List of meat substitutes facts for kids

A vegetarian patty made from crushed soybean, avocado, tomato, and beetroot.

Meat substitutes are foods that look, taste, and feel like real meat. They are also called meat analogues. These foods are often made from soybeans (like tofu and tempeh), gluten, or peas. People use them for many reasons, including health, environmental concerns, or ethical beliefs.

What are Meat Substitutes?

• Vegetarian bacon – This can be made from tempeh, which comes from fermented soybeans.
• Vegetarian hot dog – A sausage-shaped food that tastes like a hot dog but is made without meat.
  • Carrot hot dog – Sometimes, carrots are even used to make a hot dog shape!
• Vegetarian sausage – A meat-free version of a sausage.
• Vegetarian burger – A burger patty made from plants, not meat.
• Vegan chicken nuggets – These nuggets are made from plant proteins like pea protein, soy protein, or wheat gluten.
• Tofurkey – This is a plant-based "turkey" loaf or casserole. It's usually made from tofu (soy protein) or seitan (wheat protein). It often has a stuffing and is flavored with herbs.
• Cauliflower – When coated in flour and baked or fried, cauliflower can be used to imitate chicken wings or even steak.
• Mock duck – A vegetarian food that looks and tastes like duck. It's usually made from wheat gluten.
• Nut roast – A dish made from nuts, grains, and vegetables. It's often served as a main course, especially for holidays.
• Seitan – This food is made from wheat gluten. It has a chewy texture, similar to meat.

Dairy-Based Substitutes

Paneer cheese made in India.

• Glamorgan sausage – This is a traditional Welsh vegetarian sausage. It's made with cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs.
• Paneer – A type of fresh cheese from India. It's often used in dishes like Paneer tikka as a protein source.

Mushroom-Based Substitutes

• Edible mushrooms – Many types of mushrooms can be used as meat substitutes. They have a chewy texture and a savory flavor.
• Mycoprotein – This is a protein made from a type of fungus. It's rich in protein and can make you feel full.
• Fistulina hepatica – This mushroom is often called "beefsteak fungus." It looks and feels a bit like a piece of meat.
• Laetiporus – This mushroom is known as "chicken of the woods." It has a texture and flavor that can remind you of chicken.
• Lyophyllum decastes – This mushroom is sometimes called "fried chicken mushroom" because of its taste.
• Pleurotus ostreatus – Also known as the "oyster mushroom," it's popular in vegan cooking as a substitute for fried chicken.

Fruit-Based Substitutes

Cubes of young green jackfruit pulp sold as a meat substitute.

• Breadfruit – This fruit can be used in savory dishes, similar to how jackfruit is used.
• Coconut burger – These burgers are made from the leftover coconut pulp after making coconut milk.
• Eggplant – This plant has a firm texture. It can be used in many dishes to replace meat.
• Grapefruit – During a tough economic time in Cuba, people even made "steaks" from breaded and fried grapefruit rind!
• Jackfruit – When cooked, the flesh of this large fruit has a texture very similar to pulled pork.

Legume-Based Substitutes

• Burmese tofu – Unlike regular tofu, this is made from water, chickpea flour, and turmeric.
• Falafel – These are deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans. They are a traditional Middle Eastern food.
• Härkis – A brand of processed ground fava beans used as a meat alternative.

Soy-Based Substitutes

• Tofu – Made from soybeans, tofu is a very popular meat substitute. It can be soft or firm.

Tofu.

• Textured vegetable protein – Often called TVP, this is a product made from defatted soy flour. It's quick to cook and has a lot of protein.
• Ganmodoki – A traditional Japanese tofu dish that is similar to veggie burgers.
• Tempeh – This is an Indonesian soy product made from fermented soybeans. It comes in a cake form.

A tempeh burger.

Sliced Tempeh.

• Injo-gogi-bap – A Korean dish where steamed rice is wrapped in leftover soybean paste.
• Oncom – A traditional food from West Java, Indonesia. It's made by fermenting soybeans or other ingredients using mold.
• Koya dofu – This is freeze-dried tofu. When prepared, it has a taste and texture similar to meat. It's common in Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.

Companies and Brands

See also

• Cheese analogue
• List of bacon substitutes
• Veganism
• Vegetarian food

Images for kids

• 

  Sliced nut roast with brussels sprouts.

• 

  Veggie burgers made from beans being cooked.

• 

  Vegetarian hot dog sausages from Germany.