Welcome to VeggieConverter! Vegan Ground Beef Substitute is one of my most popular recipe posts.
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Day 10.
I’m so excited to see how this works out and you’ll likely see it cropping up in other recipes soon. But this deserved a post of its own. This is a vegan recipe, too. Bonus! I’m excited that it just takes whole, real foods.
I’ve altered Jessica’s original recipe based on ingredients I have in my usual pantry, subbing out gluten for mushrooms and potatoes.
The Results
Another split decision. I absolutely love it this ground beef substitute. My husband likes it but says it isn’t really all that beefy.
So, I’d say give it a shot and decide for yourself. I think it’s great and is beefy enough for me.
Next time, maybe I’ll kick the steak seasoning up a notch. I’m really excited to try it out in recipes.
I have no idea how it will hold up in chili and other liquidy recipes. (UPDATE: It totally does!)
But yum, it’s great and not processed food. And, it costs about $1 to make. Win!
UPDATE: I’ve gone with the wheat gluten option the last several times (since I stock it in my pantry now). The only other change is cooking the batch in a larger pan. I use a large 13 x 9 baking dish to spread the “beef” out more. Also, the husband has become a fan of it now.
UPDATE 2: NUTRITION FACTS (10 servings per batch)–Serving Size 99 g, Calories 380, Calories from Fat 66, Total Fat 7.4g, Sodium 452 mg, Total Carbohydrates 59.4g, Dietary Fiber 14.4g, Protein 18.6g
Ground Beef Substitute
Ingredients
2 cups dry brown rice
2 cups dry green lentils (like these)
2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten* (like this)
1 cup rolled oats
*for a gluten-free option, replace wheat gluten with:
1/4 cup diced and sauteed or marinated mushrooms
1/4 cup mashed potatoes
Method
Boil rice, lentils, and steak seasoning until slightly soft (I put them in my rice cooker on brown rice setting).
Drain any excess water, if necessary.
Combine with remaining ingredients.
Spread into a large pan (13 x 9) and bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to evenly dehydrate mixture.
Store in portion-sized freezer bags.
It will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week or freezer until used.
The Super Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Cookbook
Want more vegetarian and vegan recipes you’ll love? Check out my first cookbook! I’m so excited about it and I hope you’ll love it. You can find more information about it right HERE. Or you can buy it through the Amazon link below.
This post is linked at Meatless Mondays, Homemaker Monday, Happy Homemaker Monday, Menu Inspiration Monday and Just Another Meatless Monday.

Ground Beef Substitute for Vegetarians
This ground beef substitute for vegetarians is a great way to still enjoy ground beef meals with your family. It's vegan-friendly too!
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry brown rice
- 2 cups dry green lentils (like these)
- 2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten* (like this)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- *for a gluten-free option, replace wheat gluten with:
- 1/4 cup diced and sauteed or marinated mushrooms
- 1/4 cup mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Boil rice, lentils, and steak seasoning until slightly soft (I put them in my rice cooker on brown rice setting).
- Drain any excess water, if necessary.
- Combine with remaining ingredients.
- Spread into a large pan (13 x 9) and bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to evenly dehydrate mixture.
- Store in portion-sized freezer bags.
- It will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week or freezer until used.