Best range of meat-alternative products?

[BroodyBridget]

DH and I have discussed limiting our meat consumption, so I've started doing a couple of meat free dinners every week on the understanding that we'll gradually phase it out.

So far I've only tried stuff from Aldi's plant based range but I don't really enjoy it! I'm not sure if it's just because it looks meaty then tastes unexpected, or whether it just doesn't taste good I said to DH last night after trying their veggiebabs that maybe I'd be better just avoiding the alternatives altogether. But I struggle to meal plan because I've now realised that I base each nights meal around the meat we'll have!

Does anyone have any really good suggestions? Is Quorn worth a trip to a supermarket?

Thanks

Veef burgers are the bomb!

I honestly think the best veggie and vegan meals tend to be the ones that aren't based around a meat substitute. We make a lot of mushrooms dishes. We have a bean chilli con carne, a veggie lasagne and a lentil based spag Bol. I would do a nut roast in place of meat in a roast dinner.

I do use veggie sausages to do a toad in the hole though. I also use a fair bit of tofu. I would advise joining Facebook groups to get ideas. We are not vegan but really like BOSH recipes.

What treeee said. Dhals, soups, curries...

Linda McCartney sausages are nice. Bit dry but sauce soon fixes that. Been around for years.

Asda's own vegetarian range I've found good but not tried their more vegan 'plant based' range.

Vivera chicken like goujons and Cauldron marinated tofu - both amazing but pricey.

My friend really likes Higgidy pies.

@WineAndHobnobs where would I find them please? Asda?

@treeeeemendous and @EssentialHummus this is my thinking! I actually looked at a veggie lasagne recipe the other day and it sounded delicious! Make a beef lasagne this Friday but may do a veggie one next week. I'm not on Facebook so can't join that page unfortunately, will keep looking for recipes online though 

@SeonaSeona thanks! I'm not too far from an Asda so think I'll pop there and get a selection to try, will try their own range if you think they're good. I think Farm Foods stocks Linda McCartney too, will have a look there!

Iceland No Bull burgers are really nice.

Richmond sausages are amazing. IMO the LM ones only work in a sarnie with HP Sauce.

I like tofu when cooked until really crispy. The smoked one is nice.

I like Linda McCartney stuff but I can't promise its vegan. Tesco used to do really nice veggie stuff like burgers made with beans, so different textures and not pretending to be meat. I make curries and chilli's etc with just veg and pulses, no need for meat substitute. Youtubers to take a peek at, I'd suggest Pick Up Limes.

We love the Vivera range (particularly the kebab ones, our meat eating friends said they were the best kebabs they’ve ever had). But they are pricey so we only have them as a great. I think the kebab ‘meat’ is £3 and we need 2 to feed our family of 4-well 1 1/2 but obviously have to buy 2 packs.

@BroodyBridget They are cheaper in Farmfoods than anywhere else I think. Ooh I forgot about Iceland vegetable lasagna, soo good.

@BroodyBridget this is one of my favourite veggie lasagnes. I also add a big sprinkling of nutritional yeast. It's fab for B12 for veggies. I use it like Parmesan.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/bestvegetableelasagne50381

Some really helpful ideas here, thank you all!

I'm definitely thinking veggie, not vegan, for now. And I can see that it's going to take us a little while to adjust to the change but I do like it will try some of the above suggestions. Our Iceland is next door to Aldi but never thought to pop in there, will have a look when I shop next week.

I quite like the oomph! strips, Tesco and Asda sell them in the freezer. The kebab ones taste great in fajitas.

@treeeeemendous that's the recipe I looked at! Great to hear that you think it's good, I'll definitely be giving it a try

Linda McCartney is good for the burgers if you're looking for more meat like alternatives.
With mozzarella for veggies and quarter pounders for vegan.

The Tesco Plant (kitchen? ) is great for sausages- the Cumberland sausages are the most meat like. Marks and Spencer's also do great chickenless nuggets.

There's also a range in Tesco of frankfurters, schnitzel and chicken bites that are good. Quorn can be good - they have a vegan version.

If you want to work on the less meat like versions then green and brown lentils make great lasagne, chilli and bolognese alternatives. My meat eating family prefer this to mince versions.

Then of course you have wonderful salads, soups, bean stews made with beans, lentils,
veg and nuts and seeds. And just eating more of your naturally non meat meals like pasta or veg curries/ stir fries.

It can actually open up a much more varied diet than people imagine.

Happy exloring

For vegetarian substitutes for people who want a meat-y experience we've found BeyondMeat good (Tesco stock them).

But I agree re switching the lens to start with vegetables etc. During lockdown I've now started having a weekly vegetable box delivered. On the face of it they can look expensive but it has meant we've started with the vegetables and worked from there rather than buying vegetables to 'go' with meat - if that makes sense. So overall we're spending less as we're buying less meat...

Can’t BELIEVE no one has mentioned Vegetarian Butcher! Their range is limited still in the UK but they’re very good. Available in a few supermarkets.

The Beyond Meat stuff in Tesco / Costco freezer sections - seriously amazing. We had it on the BBQ (burgers and sausages) and every meat eater loved them. My FIL raved about how it’s the nicest sausage he’d ever eaten.

The veg freezer section from morrisons own brand is nice.

For recipes I would recommend BOSH as mentioned above and Joe Wickes Veg and Jamie Oliver's Veg books.

Quorn sausages and mince for chilli and bolognese, usually half mince and half lentils.
Tesco corn fritters are awesome
Jackfruit products are brilliant especially the burgers when aldi have any.
Vegan kievs are nice
Pesto and mozzarella bakes
Aldi spinach and ricotta lattice
Vivera kebab strips
Oomph kebab strips
Aldi plant based pakoras
I like aldi pakoras and tesco corn fritters with salad and coleslaw/cottage cheese.
Loads of options!!

Vivera bacon bits. Fried in olive oil. My meat loving dp prefers them to actual bacon! They are soy based and they are amazing! You need the olive oil to get them to crisp up like bacon but the resulting grease is less heavy than bacon grease (and healthier).

They are only ok without the olive oil

OP if you want to cook from scratch, google the website "budget bytes" lots of accessible recipes. I've made the veg shepherds pie today and it's so nice
www.budgetbytes.com/vegetarian-shepherds-pie/

Read a review for vegan, 'mince,' and Lidl came out on top.