Savoury mince help!

[DesiDiva2020]

How can I make savoury 'beefy' mince for cottage pie / hot pot? Mine always end up like a Bolognese!
I use a mix of soya mince / tinned lentils.
Thanks!

I think soya mince is the best 'meaty' mince, usually use a supermarket own brand instead of quorn or anything.

Are you adding tomatoes? Id use a gravy mix instead.

Red wine, gravy granules. Leeks/carrots. Herbs. Stay away from the tinned tomatoes.

Fry off an onion and add steak seasoning, dried chillis, celery and grated carrot. Two tins of tomatoes, soya mince and onion gravy. Simmer for 30 minutes.

We use fine chop mushrooms fried off with lots garlic and onion and add soy/tamari or little marmite,along little ketchup/t puree and some mixed herbs

Oops ,posted too soon sorry.we then add veg stick and simmer,adding a little cornflour slacked in cold water and then added and stirred til thickened couple mins before ready to use it

normal gravy granules are veggie - are they vegan too - that really helps, a bit of marmite (not too much or too salty) a dash of hendersons relish (like vegan worcestershire sauce)

Yes to a bit of Marmite. I like a big dollop of caramelised red onion chutney too, for added depth of flavour.

Great tips thank you all, mixed opinions on added chopped tomatoes so I will try a few versions! Thanks!

I whack some mushrooms in a blender and use green lentils. Works a charm.
A big yes to marmite too

I use a firm tofu block, soy sauce, nutritional yeast and liquid smoke flavour.

Pour 3 or 4 soy sauce tbl in a mixing bowl, add 2 tbl of nutritional yeast and 1/2 tsp of liquid smoke, mix well. Then dry the tofu with kitchen paper and hold it in one hand and with a fork in the other dig holes in the tofu, crumbling it on top of the bowl, gently mix with the soy paste and lay flat on an oven tray to bake in oven. Use as mince

Another one for marmite. And red wine.