According to Oregon State University, textured vegetable protein, or TVP, comes from isolating protein from soy, wheat, vegetables or peanuts. When it comes from soy, TVP is the same as textured soy protein, or TSP. According to the Illinois Center for Soy Foods, TVP from defatted soy flour is high in protein and low in fat. TVP is a vegetarian alternative for many types of meats because of its texture and flavor.
Black Pepper Steak
Black pepper steak from May Wah Healthy Vegetarian Food, Inc., is a TVP meat alternative with vegetable and soy protein, soy oil, and spices such as anise, cinnamon and pepper.
This black pepper steak is a frozen food. Before serving it, you can thaw and heat it by steaming, microwaving, baking or grilling it. Every 100 g, or approximately 3.5 oz., serving has about 227 calories, 19 g of protein and 15 g of fat. May Wah produces a variety of TVP meat alternatives, including substitutes for beef, chicken, shrimp and fish. Many of their products are alternatives to processed meats like hot dogs or chicken nuggets.
Chicken
Honeyville's chicken-flavored TVP is a meat alternative in a can. The shelf life of this chicken-flavored TVP is 10 to 20 years when the can is sealed, making it a good food for emergency preparedness. Honeyville also suggests using this TVP as an alternative to chicken in recipes such as its vegetarian TVP chicken enchilada casserole recipe. A serving of this chicken-flavored TVP is a 1/4 cup dry, which yields a 1/2 cup after rehydration in a 1/4 cup of water or broth. Each serving has 80 calories, 10 g of protein and 12 percent of the daily value for dietary fiber. Honeyville also sells similar TVP in beef and ham flavors.
Unflavored TVP
Bob's Red Mill sells unflavored TVP that you can use as a meat alternative for many types of meat such as ground beef. This TVP is dehydrated to extend its shelf life, and after you rehydrate it, you must store it in the refrigerator. To rehydrate it, use 7/8 of a cup of hot fluid for each cup of TVP. You can give it extra flavor by using vegetable stock or broth to rehydrate it. You can use this TVP in recipes such as the Cajun red beans and the rice recipe on the package. You can also use it as a meat alternative in your own recipes such as casseroles, meatloaf or stews. Every 1/4 cup of dry TVP has 80 calories, 12 g of protein and 16 percent of the daily value for dietary fiber. It is a fat-free food.
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