01
Lentils
3.31 cup : 1 cup
Cooked lentils; plant-based, hearty texture
3.3
vegan ground beef
substitute.
5 vegan substitutes for ground beef — top pick Lentils at 33% function match.
all substitutes on this page are vegan
top substitutes
02
Tofu
3.31 lb : 1 lb
Crumble firm tofu; press well, season generously
3.3
03
Mushrooms
3.31 lb : 1 lb
Finely chop and saute; meaty umami flavor
3.3
show 2 more substitutes
04
Black Beans
3.31 1/2 cup : 1 cup
Mash partially for burger patties or taco filling
3.3
05
Tempeh
3.31 cup : 1 cup
Crumble and brown with taco or bolognese spices
3.3
pitfalls to avoid
watch out
Lentils: Soft lentils won't hold a patty shape without binder
watch out
Lentils: No rendered fat — add oil for browning
watch out
Tofu: May crumble — add extra binder to hold shape
watch out
Tofu: Press tofu well or it will steam instead of sear
watch out
Tofu: Soft and watery — press firm tofu at least 20 min
watch out
Tofu: Won't brown or crisp like beef without extra oil
watch out
Mushrooms: Soft and wet — press out moisture before cooking
watch out
Mushrooms: Cannot form a cohesive patty without binder
watch out
Black Beans: Mashed beans lack the granular chew of ground meat
watch out
Black Beans: Won't brown or render fat like beef
watch out
Tempeh: May crumble — add extra binder to hold shape
watch out
Tempeh: Crumbly fermented soy; chewier than ground meat