Vegan Ground Beef Recipe {High Protein & Easy}

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Ground Beef Recipe

This recipe is a staple in my kitchen for many reasons. It is SO savory and creates a delicious, hearty element for any dish you add it to. If you’re a fan of switching up your source of plant-based protein, this recipe is for you!

Here are a few more reasons we love this plant-based ground beef and you will too:

• High in Protein: With 14 grams of protein per serving, it will help round out any recipe you add it to.

• Quick to Prepare: Ready in about 15 minutes, it’s ideal for those busy days or weeknights when you need a quick yet satisfying dinner.

• Versatile: Perfect for adding to pasta, soups, sandwiches, and even vegan meatloaf, its versatility makes it a go-to ingredient.

• Cost-Effective: At about 75 cents per serving, it provides a budget-friendly option for plant-based protein.

• Gluten-Free Friendly: When made with gluten-free soy sauce, it caters to gluten-free dietary needs without sacrificing taste or texture.

Why This Recipe Works

While most of my vegan meat recipes like my Vegan Beef Strips and Vegan Steak use vital wheat gluten as the base, this recipe takes cues from popular store-bought options such as Trader Joe’s Beefless Ground and Gardein Vegan Ground Beef Crumbles.

Today, we’re using textured vegetable protein, also known as TVP, as a foundation of this recipe. Like tofu, tempeh and seitan, TVP takes on the flavor of what you season it with, so we’ll be enhancing it with a blend of seasonings to create the best vegan beef crumbles!  

The outcome is a savory and versatile vegan ground beef substitute. While it doesn’t replicate the taste of beef exactly, it provides a great vegan replacement for ground beef in various dishes. This recipe offers a similar texture to the real thing and a rich flavor.

Ingredients

This recipe uses straightforward, simple ingredients and seasonings that come together to create a rich flavor and satisfying texture. Texturized vegetable protein can be ordered in bulk online (this is what I do) or you can typically find it at the grocery store in the baking aisle near the nutritional yeast. For the best flavor, I recommend using vegan beef-flavored bouillon which can be ordered online!

Here’s what you need to make this recipe:

• Vegan No-Beef Bouillon Cube: For the base of our vegan beef broth.

• Hot Water: To dissolve the bouillon cube.

• Tomato Paste: Adds richness to the broth.

• Vegan Worcestershire Sauce and Soy Sauce: These bring depth and umami to the broth.

• Dry Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP): The key ingredient for the meaty texture.

• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: To add depth and a warm flavor.

• Smoked Paprika: For a hint of smokiness.

• Dried Oregano: Adds a classic herb flavor.

• Black Pepper: A bit of fresh cracked black pepper adds a perfect finishing touch to this recipe.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Vegan Butter: For cooking the TVP, helping it brown and adding flavor.

Substitutions & Add-ins

Missing one of the ingredients above? Here are some substitutions:

• Bouillon Cube Alternative: If the vegan beef bouillon is unavailable, vegetable broth or another vegan bouillon can be used. While vegetable broth won’t have the same flavor as the vegan beef broth, it will still add a delicious savory flavor to these plant-based beef crumbles. 

• Tamari as a Soy Sauce Alternative: For a gluten-free version, coconut aminos are an excellent substitute.

• Adjustable Seasonings: Alter the amounts of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano based on your preference or availability. You can also add in about a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for extra flavor or you could add a dash of chili powder for a kick of heat. 

• Oil Options: Any neutral-flavored oil can replace olive oil or vegan butter.

Helpful Equipment

A few basic kitchen tools can make the preparation of this vegan ground beef even easier:

• Large Bowl: For combining ingredients and rehydrating the TVP.
• Measuring Cup: To mix together the vegan beef broth.
• Non-Stick Skillet: For achieving the perfect golden brown char on the TVP.

Step By Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious vegan ground beef! For the ingredient quantities and full instructions see the recipe card below.

STEP 1: Prepare the vegan beef broth by dissolving the bouillon cube in hot water. Mix well!

STEP 2: Add the tomato paste, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce to the broth. Then mix until the tomato paste dissolves.

STEP 3: Rehydrate the TVP by pouring the broth over it. Give it a stir and let it sit for 5 minutes.

STEP 4: Cook the TVP in a skillet over medium heat with olive oil, allowing it to dry and start to sizzle.

STEP 5: Add spices to the TVP, mix, then let it brown in the skillet for another 10 minutes over medium-high heat.