Best vegetarian mince

[Gudinne]

Please tell me what vegetarian mince your family prefers and any that you would avoid. Asking as my family want to reduce the amount of meat we eat. Thanks

I used to use the Tesco one (not sure if it’s still made) but I have switched to Puy Lentils now, which I much prefer but realise lentils aren’t everyone’s bag. I use Puy for cottage pie, and red lentil for Dal. The Tesco one was fine if you are after a meat replacement, it looked the part too.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/product/this-isn-t-beef-plant-based-mince-250g?cmpid=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20333793068&utm_term=___%7Bproduct_item_id%7D&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=759-449-0952&utm_custom6=PMax_GOL_PPC_BAU_SEARCH_GOOGLE_SMARTSHOPPING_NA_Groceries&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19663891335&gbraid=0AAAAAD17J_Bi7T65Got561aNgTAjeROuE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvM2d6-nFlgMVa5JQBh1fFQcqEAQYAyABEgJ8tvD_BwE

Sorry Re the link but that brand seems to have good reviews

I liked vivera and sometimes meatless farm. Really didn’t like the frozen quorn mince.

I also like the This isn’t mince and so does Dd1 and I mix it with puy lentils to make it less rich and go further

Just use a mix of brown/green lentils and adzuki/lobia/chori beans sometimes called cowpeas in asian supermarkets (they're small red beans) , if you use dried beans they need to be soaked for 12 hours. I quite often add red kidney beans as well. No need to replace meat with the output of a chemical works.

Tesco one is our favourite

Grated tofu tossed in soy sauce and baked in the oven for 20 minutes. It has the chewy texture more similar to meat that no other veggie mince that I have tried has.

Why are you trying to reduce meat consumption? If it’s for health reasons, replacing it with a UPF fake meat isn’t great. Like others have said, lentils are a good substitute. Puy lentils hold their shape the best. Green and brown are also pretty good. Red split lentils tend to be more mushy.

Yellow split peas are also good and have a decent bite to them.

I use Quorn. I’m not a big fan of fake meat, but this one works for me.

Ive always used quorn mince 🙂

Quorn mince for Bolognese, red lentils or tvp for shepherds pie.

If you just want to reduce the mince and need to bulk out use greated carrots.
To replace, use lentils either tin or split ...
Both will be cheaper and healthy.

Another vote for lentils.. used to always get Quorn but really it's just processed crap... Like all fake meat. Lentils and mushrooms are the way to go

Quorn or Linda McCartney’s work for us

my 84 year old Dad prefers Cottage Pie made with Quorn over beef 🤷

Another vote for lentils over processed fake meat. Puy lentils are lovely and absorb so much flavour. Very filling. Your gut will thank you too.

We love This Isn't or beyond mince. Linda McCartney soy mince is also nice but not as meaty.

Well done on taking such a positive step for the environment, your health and the animals ❤️

Either lentils, or grated tempeh or tofu, perhaps with finely chopped mushrooms, are good options rather than relying on processed meat alternatives.

UPF 'fake meat' undeservedly gets a bad write up - it's high in protein, fortified with vitamins and has zero cholesterol. In studies where they have switched people from animal meat to plant based meat their LDL cholesterol has fallen asleep well as other health markers improved.

I love lentils and tempeh as much as the next person but sometimes a beyond beef lasagna is the only thing that will hit the spot!

Linda mccarthy for mince - queen for sausages

Box of mushrooms blitzed in the food processor 👍

The flavoured dried soya mince from Holland and Barrett or similar is good. You don't need much of it as it absorbs a lot of water. Use herbs, tom puree, Marmite, stock cubes etc with it, depending on what you're making. The beyond burgers are the best veggie burgers I've found but they are pricey.

Definitely Linda McCartney.

Used to love the Realeat one but no longer seems to exist.

The Quorn version is yukky.

We are happy with quorn! I will tend to always mix a mince dish with dried red lentils and make sure it’s had a good long cook to soak up all the flavours

I love the Quorn mince. Some of them almost feel like you're eating droppings - especially the Linda McArtney one.