The pros: Trader Joe's Beefless Ground Beef has a texture that is pretty close to ground beef. This is a blank canvas that will take well to your cooking abilities. This product does need your love an attention.
The cons: This probably will not make a good "hambuger." It needs something to be added to make this product better. Strongest flavor present is onions.
The verdict: For $2.99, you get a 12 ounce package of meatless ground beef. Beef has a bad reputation in so far as you can't have as much as you want. Doctors are constantly reminding people to reduce their intact. For some people it's a matter of choice or principle.
Either way, this review has to be split into two categories: judging this as an omnivore and as someone who does not eat meat. If you are a carnivore where nothing but beef will do, then this product is not for you. If you like some of the meatless options, but still eat meat, then this is an option to try.
You just have to anticipate making this your own. Taco seasoning would work here. I put mine in a mac and cheese. Put together with something or some seasoning, it wasn't bad at all. It doesn't have the flavor of beef, but it has the closest texture I've ever tried. That being said, this has a similar texture to Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo, but this is thicker in texture and tastes more of onions.
If you are someone who does not eat meat or any animal products for that matter, then this is a good option as well. Just be aware it does have that meaty texture (without the animal). Personally, it wasn't nearly as good as Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo, but that has a lot of spices to mask the meatlessness. This is a blank canvas. As a product to reduce red meat, it was a good product to try. I'd buy this again.
The package of Trader Joe's Beefless Ground Beef:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
I heated mine up in a pan and realized, it needed something:
After being "doctored" into another recipe I got Beefless Mac and Cheese:
Would I buy this again? This product is a blank canvas. As a substitute for ground beef in a recipe with a sauce or spice, this wasn't bad, but isn't quite a replica in taste. I'd buy this again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
pauldaviescartoons says
Would stories about beef being absent be groundless? I'm not sure quite how one can call stuff that is not beef, beef?
Time to Nosh says
I've been curious about this product for a while now, so I was happy to wake up to your informative review today. You've convinced me to try it. Thanks!
becomebetty says
Thanks! I liked this product but I absolutely recommend mixing it with something whether its taco seasoning or a sauce.
bigwatertechnologies says
I really like that it's a blank canvas! You can do a lot with it, just like actual beef. Just gotta spice it the way you want.
becomebetty says
That's what I like most about this product is how easily it can replace real ground beef. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this!
Michele Byrd says
Thank you so much for your review here. My daughter & I were turned on to this several months ago now. First, nothing "beef-less" will be a full match for beef. But I have to say - this stuff is the best substitute. My dad and my son are huge beef eaters and I've been able to substitute this in several recipes - spaghetti sauce, tacos, a shepherd's pie, chili. And they couldn't really tell the difference. My son did not a little something but he still liked it. My dad couldn't tell at all and even complimented the spaghetti sauce I made with it. We have spaghetti every week and it's his favorite - he couldn't even tell.
This isn't a good use like you said for burger or something where you have to mold the meat into a shape. It's literally meant to be used in place of ground beef where it's crumbled up. That said though, the cooking time is way less because this really doesn't have to "cook" but just heat up and cook enough to absorb the flavor your cooking up.
Love this and we use it often in place of our crumbled ground beef. Hope this helps anyone on the fence if they'll like it or not. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
becomebetty says
Thanks so much for the comment and feedback on how to enjoy it!
Donna says
We love this product!! We have made it into Sloppy Joes, Impossible Cheeseburger Pie, Cabbage Rolls and Enchiladas. I agree that it needs flavoring or sauce, but like Tofu, you can make it taste however you want. I haven't tried it in anything where you want the taste of beef to come shining through, but it's great for ground beef substitute in flavorful, saucy dishes.
becomebetty says
Thanks so much for sharing Donna!
Danielle Santana says
Had this tonight for the first time and loved it. Made it into taco “meat”!!
Does anyone know if it can be frozen unopened!?!
becomebetty says
Hi Danielle! I believe this can be frozen and then defrosted when you are ready. I hope that helps!
Manya says
Can I mix Trader Joe’s needless product with ground Turkey for meatballs that hold well?
becomebetty says
I don't see why it wouldn't work as long as their is something like an egg to bind everything together.