vegoftheweek

Inside The Oven: Your guide to vegetarian meats

When it comes to vegetarian meats, there are 3 basic types of vegetarians, X, Y, and Z.

Vegetarian X
Repulsed by meat, won’t eat anything that remotely resembles meat, sends hate mail to any author who labels any vegetarian dish with a “meat” description (e.g. Marinated Seitan “Steak”). 
Vegetarian Y
does like fake meat, no, wait…loves fake meat. Knows all the varieties of Tofurkey deli slices and sausages,  won’t touch a veggie burger with carrots and celery sticking out (thus looking less like meat), and whose vow to vegetarianism is not due to repulsion of flesh, but for other reasons such as health, animal rights, the environment, etc. Finally, we have
Vegetarian Z
who is mostly turned off by meat or “meaty” looking, tasting, smelling products, but every once in awhile, maybe once or twice a year, gets an insatiable craving for something that resembles the B.L.T. they found hardest to give up. That would be me.
For Y and Z, I present the “Meat and Greet” list, your guide to imitation or vegetarian meats. Although this list is in no way comprehensive, I tried to include the most popular brands (and the brands that you’ll most likely to find at the grocer’s). From vegetarian chicken to pastrami to jerky, the possibilities are endless for those who like meat, just not eating it. I will update this as I hear of new things or as you inform me of new things…and when I get a break from reading hate mail from the Xs…

Vegetarian Meats Listed by Brands
1. Tofurky
2. Lightlife
3. Yves
4. Morningstar Farms
5. Amy’s
6. Worthington
7. Quorn
8. Health is Wealth
9. Boca
10. Gardenburger
11. Dr. Praeger
12. Sunshine Burgers

These are listed in no particular order, just the order I happened to think of and research while writing this post. Now that you’ve seen the guest list, it’s time to Meet the Meats…

When possible, I tried to use the exact name the brand uses to help you find or ask for it more efficiently, eg. “Peppered Tofurky Deli Slices” versus pastrami deli slices. I also tried to make note of any specialty lines, like organic or natural and note which ones are vegan. However, as you’ll see with Boca, this sometimes gets confusing.  And just because I labeled one product organic or natural doesn’t mean another product that’s not labeled isn’t or doesn’t have those types of ingredients-the company may not specifically promote that it is. Different companies use the terms “natural” and “organic” with different connotations. Also, it is not always evident from the product description, sometimes you really have to look deep into the ingredients. I always recommend checking the websites more thoroughly on your own, reading the label religiously before you purchase, and possibly contacting the company itself before you go to the grocer’s. As always, I recommend your input and constructive criticism and would be more than happy to hear from you and update as necessary.

Tofurky (All Tofurky Products are Vegan) A link other than sausage to get you there.

Deli Slices
1.Original Tofurky Deli Slices
2. Peppered Tofurky Deli Slices (pastrami like flavor)
3. Hickory Smoked Tofurky Deli Slices
4. Cranberry and Stuffing Tofurky Deli Slices
5. Italian Tofurky Deli Slices
6. Philly Style Steak Tofurky Deli Slices
 

Hotdogs and Franks
1. Tofurky Foot Long Veggie Dog
2. Tofurky Franks
3. Tofurky Chipotle Franks
4. Tofurky Breakfast Links
 

Veggie Burgers
1. SuperBurgers Original
2. SuperBurgers-Tex Mex
 
Vegetarian Jerky
1. Tofurky jurky-Original
2. Tofurky jurky-Peppered
 
And of course, who can forget the famous Tofurky Roast or Tofurky Feast which comes with gravy, stuffing, and other Thanksgiving goodies. 

Lightlife  A link other than sausage to get you there.

Hotdogs and Sausages
1.      Smart Dogs (hotdog) (Vegan)
2.      Smart Dogs Jumbo (an even bigger hotdog) (Vegan)
3.      Tofu pups (another hotdog version) (Vegan)
4.      Smart Franks (longer than the bun hotdog)
5.      Veggie Dogs (yet another hotdog version)
6.      Smart Sausage Italian Style
7.      Smart Sausage Chorizo
8.      Pretzel Dog (any county fair memories?)

A Lightlife Smart Dog Jumbo… 

 Deli (all are Vegan)
1.      Smart Deli Pepperoni
2.      Smart Deli Turkey
3.      Smart Deli Ham
4.      Smart Deli Bologna
5.      Smart Deli Santa Fe Chicken
 Grounds (all are Vegan)
1.      Gimme Lean Sausage
2.      Gimme Lean Beef
3.      Smart Ground Original
4.      Smart Ground Taco and Burrito
  Strips and Tenders
1.      Smart Strips Chick’n (Vegan)
2.      Smart Strips Steak (Vegan)
3.      Smart Tenders Lemon Pepper (Chicken)
4.      Smart Tenders Savory Chick’n
5.      Smart Cutlets Chick’n Fillet Style
 Burgers/Patties
1.      Light Burgers (Vegan)
2.      Veggie Burgers
3.      Mushroom Burgers
4.      Smart Patties Burger Style (Vegan)
5.      Smart Patties Chick’n Style
6.      Smart Patties Mushroom Burgers
 Already made products like taco ground (Lightlife calls them “Heat n’ Eat”)
1.      Smart BBQ (Vegan)
2.      Smart Tex Mex (Vegan)
3.      Smart Chili (Vegan)
4.      Orange Sesame Chick’n (Vegan)
5.      Veggie Bolognese
6.      Garlic Teriyaki Chicken (Vegan)
7.      Smart Menu Meatless Meatballs (Vegan)
8.      Smart Nuggets Chick’n Style
 Breakfast (All are Vegan)
1.      Smart Links Breakfast
2.      Smart Bacon
3.      Smart Breakfast Patties 

Yves  A link other than sausage to get your there. Hotdogs and Brats
1.      Hot Dog
2.      Good Dog (the better behaving, conservative version of its rambunctious Hot Dog cousin?)
3.      Tofu Dogs
4.      Jumbo Hot Dogs
5.      Veggie Brats Classic
6.      Veggie Brats Zesty Italian
 Skewers
1.     Beef Skewers
2.     Chicken Skewers
 Deli Slices
1.      Meatless Bologna
2.      Meatless Ham
3.      Meatless Turkey
4.      Meatless Salami
5.      Meatless Pepperoni
6.      Roast without the Beef
7.      Meatless Smoked Chicken
 Burgers and Patties
1.      Meatless Chicken Burger
2.      Meatless Beef Burger
  Breakfast
1.      Meatless Canadian Bacon
2.      Meatless Breakfast Patties
 Round Grounds
1.      Meatless Ground Round Original
2.      Meatless Ground Taco Stuffers
3.      Meatless Ground Turkey
4.      Asian Ground Round Lettuce Wraps
 Misc. prepared Meat
1.      Meatless Chili

Morningstar Farms  A link other than sausage to get you there.
 Breakfast
1. Veggie Bacon Strips
2. Veggie Sausage Links
3. Veggie Sausage Patties (these were good with egg scramblers on a biscuit, if I recall my college breakfast days, correctly) (also available in their Organic Product line)
 
Burgers/Patties
1. Cheddar Burgers
2. Grillers Original
3. Grillers Vegan (Vegan)
4. Mushroom Lover’s Burger
5. Philly Cheese Steak Burger
6. Black Bean Veggie Burger (lots of memories for this one. All good of course)
7. Tomato and Pizza Burger
8. Asian Veggie Patties (chili, garlic, and ginger)
9. Ginger and Teriyaki Veggie cakes (with edamame and sticky rice)
10. Garden Veggie Patties Veggie Burger
11. Classic Burger with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
12. Okra Patties with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
13. Tex Mex Burger with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
14. Thai Burger (part of their Natural product line)
15. Vegan Burger with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line) (Vegan)
16. Veggie Medley Burger with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
17. Tomato Basil Burger with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
 
Chicken
      1. Chik ‘n Nuggets
      2. Chik Patties Parmesan Ranch
      3. Chik ‘n Tenders (chicken fingers)
      4. Chik Patties Original 5. Buffalo Wings Veggie Wings6.  Roasted Herb Chik ‘n with Organic Soy (part of their Organic Product Line)
 Meal Starters
1. Chik ‘n Strips (also available in their Natural product line)
2. Grillers Recipe Crumbles (aka. Beef crumbles for taco, etc.)
3. Sausage Style Recipe Crumbles
4. Veggie Steak Strips (also available in their Natural product line)
 
Hotdogs
1. Original Veggie Dog
2. Mini Veggie Corn Dogs
3. Veggie Corn Dogs (also available in their Natural Product Line)

Boca-this would have to be the most recommended line for those Y’s who really love their meat. In my experience, Boca burgers have always been named by countless vegans and vegetarians as the burger that taste and looks like real meat and is even suitable for their carnivore friends and family. That being said, this might be a good start for those who crave meat, but want to get their toes wet to see if they can handle a veggie burger. Like Morningstar Farms, Boca also has an Organic/Natural Product Line. A link other than sausage  to get you there.
  Burgers
1. All American Flame Grilled (the restaurant type, real meat tasting burger)
2. Original
3. Grilled Vegetable
4. Roasted Onion (Vegan, also available in organic, but the organic is not Vegan-more confusing, especially if you’re hungry, I know)
5. Roasted Garlic (Vegan, also available in organic, but the organic is not Vegan)
6. Cheeseburger (cheese baked into burger, not a separate slice that comes with it, also available in organic and you know the organic nor the regular is not Vegan-finally less confusion!)
7. All American Classic (with organic soy)
8. Vegan Burger (with organic soy)
9. Garden Vegetable (with organic soy and organic vegetables) 

A Boca All-American Flame Grilled… 

   
Sausages
1. Italian Sausage (also available in the natural product line)
2. Smoked Sausage
3. Bratwurst (also available in the natural product line)
 
Breakfast
1. Breakfast Patties (also available in the organic line)
2. Breakfast Links (also available in the organic line)
 
Chicken
1. Original Chik ‘n Patties (Vegan, also available in natural, but natural is not Vegan)
2. Spicy Chik ‘n Patties (Vegan, also available in natural, but natural is not Vegan)
3. Original Chik ‘n Nuggets (Vegan) (Honey mustard, barbecue, sweet n sour, the dips are endless! Mmmm…) (Also available in natural, but natural is not Vegan)
4. Hot & Spicy Chik ‘n Wings (natural product line)
 
Ground
1. Ground Burger (Vegan, ah…finally a product that also comes in the natural line that is also Vegan) 

A Boca Spicy Chick’n Patty…