Try soybean meat recipes and enrich your menu

Soy Meat in the Kitchen

Soy meat has been a staple in the kitchens of vegetarians, vegans, and everyone seeking a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional meat for decades. In recent years, however, its popularity has spread even among those who regularly consume meat—not only for health reasons but also for taste, practicality, and price. You might be asking, "Can something that didn't originate from an animal really taste like meat?" The answer may surprise many. Yes, it can—and it won't cost the planet or your health.

Soy meat is made from defatted soy flour, which is extruded under high pressure and temperature into various shapes—chunks, strips, or granules. These shapes are then dried, and before use, they need to be rehydrated by pouring boiling water or broth over them and letting them soak. The advantage is that soy meat absorbs the flavor of marinades or sauces like a sponge, making it an incredibly versatile kitchen helper.

Well-Prepared Soy Meat Tastes Good to Everyone

Unlike some other plant-based meat substitutes, soy meat has a relatively neutral taste, which is its advantage. If properly flavored, it can resemble chicken, beef, or even Asian dishes that we commonly associate with strong sauces, spices, and marinades.

One reason someone might be skeptical about soy meat could be a bad experience—for example, with inadequately flavored or overcooked food. But just like traditional meat, soy meat also requires a bit of attention. It’s crucial to flavor it well during rehydration and then properly stir-fry or bake it. With a few small tricks, the result can surprise even the staunchest meat-lovers.

Imagine a family lunch where the aroma of curry sauce fills the room, rice is sprinkled with coriander, and chunks that look like meat float in the sauce. But no one realizes it's soy. And when they find out at the end? The most common response is: "That really wasn't meat?"

Soy Meat Curry

Curry is one of the most grateful dishes if you want to start with soy meat. The strong flavor of spices, coconut milk, and fresh vegetables creates a harmony that doesn’t even miss the meat. And what's more—the entire meal is prepared within 30 minutes and is enough for two lunchbox portions for the next day.

Recipe for Soy Curry with Coconut Milk

Ingredients:

• 100 g of soy chunks or strips
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons of red curry paste (or more to taste)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper
• A handful of green beans or broccoli
• A tablespoon of oil (preferably coconut)
• Juice of a lime
• Coriander for garnishing
• Salt, pepper, optionally chili

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Instructions:

1. Pour hot water or vegetable broth over the soy meat, salt it, and let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Then drain, squeeze well, and you can briefly fry it in a pan for better texture.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add onion, garlic, and ginger, and lightly fry.
3. Stir in the curry paste and let it briefly sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the carrot and bell pepper, stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add the soy meat, pour in the coconut milk, add the rest of the vegetables, and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender.
6. Season with lime juice, salt, pepper, and optionally chili.
7. Serve with rice and fresh coriander.

This soy curry is creamy, rich, yet light—ideal for cold evenings and summer lunches. And it’s entirely plant-based.

Soy Meat in Chinese Style

Another popular way of preparing soy meat is the so-called "China". In Czech cuisine, this term hides a mix of vegetables and meat in a pan with a spicy sauce, often served with rice or noodles. And this is exactly where soy meat fits perfectly—its texture resembles chicken meat and easily absorbs soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger.

Recipe for Soy Strips "China" with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 100 g of soy strips
• 1 onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 carrot
• 1 bell pepper
• A handful of mung bean sprouts or bamboo shoots
• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar
• A pinch of sugar
• A tablespoon of starch (for thickening)
• Rice or rice noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the soy strips as in the previous recipe—pour boiling water over, salt, let soak, and then squeeze well.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan, add onion and garlic, and briefly stir-fry.
3. Add carrot and bell pepper sliced into thin strips, stir-fry until crunchy.
4. Quickly fry the soy strips until they gain a golden color.
5. Add soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and optionally a splash of water.
6. Finally, stir in the starch mixed with some water and the sprouts, briefly simmer until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve with rice or noodles.

This dish is a perfect example of how soy meat can be a quickly prepared, tasty, and filling meal for a weekday evening, which can also be easily adapted based on what you have at home.

Benefits of Soy Meat That May Surprise You

In addition to taste and versatility, soy meat also has several nutritional benefits. It is rich in proteins, fiber, and contains almost no fat. Because of this, it is popular not only among vegetarians but also among athletes or people trying to reduce their intake of animal products.

Moreover, it is a sustainably renewable alternative. The production of soy—specifically for human consumption—has a much smaller ecological footprint than livestock farming. As the famous American writer and activist Jonathan Safran Foer says, "Every meal we decide to prepare without meat is a vote for the planet that makes sense."

And then there is the economic aspect. Soy meat is very affordable, long-term storable, and combined with a bit of spice and vegetables, it creates a nutritious meal for the whole family for a few bucks.

So whether you are looking for a way to reduce meat consumption, or just want to try something new, soy meat offers plenty of options. Curry, Chinese pan, or perhaps goulash—with a bit of imagination, you open up a world where plant-based food is not a compromise, but an inspiration.