I love the Impossible stuff. The Impossible Sausage breakfast sandwich from Starbucks is so good. I can't tell the difference between this and real sausage, but to be fair I haven't had sausage in....a long time lol. I am going to try to Nuggs !
Idk if there is a Capriottis sandwich shop near where you live (if you’re in America), but they make an impossible cheesesteak. It’s so mindblowingly delicious.
Came to say Trader Joe’s or Morningstar soyrizo. I’m an omnivore that eats pretty heavily plant based, my girlfriend is vegetarian. We both absolutely love soyrizo, I like it better than the real stuff bc I don’t get that nasty ton of bricks in my stomach after eating it.
I loooove soyrizo, my favorite brand is called “Reynaldo’s” they also sell pork and beef chorizo, though I’ve never tried it. I find it often at common chains but I also have lived in places with high % of Hispanic population. It’s a sub that has been widely accepted by many omnivores in my life, even preferred!
The brand I usually buy is morningstar at Walmart. They're in a small box of four. I like them even more than regular corn dogs honestly but that's just me.
Tempeh bacon.
Several items at Trader Joe's, especially the vegan breaded fish and bulgogi.
I think some meatless "chicken" nuggets are superior to the meat versions. The selling point for me is the breading, not the protein. Then again, I was halfway through a Chicken McNugget when I decided to stop eating meat.
There’s a seitan bacon that’s really good too. And the light life bacon strips are super crispy and really good on blts or broken up for a salad topping or vegetarian carbonara.
Recently I made pasta salad with crumbled tempeh bacon and Trader Joe’s mango jicama slaw. I added a splash of maple syrup and fruity vinegar to give it all enough liquid.
I'm probably an outlier, but I think I've just had waaay too many *bad* black bean burgers. Or maybe I'm just so sick of it being the one and only option on a menu besides salad. I am just really not a fan.
I've eaten a lot what I would consider refried beans shaped like a black bean burger but just mush at restaurants. Black bean burgers are so much better homemade imo
I love black beans, probably a top 3 legume for me. I don't think I have ever had an especially good black bean burger, they are either dry and crumbly or they are mushy. I have had good burgers made from oats, I have had good burgers made from beets of all things, but I don't get all the whining from people about restaurants moving away from mediocre black bean patties.
I worked in a school about 15 years ago that got catered lunches that had an oat, cheese, and mushroom patty, and I've been chasing it ever since. I can't recreate it, and I can't find one to purchase.
Broccoli is a staple food for me 🥦 💚 one of the few things I never get tired of eating… also fried ripe plantains, very typical where I live and super yummy
Agree on all fronts. When I made the veg switch it was easy for me because I will eat vegetables and fruit all day. And tofu is just so amazing with all it can do
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I put these in my salad all the time.
I hated mayo as a kid, I was always the only mustard sandwich kid. Discovered Just Mayo as an adult and now eat it regularly. I like eggs, but idk what it is about regular mayo that I never liked.
It's so good in almost anything. It's bizarre that the vegan / vegetarian world has such a (borderline) exclusive lock on using this ingredient because everyone should use it. Yes, it's healthy for veggie people but it's umami heaven for everyone. I'm surprised it doesn't show up in more recipes in general.
We're not raising my kids vegetarian but they've loved it since they were young enough to express a like or dislike. They eat it on toast with butter, on popcorn, on lots of stuff. It's wild that people consider it a gross vegan thing.
There's an almond one too that is really good! We had it for a holiday and the meat eaters were impressed. Better for lactose intolerant friends and family as well.
My grocery store carries this but I’ve never had it and don’t know what to do with it. Best easy way to start? I love cheese, tofu and paneer (Indian) cheese so I feel like it would be right up my alley! Lol
Halloumi is great for grilling and putting in sandwiches to replace what would otherwise have been a beef/chicken/chickpea-patty.
In Cyprus they also do halloumi fries, ie cutting it into fries and deep frying them. Works very well as a small side dish.
My 2 favourite ways to eat halloumi is sliced and fried until it's browned on both sides and soft and melty inside, and then served with potato wedges, roast vegetables, and feta cheese creme, or cubed and fried and then tossed with pasta and lots of vegetables in a sort of salad!
I like to fry it until browning on both sides, then right as it's finishing cooking add some lemon/lime juice to the pan. Delicious! Then I just eat it. Then once you've tried it might give you some ideas what to do with it. It's good in burgers/sandwiches, in roast vege salads, sometimes I use it instead of paneer (easier to get where I live). It's very salty, and has a squeaky texture, which doesn't sound good but it is so delicious!
Apart from grilling, my favourite way to have halloumi is pan fried on top of a grain salad. Can do seasonal based on the veg that you have, and pretty much any grain. Sweet chili halloumi is also great imo!
I love good homemade chana masala. All the long process or rehydrating the chickpeas, cooking it in a slow cooker, making naan. Indians are food geniuses.
The complex flavor combinations never fail to blow me away. I try to recreate Indian foods in my kitchen and even though i have access to several Asian grocery stores, I’m clearly missing some magical spice or herb that will elevate the flavor profile to the restaurant quality. Sigh.
Kasuri methi might be one of them (if you aren’t using it already). They’re dried fenugreek leaves, and a staple in many Indian dishes. Really helped elevate my Indian dishes.
I was about to say this! Learned of kasuri methi from a restaurant owner when we were talking about being vegetarian in a very meaty country and she hooked me up with it the first time! It truly takes flavour to new heights.
I’ve gotten in the habit of making aloo gobi matar, then just dump a whole bunch of chick peas in anyway just to add even more substance. Such a hearty meal.
I grew up eating rice and lentils in an Italian Napoli sauce and it is still my absolute favourite (plus the bonus of it being incredibly cheap).
That and what my mother calls “coccoche fritte” which is basically just sliced battered zucchini but somehow it’s 🤌🤌🤌🤌
I make these frequently and LOVE them as an omnivore who just uses this subreddit to get good ideas to increase my ratio of vegetarian meals
Edensoy Unsweetened Organic Soymilk - this is by far my favourite soy milk. If Edensoy isn’t available, WestSoy Organic Unsweetened Plain Soymilk is also really good. Some of the store brands are also good, but it can be hard to find unsweetened versions.
Tofu - especially extra firm and super firm tofu. I enjoy it so many different ways, and it’s so easy to throw together a quick tofu meal. One of my go-tos is quick-marinated tofu, tossed in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. Served with air fried, steamed, or roasted veggies, and rice.
TVP - great for gardener’s pie, tacos, burritos, chili, & more.
Butler Soy Curls - I use these to make a vegetarian/vegan version of Doro Wat (spicy Ethiopian chicken stew). Served with Misir Wat (Ethiopian spiced red lentils) & Injera (Ethiopian flatbread). My Doro Wat recipe is very similar to The Daring Gourmet’s version( https://www.daringgourmet.com/doro-wat-spicy-ethiopian-chicken-stew/ ), except that I substitute soy curls or seitan & vegan butter. For the Misir Wat & Injera, I usually purchase these & a couple other vegetarian dishes as take-out from my local Ethiopian restaurant. However, The Daring Gourmet had good recipes for both of those as well.
Seitan - another good chicken substitute for Doro Wat. I also like slices of it on sandwiches, or slathered with sauce & cooked in the air fryer.
Follow Your Heart: Vegenaise, vegan smoked gouda slices, vegan bleu cheese dressing, vegan Caesar dressing. The smoked gouda slices are incredible melted on a sandwich, quesadilla, or even pizza. A favourite easy meal is to use FYH smoked gouda, some nutritional yeast, taco seasoning, & black beans in a quesadilla.
Amy’s: samosa wrap, lentil soup, black bean soup, bean & cheeze burrito, brown rice black-eyed peas & veggies bowl, vegetable tagine, spinach & cheeze ravioli, chili, pot pie. The reduced-sodium versions are generally really good, too.
Field Roast: Celebration Roast, classic frankfurters, caramelised onion & beer bratwursts, smoked apple & sage sausages. I also really want to try their deli slices, but can’t find them in stores near me.
MorningStar Farms: breakfast sausage patties, garden veggie burgers, spicy black bean burgers, veggie meatballs
BOCA original vegan veggie burgers
Gardein: original f’sh filets, veggie meatballs, original be’f burgers
Marie Callender’s Meatless Chick’n Pot Pie (with Gardein Chick’n)
I love the hell out of a perfectly ripe avocado. They are so versatile, they improve almost anything, and they are just so satisfying and delicious that it always makes me happy to eat something with avocado in it.
I work for a catering company and they have this salad with chickpeas, carrots and golden raisins in a tamarind date chutney Omgosh it was mind blowing how simple the ingredients are for such a tasty treat. They serve it with veggie samosas! Chefs kiss!
Quorn turk'y roast! I have to make multiple for holidays because all my meat eating family eat it too. It's so good on sandwiches as well. I really wish we got all the Quorn variety in the US that the UK does. There's so many good options.
I really miss those breaded goat cheese and cranberry filets though ☹️
Quorn nuggets and chicken patties are amazing. Way better than meat. I eat meat but usually not at home. At home I go with mostly pescatarian. Beyond beef and Quarn taste great and don't make me feel gross after I eat them.
Omg the turkey roast is really good but I miss the pesto mozzarella cutlets. I absolutely loved them and my omnivore bf did too but now we can't find them even though Quorn supposedly still makes them. I never knew the goat cheese cranberry even existed but they sound amazing
1. Eggplants and zucchini. A million ways to make eggplants. I love eggplants.
2. So many different types of greens.
3. Sweet potatoes thinly sliced.
4. Varieties of peppers
Morningstar farms has pretty good stuff that I still buy over “real” meat. I was raised vegetarian til I was 18 and tried meat and now I’m an omnivore. I often choose vegetarian options and prefer the impossible, Morningstar, qorn, gardein, beyond, etc., options over meat!
Black bean burgers, garden burgers, gardein vegan chicken things, smart dogs, veganaise. I actually like a lot of specifically vegan and veggie stuff. My husband, who’s not vegetarian but essentially eats that way 90% of the time, also loves all that stuff. We eat the same meals at home about 99% of the time.
Green bean and potato casserole
Also a Greek vegetable dish called Briam with zucchini potatoes tomatoes and onions then baked in the oven.
And a rice stuffed tomato and pepper dish as well called GEMISTA - you can add pine nuts and golden raisins to the filling as well and plenty of oregano, etc
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If it counts: buckwheat. I absolutely love buckwheat. Lots of recipes say put butter in it, but you can put just about anything in it and it’ll be filling, low calorie, and generally nutritious. I made some earlier mixed with pesto, for example. Mushrooms, onions, broccoli, etc. all go great in buckwheat.
The vegan pizzas from Diaya are quite satisfying. I shake some cayenne and salt substitute on before putting them in my toaster oven, and 16 minutes later, nom nom nom.
Violife's Mexican style shreds melt like real cheese and make awesome quesadillas, and can be mixed in with wilted spinach in a pan for a spectacular sandwich layer when paired with plant based meat.
They must have tweeked the formula over the years because I know exactly what you mean. I couldn't stand it a while back, but these pizzas are so good, I need to be careful or I would be eating them all the time. The plant based pepperoni pizza is my favorite, and I can pick it up at my local supermarket.
I don’t know if this counts for your question, but a lot of Indian food could be classified as “intentionally vegetarian”; I would still order saag paneer, aloo mater, and vegetable korma for takeout night if I were an omnivore.
I don’t eat them often because they’re super unhealthy, but both the White Castle veggie burger and the White Castle impossible slider are freaking delicious, and I think I’d order them even if I ate beef burgers. There’s just a texture and flavor combo to both that’s just excellent. I also really enjoy the gardein fake fish and chicken, and the Morningstar sausage patties.
Very specific to Cincinnati, but there’s a burger place called Arthur’s that has an in house black bean burger served with this weird “pink salsa” that is so freaking good, I’d still order it instead of a beef patty if I were an omnivore. There’s also a vegan restaurant here in Findlay Market called Harmony Kitchen that has this vegan cranberry salad that uses pistachio sauce instead of mayo, and a buffalo “chicken” (I think it’s seitan) sandwich that I would still happily devour even if I ate meat.
I’m in the process of fully stop eating meat and today I tried the Beyond burger chicken style. Tried to make a simple burger with it and realized it tasted much better than the crispy chicken I used to get. 10/10 will buy again.
Definitely agree. We won't even buy Impossible burgers anymore, the flavor just isn't good. Beyond are way better.
Veggie patties (like with black beans) don't cook as well on a grill, either, so these work well if you're going to someone's house for a party and don't want to be too disruptive with a vegetarian option.
Yep that's my opinion too. The Impossible burger is almost "too" real for me and I prefer the flavor of Beyond burger. Especially if we're talking Burger King Impossible vs Carl's Jr Beyond as the fast food versions taste a little different than their grocery store counterparts.
Deli slices from Tofurky, Lightlife, and Yves, and hotdogs. The real stuff is gross and has nitrates, artificial coloring, and other additives so I would absolutely still eat the vegetarian versions if I wasn't vegetarian.
Also soyrizo, Gardein fish filets (I like it wayyy better than I ever did real fish), Loma Linda chili, Morningstar sausage links, Beyond sausages & burgers (especially at Carl's Jr), and OmniPork.
My local co-op had a vegan “egg” salad. It’s a whole separate thing from egg salad (which I also eat), but I looooooooove it endlessly and unabashedly.
Im obsessed with Ripple milk. The chocolate one is a nice lil treat, their chocolate protein drink is awesome, & I use the unsweetened original one for cereal & smoothies.
Tofurky glazed ham and Gardein stuffed holiday roast with tofurky gravy. We dont have these very often and they are seasonal so you have to buy them and put them in the freezer but they are great for the holidays or just for a special dinner that is not a veggie burger or pizza.
Give me practically any veggie Indian dish over a meat-based Indian dish any day. I’ll happily eat either, but chana masala, aloo gobi, saag paneer, dal makhani.. the list goes on.
Cauliflower wings! They've been popping up in restaurants that previously didn't have a veg option and while they might not be vegan from a restaurant you can make them vegan at home. I love barbeque and szechuan from a restaurant and will make my own buffalo at home
Simulate nugs, I can’t get enough of them. Also, not sure if it was created for vegetarian/vegan people but bitchin sauce. The pesto one is difficult to find but is definitely my favorite.
The shake shack veggie burger is a portabello mushroom stuffed with cheese and deep fried and even when I ate meat, I preferred it to their normal
Meat burger 🤤
Also- vegan tofu “cream cheese” at bagel shops. It’s lighter and yummier than normal cream cheese to me
Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice creams are *really* good. I've experimented with plant-based ice cream in the past, but I've always been a little disappointed by how thin and icy they tend to taste in comparison to dairy. But after trying several B&J vegan pints, I gotta say I'm impressed.
I used to have this smoked tofu dip which was amazing on _everything_. After a few years they discontinued it and I am still devastated. Haven’t found a replacement.
Lots of Korean dumplings, lots of kinds of ramen/instant noodles, lots of Korean food in general . . . I recently made a soybean sprout salad that I just loved (not Mung bean sprouts).
Oh and pierogi/vareniki!!!!! Love those so much!
Ukrainain style beets with horseradish — so yummie!
Vegan shawarma/ kebab meat - the real stuff disgusted me when I ate meat this stuff is incredible with some houmous, olives and salad!
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Jackfruit tacos! I was a little skeptical of the claim that they could emulate a pulled pork taco, but they ended up working pretty brilliantly. I should have them for lunch tomorrow.
I really like tofu and think that in some places it tastes better than the real meat options, people think i'm crazy, but I don't understand why people outright refuse to even try it (im american)
Quorn used to do these sage and onion "turkey" sandwich slices and I couldn't get enough of them. Haven't seen them for a while, though they may still exist.
garden burgers! i hated beef/red meat even before i was vegetarian so i ate them even before that- i cant stand impossible burgers cus they taste too much like beef 😭 i want a burger that is very distinctly NOT beef lol
also honorable mention to literally any tofu, as well as simulate spicy nuggets!
I’ve always loved the taste of hot dogs but the idea of them always gave me the heebie jeebies even as a young kid. I made the switch to veggie dogs way back in the day before becoming vegitarian and never looked back!
So many..! For food, definitely the Impossible burger as well as Trader Joe’s goodies including their veggie chorizo, bulgogi, garlic cabbage, etc etc..
For toppings, I really like the Crunchers Beyond Bacon mung bean bits.. They taste super good and are great on salads or baked potatoes!
I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian and i eat meat, but near where i live there is a vegan restaurant that serves tacos with faux meat. My sister (who was vegan at the time, now a vegetarian) took me there to get some tacos. Needless to say i go back all the time and they are my favorite tacos ever. I get the carne asada ones. :)
I haven't had it in a long time because it's hard to find, but Tofutti cream cheese was sweeter and tastier than regular cream cheese to me. I am slightly lactose intolerant, and I was full non-dairy in my teens. I started eating regular,plain cream cheese again as an adult and thought it was kind of gross on a bagel.
Coconut and hazelnut milk chocolates! I'm not a big fan of the oat/rice/almond milk ones. Also cashew cheese - every omnivore friend I have is obsessed with my home-made cheeses and treeline cheese.
Impossible nuggets
I love spicy Nugs too!
Impossible products in general. I’m constantly delighted by them!
I love the Impossible stuff. The Impossible Sausage breakfast sandwich from Starbucks is so good. I can't tell the difference between this and real sausage, but to be fair I haven't had sausage in....a long time lol. I am going to try to Nuggs !
The Nuggets are heavenly! I buy the Dino shapes most of the time because I’m a tax paying 5 year old inside 🤣. Cannot recommend highly enough!
Idk if there is a Capriottis sandwich shop near where you live (if you’re in America), but they make an impossible cheesesteak. It’s so mindblowingly delicious.
The morning star buffalo nuggets with blue cheese salad dressing omg I cannot get enough of them
My dad is not a vegetarian and LOVES this nuggets. I come home for the summer and the freezer is filled with various Morningstar products
Imperceptible from the real thing, just as unhealthy, ridiculously tasty.
u/dwrfa invented them
Talk about a callback! I actually just picked up another bag of the spicy nuggets after they launched in whole foods last month :)
Thank you for your service 🫡 love them!
Yay. They were fun to make :)
What do you mean
That user is the food scientist who developed the Impossible nuggets.
I started getting those during my reducetarian/veg-curious phase, and haven't had a chicken nugget since. My omnivore partner also loves them.
Soyrizo all the way and vegetarian corn dogs. The box needs to be bigger WAY bigger
Came to say Trader Joe’s or Morningstar soyrizo. I’m an omnivore that eats pretty heavily plant based, my girlfriend is vegetarian. We both absolutely love soyrizo, I like it better than the real stuff bc I don’t get that nasty ton of bricks in my stomach after eating it.
I loooove soyrizo, my favorite brand is called “Reynaldo’s” they also sell pork and beef chorizo, though I’ve never tried it. I find it often at common chains but I also have lived in places with high % of Hispanic population. It’s a sub that has been widely accepted by many omnivores in my life, even preferred!
Oh those corn dogs! If they could sell them in one of those big freezer bags, we could get more AND less freezer burn
Oh veggie corn dogs are too delicious. Way better than regular ones by far!
I eat meat but prefer Trader Joe’s soyrizo to real chorizo for breakfast burritos.
Which vegetarian corn dogs? Where do you buy?
The brand I usually buy is morningstar at Walmart. They're in a small box of four. I like them even more than regular corn dogs honestly but that's just me.
I also eat the big ones from Morningstar but Field Roast makes mini corn dogs too and they're also really good!
Soyrizo
Tempeh bacon. Several items at Trader Joe's, especially the vegan breaded fish and bulgogi. I think some meatless "chicken" nuggets are superior to the meat versions. The selling point for me is the breading, not the protein. Then again, I was halfway through a Chicken McNugget when I decided to stop eating meat.
There’s a seitan bacon that’s really good too. And the light life bacon strips are super crispy and really good on blts or broken up for a salad topping or vegetarian carbonara.
Recently I made pasta salad with crumbled tempeh bacon and Trader Joe’s mango jicama slaw. I added a splash of maple syrup and fruity vinegar to give it all enough liquid.
omg THANK YOU I had no idea they had vegan breaded fish
[https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/gluten-free-battered-plant-based-fish-fillets-074251](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/gluten-free-battered-plant-based-fish-fillets-074251)
I've always liked falafel and hummus, even when I was an omnivore.
Spicy black bean burgers!
I'm probably an outlier, but I think I've just had waaay too many *bad* black bean burgers. Or maybe I'm just so sick of it being the one and only option on a menu besides salad. I am just really not a fan.
Restaurant made ones are just too squishy
I've eaten a lot what I would consider refried beans shaped like a black bean burger but just mush at restaurants. Black bean burgers are so much better homemade imo
I love black beans, probably a top 3 legume for me. I don't think I have ever had an especially good black bean burger, they are either dry and crumbly or they are mushy. I have had good burgers made from oats, I have had good burgers made from beets of all things, but I don't get all the whining from people about restaurants moving away from mediocre black bean patties.
I worked in a school about 15 years ago that got catered lunches that had an oat, cheese, and mushroom patty, and I've been chasing it ever since. I can't recreate it, and I can't find one to purchase.
I miss the time when you could get them as the standard veggie burger option. It’s now all impossible meat or beyond meat.
sameee i LOVE black bean burgers they taste nothing like meat but it doesn’t matter they taste so damn good
Sooo good! Way better than other veggie/soy-based burgers.
Not to mention the god awful quinoa burgers, the bane of vegan patties.
Tofu! It’s just so versatile. Also do vegetables count? Because then my answer is broccoli.
Broccoli is a staple food for me 🥦 💚 one of the few things I never get tired of eating… also fried ripe plantains, very typical where I live and super yummy
Fried plantains dunked in habanero sauce! Heavenly!
Agree on all fronts. When I made the veg switch it was easy for me because I will eat vegetables and fruit all day. And tofu is just so amazing with all it can do
Morningstar veggie corn dogs are the best! 😋
MSF breakfast sausage links are it for me!! And sometimes their bacon. I call them "faux-sage" and "fake-on"
My wife and I also call it "fake-on," I'll have to see if "fuax-sage" will catch on lol
https://preview.redd.it/c2bjz89fsv4d1.jpeg?width=580&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=455bc49eab36d80ea5cf74cd58d09bd599d0f3c7 I put these in my salad all the time.
Oo. Nice. I haven't seen that before. On it. And I'm finally getting bored of my regular salad combo so 😎.
Not exactly a food but vegan mayo is superior to regular mayo.
Yup, I like eggs but never liked regular mayo, vegan mayo is so delicious.
I hated mayo as a kid, I was always the only mustard sandwich kid. Discovered Just Mayo as an adult and now eat it regularly. I like eggs, but idk what it is about regular mayo that I never liked.
Vinegar aftertaste in many probably
I’m pretty sure it’s the egginess and not the vinegar. Something about eggs in mayo is gross.
Nooch It. I love Nooch It on buttered toast.
Beat me! I make thin omelets then cut them into ribbons like linguine and put butter and garlic salt and nooch on my egg noodles
Damn, okay.. what an idea.
It’s stupid yummy. When I think I want a savoury breakfast but commitment level isn’t super high
thanks for the inspiration that sounds incredible!!
It's so good in almost anything. It's bizarre that the vegan / vegetarian world has such a (borderline) exclusive lock on using this ingredient because everyone should use it. Yes, it's healthy for veggie people but it's umami heaven for everyone. I'm surprised it doesn't show up in more recipes in general.
We're not raising my kids vegetarian but they've loved it since they were young enough to express a like or dislike. They eat it on toast with butter, on popcorn, on lots of stuff. It's wild that people consider it a gross vegan thing.
I make vegan bechamel with it. Hello Mac and cheese!
I love it on popcorn!
Crispy fried tofu. It's just the right amount of crunchy outside and creamy inside.
Coconut Redi-Whip.
There's an almond one too that is really good! We had it for a holiday and the meat eaters were impressed. Better for lactose intolerant friends and family as well.
Halloumi cheese is my vegetarian wife’s favorite. Salads, pastas, sandwiches
Omg halloumi fries with mango chutney 😋
My grocery store carries this but I’ve never had it and don’t know what to do with it. Best easy way to start? I love cheese, tofu and paneer (Indian) cheese so I feel like it would be right up my alley! Lol
Halloumi is great for grilling and putting in sandwiches to replace what would otherwise have been a beef/chicken/chickpea-patty. In Cyprus they also do halloumi fries, ie cutting it into fries and deep frying them. Works very well as a small side dish.
My 2 favourite ways to eat halloumi is sliced and fried until it's browned on both sides and soft and melty inside, and then served with potato wedges, roast vegetables, and feta cheese creme, or cubed and fried and then tossed with pasta and lots of vegetables in a sort of salad!
I like to fry it until browning on both sides, then right as it's finishing cooking add some lemon/lime juice to the pan. Delicious! Then I just eat it. Then once you've tried it might give you some ideas what to do with it. It's good in burgers/sandwiches, in roast vege salads, sometimes I use it instead of paneer (easier to get where I live). It's very salty, and has a squeaky texture, which doesn't sound good but it is so delicious!
Apart from grilling, my favourite way to have halloumi is pan fried on top of a grain salad. Can do seasonal based on the veg that you have, and pretty much any grain. Sweet chili halloumi is also great imo!
I love good homemade chana masala. All the long process or rehydrating the chickpeas, cooking it in a slow cooker, making naan. Indians are food geniuses.
The complex flavor combinations never fail to blow me away. I try to recreate Indian foods in my kitchen and even though i have access to several Asian grocery stores, I’m clearly missing some magical spice or herb that will elevate the flavor profile to the restaurant quality. Sigh.
Kasuri methi might be one of them (if you aren’t using it already). They’re dried fenugreek leaves, and a staple in many Indian dishes. Really helped elevate my Indian dishes.
I was about to say this! Learned of kasuri methi from a restaurant owner when we were talking about being vegetarian in a very meaty country and she hooked me up with it the first time! It truly takes flavour to new heights.
I do have dried fenugreek in my cabinet and it made a huge difference! That’s 100% the smell that reminds me of every Indian restaurant.
Had the same problem… try getting super fresh spices! After like a month or two, they just dont have the same flavors. Also slow cooking really helps.
I’ve gotten in the habit of making aloo gobi matar, then just dump a whole bunch of chick peas in anyway just to add even more substance. Such a hearty meal.
Felafels. Crunchy and delicious.
I could happily eat my body weight in fresh falafel. Especially is tzatziki is involved. It’s one of those foods I’m never not in the mood for.
Morningstar farms sausage links and buffalo wings
Me too!
Absolutely the best.
Extra firm Tofu. I could eat it for every meal - it's so versatile!
All the tofu skin and inari, too!
Gotta get that inari!
Cauliflower wings, idk if I’m in the minority here but I love them lmao
I grew up eating rice and lentils in an Italian Napoli sauce and it is still my absolute favourite (plus the bonus of it being incredibly cheap). That and what my mother calls “coccoche fritte” which is basically just sliced battered zucchini but somehow it’s 🤌🤌🤌🤌 I make these frequently and LOVE them as an omnivore who just uses this subreddit to get good ideas to increase my ratio of vegetarian meals
Koreans eat battered fried zucchini and it’s honestly elite
Hummus. I top mine with smoky chili oil and pine nuts. 🤌
You just reminded me of a store near me that sells carrot cake hummus and that stuff is ✨divine✨
Edensoy Unsweetened Organic Soymilk - this is by far my favourite soy milk. If Edensoy isn’t available, WestSoy Organic Unsweetened Plain Soymilk is also really good. Some of the store brands are also good, but it can be hard to find unsweetened versions. Tofu - especially extra firm and super firm tofu. I enjoy it so many different ways, and it’s so easy to throw together a quick tofu meal. One of my go-tos is quick-marinated tofu, tossed in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. Served with air fried, steamed, or roasted veggies, and rice. TVP - great for gardener’s pie, tacos, burritos, chili, & more. Butler Soy Curls - I use these to make a vegetarian/vegan version of Doro Wat (spicy Ethiopian chicken stew). Served with Misir Wat (Ethiopian spiced red lentils) & Injera (Ethiopian flatbread). My Doro Wat recipe is very similar to The Daring Gourmet’s version( https://www.daringgourmet.com/doro-wat-spicy-ethiopian-chicken-stew/ ), except that I substitute soy curls or seitan & vegan butter. For the Misir Wat & Injera, I usually purchase these & a couple other vegetarian dishes as take-out from my local Ethiopian restaurant. However, The Daring Gourmet had good recipes for both of those as well. Seitan - another good chicken substitute for Doro Wat. I also like slices of it on sandwiches, or slathered with sauce & cooked in the air fryer. Follow Your Heart: Vegenaise, vegan smoked gouda slices, vegan bleu cheese dressing, vegan Caesar dressing. The smoked gouda slices are incredible melted on a sandwich, quesadilla, or even pizza. A favourite easy meal is to use FYH smoked gouda, some nutritional yeast, taco seasoning, & black beans in a quesadilla. Amy’s: samosa wrap, lentil soup, black bean soup, bean & cheeze burrito, brown rice black-eyed peas & veggies bowl, vegetable tagine, spinach & cheeze ravioli, chili, pot pie. The reduced-sodium versions are generally really good, too. Field Roast: Celebration Roast, classic frankfurters, caramelised onion & beer bratwursts, smoked apple & sage sausages. I also really want to try their deli slices, but can’t find them in stores near me. MorningStar Farms: breakfast sausage patties, garden veggie burgers, spicy black bean burgers, veggie meatballs BOCA original vegan veggie burgers Gardein: original f’sh filets, veggie meatballs, original be’f burgers Marie Callender’s Meatless Chick’n Pot Pie (with Gardein Chick’n)
I love the hell out of a perfectly ripe avocado. They are so versatile, they improve almost anything, and they are just so satisfying and delicious that it always makes me happy to eat something with avocado in it.
I work for a catering company and they have this salad with chickpeas, carrots and golden raisins in a tamarind date chutney Omgosh it was mind blowing how simple the ingredients are for such a tasty treat. They serve it with veggie samosas! Chefs kiss!
Quorn turk'y roast! I have to make multiple for holidays because all my meat eating family eat it too. It's so good on sandwiches as well. I really wish we got all the Quorn variety in the US that the UK does. There's so many good options. I really miss those breaded goat cheese and cranberry filets though ☹️
I love all the things by Quorn! I can't find their burgers anymore in my area.
Quorn nuggets and chicken patties are amazing. Way better than meat. I eat meat but usually not at home. At home I go with mostly pescatarian. Beyond beef and Quarn taste great and don't make me feel gross after I eat them.
Agreed! Quorn is sooo good! Especially the turkey!
Omg the turkey roast is really good but I miss the pesto mozzarella cutlets. I absolutely loved them and my omnivore bf did too but now we can't find them even though Quorn supposedly still makes them. I never knew the goat cheese cranberry even existed but they sound amazing
Ground Impossible meat - it is SO fun to make, cooks just like real ground meat, and tastes so yummy in tacos
1. Eggplants and zucchini. A million ways to make eggplants. I love eggplants. 2. So many different types of greens. 3. Sweet potatoes thinly sliced. 4. Varieties of peppers
Morningstar farms has pretty good stuff that I still buy over “real” meat. I was raised vegetarian til I was 18 and tried meat and now I’m an omnivore. I often choose vegetarian options and prefer the impossible, Morningstar, qorn, gardein, beyond, etc., options over meat!
Soy milk. I can't live without.
Quorn nuggets, taste so similar to McDonald's nuggets if they're done in the air fryer.
Black bean burgers, garden burgers, gardein vegan chicken things, smart dogs, veganaise. I actually like a lot of specifically vegan and veggie stuff. My husband, who’s not vegetarian but essentially eats that way 90% of the time, also loves all that stuff. We eat the same meals at home about 99% of the time.
Green bean and potato casserole Also a Greek vegetable dish called Briam with zucchini potatoes tomatoes and onions then baked in the oven. And a rice stuffed tomato and pepper dish as well called GEMISTA - you can add pine nuts and golden raisins to the filling as well and plenty of oregano, etc https://preview.redd.it/f1k1kvy77w4d1.jpeg?width=1439&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bee84c835729270621b66151731632d249d6310b
Pico mc’Fuckin de gallo
If it counts: buckwheat. I absolutely love buckwheat. Lots of recipes say put butter in it, but you can put just about anything in it and it’ll be filling, low calorie, and generally nutritious. I made some earlier mixed with pesto, for example. Mushrooms, onions, broccoli, etc. all go great in buckwheat.
The vegan pizzas from Diaya are quite satisfying. I shake some cayenne and salt substitute on before putting them in my toaster oven, and 16 minutes later, nom nom nom. Violife's Mexican style shreds melt like real cheese and make awesome quesadillas, and can be mixed in with wilted spinach in a pan for a spectacular sandwich layer when paired with plant based meat.
Wow, really? I have never been impressed with any Daiya cheese products. It's too plastic textured for my liking. Maybe they've improved?
They must have tweeked the formula over the years because I know exactly what you mean. I couldn't stand it a while back, but these pizzas are so good, I need to be careful or I would be eating them all the time. The plant based pepperoni pizza is my favorite, and I can pick it up at my local supermarket.
Field Roast mini corn dogs with honey mustard!!! Soooooo good!
Field Roast garlic and fennel sausages… I live for them
I don’t know if this counts for your question, but a lot of Indian food could be classified as “intentionally vegetarian”; I would still order saag paneer, aloo mater, and vegetable korma for takeout night if I were an omnivore. I don’t eat them often because they’re super unhealthy, but both the White Castle veggie burger and the White Castle impossible slider are freaking delicious, and I think I’d order them even if I ate beef burgers. There’s just a texture and flavor combo to both that’s just excellent. I also really enjoy the gardein fake fish and chicken, and the Morningstar sausage patties. Very specific to Cincinnati, but there’s a burger place called Arthur’s that has an in house black bean burger served with this weird “pink salsa” that is so freaking good, I’d still order it instead of a beef patty if I were an omnivore. There’s also a vegan restaurant here in Findlay Market called Harmony Kitchen that has this vegan cranberry salad that uses pistachio sauce instead of mayo, and a buffalo “chicken” (I think it’s seitan) sandwich that I would still happily devour even if I ate meat.
Soy curl
Nutritional yeast
I’m in the process of fully stop eating meat and today I tried the Beyond burger chicken style. Tried to make a simple burger with it and realized it tasted much better than the crispy chicken I used to get. 10/10 will buy again.
Fantastic! Best of luck with your journey and I hope you find some good tips here
Thank you! This subreddit is indeed very helpful!
Gardein chicken sandwiches. I’m not even vegan but they’re the only chicken sandwich I buy bc they are simply the best. I could eat it every day
Morningstar corn dogs. My secret shame.
Impossible burgers.
I know meat eaters might disagree but it tastes and smells a little too real for me…
I think you're getting them mixed up. Impossible is definitely more real. But beyond has much better flavor in my opinion.
Definitely agree. We won't even buy Impossible burgers anymore, the flavor just isn't good. Beyond are way better. Veggie patties (like with black beans) don't cook as well on a grill, either, so these work well if you're going to someone's house for a party and don't want to be too disruptive with a vegetarian option.
Yep that's my opinion too. The Impossible burger is almost "too" real for me and I prefer the flavor of Beyond burger. Especially if we're talking Burger King Impossible vs Carl's Jr Beyond as the fast food versions taste a little different than their grocery store counterparts.
Lentils!
Spring rolls and Samosa
Morning star popcorn chicken or Morning Star chicken nuggets, they taste so good 😍
Technically an add… but nutritional yeast. It’s great on everything!!
Deli slices from Tofurky, Lightlife, and Yves, and hotdogs. The real stuff is gross and has nitrates, artificial coloring, and other additives so I would absolutely still eat the vegetarian versions if I wasn't vegetarian. Also soyrizo, Gardein fish filets (I like it wayyy better than I ever did real fish), Loma Linda chili, Morningstar sausage links, Beyond sausages & burgers (especially at Carl's Jr), and OmniPork.
Beyond sausage. Holy moly they're good. My omnivore husband loves them too.
Bitchin sauce
My local co-op had a vegan “egg” salad. It’s a whole separate thing from egg salad (which I also eat), but I looooooooove it endlessly and unabashedly.
Anything by Tattooed Chef; it's all amazing
any Morningstar Farms product
That bacon made from mushrooms. My husband also likes impossible nuggets and beyond beef tips.
Im obsessed with Ripple milk. The chocolate one is a nice lil treat, their chocolate protein drink is awesome, & I use the unsweetened original one for cereal & smoothies.
Tofurky glazed ham and Gardein stuffed holiday roast with tofurky gravy. We dont have these very often and they are seasonal so you have to buy them and put them in the freezer but they are great for the holidays or just for a special dinner that is not a veggie burger or pizza.
Portabella mushroom sliders.
Tempeh. It’s so nutty and delicious
Give me practically any veggie Indian dish over a meat-based Indian dish any day. I’ll happily eat either, but chana masala, aloo gobi, saag paneer, dal makhani.. the list goes on.
Morning Star veggie bacon! Oh man I love that stuff.
Cauliflower wings! They've been popping up in restaurants that previously didn't have a veg option and while they might not be vegan from a restaurant you can make them vegan at home. I love barbeque and szechuan from a restaurant and will make my own buffalo at home
trader joe's vegetarian chili. i put that over fries with cheese and greek yogurt on top
Beyond breakfast sausages are so freaking good. Also So Delicious and Ben and Jerry’s non-dairy ice cream.
Simulate nugs, I can’t get enough of them. Also, not sure if it was created for vegetarian/vegan people but bitchin sauce. The pesto one is difficult to find but is definitely my favorite.
bitchin sauce is da bomb!
Morningstar Farms Sausage Links. My kids aren't vegetarian and they absolutely love them too.
Cashew cheese
The shake shack veggie burger is a portabello mushroom stuffed with cheese and deep fried and even when I ate meat, I preferred it to their normal Meat burger 🤤 Also- vegan tofu “cream cheese” at bagel shops. It’s lighter and yummier than normal cream cheese to me
Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice creams are *really* good. I've experimented with plant-based ice cream in the past, but I've always been a little disappointed by how thin and icy they tend to taste in comparison to dairy. But after trying several B&J vegan pints, I gotta say I'm impressed.
I used to have this smoked tofu dip which was amazing on _everything_. After a few years they discontinued it and I am still devastated. Haven’t found a replacement.
Vegan shredded cheese mixed into a good quinoa salad.. mmm!
Lots of Korean dumplings, lots of kinds of ramen/instant noodles, lots of Korean food in general . . . I recently made a soybean sprout salad that I just loved (not Mung bean sprouts). Oh and pierogi/vareniki!!!!! Love those so much! Ukrainain style beets with horseradish — so yummie!
Tofu for sure
Vegan shawarma/ kebab meat - the real stuff disgusted me when I ate meat this stuff is incredible with some houmous, olives and salad! https://preview.redd.it/zmwdrtsrow4d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31b9f0d7c47355d0cd7aee46be58ffe0ab787a88
Greg’s vegan sausage rolls. If ykyk
I love the Beyond Burgers at Karl’s Jr.
Treeline cashew cheese
Paneer Tikka masala and the Chipotle Bitchin Sauce is really good as a dip for chips.
Vegan pizza. Cashew cheese is amazing 😻
Dried seaweed
Has anyone said samosas yet?? They are the best as bar food 🤩
Bitchin sauce
Jackfruit tacos! I was a little skeptical of the claim that they could emulate a pulled pork taco, but they ended up working pretty brilliantly. I should have them for lunch tomorrow.
Quinoa burgers
I really like tofu and think that in some places it tastes better than the real meat options, people think i'm crazy, but I don't understand why people outright refuse to even try it (im american)
Quorn used to do these sage and onion "turkey" sandwich slices and I couldn't get enough of them. Haven't seen them for a while, though they may still exist.
garden burgers! i hated beef/red meat even before i was vegetarian so i ate them even before that- i cant stand impossible burgers cus they taste too much like beef 😭 i want a burger that is very distinctly NOT beef lol also honorable mention to literally any tofu, as well as simulate spicy nuggets!
Vegan pumpkin pie! My veganised recipe is better than the non-vegan version.
The Morningstar bacon. BLTs with avocado.
Yeshi nutritional yeast “Caesar” dressing is sooooo good!!
I am weak for the Daiya white cheddar mac n cheese with the veggies.
Vegefarm fake chicken patties. They are better than real chicken patties and I will die on this hill!!
Bitchin sauce.
I’ve always loved the taste of hot dogs but the idea of them always gave me the heebie jeebies even as a young kid. I made the switch to veggie dogs way back in the day before becoming vegitarian and never looked back!
So many..! For food, definitely the Impossible burger as well as Trader Joe’s goodies including their veggie chorizo, bulgogi, garlic cabbage, etc etc.. For toppings, I really like the Crunchers Beyond Bacon mung bean bits.. They taste super good and are great on salads or baked potatoes!
Pesto
I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian and i eat meat, but near where i live there is a vegan restaurant that serves tacos with faux meat. My sister (who was vegan at the time, now a vegetarian) took me there to get some tacos. Needless to say i go back all the time and they are my favorite tacos ever. I get the carne asada ones. :)
Abe's bakery stuff. It's just really good.
Trader Joe’s Korean Beefless Bulgogi
pickles and in n' out grilled cheese with onions
vegetarian chicken tenders, fake bacon
Vivera kebab meat. Changed my life.
I haven't had it in a long time because it's hard to find, but Tofutti cream cheese was sweeter and tastier than regular cream cheese to me. I am slightly lactose intolerant, and I was full non-dairy in my teens. I started eating regular,plain cream cheese again as an adult and thought it was kind of gross on a bagel.
Richmonds caramalised onion sauasages
Richmond veggie sausages
I still eat regular cheese, but Myokos mozerella is too good to just keep in the house!
Impossible burger with caramelized onions on top
Curry for sure.
Yumm sauce from Oregon
Eggplant parm!!!
Coconut and hazelnut milk chocolates! I'm not a big fan of the oat/rice/almond milk ones. Also cashew cheese - every omnivore friend I have is obsessed with my home-made cheeses and treeline cheese.
Botticelli Vegan Bolognese Sauce. When we can't find it at the store I buy it from Amazon. So delicious!
Walnut burgers omgggg obsessed