In this guide about TVP, I’m going to share with you what the abbreviation stands for, where to buy it, how to use it and I’m going to share my favorite recipes using TVP! Let’s get started!
When I went vegan 5 years ago, I started veganizing classic, traditional recipes. And because I live in Austria (Schnitzel is our national dish, you figure how meat-centric our cuisine is) I needed a good alternative for all the meat in the recipes and I found it by using TVP (= Textured Vegetable Protein). It was an easy way to still indulge in the known and beloved dishes, without all the animal cruelty.
TVP definitely has helped me transition to a vegan diet, it made the process of adopting a plant-based diet a whole lot easier. Now, 5 years in, I still love meals made with TVP and I always have a stash of all kinds of different forms of TVP at home.
I love TVP because
- it can be stored at room-temperature like forever,
- is inexpensive,
- it expands when cooked, so it doesn’t need much space when storing it
- and it’s versatile!
What is TVP?
TVP stands for Textured Vegetable Protein, often also called soy meat, soya chunks/granule/slices. It is made out of defatted soy flour, which is extruded into shapes (such as granule, flakes, chunks, slices, strips, nuggets,…). Because there are so many different kinds, they can be used for all kinds of recipes – I’ve included my favorites below!
Where to buy TVP?
TVP can be found in natural food stores, supermarkets (often in the bulk section), or ordered online. You might not be able to find all shapes of TVP, but they are getting more and more popular and should pop up in more stores with time.
Nutritional info on TVP
As the name already suggests, it is high in protein (actually much higher than meat). It contains a wealth of complete soy protein and it’s a great source of dietary fiber, iron and magnesium. It’s also naturally gluten-free.
How to use TVP
For the slices, chunks, and strips, it’s best to cook them in water or veggie broth until they are soft and about double the size. For the granule, put them in a pot, add just a splash of water and let it cook on medium to low heat until the water has been absorbed. The granule should be soft and can be used in any kinds of sauces.
Awesome vegan recipes using TVP
Don’t forget to bookmark or pin this page, so you’ll always have TVP recipes at hand!
Let me know, have you tried TVP? What are your favorite recipes with textured vegetable protein?
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
You do the most amazing things with TVP of anyone I’ve ever seen! And it’s so much more fun and versatile than buying the frozen meat-mimic products that have already had their shape/flavor decided :)
Bianca
Aww thank you! I’m still amazed by the texture sometimes. Just two days ago, I made “chicken fingers” aka breaded tvp strips and stored leftovers in the fridge – especially those cold tvp strips are so crazy similar to meat. More people need to know about this :D :D
Gurdip
I’m breastcancer patient estrogen positive. Is this soya product good for me to eat . I’m a vegetarian
Bianca
Hi Gurdip, it’s best to ask a Every Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist. I haven’t studied in that field :)
Darrin
I’ve never found TVP anywhere in my state. I’ve been to PCC and Whole Foods, and a near by Co-op. None of those places have it. I haven’t asked them but I’ve looked. And I don’t see the point in ordering it online….having to WAIT for something like this is ridiculous.
Bianca
I’m sorry you couldn’t find them, Darrin. A few years ago, I always had to order them online, now we have them in regular supermarkets. I’m from Europe, but I’m sure they will pop up in stores in the US too sooner or later.
D
Whole foods has it. Just ask.
Bianca
Good to know! :)
Amy
Hi Darrin- You can buy TVP and TSP from the Bob’s Red Mill brand in the US. We buy it in Ocean State Job Lots in New England, but not sure where you are. I have also seen it on Amazon. Good Luck!
KC
Walmart sells a line of long-shelf-life emergency rations by Augason Farms that includes a lot of TVP products. I searched “vegetarian” at the Walmart site, and they came up. They have big cans of beef, chicken, bacon, and taco -flavored TVP granules. Have it shipped to your local store.
Bianca
Wooho!! That’s really cool! Thank you so much for the info, KC!
Jamie
Usually in the bulk food bins at all Whole Foods
Alyssa Henker
So where do you buy your different sizes of TVP? I can only find the granules for a reasonable price and readily available. Thanks!
Bianca
In Austria, we have many different forms of TVP in the stores, but here’s a website where you can order it online. They also ship to the USA. I used to order it from there all the time before it hit the shelves. :)
Maddie
This is such a great post, thank you so much! I’ve been buying “meat” products from gardein and other brands but am just now discovering the wonder of cooking with tvp, soy curls, and seitan on my own!
Bianca
Yeay! I’m so glad you find the post useful! Because you say seitan, I have a recipe for easy homemade seitan steaks ready – I’ll publish it within the next 2-3 weeks. :)
Maddie
Awesome! I’ll be on the look out!
Joanne m
You can buy soy mince in Tesco’s in the UK. It is great and so good in spaghetti bolognese or chilli. I’ve never seen the fillet shapes though, just the mince and frozen quorn products.
Bianca
Thank you for the info, Joanne!
James Wheeldon
Life would be so much easier for me as a vegan if I could get on with TVP and I really have tried but I just can’t. My body reacts badly to it. I feel uncomfortable after just one meal containing TVP. If I follow it with another within 24 hours I start to get quite unwell. On the only occasion when I have eaten it on three consecutive days I have had violent diahorrea and stomach pains, with a lot of belching. It seems that while for some people TVP is a wonderful meat substitute, for people like me it is just impossible to digest.
Bianca
Yeah, I’ve heard of people who can’t digest it well. It’s too bad because it has a great texture for ‘meaty’ dishes. Can you eat seitan?
James Wheeldon
Thanks for replying. Yes, I’m fine with seitan, thank goodness. No problems with gluten, so I can make some dishes that have a similarity to some meat dishes. I particularly like making some seitan then breaking it up like mince and using it in Italian-type sauces or in a chilli beans
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Bianca
Okay, that’s good! I love making seitan but I’ve never tried breaking it up and using it as mince. Good idea! :) I will have to try that.
Nora
Can’t wait to try these recipes. I threw together some ingredients with TVP and made chili that the whole family devoured. They thought it was real meat!
San
Many Mexican grocery carry TVP.
Bianca
Good to know, thanks San!