TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

I've never eaten either one. Is the TVP a decent enough substitute for things like chilli and meat sauce? The real freeze dried beef is really expensive. Is it worth the extra cost?

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

Stay away from the TVP. It is made from Soy and if used to much will mess with your Thyroid. Not a good thing to happen especially if TSHTF.

Laurie

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

Soy is extreemly toxic. Not to mention TVP tastes like CRAP!:puke:

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

We got a small amount of it which if sufficiently spiced can become tasty. NOT a staple, however. The unflavored can become a fairly good BBQ chipped meat in sauce analog and it cooks up ok in stir fries in moderation.

It is high in estrogen like chemicals which can be positive for post menopausal women, not so good for guys.

It isn't preferred in my family, though the BBQ version is actually good and it vanishes into the other flavors in a well mixed stir fry.

I would estimate we have 100x or higher meats to TVP ratio in our pantry and freezer. We do like variety.

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

Thanks for the info guys. I am still awaiting a case of mixed flavored TVP. I guess I will have to wait to taste it to see if its worth it, but even if I don't like it i'm sure I can use it in a pinch, especially in an emergency. I think I will be buying some freeze dried meat too, its just sooooo expensive its hard to justify the cost. Its about $34 for a #10 can of ground beef. You could buy a half of a beef tenderloin for that much! Does anyone know how many pounds one of those cans reconstitutes into?

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

OK I tried the sausage flavored TVP. This stuff is not bad at all. I put it into some spagetti sauce and it was better then having no meat. Its not the same as real meat but over all its pretty neutral (ie nothing real great but not bad either, and works fine as a filler.) It was actually better then I had expected. I will probably buy more to stretch out the real thing. (either freeze dried or canned beef.)

Re: TVP vs freeze dried beef
 

Soy is not the danger these guys make it out to be. The research was conducted on lab rats who were fed megadoses. Before the influx of red meat and high sugar high fat Western foods, the Japanese were an exrtaordinarily healthy people. Bear in mind though that TVP is a highly processed form of soy (and wheat, and other vegetable proteins). It's a good meat extender, but you wouldn't want to eat it exclusively.