19 Plant-Based Meat Brands Every Vegetarian Needs to Know
Updated: Mar. 22, 2024
If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it can be tricky to find veggie versions of your favorite foods. But these plant-based meat brands have your back. We found the top replacements for beef, chicken, pork and more.
BOCA
One of the most trusted names in meat-free eats, BOCA offers a wide selection of veggie burgers, chicken nuggets, skillet meals and more. You have your choice of original recipes, as well as those made with non-GMO soy. Make your veggie burger even healthier by swapping the bun for one of these clever burger bun substitutes.
Products to Try: All-American Veggie Burgers and Spicy Chik’n Veggie Patties
Morningstar Farms
For re-creations of all your favorite comfort foods, look to Morningstar Farms. You’ll find plant-based protein choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegans, you’re in luck, too. The brand has options without meat, dairy or eggs. (We love these vegan recipes.)
Products to Try: Spicy Black Bean Burgers and Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties
No Evil Foods
Founded in 2014 at a farmers market, No Evil Foods is on a mission to benefit people, the planet and animals. They rely on simple foods—like vital wheat gluten, spices and seasonings—to mimic the taste and texture of meat. (Trust us—you’ll recognize every ingredient on the label!)
Products to Try: Comrade Cluck ‘Shredded Chicken Strips’ and El Capitan ‘Chorizo’
Alpha Foods
Put down the almonds and step up your vegetarian snack game! Alpha Foods offers tons of delicious grab-and-go options, including burritos, potpies, tamales and pizza. You can also grab heartier fare, like crumbles, strips and patties. Psst! Learn more about plant-based meat substitutes.
Products to Try: Frozen Burritos and Crispy Chik’n
Field Roast
From summer cookouts to holiday dinners, Field Roast has your back. The brand is known for producing “real meats”—like sausages, roasts and deli slices—from grains, veggies and spices. They also make to-die-for dairy-free cheese options!
Products to Try: Italian Sausages and Mini Corn Dogs
Amy’s Kitchen
Amy’s is the queen of meat-free comfort food. The homey brand makes a wide variety of convenience foods—including canned soups, pizzas, burritos and bowls. Every product is vegetarian, but Amy’s also offers gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO offerings. Oh, and if you live in California, check out the Amy’s Drive Thru! Find more vegetarian comfort food ideas.
Products to Try: Meatless Pepperoni Pizza Snacks and California Veggie Burger
Meatless Farm
Meatless Farm is on a mission to make meatless delicious. And with their line of crave-worthy comfort foods—like chik’n nuggets, hot dogs and breakfast sausages—they’re well on their way. Bring a meaty taste to your own dishes with our guide to creating umami flavor.
Products to Try: Plant-Based Burger and Breakfast Sausage Patties
Daring Foods
If you can’t live without chicken, Daring Foods is the plant-based meat brand to try. It features a range of faux chicken products in a variety of flavors. Each pack contains soy protein concentrate as its protein source, which lends a meaty texture that pulls apart just like the real deal.
Products to Try: Original Daring Pieces and Original Breaded Pieces
Lightlife
Touting plant-based foods for over 40 years, Lightlife is known for their tried-and-true products. You’ll find replacements for all sorts of meat products—including burgers, hot dogs, deli meats, sausages and chicken—plus simple meal starters like tempeh.
Products to Try: Three-Grain Tempeh and Smart Dogs
Sweet Earth
Go ahead and stock your fridge—Sweet Earth has plant-based options for every meal. Pick up replacement products, like bacon, burgers, seitan and sausages. And choose from classic comfort foods, including pizzas, burritos and snack foods.
Products to Try: Seitan Traditional Strips and Benevolent Bacon
The Very Good Butchers
You can feel (very) good about reaching for meat replacements from The Very Good Butchers. This chef-founded brand relies on beans for their mouthwatering eats. Plus, you’ll find a number of meat alternatives that many brands don’t offer, like Ribz, Pepperoni and Very British Bangers.
Product to Try: Big Box of Plant-Based Meat
Impossible Foods
If you’ve been to a restaurant in the past year, you’ve likely seen an Impossible product on the menu. This revolutionary substitute is designed to look, taste, smell and even bleed like real meat. Plus, you can now find their “ground beef” at the grocery store. By the way, these are our Test Kitchen’s favorite plant-based burgers.
Products to Try: Impossible Burger Plant-Based Ground Beef and Impossible Breakfast Sandwich (available at Starbucks)
Beyond Meat Company
Another contender in the I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-meat category, Beyond sells plant-based burger patties, ground crumbles and sausages. It’s aiming to create “the future of protein” and help the planet—all while creating a delicious meat alternative. Bonus: they just released a vegan steak option!
Products to Try: Beyond Burger and Beyond Brat
Moku Foods
If you miss the savory and salty experience of jerky, you’re in luck. Moku Foods has developed a mushroom-based alternative that packs in 9g of fiber and 6g of protein in each bag. Choose from original, sweet and spicy or Hawaiian teriyaki flavors.
Product to Try: Plant-Based Mushroom Jerky
Hungry Planet
Hungry Planet makes it easy to adopt a plant-based diet. Their line of meat-free grounds, patties and heat-and-eat options are just as convenient as the real deal. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of good-for-you options. Enjoy classics, like ground beef and grilled chicken, or opt for global favorites, like gyoza and Thai Meatballs. Hungry for more? Check out our guide to plant-based meat.
Products to Try: Pork Gyoza and Italian Sausage Meatballs
Gardein
If you’re craving convenience, Gardein is the way to go. This popular brand features a variety of easy-to-make meat alternatives. It offers all of the usual suspects—like chicken and beef—plus some more niche products, like crab and fish alternatives. Need help making a plant-based grocery list? Our guide can help!
Products to Try: Seven Grain Crispy Chick’n Tenders and Mandarin Orange Crispy Plant-Based Chick’n
Tofurky
Tofurky has been making tasty meat-free products using tofu since 1980. The well-known brand is a go-to for vegetarian deli slices, sausages, holiday roasts and more.
Products to Try: Roast & Wild Rice Stuffing and Oven-Roasted Deli Slices
Upton’s Naturals
If you haven’t given jackfruit a try, Upton’s Naturals will make you reconsider. The brand sells the pork-like fruit in a bunch of fun flavors, plus seitan-based products and a whole line of vegan meals.
Products to Try: Updog and Bar-B-Que Jackfruit
Quorn
From fillets to meatballs, Quorn has a veggie-based product for almost any occasion. The brand uses a unique ingredient called mycoprotein (a member of the fungi family) to boost nutritional value. Learn how to make vegan meatballs.
Products to Try: Meatless Chicken Nuggets and Meatless Grounds
Originally Published: September 16, 2021
