My Favorite Vegan High-Protein Brands
You have heard it before: "How do vegans get enough protein?" Well, the answer is simple: plants! A diet full of beans, seeds, nuts, tofu, tempeh, grains, vegetables, seitan, and the list goes on, is more than enough protein to satisfy one's protein intake for the day. With the rising trendiness of the vegan diet, more and more high-protein products from a variety of brands are being released, from everything ranging from mock meats for meat-tasting lovers to vegetable patties that the average Joe would love. Below are a few of my favorite high-protein foods from a few of my favorite brands that I frequently incorporate into my diet, and that I love so dearly!
Soy-Based Products
My favorite flavor(s): Organic Fakin' Bacon Tempeh Strips, Organic Soy Tempeh
How much protein per-serving? About 16 grams of protein.
Tempeh, which originally comes from Indonesia, is a soy-based product that is created by fermenting soybeans and then forming them into a block-like formation. Not only is tempeh minimally processed, but it also contains probiotics and a large array of both vitamins and minerals, including calcium. Because of its mild and nutty flavor, tempeh is incredibly versatile and can be cooked in a myriad of ways and with a variety of seasonings. Personally, my favorite way to cook tempeh is to cut up a block, season it with my favorite seasoning, and roast it at a high temperature until it is crunchy!
My favorite flavor(s): Organic Firm Tofu
How much protein per-serving? About 8 grams of protein.
Similarly to tempeh, tofu is also made out of soy. Also known as bean curd, tofu is created by thickening soy milk and pressing the curds into soft blocks. This minimally-processed food can appear in many different forms, such as soft, silken, firm, or extra firm. Because of its subtle flavor, it is frequently used in both savory meals and desserts. If you are curious about incorporating tofu into desserts, check out my Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake with a Molasses Cookie Crust recipe! My favorite way to enjoy tofu is in a tofu-scramble, or in curry. For inspiration for cooking with tofu, check out recipes from the Minimalist Baker and Vegan Richa.
My favorite flavor(s): Lightly-Seasoned Chicken Strips, Beyond Burger
How much protein per-serving? About 20 grams of protein.
Beyond Meat, which strives to make, “…delicious plant-based burgers, sausage, crumbles, strips, and more — made directly from plants,” certainly gears its plant-protein to non-meat eating but meat-tasting lovers. Its high protein products range from a variety of plant-derived sources, from peas to fava beans, to soy. While these products are more processed than tempeh and tofu, they are a quick and delicious protein fix that will satisfy the taste buds of anyone who consumes them. I like to cook the Lightly-Seasoned Chicken Strips on a pan until they are incredibly crispy and then eat them with ketchup and mustard, or in a salad! While I do not have the Beyond Burger too often, as it can sometimes feel heavy, it has such a meaty, juicy flavor that will surely win the hearts of the meat-eating community.
Trader Joe’s Meatless Meatballs
How much protein per-serving? About 16 grams of protein.
I have heard about the rave of these meatballs forever, and so one day as I passed them in the store, I grabbed a bag and…OH MY. Pure deliciousness. These meatballs aim to create a, “delicious meat-free substitute for any meal,” and boy do they do just that. Both the texture and the taste greatly resemble a “traditional” meatball, and can easily be devoured by the handful. While I do not have these every day because they are more highly processed, I love to eat these tasty treats with tomato sauce, pasta, nutritional yeast, and steamed broccoli.
Wheat-Based Products
My favorite flavor(s): Smoked Apple-Sage Sausage, Lentil-Sage Deli Slices
How much protein per-serving? About 25 grams of protein.
The brand, founded in Seattle and created in 1997, is known as the “…original maker of grain meats,” and uses, “…grains, vegetables, legumes and spices” to create delectable plant-based meats and cheeses. The brand offers plant-based sausages, patties, deli slices, roasts and loaves, appetizers, and a large selection of vegan cheeses as well. The products, which are not overly processed, are extremely easy to whip up and are bursting with flavor. I am personally obsessed with the Smoked Apple-Sage Sausage, which I throw into almost every salad, and the Lentil-Sage Deli Slices, because they make sandwiches taste immensely better.
My favorite flavor(s): Pastrami Deli-Slices, Korean BBQ Ribs
How much protein per-serving? About 20 grams of protein.
I recently discovered the Herbivorous Butcher when shopping at an all-vegan grocery store about 45-minutes from my home. Since trying the brand, I cannot stop going to the store to stock up on these delicious seitan fake-meats. The creators, Aubry Walch, and Kale Walch, who happen to be brother and sister, create artisanal products that have, “…optimum amounts of protein and B-vitamins…as well as modest levels of monounsaturated fats that help reduce cholesterol and satisfy your hunger.” On top of that, the brother and sister duo have a whole line of artisanal vegan cheeses, which are just as equally outstanding. Each plant-based meat creation is not only incredibly unique from one another, but is also popping with bold flavorings that will make your eyes pop and your jaw drop. My personal favorites when it comes to the vegan meats are the Pastrami Deli-Slices, which I constantly throw onto sandwiches and in salads, and the Korean BBQ Ribs, as they are incredibly delicious in a stir-fry with a ton of vegetables.
My favorite flavor(s): Pit Boss, El Zapatista
How much protein per-serving? About 18 grams of protein.
If you are a meat-eater and want to, “…experience the taste and texture of traditional protein while leaving the environment, your conscience, and the welfare of humans and animals intact,” then No Evil Foods are for you! Co-founders Sadrah Schadel and Mike Wolianksy create these delicious foods with vital wheat gluten and various spice-mixtures, that will leave you dreaming about the food in your sleep. The first time I tried this brand, I immediately fell in love and went back to the supermarket the next day to buy every single flavor. While it is quite hard for me to pick one or two favorites, as they are all outstanding, Pit Boss is truly exceptional. If you enjoy barbecue, you will fall on the floor out of happiness while eating this. It is so good, that sometimes I cannot even wait to heat it up, and eat it straight out of the package!
Miscellaneous high-Protein Products
My favorite flavor(s): Vegan Chik’n Tenders
How much protein per-serving? About 12 grams of protein.
Quorn is a product made from a, “…natural nutritious fungus from the soil” which is then fermented, “…to produce a dough called mycoprotein.” The result is a plant-based source of protein that is high in fiber, low in saturated fats, and contains no cholesterol. While some of the products of this brand are not vegan due to the incorporation of dehydrated egg-whites, it does have a couple vegan-friendly options that are quite tasty. The Vegan Chik’n Tenders specifically are intensely juicy and absorb any flavor that is added to it. Because of this, it tastes absolutely amazing in curries or chilis! For recipe inspiration, check out the recipes on their website.
Trader Joe’s Hi-Protein Veggie Burgers
How much protein per-serving? About 26 grams of protein.
Trader Joe’s strikes again with another incredible high-protein meat-free option to the menu! The protein-blend for this veggie-burger is made from a mixture of yellow peas and black beans, which are then combined with brown rice flour, onions, and various seasonings. The burgers have an underlying meaty-flavor. Although the texture does not entirely represent the texture of “traditional” meat, when cooked in an oven it becomes incredibly crispy on the outside, but remains soft on the inside. I personally love to cook these in the oven until crispy, and then eat them with avocado toast!