Description
This simple, budget-friendly vegan ground meat uses just 5 ingredients and comes together in 30 minutes. Make a batch for a simple meat sauce, chili, or freeze it to add plant-based protein to a quick meal later.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups (140 g) dry TVP (textured vegetable protein) granules
- 1 1/2 cups vegan beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or other neutral high-heat oil
Instructions
- Sift the TVP: Pour 1 ½ cups dry TVP into a fine-mesh strainer placed over a bowl. Shake gently for a few seconds to remove some of the dust. This helps prevent the TVP from becoming gummy when cooked.
- Soak the TVP: Transfer the sifted TVP to a medium bowl and cover with room-temperature water. Soak for 10 minutes, prepping your remaining ingredients while it soaks.
- Make the seasoning mixture: While the TVP soaks, whisk together 1 ½ cups broth, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Squeeze, drain, and press the TVP: While still in the water, squeeze and release the TVP a few times to help remove any bitter flavor. Pour into the strainer and press out as much remaining water as possible. The drier the TVP, the better it will brown and absorb the seasoning.
- Brown the TVP: Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the TVP and stir to coat with oil. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes, then stir and repeat 4 to 5 more times, for a total cooking time of 10 to 12 minutes. If it starts to burn, reduce the heat to medium. The TVP should be browned and lightly crisp in spots.
- Add the seasoning mixture: Once browned, pour in the seasoning mixture and stir to incorporate. Cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Notes
Yield: This recipe makes about 2 ½ cups of ground meat substitute, roughly what you get from browning 1 pound of ground beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 154
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
