Wait, Plant-Based Meats That Actually Taste Good? These 8 Brands Totally Impressed Us

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Eating less meat and more plants is a smart eating plan tweak to make to feel your best—and you don’t have to commit to a fully vegan or plant-based diet to see a big difference. You can follow a Flexitarian eating style and still reap the benefits.

Simply boosting your intake of nourishing plant-based foods and proteins, and slashing how many animal products you consume, is associated with a lower risk for chronic health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers, suggests study after study. Plant-based foods are better for the planet, too—in fact, reducing beef consumption slashes methane and carbon dioxide production, two main causes of a warming planet (which leads to climate change anxiety, as well).

But sometimes you just want a hamburger. When you’re hankering for meat, lean into quality meat substitutes that will satisfy your craving. There’s an ever-expanding list of meat alternatives available at grocery stores and online, many made from vegetarian ingredients like pea protein, but it can still feel overwhelming and hard to decide which to choose. That’s why experts in the Prevention Test Kitchen tasted over 150 products to find the best meat substitutes to stock up on.

Our top picks

They’re tasty enough for anyone to want to stock up on, whether you’re a life-long vegetarian or just easing into a plant-based diet. Incorporate our favorites into your top vegan recipes for an extra hit of protein or to add a meat-like texture and flavor—and bonus—many meat substitutes on the market mimic the nutritional content of their animal-based counterparts, meaning you still get plenty of vitamins and minerals from these plant-based picks.

Beyond Burger

Beyond Meat has given two of their most popular offerings, Beyond Beef and Beyond Burger, a serious makeover—and nutritionists are loving it. The company worked with Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D.N, health expert and best-selling author, on the revamping: These two products are now made with heart-friendly avocado oil, which cut the saturated fat content by a whopping 60% (and they have 75% less fat than traditional 80/20 beef, according to the company). Plus, sodium levels were slashed by 20%, there's a simplified ingredient list featuring nutrient-dense ingredients like red lentils and faba bean protein to provide nourishment and that "is this plants or beef?" texture, and they pack 21g protein per serving. The latest iterations of Beyond Beef and Beyond Burger are now recognized by leading health organizations such as the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association, and are the first plant-based meat products to be Clean Label Project Certified.

Original Plant Chicken Pieces

These pieces taste, well, just like chicken, and they have a similar texture, too. One serving will net you 20% of your daily dose of iron—a key mineral to maintaining healthy blood and keeping up energy levels. And they’re ultra-versatile, perfect to crisp up in a pan and top salads or saute and serve in a stew. Stash a few bags in the freezer for a protein-packed alternative to chicken and an easy way to whip together a plant-based meal in a flash.

RELATED: 7 of the Best High-Fiber Foods to Add to Your Diet

Savory Ground Sausage

Sausages can be high in fat and sodium, but these plant-based grounds cut back on both, without sacrificing flavor, thanks to a bunch of savory herbs and spices. Crumble into a veggie-packed omelet for an extra hit of protein (you'll nab 7g of protein per serving!), or try it with pasta, pizza, or your other favorite sausage dishes. If you know you won't use the whole roll at once, portion out and freeze the rest—this is a great trick to help cut back on food waste and stretch your dollar!

Vegan Korean BBQ Plant-Based Jerky

Slight spice and a tender texture with a bit of chew make this vegan jerky a pick for vegetarians and carnivores alike. Bold sweet-spicy flavor and 8g of protein and 2g of fiber per serving, and this teeth-tearing snack is also lower in sodium and added sugar than many traditional meat jerkies. Take this shelf-stable snack on a hike or stash it in your desk, gym bag, or purse.

RELATED: 20 Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss You’ll Want to Eat Every Day

Extra Firm Silken Tofu

Tofu has been a staple in East Asian cooking for centuries, and its various forms make it reliable for all kinds of preparations. One to keep in your pantry: extra firm silken tofu, a shelf-stable type with a creamy texture. The protein powerhouse is a complete protein, meaning it provides all nine essential amino acids that our body needs but can't produce on its own, and it is also high in iron, magnesium, and calcium, necessities for energy production and maintaining strong bones.

Original Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that boasts a texture similar to pulled pork or chicken when shredded. But unlike the animal pulled meats, jackfruit delivers a dose of fiber alongside protein—a win for satiety and blood sugar control. The flavor is mild (like a cross between a banana and a mango) so you can pair it with bolder sauces—try it in a sandwich topped with homemade guava barbecue sauce! And bonus, it’s easy to prep. Packages like these are packed in water and all it takes is a quick reheat and it’s ready to add to any meal.

Plant-based Egg

This egg replacement is made with mung beans, a legume that mimics the protein content of chicken eggs: 6g per Just Egg serving, or the equivalent of one large regular egg. It’s also cholesterol-free, lower in calories, and free of saturated fat, all lowering the risk for heart attack and stroke. It works well in scrambles, fried rice, and baked goods. Tasters loved the mild flavor and fluffy texture of the mixture when scrambled with vegetables, making it the perfect breakfast on top of whole-grain toast.

Veggie Bacon Strips

It’s hard to replace the crisp, crave-able texture and salty flavor that bacon adds to your morning meal, but these vegetarian strips do a good job of coming close. When heated in a pan, these pieces take on a decadent texture, one that tasters said almost melts in your mouth, thanks to egg whites, while sticking to a lower sodium count than traditional bacon.

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