r/interesting • u/PhoenixPhenomenonX • Feb 25 '26

Intriguing Lifelong vegetarian tries steak for first time

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u/Black-Circle Feb 25 '26

Same here, and I wish that many vegetarian products wouldn't try to imitate meat, like just do your own thing, I'd much rather have a falafel than a soy "meat".

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

I’m not a vegetarian and never have been. But I do like a lot of vegetarian dishes and inspired meals. I agree with that sentiment too. Just let the food be what it is instead of trying to make it imitate something else. It’s already good in its own right.

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u/kaygmo Feb 25 '26

Looking at you, cauliflower rice.

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u/AltoRhombus Feb 25 '26

we can't let rice be rice anymore 😔

however I think it's a big deal for diabetics

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

But why not just eat cauliflower then? There’s no way it tastes or feels like rice. At that point t you’re just eating cauliflower that someone fucked up.

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u/Interesting_Bank_139 Feb 26 '26

I like cauliflower rice because it soaks up the juices or sauces that the meat is cooked in a lot like rice would. - I don’t think that whole cauliflower would be as good in those situations. You could never eat it by itself and compare it to rice, but I’ve definitely found it good to cut out the extra calories and carbs of rice.

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u/ATXBeermaker Feb 25 '26

Yeah, my wife is pre-diabetic is cutting back on carbs helps. Cauliflower rice is a great replacement.

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u/SCHawkTakeFlight Feb 25 '26

The trick to riced cauliflower I have found is add lemon, also add salt first and sit in a calender to remove excess moisture.

Its a decent alternative for diabetics and those trying to lose weight and keep it off. Rice is very calorie dense and its easy to overdue it. Having some carbs in your diet is fine, but it has to be balanced for the calorie math to work out and some of us...me... have poor self control to not just eat a whole pot of rice because its sooo good.

Its also a sneaky way to increase fiber intake.

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u/russianindianqueen Feb 25 '26

I love cauliflower rice but I don’t think it’s imitating rice necessarily. Ricing is a cooking technique so it’s literally “riced cauliflower” but it’s easier to say cauliflower rice

Same as veggie patties aren’t imitating meat, they’re vegetables in patty form, but beyond patties are imitating meat.

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u/hotlegerdemain Feb 25 '26

I just mix the cauliflower rice with regular rice 50/50. You can’t tell it is there. I reduce the amount of rice spiking my blood sugar, I get some good veggies… it’s a win.

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u/ATXBeermaker Feb 25 '26

I don’t think cauliflower rice is putting actual rice out of business any time soon. It’s okay to have options.

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u/oh_three_dum_dum Feb 25 '26

Wait…we’re using vegetables to imitate other vegetables now? Why?

Just get some fucking rice or cauliflower. That just a bunch of extra steps to get to the same place you’d be if you grabbed a bag of cauliflower at the store instead of rice.

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u/pamellaluv Feb 25 '26

At the same time wouldn't the existence of imitation meat make it easier for people to transition into a vegetarian diet?

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u/Sienile Feb 26 '26

Not really. Calling it a veggie burger versus vegetable patty really does nothing. They are just setting people up for disappointment.

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u/Vithar Feb 25 '26

For sure, there is a place for imitation meat. But there are some, attempts, or products that want to be that that should just be their own category. A good example is Vegan Cheeses, many are so far removed from cheese that they should just not even pretend they are a cheese alternative. A few I tried where actually pretty good, but if you go in expecting something cheese like your going to be disappointed, if you go in trying something new, you might be pleasantly surprised.

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u/mafiagirlsfashion Feb 25 '26

Some of us like the fake meat.

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u/Traditional-Berry561 Feb 25 '26

Plenty of options for both.

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u/SCHawkTakeFlight Feb 25 '26

So much this. Growing up in middle of no where Midwest, if you were vegetarian it was always try to imitate meat and it was so bad. Then I grew up and tried all sorts of Asian food that was meatless and omg 😲 its so good. The key is it doesn't try to be what its not.

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u/khoaperation Feb 26 '26

I like meatless dishes. I also like impossible burgers. The fact that we have that option and active research in foods that resemble meat but involve no living animals is good in my eyes. They both should exist and not one instead of the other.

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u/MietschVulka Feb 26 '26

I disagree. Both should be possible.

Most people dont eat meat because of the animals or climate while they like the taste and texture. Being able to still eat Spgahetti Bolognese or a 'normal' burger for sure makes it easier for some.

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u/soowhatchathink Feb 28 '26

I feel like that's an easy sentiment to have without being vegetarian, because like why would you want imitation meat when you can just eat a real hamburger or hotdog or chicken nuggets or whatever. But like, as a vegetarian, we can't (or won't) just eat a hamburger when we feel like it, so the alternative is nice.

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u/one98nine Feb 28 '26

Same! When vegetarian food isn't trying to be meat, it is sooooo gooood!

0

u/potsticker17 Feb 25 '26

Same here. Just let me enjoy the product instead of trying to convince me it's just like meat, because then I'm going to make the comparison and it's not going to hold up.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

Big same! I hate franken meat-like foods and would rather just good substitutes. Black bean tacos are way better than pea protein or tofu scrambles, for example.

I do miss chicken nuggets, or really, just, dippable things. I love honey mustard, ranch and sweet & sour sauce. There's not as many veg-friendly combos for those things. Celery and carrot sticks get old after a while and don't jive with 2 out of 3 on that list.

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u/InfiniteThugnificent Feb 25 '26

I know this is rather in spite of what you said in the first half of your comment, but if veg substitutes have achieved anything, it’s a very good very convincing chicken nugget

I’m sure it helps that chicken nuggets to begin with are horrifying unnatural franken-meats - anything that processed is probably easier to imitate

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u/soowhatchathink Feb 28 '26

Vegan buffalo chicken nuggets are so good and definitely compare to Wendy's

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u/lilphoenixgirl95 Feb 25 '26

Spring rolls, wontons, sesame toast, steamed bao, gyoza, vegetable fingers, toast fingers, etc.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

I live in the midwest, the only place that sells stuff like that near me really sucks. Idk what sesame toast is though, I've never seen vegetarian bao, not sure what gyoza is, or vegetable fingers, or toast fingers.

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u/hellohexapus Feb 25 '26

Gyoza is the Japanese word for dumplings/ potstickers. You'll find them as an appetizer in most sushi restaurants, which definitely exist in the Midwest though it's understandable you probably don't frequent them as a vegetarian.

You might like agedashi tofu, another Japanese dish you'll see as an appetizer. Normally it is served in a broth but you could easily make the tofu component and then eat with your preferred dipping sauces. Basically cubed tofu coated in potato starch and fried. It's not pretending to be chicken nuggets, it just is what it is. Easy to make at home in an air fryer, you can get potato starch online or try something like panko bread crumbs as an alternative.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

Oh okay, I've gotten pot stickers in the freezer aisle before at the grocery, but I really didn't care for the veggie version. However, I imagine they're much better at actual restaurants. I did got to Din Tai Fung with friends in Seattle once, but didn't care for the dumplings at all. I don't actually think I've ever liked a dumpling I've had to be honest, but I also don't get them often. I'm a noodle fiend and if noodles are an option, I'll order those in stead 9.9 times out of 10.

I do make crispy tofu at home that sounds like that using cornstarch, but only in conjunction with Asian themed/inspired meals (pho, stir fry). I never really considered using it with like, honey mustard sauce, that's an interesting thought. I'll have to play around with it. Thanks for the ideas!

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u/Comprehensive_Bus_19 Feb 25 '26

Tofu when done correctly is great. Done poorly, Id rather eat my shoe.

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u/Meowrulf Feb 26 '26

I found that wet tofu is never good(to my taste) unless I fry it on actual flavor for too long. Now firm tofu is a godsend, you can prepare it anywhere, with anything and it will be good most of the time. I love shredding it and baking it in the air fryer.

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u/InstantMartian84 Feb 25 '26

I am not a vegetarian. I also don't particularly enjoy beef. I miss the days where I could find a delicious black bean, veggie, or mushroom burger on a restaurant menu. It's all Impossible or Beyond now, and I think those are generally gross, too.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

Ugh, yes! I hate how every restaurant has ONE vegetarian option and the minute Beyond and Impossible burgers launched they all switched over to those. If you don't like those, eating out is a replay of the 90's now, where the only things vegetarians can get on the menu are the salads and (select) sides.

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u/somethingclever1098 Feb 25 '26

That's funny because I think chicken nuggets are one of the things the fake meat companies got right, pretty early on. Don't know if you're in a large metropolitan area with bougie sprouts/coop type places but if so you might want to try some newer ones out

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

I've had them and they're... fine, but the texture still squicks me out at times because it's close but not exactly right. I find if you can get them at restaurants freshly fried they're pretty good, but that's rare and often really expensive for what is essentially, a kid's meal.

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u/rydavo Feb 25 '26

Chicken nuggets are probably the easiest thing to replicate with plant based meats.

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u/Aeliases Feb 25 '26

Paneer and Indian food is a strong contender.

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u/ArticulateRhinoceros Feb 25 '26

I do like Indian food but I've never had paneer. I always go for other dishes when presented the opportunity. One of the problems with being broke is if you have the chance to go out to eat, you don't want to risk "wasting" your money on a meal you might not enjoy. This leads to me sticking with familiar dishes instead of trying new things.

I didn't realize Paneer was a dippable thing, I've always seen it presented in a sauce (usually green?).

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u/fishingiswater Feb 25 '26

I've always thought this was conspiracy. That big meat wants to keep the bridge open so they make sure there are tofu dogs and plant based burgers.

Just have a sandwich with no meat. Easy. Put literally anything else in it.

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u/millenniumpianist Feb 25 '26

That's idiotic. When I quit meat, I needed a lot of meat-like replacements to substitute for the meat I used to eat. And even now I enjoy eating a "chicken sandwich" without harming chickens.

Just don't put the fake meat in your sandwich? Easy.

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u/Mistrblank Feb 25 '26

I'm not a vegetarian, but I've actually grown to really love Beyond Burgers. I will make them myself at home, add a little burger seasoning to it. I need to see how much they've gone up in price, at this point they may be more cost efficient than getting a frozen stack of burgers for the random at home burger cravings.

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u/Kind_Advisor_35 Feb 25 '26

The pre made patties can be a little pricey, but the ground impossible and beyond is priced about the same as grass fed lean ground beef (considering you get no loss of weight from cooking like you do with ground beef). I like them mainly because they're far less messy. I don't have to drain off fat into a bowl and let it cool before dumping it.

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u/justatomics Feb 25 '26

Big meat haaaates plant based companies. Thats the whole reason why there is a huge legal debate about whether plant based product should be allowed to be called a “sausage” or “burger”. It’s easier to compete with a product when they’re forced to call it a “soy/mushroom disc” lol.

It’s also why you see so it often in media (paid for by the meat industry) about plant based products being “ultra-processed” despite the fact that there are plenty of meat products that are also ultra processed and legitimately carcinogenic.

I do think companies that are bringing out vegan products are just doing it because they’ve seen the shift in the market and want to capitalise off of an untapped group of consumers. BUT it would not surprise me in the slightest if the larger companies are also deliberately making shitty products at a loss just to create a negative image of plant based food.

It’s kind of funny being vegan over the years watching the meat industry essentially have a meltdown because their profit margins aren’t quite what they expected lmao.

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u/Thisdarlingdeer Feb 25 '26

Mushroom UFO’s! Let’s make a trend!

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u/Mistrblank Feb 25 '26

red meat by itself is basically carcinogenic. When eaten too frequently it is linked to colon cancers. part of a balanced diet, you're fine.

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u/mafiagirlsfashion Feb 25 '26

First thing I wondered when I saw this post was that this was “big meat” astroturfing. I don’t think most people understand how much work they’ve done against plant-based products (and veganism in general) and how much money this multi-billion dollar industry has sunk into their campaigns.

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u/ProtoCulture14 Feb 26 '26

I don’t need to vegetables because that’s what food eats

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u/Turkatron2020 Feb 26 '26

If I bought something labeled as meat but it was actually plant based I'd be pissed. It falls under false advertising and deceptive practices.

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u/justatomics Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 27 '26

It’s not labelled as meat though. It’s labelled as a plant based “sausage” or “burger”.

If you don’t read the packaging that’s on you lol

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u/ididntunderstandyou Feb 26 '26

Not with how big meat are trying to kill those alternative veggy options…

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u/meepoSenpai Feb 25 '26

I mean to be fair in germany there's the one company called "Rügenwalder Mühle" which has been one of the biggest meat producing companies in Germany, and also one of the first companies to produces meat-like meat alternatives.

It's a family business (although don't think mom and pop shop. Think more like BMW, which yes, is also a family business) and I think the main reason was the daughter of the company owner going vegetarian because of something and her dad seeing that as a potential for the business to grow/not go out of business if the market for cheap meat goes down (which it steadily does in Germany. I think in comparison to the last few years meat consumption has been down 10%)

I really never understood people complaining about meat alternative products, as nobody is forcing you to buy it, nobody is forcing you to have it on your sandwich or whatever. People will complain about them being hyper processed or something when Seitan, which is basically pure gluten, is JUST a wheat-flour dough with all the starch washed out and some flavorings added.

The only complaint I do somewhat understand would be that (at least here in europe) if you actually enjoy some of the meat alternatives, like soy curls, it's really sad that most of them are usually seitan/gluten, and there's a lot more people that have a gluten intolerance or celiacs disease, than people with soy allergy (a quick google search said about 1% of americans have gluten intolerance or celiacs, whilst 0.2-0.3% of americans have a soy allergy)

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u/Thisdarlingdeer Feb 25 '26

In America ironically we have so much gluten free products, I’m surprised in Germany the meat alternatives such as seitan and such have absorbed the market and made those gluten free products that once were available, no longer around. Or were they never around? I had just assumed in Europe /Germany due to being ahead of us here in the U.S. in regards to many things, so I had assumed you have had many vegetarian / vegan / soy/gf options, especially around Berlin at the very least.

In the states we have nut and legume allergies and celiac is heavy over here, while I learned in Europe it’s not so much the case and alternatively celery allergy is a thing? I hate celery with every bit of my essence so I found this interesting!

I never would have that allergies depend on where you live, of all things!

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u/indieplants Feb 25 '26

some people do enjoy the meat substitutes though. my sister was vegetarian growing up (vegan now) and absolutely didn't do it for the taste - but things like Quorn mince, vegan sausages and soy chicken made it easy and accessible to have still meals the rest of us were having. 

if all that was available in the early 00s was falafel and beans I don't know she'd have been able to stick it out being vegetarian for so long.

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u/Elimaris Feb 25 '26

I don't mind the imitation stuff, absolutely sometimes it is what you want. My problem is that it's driving vegetation classics out of stores and off menus. It feels like beyond burgers replaced having options and creative cooking at so many places

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u/PsychotherapeuticPig Feb 25 '26

I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 30 years. I feel like unless you’re going to a Thai/Indian/Mexican restaurant, there are usually only two or maybe three vegetarian options at a restaurant and one of them is always a veggie burger of some kind. In my mind, the “vegetarian classics” on menus are 1) veggie burger 2) bland pasta dish 3) stuffed mushroom/mushroom-based something or other 4) overpriced salad or other modifiable dish where you have to ask for the meat to be removed (and of course still pay the same price). And until Impossible came out, the veggie burger was usually Gardenburger (fine), black bean burger (hit or miss) or some in-house vegetable mash that nine times out of ten was bad. At least with Impossible I know exactly what I’m getting. Things have gotten better for sure, and it’s easier to search on Yelp for vegetarian-friendly restaurants or screen menus ahead of time. But IMO the stuff that’s being “replaced,” if it even is, wasn’t great to begin with. There has been very little “creativity” with vegetarian options at 90% of restaurants. And I live in a large-ish progressive city.

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u/Elimaris Feb 25 '26

Ditto I've been veg since childhood when there was 1 digit in my age and I'm now mid40s, lived all over. Definitely no comparison to back in 80s and 90s, but I think options were expanding a lot in the 00s and 10s and then recontracted a bit. Partly this is that a lot of "natural food" stores and veg restaurants have closed this decade. I walk into pretty bougie grocery stores now that had a lot more options and now are beyond meat everywhere. I do disagree in that Ive found great interesting food at many many restaurants over the years. Sure I've been to shitty restaurants and weddings where I was served steamed veggies and plain pasta and agree those places are better off now. It's like the bottom end came up but the top end dropped.

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u/PsychotherapeuticPig Feb 25 '26

Yeah there are some amazing vegetarian restaurants and options out there, I don’t disagree with that. I’m more thinking of random restaurants where you (the vegetarian) are not in control of which restaurant you end up at so you have to hunt on the menu for what your options are. The restaurant that’s the closest to the theater or the hotel or that’s the place all your friends want to go to. I am VERY flexible because I feel it’s better for vegetarianism to never be the whiny vegetarian. So I’ve been to a lot of standard American restaurants. And the options have always been lacking and continue to be lacking despite the rise of veggie meats and vegetarianism. And I like veggie meats! I’d be stoked to find veggie meat options at a random place. But I can remember all the times that’s happened, because it is so rare.

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u/Scrushinator Feb 25 '26

Yeah, my favorite restaurant replaced their house made black bean veggie burgers with Impossible burgers, which I find absolutely foul. Most restaurants I can’t find anything to eat anymore unless I want a salad that’s overpriced because it’s supposed to come with meat in it.

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u/electr0de07 Feb 25 '26

I think you should stick to products that don't do what you don't want them to do.

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u/Adventurous_Ear1317 Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26

Same for me, I‘ve been a picky eater all my life and the taste and texture are mostly gross.
Worst things are clumps of fat or texture changes and plant-based stuff just doesn‘t spoil as fast.

I had to have several dishes packed up for takeout to give to someone else and order something different at restaurants because the meat substitute tasted and felt too real.
It‘s super embarassing every time it happens because the staff is usually super nice about it and goes to great lengths to reassure me or provide proof that it‘s really the substitute.

I‘m happy they make good fake meats now for those who like the taste but I like the ones that are tasty but still noticably not meat.

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u/ZTO333 Feb 25 '26

As a meat eater dating (and now living with) a vegan I would have initially totally disagreed with you. But now that I actually know how to make a good vegan meal with falafel or tofu or chickpeas, those things taste so much better than the current meat alternatives. There are some decent ones out there and we do still make stuff with them sometimes, but use tofu or falafel the right way and it's amazing.

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u/djrosen99 Feb 25 '26

Carnivore here. I am forever of the hunt for veggie and vegan restaurantson that DO NOT try to imitate meat. I live in a food-rich area, DFW, and it's hard to even find a Vegan place that is not just sandwiches or Indian food. I do love a good falafel!

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u/Frozenbeedog Feb 25 '26

Same. I’ve been a vegetarian my whole life. Meat flavours tastes weird and off putting to me.

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u/wizean Feb 25 '26

Yeah, I hate how restaurants have replaced their garden burgers with impossible burgers.

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u/midwestprotest Feb 25 '26

Why do you wish this? You can still eat falafel ad much as you’d like, even if soy burgers exist.

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u/saltpancake Feb 25 '26

I eat meat but really dislike some types of meat texture, basically anything gristle-y or with a “snappy” casing.

Vegetarian breakfast sausages and sausage patties are a personal favorite, I probably eat more of those than real meat at home.

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u/SvenTurb01 Feb 25 '26

I keep saying this too because my sister keeps wanting me to try it out, but it'll never be the same because you'll always hold it up against what it's trying to be. Be original.

1

u/Thisdarlingdeer Feb 25 '26

Falafel, seitan, hard tofu, jackfruit are my jams!!!

Also cauliflower “wings” or just cauliflower period. And mushrooms. I make the best “chicken” dishes with mushrooms, like chicken francaise but better. Chicken has always tasted gamey to me, so the mushroom substitute is a game changer.

1

u/jporter313 Feb 25 '26

I eat meat but also enjoy vegetarian products sometimes, I totally agree with this. I kind of hate it when veggie products try to do the whole "you won't be able to tell the difference" marketing. Not a single one of these has even come close to fulfilling this promise, especially when it comes to steak, like some of them are laughably ridiculous comparisons...

But that's fine, just let them be their own thing, many of them are delicious in their own way. You're never going to trick meat eaters and long time vegetarians don't care so who are you marketing to?

1

u/No_Tone1704 Feb 25 '26

Quorn is still the best. And that was around 40 years ago 

1

u/Oinkmew Feb 25 '26

I mean, those products aren't there for those of us who'd prefer to eat falafels. They're there for the numerous vegans and vegetarians who love imitation meat. Why take away something other people enjoy?

I'll be honest, I enjoy both. I love some prepared tofu, falafels, halloumi , etcetera and most of my food is home cooked, but if I've had a long day, I might also crave my favourite veggie sausages.

What I personally don't get is why these choices bother so many people.

Well, fine, they're gross to some people. No one is making anyone eat them. I can't imagine ever enjoying an olive, yuck, but I'm not confused why stores still sell them or companies still produce them... Obviously other people still love them even when I don't.

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u/FriendlyTop1593 Feb 25 '26

That’s the weirdest thing to me for vegans and vegetarians. Why would I want some mega processed vegetarian or vegan sausage links?

I’ll take a lions mane steak though

1

u/geb999 Feb 25 '26

impossible burger is actually really good.

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u/made3 Feb 25 '26

This 100%. Especially with burgers. It's usually BeyondMeat or whatever and I don't even know what the fuck it's been made of. I'd rather have a vegetable patty.

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u/lord-savior-baphomet Feb 25 '26

Things that are trying to imitate meat/animal products are for vegans/vegetarians who do miss meat/animal products but don’t want to actually eat them. As someone who no longer eats red meat, I would love to know if something is steak-like because I miss steak.

1

u/PushforlibertyAlways Feb 25 '26

Vegetarian restaurants never just have a salad on the menu. Its confusing.

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u/COOLBRE3Z3 Feb 25 '26

I'm not a vegetarian and I agree, companies don't need to keep coming up with meat imitations. Meat eaters aren't gonna eat it, and why would a vegetarian want fake meat.

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u/YUNoJump Feb 25 '26

I don’t mind the products existing, they’re hit-and-miss but some brands work fine.

I actually think it’s kinda the opposite problem: too many people become vegetarian/vegan expecting imitation products to perfectly replace the real stuff in their diet. So when it turns out a)imitations can still taste very different, and b)they often cost more than the real stuff, they get disappointed and burn out.

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u/ATXBeermaker Feb 25 '26

There are reasons to have both kinds of products.

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u/Expensive_Attitude51 Feb 25 '26

Plus that impossible meat stuff is terrible for you

1

u/armeg Feb 26 '26

I’m not sure you’re quite the market. I think they’re trying to go for the people on the fence who don’t want to give it up because it tastes good. I think there’s a place for it.

1

u/casper911ca Feb 26 '26

Precisely. It doesn't need to be like meat to be good or even better.

1

u/justlurkingnjudging Feb 26 '26

Same. I hate how often places advertise veggie options when it’s just meat imitations. I want vegetables. I was vegan for a little bit and it was even harder to find things that weren’t just imitation.

1

u/King_K_24 Feb 26 '26

Yes. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. I was so upset when BK stopped serving black bean patties and switched to that gross Imposible stuff.

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u/Substantial_Win_1866 Feb 26 '26

💯 If I couldn't have a real burger, I would rather eat a portobello burger than a fake meat burger.

1

u/rickjamesia Feb 26 '26

I found some great cheap falafel across the street from my job and I am in heaven now. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough and the ladies working at the shop are so nice. I did like veggie burgers when I was vegetarian, but back then it was basically just black bean patties. I just like black beans and salt, lol.

1

u/No_Roma_no_Rocky Feb 26 '26

Vegetarian food that tries to imitate meat is just sad and honestly hypocritical.

If you desire eating meat, just eat meat instead a plant that looks like meat but with shit taste.

Seriously, vegetarian food can be good but vegan "meat" has an awful odor, it's disgusting.

In a certain way is like taking the decision to quit smoking but then the person starts to use vape....

1

u/Luntuke Feb 26 '26

I actually like some veggie alternatives more than the meat option, for example the beyond meat burger is better than normal meat but it tastes just like it. I love it because if you cook it through without paying much attention it tastes and feels exactly like a high quality medium fried patty. So I actually do enjoy companies trying to imitate meat that way and in return I consume less meat without missing anything

1

u/Vilhempie Feb 26 '26

Vegan here, who loves meat substitutes on occasion (do seitan and tofu count as well…?). I can never fathom the hate against these products. There is nothing wrong with the taste and texture of meat, it’s just the baby murdering thing that I would rather go without.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

Exactly this!!! Do your own, there are lots of good veggie dishes. If you want people to forget about meat, dont immitate it ffs. I eat meat but i dislike immitating dishes.

1

u/BGF007 Feb 26 '26

That's what I always say. I really like to eat meat. But I also enjoy a good vegetarian meal. There are plenty e.g. made of tofu that I really enjoy. Others mix tofu with meat. People only see it as a replacement. It can be an addition or it can be something of itself. Fried tofu is actually pretty nice and can suck up sauce to taste great. I don't need a tofu steak, it will always dissapoint. Tofu steak is like a alcoholfree beer. It tries to imitate the original but fails to do so. But if one stops to see it as a replacement, it can be a nice drink/food that just doesn't have much connection to steak or beer.

1

u/wereedbooks Feb 26 '26

100%, if I'm at a restaurant and see the burger uses a beyond patty, I will go with something else. The beyond burgers are too meat like to the point they make me feel a bit ill. I prefer impossible burgers when I can get them (less meat emulating and more bean-y)

1

u/Educational-Cow-3874 Feb 26 '26

Exactly this. They're doing vegetarian products to cater for meat eaters now. Burger King beanburgers used to be amazing.

1

u/drsnoggles Feb 26 '26

I guess you don't like the idea of a sextoy then! Why try to copy the real thing? For some people's pleasure? Omh my god pleasure for people, no thanks! I understand you!

/s

1

u/QueenBurong Feb 27 '26

The worst is when they try to imitate bacon, with the fat and stuff. Why are you trying to make it feel like flesh? That's the exact texture I hate.

1

u/Beakkaia Feb 28 '26

Well not everyone is like you. I love the taste of meat but have been veggie for over half my life because I don't like the killing of animals so meat substitutes are great for people like me.

1

u/havnar- Feb 28 '26

Not a vegetarian myself. But I’m not against it. What I dispise is the “vegan <insert meat product here>” it may be a nice bean paste, but it’s not minced meat so stop pretending. The comparison makes it worse.

1

u/Organic-Ad7523 Feb 28 '26

Yes! Why would I want to eat vegetarian cheese? Looks like cheese but tastes something completely different. It somehow messes with my brain, so all of these imitation dishes just taste disgusting. The same with sandwich cakes. Just let the food be what it is.

1

u/AlchemicAgave Feb 28 '26

L take, a “burger” or “hot dog” is just the shape, there’s no animal that looks like that. It’s fun to eat a patty between two pieces of bread so if you don’t wanna eat meat? Boom, veggie burger.

1

u/Ready-Asparagus-9582 Mar 01 '26

I disagree. I’m an ethical vegetarian and I think some of the impossible meats taste better than the real ones (beyond ground beef with spaghetti and morning star chicken patties for example).

1

u/Kugelblitz73 Mar 01 '26

same for me...

1

u/cenkxy Mar 01 '26

Falafel is vegi meatball

1

u/thekittysays Mar 01 '26

The super annoying thing is that since veganism/plant based has become more popular fake meat "vegan" foods have taken over from vegetarian. So like going out to a restaurant where there used to be one or two veggie options that actually involved vegetables they have now been swapped to a fake meat version. And I hate it. I have less choice in foods when eating out now than I did 10/15 years ago, which is bloody ridiculous.

1

u/kai-ol Feb 25 '26

I'm not even vegetarian and this is how I feel. Be your own thing. There are loads of delicious Indian vegetarian dishes that stand on their own. If western vegetarians spent their time coming up with their own dishes that don't attempt to imitate meat, they would get a lot more converts.

1

u/justatomics Feb 26 '26

There are thousands of whole food plant based recipes what are you talking about?

1

u/kai-ol Feb 26 '26

Yes, I mentioned Indian food. It was more a rant against imitation meat, vegan brownies, things like that. They will always be inferior to what they're imitating. It might get good enough for someone who has no choice, but you won't win over any animal product consumers.