’s
  Sonoma, California, All-American, Quarter Pound

• Beyond Meat
  Beyond Burger

• Big Mountain Foods
  Original Veggie

• Boca
  Original Veggie, Turk’y, Spicy Chick’n

• Dominex Natural Foods
  Angel Eggplant Burgers

• Dr. Praeger’s
  All-American, Sweet Heat Beet, Asian, Bombay, Tex Mex, Korean, Heirloom Bean, Mushroom Risotto, Black Bean Quinoa, Califonia Veggie

• Field Roast
  Hand-formed Fieldburger

• Gardein
  Veggie, Black Bean Burgers & Sliders, Beefless Burgers & Sliders

• Gardenburger
  Black Bean Chipotle Burgers only

• Hilary’s
  World’s Best Veggie, Adzuki Bean, Hemp & Greens, Root Veggie, Black Rice, Spicy Thai

• Hodo Soy
  Tofu Veggie Burger

• Hot Dang
  Original Grain, BBQ, Southwest, Italian

• Morningstar Farms
  Veggie Lovers Vegan Burger

• Sunshine Burgers
  Garden Herb, Quarter Pound, Black Bean Southwest, Barbecue, Falafel, Shiitake Mushroom

Dried Burger Mixes

• Great Life by Lucinda
  Garden Veggie, Chipotle, Roasted Garlic, Cajun, Curry

• Neat
  Original, Southwest

• Seitenbacher Veggie Burger Gourmet

• Amy’s
  Veggie Links

• Field Roast
  Apple Sage, Italian, Mexican Chipotle, Apple Maple Breakfast Links

• Gardein
  Original Breakfast Patties, Spicy Breakfast Patties, Sliced Italian Saus’age

• Lightlife
  Gimme Lean Sausage

• Sol Cuisine
  Veggie Breakfast Sausages

• Tofurky
  Spinach Pesto, Andouille, Italian, Kielbasa, Beer Brats

• Yves Veggie Cuisine
  Breakfast Patties

• Earth Grown (Aldi Store Brand)
  Meatless Jumbo Hot Dogs

• Field Roast Frankfurters

• Lightlife
  Tofu Pups, Smart Dogs, Smart Dogs Jumbo

• Tofurky Jumbo Hot Dogs

• Yves Veggie Cuisine
  Good Dog, Jumbo Veggie, Tofu Veggie, Veggie

• Herbivorous Butcher (seasonal and daily menu)
  Korean BBQ, Smoky House, and more

Do you make a vegan product that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Vegan Chicken-Style Nuggets, Patties, Strips, Breasts & Wings

Like other meat-free meats, vegan chicken products are available in most well-stocked grocery stores.

Look for them in the same places you’d find vegan burgers: in the deli case, in the produce section alongside other meat-free products, in the freezer section, and areas with dry mixes.

• 365 Everyday Value (available at Whole Foods)
  Breaded Patties, Nuggets

• Beyond Meat
  Grilled Strips, Lightly-Seasoned Strips

• Boca
  Original Patties, Original Nuggets

• Gardein
  Strips, Mandarin Orange Crispy, 7-grain Crispy Tenders, Scallopini, Teriyaki Strips, Crispy Patty, Chipotle Lime Fingers, Sliders, BBQ Wings

• Herbivorous Butcher
  Shredded, Breast-Style

• Morningstar Farms
  Buffalo Patties, Buffalo Wings, Chick’n Nuggets

• Quorn
  Meatless Pieces, Cutlets, Breaded Cutlets, Spicy Patties

• Simply Balanced (available at Target stores)
  Korean BBQ (strips), Smoky Chipotle, Teriyaki

• Tofurky
  Slow Roasted (strips), Thai Basil, Sesame Garlic, Barbecue

Do you make a vegan product that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Vegan Beef-Style Ground, Strips & Steaks 

Just like other vegan meats, vegan beef products are available in well-stocked grocery stores or natural markets.

Generally speaking, you’ll spot them in two places; in the refrigerated section or in the freezer section.

• Boca
  Vegan Crumbles

• Gardein
  Beefless Ground, Sliders, Meatballs, Tips, Strips, Burger, Meatloaf

• Herbivorous Butcher
  Porterhouse Steak, Ribeye & Filet Mignon

• May Wah
  Vegan Beef-Free Crumble, Chunks

• Yves Veggie Cuisine
  Original Veggie Ground, Veggie Taco Stuffers, Garden Veggie Crumble

Do you make a vegan product that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Vegan Turkey, Ham & Holiday Roasts

We live in the golden age of vegan products; no matter which foods are part of your family traditions, they can be recreated using plant-based alternatives.

Look for these vegan meat alternatives in refrigerated sections of health food stores and well-stocked grocers. Also, check the freezer section, sometimes the roasts are sold frozen.

Vegan Turkey Alternatives

• Gardein
  Savory Stuffed Turk’y

• The Herbivorous Butcher
  Turkey-Free Feast (Limited Sales Available)

• Tofurky
  Veggie Roast with Wild Rice Stuffing

• Trader Joe’s
  Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast

• Vegetarian Plus
  Vegan Whole Turkey

Vegan Ham Alternatives

• Loving Hut
  “Cheerful Log” Vegan Ham Loaf

• May Way
  Vegan Ham

• Tofurky
  Ham Roast with Beer Glaze

• Vegetarian Plus
  Vegan Ham Roll

Vegan Holiday Roasts

• Field Roast
  • Celebration Roast
  • Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute
  • Smokey Forager’s Loaf with Pineapple Glaze

• Gardein
  Holiday Roast

Do you make a vegan product that isn’t listed? Contact me.

Vegan Seafood

It might surprise you to know that vegan seafood is available in larger grocery stores, as well in health food stores.

Look for them in two places; in tins in the canned aisle alongside non-vegan versions, or in the frozen section.

• Gardein
  Fishless Filets, Crabless Cakes

• Good Catch
  New England-Style Crab Cakes, Tuna Sliders, Tuna Burgers, and Tuna in the following flavors: Naked, Oil & Herbs, Meditteranean

• Loma Luna
  Scallops, Tuno (tuna alternative) in the following flavors: Sriracha, Lemon-Pepper & Thai Sweet Chili

• May Wah
  Squid, Fish Filet, Crab Steak, Tuna, Belt Fish, Salmon, Scallops, Shrimp Ball, Shrimp Rolls, Fish Nuggets, Fish, Red Spot Prawns, Abalone, Fish Ham, Salty Sliced Salmon & Lobster

• New Wave Foods
  Crispy Shrimp, Raw Shrimp

• Ocean Hugger Foods
  Ahimi (raw tuna alternative)

• Quorn
  Fishless Sticks

• Sophie’s Kitchen
  Crab Cakes, Fish Filet, Coconut Shrimp, Plain Shrimp, Scallops, Toona (tuna alternative) & Smoked Salmon

Do you make a vegan product that isn’t listed? Contact me.

I am committed to providing accurate information to the vegan community. Meticulously researched, the topic explored in this guide contains the knowledge available at the time of publishing. Reviews and updates happen when new material becomes available.

Please contact me if you find incorrect data.

Sources + Photo Credits

Article Sources

1. Online Etymology Dictionary. Meat. Retrieved from https://www.etymonline.com/word/meat
2. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Sodium Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_sodium.htm

Nutritional information provided by Anya Todd MS, RD, LD

Photo Credits

Product photos via manufacturers (Tofurky, Beyond Meat, and The Herbivorous Butcher among others) and used with written permission.

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