Food

7 plant-based substitutes that taste like the real deal

One of the biggest concerns about going plant-based is missing out on all your fave foods. Never fear though, with plant-based diets continually growing in popularity, there are ample amounts…

One of the biggest concerns about going plant-based is missing out on all your fave foods. Never fear though, with plant-based diets continually growing in popularity, there are ample amounts of alternatives to all the usual suspects like yogurt, ice-cream, meat, and honey. 

Here are the best plant-based substitutes that taste better than the real thing!

Swap ice-cream for… Coconut milk ice-cream!

Coconut milk ice-cream is the closest you can get to dairy ice-cream in texture and taste. It’s rich, creamy, and smooth. Try peanut butter or chocolate flavoured varieties. 

Swap milk for… Cashew milk!

Almond and soy may dominate the plant-based milk market, but cashew is an underrated gem. A relative newcomer to the party, cashew milk has a slightly nutty taste, is rich in good fats and low in carbohydrates. It has a thicker consistency than almond milk, making it ideal for coffee. 

Swap yogurt for… Coconut yogurt!

Coconut is one of the most popular non-dairy yogurt alternatives and for good reason! Like with ice-cream, coconut offers the closest texture and taste to dairy yogurt. 

Try coconut yogurt in our Ruby Sunrise Chia Pudding!

Swap chicken or beef strips for… Tempeh or tofu!

Tempeh and tofu don’t technically taste like chicken or beef, however when marinated in the right seasonings and added to curry or fried, it provides a delicious gluten-free, plant-based alternative. One of tempeh and tofu’s great qualities is their ability to absorb flavour, making them an excellent protein rich addition to any meal.

Try tofu in our Luminous Laksa, Palak Tofu & Turmeric Rice, and Golden Glow Stir Fry!

Swap meat for… Seitan!

For those who can eat gluten, seitan has the most meat-like texture of all plant-based alternatives. Seitn has a dense, chewy texture and depending on the flavouring, can emulate chicken, beef, or pork in dishes.

Swap pulled pork for… Pulled jackfruit!

Despite being a fruit, the texture and mild taste of jackfruit make it a fab substitute for meat. Use a fork to shred the jackfruit, season it as desired and fry to make pulled jackfruit. Jackfruit works well in shredded with BBQ seasoning in burgers and sandwiches, or roughly chopped, fried and added to curries. 

Swap honey for… Rice malt syrup or maple syrup!

Also known as brown rice syrup, this is a bee free alternative to honey. Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees and is slightly sweeter and has a thinner consistency than honey. Maple and rice malt syrup are just as versatile as honey and can be used the same way in baking, for tea, drizzled on oatmeal, or just by the spoonful (hey, we’re not judging!). 

Try maple syrup in our Paleo Peanut Butter Cups!

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Published: 09/10/19

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