Beef Swaps

Vegan beef swaps
Vegan beef burger swaps
vegan swaps for meatballs
Easy Vegan swaps for Minced Beef
Easy Vegan swaps for Bakes and pies
Vegan swaps for beef slices
Easy Vegan swaps for Steak
Vegan swaps for beef pieces
Easy Vegan swaps for Beef on the go

There are so many incredible vegan beef swaps out there now and most health food shops and supermarkets stock them. You can find something to suit every budget as Iceland, Aldi and Lidl are now on board too! Some of the other supermarkets and health food shops also have low-cost options.

But why would you want to eat something that resembles beef?!

Most people stop eating meat because of the ethical, environmental and health implications, not because they don’t like the taste! There are many textures, tastes and flavours that people enjoy and have been brought up on. So meat substitutes are a convenient and fantastic option for many. It means you can still enjoy your favourite flavours, without the animal suffering and environmental destruction.

Some vegans choose not to eat meat substitutes and that’s absolutely fine too. From a health perspective it’s always better to use fresh ingredients and to cook from scratch but substitutes are great from time to time (and healthier than meat!). Here are some of our favourite beef swaps; although there are loads more to choose from!

For all of our favourite meat and dairy swaps, head to A Vegan’s Guide to…

Beef Burgers

Beef-style burgers are a great summer-time treat! BBQs are popular as the weather gets warmer and beef-style patties are a must have. These vegan-friendly beef burgers are best sandwiched in a bun with heaps of salad and some vegan mayo! There are lots of vegan beef burgers available, but here are some of Viva!’s personal favourites.

  • Garden Gourmet: Sensational Burger — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, The Vegan Kind
  • Beyond Meat: Plant-Based Burger — Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, The Vegan Kind
  • Plant Menu: Ultimate No Beef Burgers — Available at Aldi
  • Future Farm: Future Burgers — Available at Sainsbury’s, The Vegan Kind
  • Moving Mountains: Plant-Based Burgers — Available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado
  • Plant Chef: Meat Free Burgers — Available at Tesco
  • Vivera: Plant Quarter Pounders — Available at Tesco, The Vegan Kind
  • Richmond: Meat-Free Burgers — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose
  • The Meatless Farm: Meat Free Plant Based Burgers — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado
  • Plant Kitchen: Vegan Burgers — Available at M&S
  • Birds Eye: Green Cuisine Meat-Free Burgers — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Iceland, Spar, Ocado
Teso plant chef meat-free burgers

Best Budget Burger

Tesco Plant Chef Burgers, £1.30

beyond meat beyond burger

Our Top Pick

Beyond Meat Beyond Burgers, £3.50

McDonald McPlant burger

On the go

McDonald’s McPlant Burger, from £3.39

vrc vegan mega burger

Try this recipe

This Vegan Mega Burger is mega mouth-watering! With every trimming possible, it’s a beast and everyone goes mad for it… we think you can see why!

Meatballs

Many delicious dishes contain meatballs — spaghetti, meatballs and mash, stews, marinara subs — to name just a few! These meatball swaps are our top picks which are perfect for these meals and more!

  • Future Farm: Future Meatballs — Available at Sainsbury’s, The Vegan Kind
  • Richmond: Meat-Free Meatballs — Available at Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Ocado
  • Plant Menu: Meat-Free Meatballs — Available at Aldi
  • Linda McCartney’s: Vegetarian Meatballs — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado
  • Huvudroll: Plant Balls — Available at Ikea
  • Plant Kitchen: Veggie Balls — Available at M&S, Ocado
  • Birds Eye: Green Cuisine Meat-Free Meatballs — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Iceland, Ocado
aldi plant menu meat free meatballs

Best Budget Meatballs

Aldi Plant Menu Meat-Free Meatballs, £1.09

birds eye green cuisine meat-free meatballs

Our Top Pick

Birds Eye Green Cuisine Meat-Free Meatballs, £2.50

subway meatless marinara sub

On the go

Subway Meatless Meatball Marinara, from £3.59

vrc easy vegan spaghetti bolognese

Try this recipe

Try switching out the mince/lentils from our super Easy Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese for meatballs to great a delicious vegan spaghetti and meatballs dish!

Mince

Vegan mince alternatives are endless! If mushroom mince or lentils aren’t for you, then there are lots of great minced beef swaps. We have put together a few of our favourites.

  • Plant Revolution!: Mighty Mince — Available at Morrisons
  • Beyond Meat: Plant-Based Mince — Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado
  • Linda McCartney’s: Vegemince — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado
  • Future Farm: Future Mince — Available Sainsbury’s, The Vegan Kind
  • Meatless Farm: Plant-Based Mince — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado
  • Richmond: Meat-Free Mince — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado
plant revolution mighty mince

Best Budget Mince

Morrisons Plant Revolution! Mince, £1.49

meatless farm plant based mince

Our Top Pick

Meatless Farm Mince, £3.10

Tortilla vegan chilli non carne

On the go

Tortilla Vegan Chilli Non Carne, from £6.00

vrc traditional lasagne

Try this recipe

Viva! Vegan Recipe Club’s Traditional Lasagne recipe is a family favourite! Lovely deep rich flavours, layered up with a creamy béchamel sauce, topped off with a layer of cheese… indulgence at its best.

Steak Bakes and Pies

Vegan steak bakes and pies provide an easy, comforting meal. These swaps are great cruelty-free alternatives that are quick to prepare and delicious when served with a side of vegetables, healthy salad or chips! Here are some of Viva!’s favourite “steak” bakes and pies.

  • Pukka: Vegan Minced Steak and Onion Pie — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-op
  • Quorn: Vegan Steak Bakes — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Ocado
  • Plant Menu: No Steak Bakes — Available at Aldi
  • Greggs: Vegan Steak Bakes — Available at Iceland
  • Plant Kitchen: No Beef Steak Pies — Available at M&S, Ocado
  • Linda McCartney’s: Vegetarian Country Pies — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Iceland, Ocado
alid plant menu no steak bakes

Best Budget Bakes and Pies

Aldi Plant Menu No Steak Bakes, £1.19

pukka vegan minced steak and onion pie

Our Top Pick

Pukka Vegan Minced Steak & Onion Pies, £1.75

pieminster mooless moo pie

On the go

Pieminister Mooless Moo Pie, from £5.79

VRC Vegan Steak and Ale Pie

Try this recipe

Our Vegan ‘Steak’ and Ale Pie recipe is full of lovely veg, a nice rich boozy sauce and golden, crispy pastry… what more could you want?!… Well, apart from gravy of course!

Beef Slices

Whether you prefer traditional beef slices or a peppery pastrami, there’s a vegan beef swap for everyone! Pair these slices with your favourite sandwich fillings for a decedent American-style sub! These are just a few of our favourite alternatives.

  • Wicked Kitchen: Meat-Free Salted Beast Slices — Available at Tesco
  • Squeaky Bean: NYC Deli Pastrami Style — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado
  • VBites: Simply Beeph Slices — Available at VBites, The Vegan Kind
  • Wicked Kitchen: Meat-Free Peppered Beast Slices  — Available at Tesco
VBites Simply Beeph Slices

Best Budget Slices

VBites Simply Beeph Slices, £2.15

Squeaky Bean Vegan NYC Deli Pastrami

Our Top Pick

Squeaky Bean Pastrami, £2.50

M&S No Salf Beef Pretzel Roll

On the go

M&S Plant Kitchen No Salt Beef Pretzel Roll, £3.50

vrc deli-style sandwich or wrap

Try this recipe

Use one of our favourite options to create your very own Deli-Style Sandwich, Wrap or Bagel from Vegan Recipe Club. Check out our top tips on this recipe and get creative with lots of fillings!

Beef Pieces

Add any of these vegan beef pieces to stir-fries or salads for a tasty cruelty-free meal! You can even use them as filling for a cheat version of a “steak” and ale pie! Here are our favourites.

  • Oumph!: Sticky Smokehouse Oumph! — Available at Tesco, Iceland, Ocado
  • Dopsu: No-Beef Pieces — Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons
  • Moving Mountains: Plant-Based Tenderstrips — Available at Ocado
  • Squeaky Bean: Doner Spiced Beef Style Kebab — Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons
Moving Mountains beef flavoured tenderstrips

Best Budget Pieces

Moving Mountains Plant-Based Tenderstrips, £2.00

Dopsu no beef pieces

Our Top Pick

Dopsu No-Beef Pieces, £3.00

Wagamama vegan sticky ribs

On the go

Wagamama Sticky Vegan Ribs, £6.75

vrc stir-fried vegetables and rice

Try this recipe

Why not try adding some vegan beef pieces instead of tofu to our delicious Stir-Fried Vegetables, Rice and Tofu recipe? It’s easy to make and, most importantly, a favourite with everyone who’s tried it!

Steak

Steak and chips is one of the Nation’s favourite dishes but there’s no need to miss out with these great vegan steak swaps. Try some of our favourite swaps below.

  • Plant Pioneers: Vegan Steaks — Available at Sainsbury’s
  • Plant Chef: Fake Steak with Garlic Melt — Available at Tesco
  • Vivera: Plant Steaks — Available at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose
  • The No Meat Company: No Bull Mushroom Steaks  — Available at Asda, Iceland, Ocado
no meat company no bull mushroom steaks

Best Budget Steak

The No Meat Company No Bull Mushroom Steaks, £2.50

Vivera plant steak

Our Top Pick

Vivera Plant Steak, £3.50

Find over 1000 delicious and easy vegan recipes online at Viva!’s Vegan Recipe Club or download our handy app by searching for Vegan Recipe Club in your phone’s app store!

Next: A vegan's guide to pork swaps
Scroll up