What is Plant-Based Beef? A Guide to Meatless Alternatives

Plant-based beef refers to beef-like products made entirely from plants, designed to mimic the taste, texture, and cooking properties of conventional ground beef. With rising consumer demand for alternatives to meat, plant-based beef has emerged as an innovative way to enjoy familiar beef dishes while aligning with health, environmental, and ethical goals.

Overview of Plant-Based Beef

Plant-based beef is made by blending and processing combinations of plant proteins, fats, flavors, vitamins, and minerals to replicate ground beef.
Ingredients commonly include pea protein, soy protein, wheat gluten, mushrooms, beets, coconut oil, and natural flavors.
Brands use proprietary formulations and production techniques to create the fibrous texture and fatty, savory flavor of beef.
Plant-based beef cooks, looks, and tastes similar to ground beef, allowing consumers to directly substitute it in recipes.
Leading brands of plant-based beef include Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Quorn, MorningStar Farms, and Lightlife.

Benefits of Choosing Plant-Based Beef

More environmentally sustainable than conventional beef, requiring significantly fewer natural resources like land and water.
Does not require animals, helping spare billions of animals from industrial farming systems each year.
Avoids the overuse of antibiotics associated with conventional meat production.
Provides an additional source of protein in the diet and can be a part of balanced, nutritious meals.
Allows consumers to enjoy the flavors and formats of beef while aligning with health, environmental, and ethical goals.

How Plant-Based Beef Is Made

Manufacturing plant-based beef is an innovative process. It combines food science, nutrition, and culinary arts to transform plant ingredients into meat.
Protein sources like peas, soy, wheat, potatoes, and rice are isolated and finely textured to mimic muscle fibers and fat in beef.
Natural flavors, beet juice, and annatto create the distinctive taste and color of beef.
Fatty acids and binders are added to recreate the juicy mouthfeel and fat marbling in conventional beef.
Advanced technology like heating, cooling, and pressure give plant proteins the fibrous, meaty texture of whole cuts of beef.
Product developers meticulously analyze the sensory properties of beef to engineer the most authentic plant-based replica possible.

Nutrition Profile of Plant-Based Beef

Plant-based beef is high in protein, providing a comparable protein content to animal-based beef.
It contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Plant-based beef is free of cholesterol and low in saturated fat compared to conventional beef.
Most options are non-GMO, soy-free, and made without artificial ingredients.
Some varieties are fortified with vitamins and minerals to match the micronutrient profile of beef.

How to Cook with Plant-Based Beef

In recipes, plant-based beef can directly replace regular ground beef at a 1:1 ratio with no changes needed.
It can be formed into patties, meatballs, tacos, etc. and prepared using any ground beef cooking method.
Cook plant-based beef in a skillet, grill, oven, slow cooker, or pressure cooker.
Browning creates rich flavor as plant proteins and fats react similarly to beef when seared.
Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Season and spice plant-based beef just as you would ground beef for maximum flavor.

With the look, taste, and versatility of beef from an innovative plant-based source, plant-based beef enables consumers to enjoy timeless dishes while meeting their dietary preferences and values. As the quality and availability continues to grow, plant-based beef is poised to be a game changer in the alternative protein market.

Plant-Based Meat | HOW ITS MADE

FAQ

What is plant-based beef made out of?

It depends on the brand, but most plant-based meats are made from pea or soy protein, a type of fat, and some sort of binder, but they may also contain natural and artificial flavors to make the product taste more like meat.

Is plant-based beef healthier?

The American Heart Association (AHA) advises that eating more plant protein instead of meat may improve heart health. However, some plant-based products contain fillers and added sodium and may be high in saturated fats.

What are the disadvantages of plant-based meat?

Con #1: Plant-based meat can be more heavily processed than animal meat. As some plant-based meat and mock meat products are created to replicate animal meat, they may undergo more processing. This leads to a high content of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar.

How does plant-based meat taste like meat?

Umami is what gives savoury dishes that meaty, brothy taste – typically found as MSG. Some manufacturers will use what you might call an “umami bomb” to give plant-based applications the hearty, meaty taste consumers want from traditional meat.