Popular Soy-Based Meat Alternatives That You Should Know About

Tempeh skewers
Tempeh skewers. Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Plant-based meat alternatives experienced a huge boom in the past few years, but none of them compares to soy. Soy-based foods remain a staple of the vegan diet because they’re protein-rich and have a mild flavor and here are some of the very best.

Tofu

Tofu needs no special introduction because it’s basically synonymous with a plant-based diet and one of the most popular meat alternatives on the market. Made by coagulating soy milk, tofu became a huge hit thanks to its incredible versatility and you can add it to everything from burgers and sandwiches to salads and stir-fries or simply eat it on its own.

Tempeh

Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh shares many similarities with tofu, but there are also several major differences that set them apart. It has a stronger flavor and firmer texture than tofu, and it’s often used in the making of vegan bacon and burgers.

Soy Beans

Soy beans, also known as edamame, can be a great addition to a plant-based diet and they’re a huge hit in East Asian cuisine. There are several different ways to prepare them, but cooking and stir-frying them are two of the most popular options on the market.