11 Plant-Based Meat Products You Need To Try

The contemporary culinary world is no stranger to plant-based meat products. Although they have been popularized in recent times, plant-based meat substitutes go back several decades. During the 1990s, brands like Quorn, Gardenburger, and Boca Burger started selling veggie burgers in supermarkets, allowing meatless proteins to start making waves. 

These days, it's likely that your local grocery store is stocked with all types of meat substitutes. These meals are made from everything from soy to seitan, offering a huge variety of options for plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, or other non-meat-eating folks. 

With such a crowded marketplace of vegetarian meat products, it can be tough to figure out what's actually worth trying. Luckily, we've rounded up 11 of the newest and tastiest plant-based meat options that you can buy. You'll find some tried-and-true brands on our list, like Beyond Meat, as well as newer companies like VFC. Check them all out below.

If you're familiar with plant-based meat, you've probably heard of Beyond Meat. Started in 2009 by Ethan Brown, the company originally gained popularity for its Beyond Burger, a pea protein-based beef substitute. The company's offerings have now expanded to include vegan steak, jerky, sausage, and popcorn chicken. Similar to the Beyond Burger, the Beyond Popcorn Chicken contains pea and faba bean protein. The latter item is a legume that's rich in protein (via ScienceDirect). In November 2022, Beyond Popcorn Chicken was rolled out to 5,000 Kroger and Walmart stores.

With a whopping 14 grams of protein per serving — which amounts to six pieces of popcorn chicken — these plant-based nuggets are super easy to prepare. These nuggets don't have to be thawed whatsoever before cooking. You can use an air fryer, microwave, or oven to heat them up — as long as they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This should only take a few minutes. 

Although they haven't been on the market for too long, Sam's Club buyers are raving about the Beyond Popcorn Chicken. It has a 4.6-star rating on the Sam's Club website. One recent buyer described the product as: "something everyone in our household likes ... beloved by omnivore and vegetarian alike."

Abbot's Butcher is a company that specializes in plant-based meats. It sells vegan forms of chicken, beef, and chorizo. The Plant-Based "Chorizo" is made from pea protein. It boasts an array of Spanish-inspired spices, including chili powder, cumin, paprika, and chipotle peppers. Best of all, this product is free from preservatives, artificial colors, and GMOs. Yet the item still manages to have 15 grams of protein per serving.

Buyers were really impressed with the taste profile of this plant-based product from Abbott's Butcher. One shopper described it as "rich and flavorful," while another wrote that it was "easy to cook." Upon opening, you have about five days to use this vegan chorizo before you should toss it, but it has a solid seven-month frozen shelf life. You can heat it up on a skillet or in the oven, but it's important to defrost it before cooking it. 

The brand recommends using this meat substitute in everything from sweet potato hash to papas con chorizo — sign us up!

If you're a plant-based eater that misses the presence of chicken in your life, Daring Foods may be the answer to your woes. The brand has become an expert in vegan chicken products and has introduced an entire line of meatless chicken pieces. According to the brand's mission, all items are free from animal hormones and antibiotics. They are also 100% plant-based. 

While there are some seriously yummy options to try, we recommend starting out with the company's Original Plant Chicken Pieces. This product is a meatless substitute for grilled chicken. The chicken is made from soy protein concentrate. It boasts only 90 calories and 14 grams of protein per serving.  

This meat substitute currently has a 4.1-star rating from more than 900 reviews on Amazon. One customer wrote: "It sears up in a pan with some olive oil perfectly." They also noted that "it can easily be sliced, cubed, or shredded." This means you can add it to everything from leafy green salads to creamy vegan pasta sauces. Unfortunately, this product's con is its cost, which is a bit high. A buyer wrote: "My biggest gripe is that there isn't a lot of food for the price."

We've heard of jackfruit meat, but what about cashew fruit meat? Cashew fruit is the part around a cashew nut that is often wasted. In February of 2023, it was reported that Cajú Love was officially debuting its Organic Cashew Fruit Meat in stores and online. On its website, Cajú Love notes that its cashew fruit meat is sustainable, organic, and 100% plant-based.

The brand's cashew fruit meat comes unseasoned. But it can easily soak up all different flavor profiles depending on what you're cooking. Additionally, the product is Kosher, USDA-certified organic, as well as a good source of fiber, magnesium, and vitamin A.

Currently, it has a 5-star rating from Cajú Love shoppers. Buyers described it glowingly, with one reviewer writing: "I would recommend to anyone who is vegan and trying to be healthier about their meat alternative." Just note that if you're planning to shop online, it's only available in a four-pack on the website.

In December 2022, PLNT launched its vegan salmon fillets, offering a super yummy plant-based alternative for fish lovers. Made from pea protein, it features a variety of herbs, spices, and flavorings, like paprika and mushroom powder. According to the company, it's a great source of vitamin B12 and iron.

PLNT's salmon fillets are just as easy to cook as regular salmon, too. The brand recommends heating some plant-based butter or oil in a pan, then frying each side of the fillet for about three minutes. Stop frying when the fillets appear golden brown. You can also use an air fryer if you're not too confident in your pan-frying skills. Try cooking the fillets for a quick four minutes at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

That being said, plant-based eaters in the U.S. will have a hard time finding this PLNT product. It only launched recently across Europe. It may take some time to become widely available in the States.