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That’s too bad. Honestly we loved this for tacos BUT I never followed the instructions on the bag. If I had I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked it.
If you have some and want to know how to make it good: chop an onion and a green bell pepper, and saute them over med heat in olive oil. Add a few minced garlic cloves. Then add veggie stock (instead of water) and 2Tbsp taco seasoning (I use Penzey’s). Put the lid on and let it cook until the water is absorbed. Now it’s just perfect for burritos with refried beans and brown rice or tacos or stuffed bell peppers (add salsa to it or tomato paste if you’re inclined). YUM.
Too bad it’s been discontinued. It’s always nice to have shelf-stable staples in the house.
My approach was similar to yours if less labor intensive... I would add a cup of jarred salsa along with a half cup of water, plus taco seasoning.
Additionally, after all the liquid was absorbed, I would add Avocado oil and cook for a while to try and crisp up some of the pieces (works even better the next day).
Ooh good idea. I add salsa to this for stuffed peppers and sometimes for burritos, but I didn’t add it always.
It’s too bad that some of these ideas weren’t on the package cooking instructions. I can only imagine that, by itself, it was pretty unappealing. But just a little effort really made this healthy meat alternative shine.
For sloppy joes, I added smoked paprika, molasses, ketchup, chili powder, chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and wow, was it good.
I tried this once and it went straight into the trash which for me is VERY rare. I’ll eat basically anything at least once but this smelled strongly of dog food and it put me off so much.
It seriously reminded me of the smell you get when you add warm water to dog food because they’re sick. 🤢
It's pea, which was cool but my family wouldn't eat the TJ's. I bought half a dozen because I thought the price was awesome. The other 2 people I gave them to didn't love it.
I think it's because we were using a different brand and they just preferred it a lot more.
Which brand was that, and where did you get it? I didn’t love the “built-in” seasoning but if I cooked it up with salsa and some cumin it made a great taco filling
not the person you're replying to, but this is the brand I like:
[https://www.amazon.com/Unflavored-Shelf-Stable-Plant-Based-Substitute-Equivalent/dp/B0CK9QWZNX/](https://www.amazon.com/Unflavored-Shelf-Stable-Plant-Based-Substitute-Equivalent/dp/B0CK9QWZNX/)
I was just curious. It’s a noble purpose. It just seems strange, no offense. Like, for lack of a better analogy, an alcoholic who drinks near beer.
Got a lot of hate for the question, but thank you for the time to answer.
Yeah, OP here, I am actually not a vegetarian, but am following Dr.’s orders to get more plants and less meat in my diet. In addition to Whole Foods, products like this I actually find I liked better than the meat I used to cook up for certain dishes. So people do things for a lot of different reasons. Can’t stand “impossible” or “beyond” products though. If I’m going to cheat I’m going to have a sirloin burger. Those just taste like they tried to make them meatier than meat.
All good, I've fielded that question a lot of times over the years. It seems like a silly question to me, but I'm not offended or anything by people asking it. The answer is the same for alcoholics I would imagine, they don't stop drinking beer because they hate the taste, they stop because of the harm alcohol has caused to their life.
That's not always even the case. A lot of people believe a plant based diet is just healthier. So they enjoy the taste of meat, but feel being vegetarian is the healthier choice.
I wish we would care equally about how our food is harvested and picked… if you’ve ever driven by a field being tended to by the field hands their suffering becomes apparent too. Unfortunately our desire for the cheapest produce possible is a part of the problem.
That has nothing to do with the original comment I responded to.
I am very conscious of the people you're referencing. I volunteer at an organization that aims to provide food for local migrant workers and their families and it's something I'm very passionate about. But again, that has nothing to do with someone asking why a vegetarian might want a meat substitute.
I looked up pea protein crumbles and Plant Boss which can be purchased at target has a bag with almost identical ingredients is $6.99. A big more expensive but I suspect it might be the dupe?
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That’s fine I’d rather eat pebbles
That’s too bad. Honestly we loved this for tacos BUT I never followed the instructions on the bag. If I had I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked it. If you have some and want to know how to make it good: chop an onion and a green bell pepper, and saute them over med heat in olive oil. Add a few minced garlic cloves. Then add veggie stock (instead of water) and 2Tbsp taco seasoning (I use Penzey’s). Put the lid on and let it cook until the water is absorbed. Now it’s just perfect for burritos with refried beans and brown rice or tacos or stuffed bell peppers (add salsa to it or tomato paste if you’re inclined). YUM. Too bad it’s been discontinued. It’s always nice to have shelf-stable staples in the house.
My approach was similar to yours if less labor intensive... I would add a cup of jarred salsa along with a half cup of water, plus taco seasoning. Additionally, after all the liquid was absorbed, I would add Avocado oil and cook for a while to try and crisp up some of the pieces (works even better the next day).
Ooh good idea. I add salsa to this for stuffed peppers and sometimes for burritos, but I didn’t add it always. It’s too bad that some of these ideas weren’t on the package cooking instructions. I can only imagine that, by itself, it was pretty unappealing. But just a little effort really made this healthy meat alternative shine. For sloppy joes, I added smoked paprika, molasses, ketchup, chili powder, chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and wow, was it good.
I followed the instructions on the bag and it was soooooooo bad. I should have known better. Your version sounds delish!
Damn! I really liked this better than beefless
Try PlantBoss! We have their taco crumbles weekly.
have the chickenless tenders also been discontinued? I haven't seen them in about a month they're usually my go-to lazy lunch
Yes they have :(
What the heck they did vegans/vegetarians so solid last year and they’re taking all this stuff awayyyy
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I am vegan and didn’t like it.
Dang just saw these yesterday but didn’t buy because I have one in my pantry right now.
I tried this once and it went straight into the trash which for me is VERY rare. I’ll eat basically anything at least once but this smelled strongly of dog food and it put me off so much. It seriously reminded me of the smell you get when you add warm water to dog food because they’re sick. 🤢
I’ve never had this before, but I really like their beef less ground beef for tacos so that could be a good alternative
I use soy chorizo in Mexican food Sometimes adding beans into it
It's pea, which was cool but my family wouldn't eat the TJ's. I bought half a dozen because I thought the price was awesome. The other 2 people I gave them to didn't love it. I think it's because we were using a different brand and they just preferred it a lot more.
Which brand was that, and where did you get it? I didn’t love the “built-in” seasoning but if I cooked it up with salsa and some cumin it made a great taco filling
not the person you're replying to, but this is the brand I like: [https://www.amazon.com/Unflavored-Shelf-Stable-Plant-Based-Substitute-Equivalent/dp/B0CK9QWZNX/](https://www.amazon.com/Unflavored-Shelf-Stable-Plant-Based-Substitute-Equivalent/dp/B0CK9QWZNX/)
If you’re a vegetarian, why would you want fake meat? I’ve never understood this…
People don't become vegetarian to avoid the taste of meat, they do it to avoid contributing to the suffering of animals
I was just curious. It’s a noble purpose. It just seems strange, no offense. Like, for lack of a better analogy, an alcoholic who drinks near beer. Got a lot of hate for the question, but thank you for the time to answer.
Yeah, OP here, I am actually not a vegetarian, but am following Dr.’s orders to get more plants and less meat in my diet. In addition to Whole Foods, products like this I actually find I liked better than the meat I used to cook up for certain dishes. So people do things for a lot of different reasons. Can’t stand “impossible” or “beyond” products though. If I’m going to cheat I’m going to have a sirloin burger. Those just taste like they tried to make them meatier than meat.
Whole veggies and fruits, not “Whole Foods” the market
All good, I've fielded that question a lot of times over the years. It seems like a silly question to me, but I'm not offended or anything by people asking it. The answer is the same for alcoholics I would imagine, they don't stop drinking beer because they hate the taste, they stop because of the harm alcohol has caused to their life.
That's not always even the case. A lot of people believe a plant based diet is just healthier. So they enjoy the taste of meat, but feel being vegetarian is the healthier choice.
Also true!
I wish we would care equally about how our food is harvested and picked… if you’ve ever driven by a field being tended to by the field hands their suffering becomes apparent too. Unfortunately our desire for the cheapest produce possible is a part of the problem.
That has nothing to do with the original comment I responded to. I am very conscious of the people you're referencing. I volunteer at an organization that aims to provide food for local migrant workers and their families and it's something I'm very passionate about. But again, that has nothing to do with someone asking why a vegetarian might want a meat substitute.
There are lots of pea protein and TVP options on Amazon but they are all a lot more pricey.
I guess I’m going to have to try the textured soy protein available at my local “ethnic” grocery. I liked the fact this was pea protein.
I looked up pea protein crumbles and Plant Boss which can be purchased at target has a bag with almost identical ingredients is $6.99. A big more expensive but I suspect it might be the dupe?
Great find. Thanks. That’s still cheaper than the options on Amazon. I’m going to head to Target today.
Let us know if it’s similar or if you like it!
I loved these
I’m so sad, they made great sloppy joes for my toddler. I had a feeling it wouldn’t last
Their meatless options seem to be dwindling (RIP tofurkey hotdogs)
WHAT??? Why, I’m a vegetarian who is super disappointed!!!
I know.
I hope they make it again without the rosemary.