Vegan Beef Brisket Substitutes: Is There A Beef Brisket Substitute For Vegans?

Beef brisket is one of the favorite beef cuts that have versatile uses.

If you have had trouble finding a good vegan substitute for beef brisket, we are here to help you.

In this article, we are going to list out the most common vegan-friendly substitutes for beef brisket that won’t disappoint even a meat-lover.

What is beef brisket?

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Beef brisket is a popular cut that is taken from the breast of the cattle.

It has a lot of connective tissue, making it a tough cut that is perfect for slow-cooking methods like smoking, roasting, or stewing.

In fact, beef brisket is the top choice for making salted beef and pastrami because it will become tender and very flavorful thanks to the perfect marbling fat after being cured and salted.

Not only is packed with a ton of flavors but beef brisket is also favored because of its affordability.

Can you substitute beef brisket with vegan alternatives in cooking recipes?

If you are not a fan of vegan foods or have never learned about this meatless diet, you might think it is impossible to substitute real meat with a vegan ingredient. In fact, beef brisket can be replaced with other vegan-friendly products that are easily found in any grocery store or vegan store in the country.

We cannot deny the deliciousness and versatility of beef brisket, however, it is considered not good to consume red meat like beef for a long time.

Beef contains a high amount of saturated fat that is linked with heart disease.

Therefore, it will be best to substitute beef brisket with other plant-based ingredients to maintain better health.

What vegan substitutes can you use in place of beef brisket?

It’s time to unravel what vegan-friendly ingredients can be used in place of beef brisket:

1.     Seitan

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Seitan has been one of the most popular choices to substitute for different kinds of meat cuts, including beef brisket.

Seitan is made from vital gluten so it is not ideal for those who are looking for a gluten-free diet.

Seitan also comes in different sizes and shapes, which gives you a lot more choices to choose from.

If you want to mimic the whole brisket cut, you should buy a block of seitan.

Otherwise, seitan pieces are suitable to substitute for beef brisket slices.

Seitan has a neutral taste that easily absorbs the flavors from other spices and ingredients it is cooked with.

Therefore, just season it with whatever you often use with beef brisket.

2.     Tempeh

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Tempeh is another common vegan product that greatly substitutes for beef brisket.

Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans and is a nutritious ingredient to alternative meat.

It has a chunky texture that can be greatly substituted for beef brisket without being noticed if you are not a picky eater.

Tempeh has a mildly sweet taste of soy, but you can make it taste more like real beef by marinating it with a heavy sauce like barbecue sauce or various spices and herbs.

3.     Tofu 

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Tofu can be a great substitute for meat like beef brisket thanks to its rich protein source.

Tofu is made from soybeans, so just omit it if you have soy allergies.

Tofu can come in different textures, such as soft and extra firm.

To mimic beef brisket, you better use the whole slab of tofu either soft or firm, and bake it instead of stir-frying to prevent messing your dish up.

4.     Store-bought vegan beef

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Vegan beef often comes in a patty-like form.

It is sold in most grocery stores, supermarkets, or organic stores across the country.

Vegan beef is typically made from either common vegan protein like textured vegetable protein, soy, pea protein, or wheat gluten.

By seasoning well, vegan beef can relatively taste like real beef.

To substitute store-bought vegan beef for beef brisket in cooking recipes, it will be better to look for the whole piece of vegan beef instead of the more common ground burger-like texture.

The bottom line

Hopefully, you find this article helpful with the four best meatless substitutes for beef brisket in different cooking recipes.

It can be difficult to pick the best one, so we recommend you give all of these vegan beef brisket substitutes a try to see what satisfies your palate.