Food is a technology
My son and I tried some plant-based products (both meat and dairy replacements). Primarily doing this for the planet/climate.
Meat
Nuggets
Best Yummy Dino Buddies Meatless Veggie Nuggets
Good
- Trader Joes Meatless Nuggets
- Gardein nuggets
OK Simple Truth
Ground
Good Impossible ($9, seen for $7!). Both of us prefer it to our previous ground turkey, by a large margin
OK * Beyond Meat ($9). Good, but still have slight preference for the ground turkey (range from $2-$7) we usually get * Kroger's Simple Truth Emerge Plant-Based Grind ($7). Pea based protein - still prefer how Impossible cooks and tastes. Alec had seconds. I didn't like it very much the second time.
Meh Trader Joe's Beef-less Ground beef ($4 for 8oz). OK for me, but son didn't like it very much.
Avoid
- MorningStar burrito ground I don't remember the exact one, but it was inedible for both of us.
- Pure Farmland Simply Seasoned Plant-Based Protein Starters
Burger
Avoid Tried Impossible Burger at Ruby's, not impressed. In-N-Out across the street sells better burgers for ~$3. Not worth it. Ruby's was $14. OK Impossible Burger at local restaurant V Burger (all plant based). Son ate about half and didn't like it very much. I think it's the plant-based cheese at fault but am unsure.
Meatballs
Good Gardien Classic meatless meatballs - son thinks they are meat. Meh Trader Joes's Meatless meatballs - ok for me or in a pinch.
Sausauge / Bacon
Meh Field Roast Grain Meat Co. Breakfast Suasauge. Apple Maple. Wasn't bad, but not likley to do again. Meh Lightlife Smart Bacon. Was edible, but would not do again. Avoid Beyond Meat Sausage ($9). Cooked like Kielbasa (may not be recommended). We both ate it, but wouldn't do it again. Described as "rotted chicken nuggets".
Asian?
Just for me Gardein sweet and source porkless bites. Delicious for me, to spicy for my son.
Deli style
Great Simple Truth Plant Based Ham Style Slices Black Forest. Awesome toasted with Follow your heart parm.
Meh Quorn Meatless Turkey-Style Deli Slices. Wouldn't do a again, but wasn't bad.
Crab Cakes
Good Trader Joe's Vegan Jackfruit Cakes
Meals
Good Simple Truth Tofu Pad Thai
Dairy
Ice Cream
Great * Simple Truth™ Peanut Butter Chip Oatmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert * Ben and Jerry's "Milk" and cookies
Would like bigger containers though..
Good Trader Joes Soy based ice cream, which was good to make shakes with. Not as good by itself.
Sour Cream
Good Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream $3.99 (soy based) - great to make a chip dip with too!
OK Simple Truth Organic™ Non-Dairy Sour Cream $2.79 ($1 coupon) - butter bean based, caused some minor digestive issues. Tastes great.
Cream Cheese
Good Daiya Strawberry Cream Cheese Style Spread 4.49 (50c coupon)
OK Simple Truth Organic™ Plant-Based Plain Cream Cheese Alternative butter bean based, caused some minor digestive issues. Tastes great.
Pizza
Good ZPizza Berkeley Vegan
Meh Daiya Thin Crust Gluten-Free Pizza. Cheeze Lover's. Would not buy again - best part was the cheese, but it was OK.
Cheese
Great Follow Your Heart Dairy Free Parmesan Style Shredded Cheese Alternative Good Daiya American Style slices. Meh Simple Truth Plant Based Non-dairy Cheddar slices (tastes more like American..)
Snacks
Great From the Ground Up Cailiflower Stalks - Cheddar Flavor (Fully Vegan)
Other -
Mountain house - says 10 servings.. but we ate 1/2 of it for 1 meal - so more like 4-6 servings for us... Makes it totally not worthwhile.
Sow Chia non-dairy beverage Vanilla Unsweetened. Meh for cereal. not good for drinking seperate Ripple Milk (pea based) - Fine, but expensive