Dixie Diner's Texturized Vegetable Protein - Beef Not 1 lb Bag 2 Pack - Vegan and Gluten Free - No Added Sugar - 25g of Protein - Low Fat and Low Sodium - Vegan/Vegetarian Meat Substitute

This is wonderful! I was buying Augason farms "beef flavored", until it became unavailable. Got this as replacement, and I'm very happy. My only complaint is that is has very small pieces which make it harder to taste, but this isnt enough to make me buy something else.I add this product to my Italian meat-sauce, in all my soups, and even salads. Great way to get meat-protein!

Let me preface my review by stating that I started converting a lot of my food purchases a few months ago to things that would withstand long-term storage without going bad. I'm a widow, living alone, and cooking for one is the absolute pits. I originally purchased freeze-dried meats in a can (you know the ones I'm talking about). After I had used them for about a month, I went to reorder and stock my pantry. Alas, the pandemic had hit in the meantime and it seems that a multitude of other people had the same idea. Soooo, I went on the hunt....I didn't search just Amazon, either. I knew the names of several brands and checked out their sites. "Sold Out" and "Out of Stock" were favorite phrases I ran across. I don't eat much meat, at all, so I resigned myself to doing without any meat in my diet once I ran out of what I currently have left. Somewhere in my journey, I stumbled across a listing for TVP. Curious as to what that was, I dug further. Once I saw the product showing up on individual sites...and there seemed to be stock on hand...I went back to Amazon to see if I couldn't do better...and I did. Hence the purchase of the product listed above.I have had some minimal experience with soy additives as years ago I used to buy ground beef that had been extended by soy protein. It was budget friendly which was important back then raising two kids...they never knew the difference. As far as they knew it was just hamburger. Ya gotta love kids!So, I ordered this product figuring I'd give it a whirl and see how it turned out. Even if it wasn't great, it would still help fill my belly, right? Let me tell you that I have been most pleasantly surprised and pleased with this product. I'll lay out how I used it earlier in the day. I reconstituted 1/2 cup of granules and a tablespoon of dehydrated onions with beef broth, letting it sit while my Instant Pot cooked my pasta. When the pasta was ready, I mixed the 'meat'/onion mixture and spaghetti sauce into the pan of pasta. As soon as I started mixing it up, I looked at the contents of the pot and all I saw was a pot of spaghetti with lots of 'ground beef' mixed in. Granted, that's just the presentation. As to the taste test? Let me tell you, it was like eating spaghetti with hamburger mixed in. It tasted like spaghetti with hamburger. The texture even resembled hamburger bits. It chewed like hamburger bits. I'll get at least three meals out of that pot of spaghetti so it's all good. I couldn't be more pleased and will definitely be purchasing this product again.If you're looking for a protein source free of worry, then this is something you should try. I have to admit that I'm glad supply and demand forced me to try this product as I've been getting increasingly concerned about products coming from meat processing plants during our current situation. I also like the fact that this dry product can sit in a jar on the shelf and I don't have to worry about spoilage.1/28/21 UPDATE: I'm still using this product, almost on a daily basis. I've refined my recipes so my Instant Pot cooks my one-serving meals (pot in pot) and I don't even have to worry about leftovers going bad in the fridge. Anyway, this product is still a great addition to my pantry and I've discovered many ways to use it. These little bits give me some protein in my diet that I might not have otherwise since I haven't even left my house since August of 2020. Ya gotta love Amazon and their Subscribe and Save program. At any rate, this product is still a staple in my pantry and used quite often. If you're looking for an alternative to meat products, you should try this.

Used this for the first time today and it's amazing.I had a kidney out in February and the one that's left isn't quite running on all cylinders, so I have to really watch how much meat protein I eat.I made a batch of chili today (low-sodium chili powder supplemented by potassium salt and good quality paprika) and used a half-and-half blend of this and really low-quality ground beef (73% lean).I also added two teaspoons of beef base (low sodium) as well during the reconstitution process.Add one small onion, one chopped up jalapeno, one drained and rinsed can of green chilis, one drained and rinsed can of petite diced tomatoes and I had a pretty darned good chili base for chili-mac.

No real taste to these on their own but they take on the taste of the other ingredients. An alternative protein. I'm trying to do a meatless day or two here and there.

I love that this shelf-stable protein source allows for flexible preparation. If I only need a 1/2 cup, then I can make only a 1/2 cup; unlike other TVP based products where you have to prep an entire 1.5-pound equivalent all at once! Also: my tip for making it taste awesome - when rehydrating, add a bit of bouillon (I use vegetable Better than Bouillon, as it is also flexible for volume prepared). After hydrated, carmelize in a pan with a bit of oil, and it's great on pasta!

YES THATS RIGHT I WAS AMAZES AT THISV STUFF. AS A MEAT LOVER I DIDN'T HOLD OUT MUCH HOPE, BUT WOW IT CHANGED MY MIND. THE PACKAGE SUGGESTED HYDRATING IT IN BEEF BROTH OR WATER, I CHOSE WATER. I MADE TACO MEAT WITH IT. IT MAKES A FINE HAMBURGER MIXTURE WHEN COOKED. BUT THATS OK ITS LIKE MOMS GROUND BRRF WHEN I WAS A KID. YOU COULD NOT TELL IT WAS SOY. ITS ALOT CHEAPER THAN HAMBURGER SO I PLAN ON USING IT TO MAKE CASSAROLES AND SUCH YOU NEVER GEALLY TASTE THE HAMBURGER ANYWAY.

Nice alternative but there are easier to cook products in the market

I put some dry crunchy granules on my breakfast cereal. Follow with plenty to drink. It doesn't have a strong flavor. When hydrated according to directions, it is fine. The texture is like chewy hamburger, no strong taste, and the granules don't adhere to each other very well. It is a very good source of quality protein. I'll keep buying it!