Incorporating meatless meals into your diet is a great way to save money, but it's not always easy to give up the taste and texture of meat. Well, guess what? You don't have to!
Just substitute textured vegetable protein (TVP) for the meat in your favorite recipes, and you'll save money without making a big sacrifice.
What is TVP?
Textured vegetable protein – sometimes referred to as textured soy protein – is a meat substitute made from soy flour. It is sold in both flavored and unflavored varieties, and comes in a variety of product sizes – chunks, flakes, etc. – making it easy to work with and incredibly versatile.
Since TVP is sold in dehydrated form, it must be rehydrated before use. This can be acheived by soaking it in water for 5-10 minutes or through the cooking process (when used in soups, sauces and other liquids).
TVP is considerably cheaper than meat, and goes a lot further too. Expect to get the equivalent of three pounds of meat out of one pound of TVP.
Benefits of Cooking with TVP:
- inexpensive
- has a long shelf life
- doesn't have to be thawed before use
- low-fat
- cholesterol-free
- good source of protein
- good source of fiber
TVP Recipes
10 Minute TVP Tacos
Vegetarian TVP Sloppy Joes
TVP and Vegetable Stew
Meaty TVP Veggie Burgers
TVP Vegetarian Chili
