The Meat Lovers’ Guide to Plant-Based Meat
On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Food Guide
1. Plant-Based Meat: A Growing Trend
- Popularity: 53% of Americans aim to eat more plants or less meat (2021 survey).
- New Options: Products like Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat aim to mimic real meat in taste and texture, unlike traditional vegetarian options.
- Cultivated Meat: USDA-approved lab-grown meat (Upside Foods, Good Meats) has entered the U.S. market.
2. What’s in Plant-Based Meat?
- Main Ingredients:
- Proteins: Typically soy or pea protein isolates, not whole foods.
- Oils: Coconut or palm oil for juiciness.
- Binders: Starches and gums for texture.
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Flavor Enhancers: Proprietary blends for a meat-like taste.
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Fortification: Some products add nutrients like vitamin B12 or omega-3s to match meat’s profile.
3. Which Plant-Based Meats Taste Most Like Meat?
- Top Picks by Category:
- Burgers: Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger stand out for a beef-like flavor and texture.
- Chicken Nuggets: Impossible Chicken Nuggets rated closest to real chicken.
- Sausages: Beyond Meat and MorningStar Farm sausages were highly rated for pork flavor.
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Fish Alternatives: Gardein's fish fillets and Good Catch's patties mimic fish moderately well.
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Non-Meaty Options: Products like Boca Veggie Burgers and Quorn Nuggets were praised for their own unique flavors.
4. Cost
- Higher Prices: Plant-based meats often cost more than real meat.
- Example: Ground beef averages $5.03/lb, boneless chicken breast $4.19/lb.
- Cheapest plant-based meat: $5.13/lb (Tofurky Sausage).
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Most expensive: $22/lb (No Evil Foods “Chicken” Strips).
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Future Trends: Costs may drop as production scales up and competition increases.
5. Are Plant-Based Meats Healthier?
- Nutrition:
- Lower in saturated fat than real meat, but not always (e.g., Impossible and Gardein burgers).
- High in sodium: Some plant-based options have more sodium than their meat counterparts.
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Richer in fiber but may lack nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin B12 (unless fortified).
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Concerns:
- Use of ultraprocessed ingredients raises health questions.
- Some mimic compounds like heme iron (found in beef), which may pose similar health risks.
6. Environmental Impact
- Lower Carbon Footprint:
- Plant-based meats produce 90% less COthan beef and 40% less than poultry.
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They use fewer resources like water compared to beef (1,840 gallons per pound).
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Drawbacks:
- More energy-intensive than unprocessed plant proteins like tofu or lentils.
- Sustainable beef farming practices could narrow the gap.
7. The Bottom Line
- Diet Transition Tool:
- Plant-based meats can help reduce meat consumption but shouldn’t replace whole, plant-based foods.
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Incorporate them alongside vegetables, grains, and legumes for a balanced diet.
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Sustainability:
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While processed, plant-based meats generally have less environmental impact than industrial meat production.
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Smart Choices:
- Look for minimally processed options with added nutrients to supplement your diet.
Experts' Mock Meat Ratings
- Products ranked by nutrition and taste:
- Best burger: Beyond Burger ($3.00/serving).
- Best chicken nugget: Impossible Nuggets ($2.10/serving).
- Best sausage: Beyond Sausage ($1.75/serving).
For details on more products and specific ratings, consult Consumer Reports' comprehensive analysis.
