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“What’s your favorite fake meat?
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“It’s the question I get most often after revealing I’ve been a vegetarian for two decades.
But I get it.
But which is my favorite?
Jillian Pretzel
It’s hard to say.
Plus, fake meats come in all shapes, sizes, and types.
Comparing a veggie burger to a plant-based chicken nugget is like comparing apples and orangesbut heartier.
Jillian Pretzel
Still, I want to give a good recommendation when asked for my favorite meatless foods.
Here are the products I tried, ranked from worst to best.
I’ve tried one of their products beforetheir take on chorizoand I was impressed.
Jillian Pretzel
I’m partial to the brand’s packaging as well.
The sleek, black box makes it stand out while also looking high-end.
Plus, the picture of a delicious-looking burger, takes up almost half the box front.
Jillian Pretzel
I was also impressed by the nutrition facts.
22 grams of protein and just 200 calories?
This 8oz package of two patties costs $7.29.
Jillian Pretzel
The taste:
I went into this tasting with high expectations.
But boy, was I disappointed.
The patty has an odd texture, with vegetables and seeds that seem to be not ground up enough.
Jillian Pretzel
The result was a hard texture and an unsatisfying mix of tastes.
So, I was excited to try this brand.
This 9 oz box of four burgers cost $4.99.
Jillian Pretzel
I’ll admit that this burger has an underwhelming appearance.
They’re thin and dark, without much texture.
When I tucked on into a bun, the patty almost disappeared.
Jillian Pretzel
With an unexciting look, I was surprised: the flavor was actually great.
It’s flavorful and juicybut I was bothered by the thinness of the patty.
When I bit into my burger, it seemed like I was getting all bun.
Jillian Pretzel
Impossible Chicken Nuggets
Impossible Foods launched itsfirst product, the Impossible Burger, back in 2016.
The brand soon branched out into other faux-beef products, including sausage, pork, and more.
I settled on a favorite in my household: the Impossible Chicken Nuggets.
We’re bold!”
I spent $8.49 on this 13.5 oz bag.
I’ve heated these nuggets many times, as they’re a hit with both my pre-schooler and toddler.
The nuggets came out looking great, as usual, with a warm color and a crumbly exterior.
I love the crispy, crumbly breading on these nuggets.
They have a nice rich flavor and make an audible crackle with every bite.
Meanwhile, the inside is soft and tender.
Does it taste like chicken?
But MorningStar is a tried and true brand with roots stretchingback to 1974.
This 5.25 oz package cost $5.49.
These strips are bacon-shaped, sure, but they lack the rippling shape of a traditional piece of bacon.
The color is off too.
Together, it works.
These don’t taste like bacon at all, but I think that’s okay.
They’re good in their own right.
I should note that my four-year-old loves, and I mean, loves these.
She requests them all the time.
Meanwhile, my husband won’t touch them.
If they’re expecting MorningStar’s tasty, yet unique, flavor, they’ll be thrilled.
Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Filets
Calories
Gardein is another meatless brand that’s been around a while.
I got this 15 oz bag of three for $8.59.
So far, I was impressed.
They’re tender and juicy, with a nice flavor.
Both my husband and I tried this and we agreed, it was pretty good.
This Hong Kong-based company,founded in 2018, offers a variety of products like plant-based seafood andbao.
This faux steak features just mushrooms, some seasonings, yeast extract, and beet powder for color.
Honestly, I had to check the box a couple of times.
“These are, in fact, vegan, right?”
I asked my husband as I cooked them on the stovetop.
They have a pinking color with dark edges that resemble charred steak.
But they are, indeed, mushrooms.
(I checked the box three times.)
While these look just like steak, they taste like, well, mushrooms.
The seasonings make the faux steak pieces seem heartier but it’s undeniably a mushroom.
Still, I can appreciate these mushrooms, which are soft and tender, with good flavor.
Overall, I was impressed with the product for its simple ingredients, low calories, and natural taste.
Beyond Meatballs
Beyond Meat sold its first pea protein-based burger into Whole Foodsback in 2013.
If you lived through the late teens and haven’t heard of them, I’m shocked.
But lately, Beyond Meat’s popularity, and sales, have been sliding.
Still, I’ve always liked Beyond’s products and their range.
Their menu is expansive, offering plant-based burgers, sausages, chicken, steak, and more.
I’ve had these before, but they aren’t a typical find in my household.
I got this package of 12 meatballs for $6.39.
What can I say?
These veggie meatballs look like… veggie meatballs.
Plus, I think they ended up with a nice color.
The texture of these meatballs is great: moist and consistent throughout.
Meanwhile, the flavor is hearty with a good amount of seasoningbut not in a way that’s overpowering.
Does this product taste just like real meatballs?
My husband and I agreed: definitely not.
But we both said they have their own unique flavor that works well, especially in red sauce.
I’m making these meatballs a regular addition to pasta nights.
They offer avariety of faux chicken pieces and wings, plus some frozen entrees.
I chose the buffalo wings, which came in a an 8oz bag and cost $5.29.
When I put these wings on a plate, I couldn’t help but be charmed by their appearance.
Again, I was impressed.
Of all the foods I tasted, this one tasted most like its meat counterpart.
My one note was that the sauce was pretty spicy.
My husband and I quickly ate through the five-piece serving, enjoying them with ranch dressing.
Overall, I thought this was a winner!
This 10 oz bag cost $7.69.
The thing about corn dogs is… there might not be much to see until you bite in.
Biting in, I was transported to county fair days as a kid.
They’re crispy and a little oily, like they’re fresh from the fryer.
The dog inside is also juicy and tender, just like a hot dog should be.
They’re good with ketchup or mustardbut I decided I liked them best on their own.
But meaty or not, we agreed we liked the flavor regardless.
The two of us quickly ate through a serving of four, and soon heated up some more.
This bag went fast!
