Of all the categories of plant-based meat, I’d say beef is the one with the most authentic-tasting options. The alternatives we have are actually convincing which is why I think they’ve hit the mass market sooner than some of the others.
Below are my top three brands for vegan beef alternatives.
Impossible
Impossible Foods (pictured above) makes the most realistic vegan beef in my opinion. It was the first to be sold in national fast food chains and is known for its “bloody” interior. The look, smell, texture, and flavor are all eerily similar to an actual beef patty.
Where to find: Burger King, Bareburger, White Castle, and other national fast food chains will carry the Impossible burger patty, but you can buy it on your own in the frozen section of grocery stores like Whole Foods.
Price: a 12oz package will run you about $8.50 in the grocery store.
Beyond Beef
Beyond is a close second to Impossible in terms of authenticity. They hit the scene a bit earlier with more of a focus on being a consumer good. Because of it, they have slightly more grocery store options including Beyond Sausage (absolutely delicious) and Beyond Chicken.
Where to find: most grocery stores will carry Beyond Meat in some form in their freezer section.
Price: 16oz of ground Beyond Meat us usually around $10.
Gardein
Coming in third are the vegan beef options from Gardein. While these don’t have the near-perfect flavor and the top two, these are still a solid alternative to traditional beef. They have a few options but the Be’f Tips are my favorite.
Where to find: the freezer section of your local grocery store. You won’t find Gardein products in a restaurant like the other two.
Price: prices vary depending on the product but it’s usually around $5 for a 9oz container.
I always tell people that if you expect something that's indistinguishable from beef, you're going to be disappointed. Beyond Beef and Impossible are very, very close, but they're not beef. Accept it for what it is, and you'll enjoy it.