If you're looking to explore the many uses of textured vegetable protein, then you've landed on the right article. While textured vegetable protein has been around for years, the recent rise in popularity surrounding vegan and vegetarian diets has brought this meat substitute back into the spotlight. Textured vegetable protein may sound like more of a science experiment than a plant-based food item. However, it can be used to transform some of your favorite plant-based meals into vegetarian delicacies. Also known as textured soy protein and TVP, learning how to use this vegan-friendly legume-based food will help you create better-tasting pasta, soup, sandwiches and so much more. Curious to know more about how this faux meat is made? Keep scrolling!
What is Textured Vegetable Protein?
Don’t know how textured vegetable protein is made? Textured vegetable protein is a vegan meat substitute that is high in both protein and fiber. It's typically made from defatted soy flour, although it can be made from various legumes and ingredients. After processing, TVP is cut into the desired shape and dehydrated to create a shelf-stable plant-based product. Made in different shapes and sizes, TVP can be purchased in everything from small granules to large chunks and comes in both flavored and unflavored varieties. While most textured vegetable protein comes unflavored, some brands choose to season TVP and flavor it as specific meat, such as taco filling or ground beef.
While textured vegetable protein is prevalent in vegan and vegetarian cooking, it's also commonly used as a meat extender by traditional cooks and incorporated into popular meat dishes like Sloppy Joes, chili and lasagna. This being, if you've enjoyed these dishes at a restaurant, you've likely eaten TVP before and never even realized it.
What Does Textured Vegetable Protein Taste Like?
Textured vegetable protein alone is pretty bland—which is one of the beauties of it. Because TVP absorbs the flavors in the liquid used to cook it in, it's incredibly easy to dress up the taste. Most commonly used as mock meat, TVP can be seasoned to resemble chicken, bacon, sausage, beef and so much more. And if you're not interested in seasoning TVP yourself, you can find it pre-seasoned at many health food stores.
How to Cook With Textured Vegetable Protein
Textured vegetable protein is nearly always sold in its dehydrated form. Because of this, you will need to hydrate it in water or broth before cooking with it. While water will hydrate TVP efficiently, because textured vegetable protein is bland on its own, we recommend using vegetable broth or soup to hydrate it while simultaneously adding flavor. If you add textured vegetable protein to a dish containing a liquid base like soup or pasta sauce, the TVP can be stirred in and rehydrated while the meal is simmering.
The way you choose to cook textured vegetable protein will largely depend on what shape you purchase it in. If you're cooking with TVP granules, then the end texture will closely resemble ground beef. Granules are ideal for making chili, Sloppy Joe's, taco filling and shepherd's pies. If you purchase larger TVP chunks, they can be cooked, battered and fried to resemble chicken nuggets and strips of meat.
Where to Purchase Textured Vegetable Protein
Due to the rise in popularity of plant-based dishes, TVP can be found at most health food stores, either in the baking aisle or nearly the bulk food bins. Textured vegetable protein can also be ordered online from trusted sources in various shapes and flavors.
At Bob's Red Mill, our textured vegetable protein is made from soybeans and is the ideal ingredient to use as a meat extender or as a plant-based meat alternative. Handled and packaged in our separate, dedicated gluten free facility, our TVP is naturally free of gluten and routinely tested for cross-contamination to ensure its gluten free status. Adding TVP to your favorite cooked dishes is an excellent way to take advantage of the many benefits soy has to offer.
TVP, soy meat and soy chunks are just a few of the many names used to describe textured vegetable protein. As a soy-based meat alternative, TVP is quickly growing in popularity, especially among individuals sensitive to gluten. Use it to create a delicious veggie burger or add it to your favorite pancake recipe to boost the meal's protein content. We're confident that once you begin cooking with this ingredient, you won't want to stop. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a healthy, plant-based day!
Do you enjoy adding TVP to your home-cooked meals? We'd love to hear more about how you cook with this protein-packed ingredient. Let us know your favorite textured vegetable protein recipe in the comments below.
