Top 10 Vegetarian Meat Substitutes

As a vegetarian I have tried almost every product on the market to replicate meat in my dishes. I enjoy creating dishes that are similar to their original meat-containing counterparts especially since my husband is not a vegetarian.

There are many products that taste bad, have a bad texture, or simply do not hold up in recipes. This list contains ten of the best products out there that I use in my household on a weekly basis.

1. Quorn imitation poultry products. Quorn is by far the best meat substitute around. Their "poultry" products include nuggets, cutlets, a roast and more. The key to Quorn's beneficial protein is that it is not made from soy, which is excellent. Too much soy can be bad for you, so this alternative is perfect. Made from mycoprotein, Quorn is basically a man made fungus that resembles dough during the creation process. It is highly nutritious and can be used as a chicken substitute in any dish. Whether you are trying to limit your soy intake or not, Quorn is definitely the best meat substitute around.

2. Lightlife Gimme Lean Vegetarian Ground Sausage. This product is made from textured soy protein and the taste and smell of sausage. It comes in a tube and is almost always found in the produce section of the supermarket, near the tofu. I always prepare it the same way before adding it to my dishes; I brown it in a frying pan using extra virgin olive oil. These adds to the sausage-like texture and keeps the product together if you are adding it to a wet dish such as a sauce or stuffing. I am always finding new ways to use this product and always have one in my fridge!

3. Amy's Chili. Amy's brand makes a lot of delicious vegetarian foods, but her chili is top notch. It comes in a variety of flavors, all containing the TVP. I especially enjoy the black bean and use it to make nachos. It's a quick meak that is so like the real thing meat-eaters won't notice the difference. Amy's chili comes in a can and is found in the organic section or canned chili section of your supermarket.

4. Morningstar Tomato & Basil Pizza burger. This vegetable burger is also made from soy protein and has a unique flavor. It's the only frozen burger I ever buy. It tastes like pizza and has pieces of mozzarella cheese baked right in. These burgers are so good they don't even need any bread like a traditional veggie burger. I heat them up, slice them and eat them like nuggets!

5. Worthington Vegetable Skallops. These are harder to find and may only be available in your local health food store. Worthington is actually a division of Morningstar Farms and they make a very large variety of canned imitation meat products. Some of them are better than others, and the skallops are one of the good ones. Made from both soy and wheat protein they are extremely low in fat and calories. You can make your own homemade breaded nuggets with these, or create shish kabobs like I do. They are worth a shot if you are looking for some variety and are so much better tasting than the Morningstar strips they sell in the freezer section.

6. Frieda's Soyrizo. This Spanish vegetarian sausage is a meatless soy chorizo found in the produce section. They even sell this one at Wal-Mart! It is a high quality product that has a distinct flavor made with textured soy protein. It comes in a plastic casing similar to real chorizo and must be removed before cooking. I use it in homemade chili, rice and beans, tacos and more. It has a little more fat than some of the other textured protein products so you won't need to add anything before frying it up.

7. Boca Italian Meatless Sausage. Also made from soy protein, these sausage come in packs of four and are found in the freezer section. As an Italian, sausage and meatballs in sauce were a staple of my food memories. These meatless sausages allow me to recreate an authentic Italian dinner without using any meat. They fry up like sausage links and add flavor to the sauce. I don't know what I would do without them!

8. Gardenburger Meatless Riblets. My grandmother is always trying to get me to eat meat. When she tasted these riblets she said, "Now I understand how you can be a vegetarian!" The texture is so real that they add great variety to a vegetarian's menu. I eat these a lot during the summer months when everyone else id eating barbecue. They come with enough sauce that you can pour the entire pouch onto a bed of rice for a perfect meal.

9. Lightlife Gimme Lean Vegetarian Ground Beef. If you are looking for the perfect vegetarian meatball, this product is the best. Unlike other vegetarian ground beef products, Lightlife's actually has the consistency and moisture content of real ground beef. It is perfect for making meatballs and everyone who tastes my homemade vegetarian meatballs loves them. This product is also great for making vegetarian meatloaf.

10. Fillo Factory hors d'euvres. These appetizers are great for everyone, which is why I love them. No one will feel left out and meat-eaters will gobble the snacks up just as quickly. They are puff pastry appetizers stuffed with a variety of fillings such as a Mexican blend and spinach. These are great as a snack or to serve to guests if you don't have time to make your own or want a traditional style hors d'euvre without the meat.

Whether you are a vegetarian looking for some options or simply looking for some meat alternatives for your diet, these products will not disappoint. They are all tasty and quality made sources of protein that I am sure you will enjoy.