Meat dishes can be delicious, but they’re not suitable for everyone. Some people choose to follow a vegetarian diet for ethical or environmental reasons, while others may do so for health reasons. However, just because a dish traditionally contains meat doesn’t mean it can’t be made vegetarian. In fact, there are many delicious and satisfying vegetarian versions of meat dishes that can be enjoyed by people of all dietary preferences.
There are many ways to make meat dishes vegetarian, using plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, and tofu. These plant-based ingredients can be used to recreate the flavours and textures of meat dishes, making them suitable for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Here are five meat dishes that can easily be made vegetarian:
Vegetarian Katsu Curry
Katsu curry is a delicious Japanese dish that typically consists of breaded and fried cutlet, such as pork or chicken, served with a thick sauce and rice. To make a vegetarian katsu curry version of katsu curry, you can substitute the meat with crispy panko vegetables, such as aubergine, courgette, or tofu covered in warming katsu curry sauce.
To make the signature katsu sauce, combine curry powder, turmeric, chicken stock, coconut milk, and soy sauce, along with onions, garlic, and ginger. This is a milder curry so can be enjoyed by all, even those with a very low heat tolerance!
Vegetarian Chilli
Invented in Texas in the early 1800s, chilli con carne was initially just a simple stew with chilli peppers sold by chilli queens, who were women who cooked large quantities of chilli at home before selling individual portions to the public at a lower cost.
Chili is a hearty and crowd pleasing winter warmer that is traditionally made with minced meat. However, it can easily be made vegetarian by using plant-based protein sources such as beans, lentils, or tofu. Simply sauté some onions and peppers, add in your choice of protein and some canned tomatoes, and simmer with your favourite chilli spices.
Vegetarian Tacos
Originally, the taco was more about having an edible spoon than the tortilla topped with a filling we know today. Tacos were first known as the food of the mining working class and used to be referred to as ‘tacos de minero’. Partly thanks to the American fast-food chain Taco Bell, the taco has morphed into an incredibly popular, easy to make snack that the world has grown to adore.
Vegetarian tacos are a popular choice for a quick and easy meal. Instead of using ground beef, vegetarians can fill their tacos with black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu. These ingredients can be seasoned with taco spices and topped with the same toppings as traditional tacos, such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa.
Vegetarian Lasagne
Another meat dish that can be easily made vegetarian is lasagne. Lasagne is a classic Italian dish that is hugely popular in the UK made with layers of pasta, meat, and cheese. Originally, in Italian, the word ‘lasagne’ did not refer to a food, but referred to the pot in which the food was cooked.
To make a vegetarian lasagne, simply omit the meat and use a variety of vegetables, such as roasted aubergine, courgette, and sweet peppers, in its place. You can also use tofu or ricotta cheese as a replacement for the traditional mozzarella and parmesan.
Vegetarian Burgers
Vegetarians can still enjoy summer BBQ favourites! Instead of using ground beef, vegetarian burgers can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as beans, grains, and vegetables. Mash these ingredients together and form the mixture into patties, then grill or fry until they are crispy and brown and serve on a bun with all the traditional toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.
Another alternative would be to whip up some portobello mushroom burgers topped with red pesto, rocket and aioli. Often referred to as the steak of veggie burgers, this meat-free option is moist, tender and full of flavour!
Vegetarian Meatballs
Meatballs are ground meat rolled into a ball, alongside bread crumbs, onion, eggs, butter, and spices, then cooked by frying, baking, steaming, or braising in sauce. Meatballs are a delicious and versatile food that can be used in a variety of dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs or for meatball submarine sandwiches. They can easily be made vegetarian by using plant-based protein sources such as beans, lentils, or tofu. Simply mash your protein of choice and form it into balls, then bake or fry until they are crispy and brown.
By making simple substitutions, it is easy to recreate many classic additive free canned meat variety pack dishes in a vegetarian version that is just as delicious and satisfying. By using plant-based proteins and vegetables, these dishes can be enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. So the next time you’re looking to make a meat dish, consider trying a vegetarian version and discover a brand new way to enjoy your favourite flavours.
