Any fake meats that taste exactly like animal meat?

Question

I know that veggie hot dogs taste similar to real hot dogs. Or chicken-free nuggets like similar to the real ones. But are there ever any invention of imitation mock meats that actually taste exactly like the dead thing?

Answer 1

I got run out of Terlingua when I took second place with a vegan chili! I was also in Chicago (and helped) when vegan ribs won their rib cooking contest (which is why they now make you cook them on site with their meat(hmm, do they still supply the meat or just check that you brought raw meat)). There are several Bhuddist restaurants around the US that serve seitan version of sea animals that look and taste like the real thing (and they're just as close mouthed about how they do it as I am). Last month I did a vegan breakfast for a bunch of folks who weren't told it was a vegan breakfast; besides the 'normal' scrambled tofu they got served poached and fried v'eggs, soysage patties and links (my fakun isn't close enough yet) and no one caught on! It *did* help that those kind of pre-presentation meals have lowered expectations. I've done a few lunches over the past year that included seitan chik'n and zteaks that also didn't get detected. You can't buy any of my stuff (yet) but *might* be able to by the end of the year if we can get regulatory etc. approvals for my "Not Milk"(TM) chocolates (currently illegal under US food 'purity' laws).

Moonfae23 gave you a good list of current products but missed that Yves burgers won a taste test where their patties were subbed into MCd's and Whoppers! Boca sausages have also scored high along with Worthington fillets.

Answer 2

It is a matter of taste. Sometimes it helps when it is served with a meal instead of by itself.

I made lasagna for my whole family one Christmas using Yves fake burger and they never caught on. It had real cheese which helped plus I used corn, and stewed tomatoes which gave it a more complex flavor.

I like Morning Star's breakfast strips better than bacon. Especially in a BLT. They come out crisper when baked.

At restaurants I have had some really good "seafood" that was wrapped in seaweed and fried. It gives the fake meat a ocean like flavor that makes it believable.

At Lyon Market (Asian grocery store) I tried the fake shrimp but was not satisfied, but the sesame "pork" went great in a soup.

Answer 3

I've been veg for so long, I probably don't really remember the exact taste--- but I would say no product tastes EXACTLY like meat. But that doesn't mean there are not some 'fake' meats that are yummy---and some that are nasty, too--- but then, what could be nastier than eating liver?!!!
As far as veggie hot dogs go, I think the canned "Big Franks", well-fried, taste the most like I remember hot dogs tasting. I don't care for the refrigerated tofu varieties---they are too rubbery, and taste is odd to me.
Quorn is pretty chickeny--- and Boca Burgers, grilled, seem 'beefy' to me.
But exactly? You'd need blood, sinew, animal fat, and a bit of decay to get that exact taste.

Answer 4

I think the Quorn naked cutlets, when cooked right, taste identical to chicken breast. I've been veggie for 1 1/2 yrs, so I still remember the taste. My two favorite ways to cok the naked cutlets are:

1. slather in bbq sauce and grill (or you can bake 'em too)
2. brush with water or milk, press into a mixture of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, then fry in a Tbsp of oil until browned on both sides (defrost them in the microwave first, so they aren't frozen).

Only other thing I think tastes exactly the same is the Yves Mexican Style Veggie Ground (taco meat) and the Morningstar Crumblers when used in a recipe calling for ground beef.

Answer 5

Mock shrimp I've heard tastes and looks just like the real thing. Haven't tried it yet, I live in a small town and we don't have a lot of vegetarian around here.

Answer 6

Gardenburger riblets.
Lightlife Gimmie Lean sausage.
Boca burger crumbles.
Morningstar meal starters strips.
Morningstar chik'n nuggets.

Answer 7

Not really,.....but Quorn brand Herb Chicken Cutlets taste pretty close...they are super good, (they are frozen) I bake them in the oven, cut them up and make an awesome "chicken" cesar salad. YUM.

Answer 8

No. And thats a good thing.
The closest you're going to get is Morningstar Farms Chik'n Nuggets.

Answer 9

I suppose there are artificially flavored manufactured products that come close in taste, but so far nothing has the texture...nor ever will.

I'll take the real, natural thing.

Answer 10

Not really and I've tried everything. The secret is in the seasoning and sauces. try that soy hot dog w/o the ketchup and you'll see what I mean.