It may sound strange at first, but it's actually a tasty, healthy alternative to meat. Textured vegetable protein, or TVP, is made from texturized soy flour that is processed into small granules, resulting in a texture similar to ground meat. When cooked properly, it's a delicious alternative to ground beef, chicken or turkey in a number of recipes.
Nutrition
According to the Illinois Center for Soy Foods, while some brands of TVP vary in size, a cup of TVP generally has about 252 calories, 50 grams of protein, 0 g of fat, 28 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fiber. Some brands may come pre-flavored to taste like meat, while others are plain, allowing you to add your own seasonings.
Benefits of Soy
Products made from soy have no cholesterol, plenty of protein and isoflavones, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and some cancers. While whole soybeans have some fat, TVP is fat-free, as the flour it's made from is defatted before processing.
Recipes
TVP is best used as a replacement for small pieces of meat in a recipe, such as ground beef or turkey. It can be substituted for meat in meals such as chili, burritos, lasagna and crock pot recipes. In most cases, you will need to reconstitute the TVP with a little broth or water before using; read the recipe directions for more information.
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