Plant-Based Meats: Delicious Options for Balanced Meals

The range of plant-based alternatives is exploding, making it difficult to navigate the supermarket aisles. Whether you're a committed vegetarian, a curious flexitarian, or simply looking for something new, the challenge is the same: finding the perfect plant-based meat that checks all the boxes for taste, convenience, and nutritional balance.

Our mission at Joybuy is to do the legwork for you. Forget the marketing jargon: this guide gets straight to the point with practical advice and a selection of products that have caught our eye.

How to Choose Your Plant--Based Meat?

A few simple criteria are all you need to make the right choice. Here are the three essential points to check before you head to the checkout.

1. Decode the Ingredients and Nutritional Value

A good meat substitute starts with a clear ingredient list. Plant-based proteins are most often derived from soy, wheat, or peas. For a substantial protein boost, look for products with a high protein content per 100g. Some dehydrated textured soy proteins (TSP) are off the charts with over 50g, allowing you to create a truly complete vegetarian meal. A quick glance at the Nutri-Score is also a good way to assess the product's overall balance.

2. Match the Format to Your Recipes

Plant-based alternatives come in multiple formats, each ideal for a specific use:

• Strips and chunks: Perfect for your stir-fries, curries, salads, or saucy dishes. Their texture often seeks to imitate that of chicken or beef.
• Nuggets and breaded options: The ultimate comfort food option—quick, delicious, and a hit with both adults and children. Good plant-based nuggets should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
• Dehydrated proteins (TSP): Unbeatable in terms of cost-effectiveness and shelf life. Simply rehydrate them before cooking. They are true flavour sponges, perfect for absorbing broths and marinades.

3. Pay Attention to Texture and Taste

Taste and texture are the ultimate deciding factors. Some products aim to mimic meat, sometimes with stunningly realistic results. Others proudly assert their plant-based origins with unique flavours. Here, it's all a matter of personal preference. The best advice? Be bold, experiment, and form your own opinion!

Recommended Plant-Based Meat Options

To put theory into practice, here are a few products with very different profiles that caught our attention, all available on Joybuy.

Everbest Chicken-Style Plant-Based Strips 500g

The strong point: A genuinely convincing fibrous texture, reminiscent of chicken. Ready to use, these strips are ultra-versatile: they work just as well in a stir-fry as they do in a salad. Their 100% plant-based composition ensures a good protein intake with low saturated fat.

The pros:

• Stunningly realistic texture similar to chicken.
• Good protein content (16 g per 100 g).
• Ready to use, hot or cold.
• Family-size pack of 500 g.

Who is it for? For anyone looking for a quick and easy chicken substitute to incorporate into everyday meals.

Bestore Spicy Plant-Based Snack 105g

The strong point: Note that this isn't an ingredient for cooking, but a ready-to-eat, on-the-go snack. Bestore reinvents appetisers with these soy-based bites, featuring a surprising shredded texture and a bold, spicy flavour (chilli, cumin...). An original alternative for a savoury, protein-packed break.

The pros:

• On-the-go format in individual packets.
• Very high in protein for a snack (20 g per 100 g).
• Spicy taste that's out of the ordinary.
• Unique shredded texture.

Who is it for? For fans of spicy flavours looking for a protein-rich snack to take with them or an appetiser that's off the beaten path.

HAPPYVORE Crispy Plant-Based Nuggets 380g

The strong point: These plant-based nuggets are made in France and won over a consumer panel, earning the "Taste of the Year 2025" award. Made from wheat protein, they boast a healthy composition (Nutri-Score A, low in saturated fat) without sacrificing flavour.

The pros:

• Made in France.
• Nutri-Score A.
• Source of fibre (6.5 g per 100 g).
• Golden and crispy breading.

Who is it for? Perfect for families and lovers of nostalgic classics who want a plant-based version that is both healthy and delicious.

Manji Soya Protein Chunks 500g

The strong point: This is the ultimate base ingredient for those who love to cook. These large, dehydrated textured soy protein (TSP) chunks are a true Swiss Army knife in the kitchen. After rehydration, they double in volume and soak up any marinade, broth, or sauce. Their key advantage? A protein content that breaks all records.

The pros:

• Record-breaking protein content (52 g per 100 g).
• Extremely cost-effective and lasts for months.
• Firm and versatile texture once rehydrated.
• A single ingredient: defatted soy flour.

Who is it for? For cooks who often prepare saucy dishes, curries, or stews and are looking for the best protein-to-price ratio on the market.

Looking for Other Options?

This selection is, of course, just an appetiser. The world of plant-based alternatives is vast, and the best way to find your own gems is still to taste them!

To discover even more formats, brands, and flavours, explore our full department.

? Discover Our Full Range of Plant-Based Meat

Frequently Asked Questions About Plant-Based Meat

What exactly is plant-based meat?

It's a bit of a catch-all term for products that mimic meat but are 100% plant-based. They are made from plant proteins like soy, peas, or wheat. The goal is to replicate a texture and taste close to meat, so you can easily integrate it into your usual recipes.

Are meat substitutes really high in protein?

Yes, and that's one of their main benefits! The protein content varies widely, but most meat substitutes are designed to be a reliable source. Strips often have around 15-20 g of protein per 100 g, a score similar to that of meat. The undisputed champions are dehydrated textured soy proteins (TSP), which can exceed 50 g per 100 g, like the Manji product in our selection.

How do you cook plant-based meat alternatives?

It's incredibly easy. Fresh or frozen products (nuggets, strips...) can be pan-fried in a few minutes, just like their meat-based counterparts. For dehydrated products, there's one extra step: let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes in a hot liquid (water, broth...) to rehydrate them. Once drained, they can be cooked exactly like pieces of meat in your sauces, stir-fries, or bakes.