How to Cook With Textured Vegetable Protein
Textured vegetable protein is a meat alternative source of protein and fiber produced primarily from soy flour. Soy flour is made from cooked soybeans that are processed into a powder. The powder is moistened and formed into a dough, then dehydrated into chunks, crumbles or flakes. If you want to use textured vegetable protein as a vegetarian protein option, you cannot simply open the package and heat it like meat. You'll have to first moisten and reconstitute it before cooking it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1 cup water
- Saucepan
- 1 cup textured vegetable protein
- Large mixing bowl
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
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Pour 1 cup of water into a saucepan. Turn your stove burner to high and heat the water until it starts to boil.
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2
Place 1 cup of textured vegetable protein into a large mixing bowl. Add the water directly on top of the protein, making sure to completely coat it.
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3
Allow the textured vegetable protein to sit and reconstitute for about five minutes. Check on it and make sure it is thoroughly moistened. Wait an extra five minutes or so if parts of the textured vegetable protein are still hard.
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4
Transfer the reconstituted textured vegetable protein into an airtight container if you're not using it immediately. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
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5
Transfer the textured vegetable protein into a large bowl for recipes that call for shaped meat, such as hamburgers or meatballs. Use your hands to gently mold the protein into your desired shape, then cook the same way you would for meat recipes.
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Add the protein into a skillet and cook over medium high heat for recipes that call for crumbled ground meat. Break the protein into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon and cook until it is just warmed through. Add the cooked protein into any recipes that call for ground meat, such as tacos or pasta sauces.
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Tips & Warnings
Reconstitute textured vegetable protein with vegetable broth or juice instead of water to add more flavor.
You can skip the reconstituting step if you're making soup, stew or other liquid-based food dishes--just toss the textured vegetable protein into the dish and let it sit until it softens.
Always check your package of textured vegetable protein just in case the manufacturer has specific cooking instructions.
