Review: Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles

Beyond Meat -- the creators of the meat-free chicken strips -- have come out with pea-protein based crumbles with the look, flavor, and texture of beef.

When the product was first announced several months ago, I would visit my local Whole Foods and look for the product in the refrigerated section near the company's chicken strips, but it was never there. 

This weekend I was buying some Gardein products in the frozen section and down toward the bottom of the freezer case were packages of the Beefy Flavor beef crumbles. So check the frozen cases if you haven't had luck finding this product.

Once home, I emptied about a cup of the crumbles into a Tupperware to thaw and put the remaining product back in the freezer. When I was ready to cook the crumbles, I added a thin layer of water into a pan and cooked the crumbles for about five minutes (you can use oil if you like).

The crumbles had a wonderful aroma and flavor from the various spices and herbs (including black pepper, chili flakes, rosemary and thyme). The product had a nice chew similar to a warm corn tortilla, and I enjoyed it thoroughly over a large lettuce salad.

The product comes in a spicy flavor as well. If you're looking for a soy-free, gluten-free meat alternative, I highly recommend this product.

The cooked Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles.

Recipe: Vegan Sloppy Joes

My finished Sloppy Joe, which is comprised of a homemade sauce mixed with Neat Meat Replacement's Original flavor. 

When I was younger, Sloppy Joes were a favorite meal in my household. My mom would buy a can of Manwich sauce and mix that with some cooked ground beef. As a sandwich, the mixture was sweet, tangy, and messy -- everything a kid loves.

I just saw a commercial on TV for the Manwich sauce, and I thought about making my family some Sloppy Joes for dinner. I made a sauce from ingredients I had around the house, and I used Neat Original Mix as the protein base (It's a product that's gluten-free and soy-free, and it can be prepared vegan-style by using an egg substitute, such as Ener-G).

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Sauce Ingredients: (You can double the recipe if you like your sandwiches extra saucy)

• ¼ c water
• ½ c organic ketchup
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp sriracha (I used Sky Valley Organic Sriracha)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion (from spice aisle)
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and set aside. Prepare the Original Neat Mix per the directions, and when the Neat is finished cooking (it will resemble ground-beef crumbles), turn off the stove and stir in the Sloppy Joe sauce. Serve on toast or buns. I didn't have any veggies around, but you can add some diced bell peppers, carrots, and/or celery that you sauteed separately in another pan. 

A closeup of the Neat mixture after it's been cooked and just after I stirred in the Sloppy Joe sauce. 

It's best to add the sauce to the Neat mixture at the very end so the Neat holds its form and texture, which is important if you want an authentic Sloppy Joe.

No Animals Were Harmed with the Making of This Fake Meat

The decision to eat fake meat can get some vegans riled up. I definitely can understand why some people find it disgusting to eat a product that resembles the flesh of animals. When I first became plant-based, I immediately shunned fake meats. I asked my cousin, who has been vegan for a few years and is an activist for animal rights, her thoughts on imitation burgers, hot dogs and chicken strips.

She said the transition to a vegan lifestyle can be difficult for some people, so fake meats fill that void that former carnivores experience. She told me her husband loves veggie hot dogs, and my family and hers have enjoyed vegan burgers together in the past, so I know she and her young daughter have no qualms with the occasional soy- or wheat-based sandwich meat.

It was definitely exciting as a home cook to convert my beloved non-vegan recipes into plant-based ones with the aid of seitan (comprised of wheat gluten) and TSP (textured soy protein). My husband marveled at my new-and-improved dishes that included such classics as:

• Chicken curry
• "Meatloaf"
•  Tacos and tamales

I know for myself that having these fake meats at my disposal provided a sort of comfort. There was no way I was going back to eating animal flesh, but feeling satisfied and not feeling cut off from dishes that reminded me of my mom, holidays, and other special occasions was important. 

As the year went on, my stack of recipes grew considerably, and the "stars" of the dish shifted from fake meats to heartier veggies. I would say fake meats appear sparingly in my diet today because I've just grown to love the taste of fruits and veggies, and I just feel great when I eat more fresh produce. 

So, if you're new to the plant-based scene, don't feel guilty for chowing on Gardein, Fieldstone, or Tofurky products. You might need these items to help other family members let go of their meat obsession and to fill everyone's plates until you achieve a collection of good plant-based recipes. 

Coming soon: I'll talk about one of my favorite vegan eateries and a NYC shop that delivers awesome vegan "meat" products.