The best plant based steak.
The plant based world seems not to have cracked the code on steaks. Maybe it’s just that steak is one of those ultimate-meaty meats, and it’s just hard to replicate. We’ve found some that are nice enough, but we’re still waiting for a PB steak with that X factor.
This is a list of the best plant based steak available. We have ranked them, as always, on taste, texture, value for money and our PBFG Feel-Good Factor!
1.) Loma Linda, Swiss stake
This Swiss Stake (yes Stake - read the label!) went on quite a journey with us. Rather than some alpine outpost, we purchased this in a supermarket in Jamaica before hiking the Blue and John Crow Mountains. We had intended to eat it over a campfire during our ascent to the Blue Mountain peak, but we didn't get around to it. We ended up bringing it all the way back to England. The airport security officer questioned it as we went through customs.
Anyway, it’s possible that this journey up a mountain and across the Atlantic has had an impact on how highly we rated it. However, it must be said, it is delicious. The texture was fantastic too. They looked a little gross in the tin, but what can you expect from a product that comes pre-soaked in ‘gravy'? We ate these as a roast dinner substitute and would certainly eat them again. A 100% recyclable tin and a dedicated plant based brand make this product a big winner. It’s a shame we may never have it again!
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Taste: 9
Texture: 8
Value for money: 7
Packaging: 10
Feel Good Factor: 8
2.) No meat company, Mushroom steaks
This is a delicious steak replacement. It's one of those meat substitutes that isn't trying to be something it isn't - it tastes of mushrooms and that’s it. I think it would work much better than a lame nut roast for a Sunday dinner.
However, its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness - it's basically just mushrooms, so there is virtually no protein.
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Taste: 9
Texture: 7
Value for money: 8
Packaging: 10
Feel Good Factor: 4
3.) Quorn, Vegetarian steak strips
If you can honestly tell the difference between these and Quorn's chicken piece in terms of flavour alone, I would be impressed. They don't really taste like steak. But, they cook nicely and seem to work well for stir fry-type dishes. Unfortunately, they come in a plastic bag, which is the worst type of packaging.
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Taste: 6
Texture: 7
Value for money: 6
Packaging: 0
Feel Good Factor: 7
4.) Meatless Farm, Steak
Not great. A lot of these steak replacements that look similar haven't quite figured out the steak flavour yet.
By that, I don't mean I expect it to taste exactly like real steak necessarily, but I do expect it to at least taste good. They are actually quite off-putting. The flavour is bad, and the texture is worse. They really fall apart, and lose all structural integrity in a bit of gravy. This one is a ‘no’ from us, for now.
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Taste: 5
Texture: 4
Value for money: 5
Packaging: 2
Feel Good Factor: 6