<h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Earlier this week, Beyond Meat's first-ever plant-based "steak" substitute hit grocery store shelves. Though it's not the first steak substitute on the market, Beyond Meat is probably the most well-known brand to launch one — so it's a pretty huge deal if I do say so myself.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/9bf1477d65e1/sub-buzz-1558-1666733205-24.png?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto"/><p>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beyondmeat.com/en-US/press/beyond-meat-debuts-revolutionary-plant-based-beyond-steak" target="_blank" data-skimlinks-tracking="6337751" data-affiliate="true">press release</a>, <b>the brand says the product is for all — including meat eaters and flexitarians.</b> Now, listen: I don't know about this "flexitarian" stuff, but even as a meat eater, I've been known to order a plant-based burger every now and then.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">In my humble opinion, the advances that companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have made on the burger front are pretty darn remarkable. Honestly, sometimes I even <i>prefer</i> a plant-based burger to the real thing. But STEAK?! Replicating the texture alone feels a lot more complicated when compared to ground beef, so I was really curious (and excited) (and nervous) to try and review this new product immediately.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/cf15dee4b698/sub-buzz-1456-1666734068-9.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto"/><p><i>Just FYI: BuzzFeed was sent an early sample of Beyond Steak, but we were under no obligation to provide a positive review of the product (or any review at all).</i><br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Let's start with the elephant in the room: No, you're not getting a product that looks like a slab of actual steak. Beyond Meat's "steak" more closely resembles steak tips, or chopped-up pieces of steak.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/cf15dee4b698/sub-buzz-1456-1666734077-11.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto"/><p>If you're bummed out, you're totally entitled to your feelings. But TBH, <b>the more I thought about a heavy slab of plant-based steak that, you know, <i>resembled</i>&nbsp;a cut of actual meat, the more and more nauseous I became.</b> So personally, I don't really mind the&nbsp;<i>tips</i>&nbsp;route they took.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">In terms of nutrition facts, one serving of Beyond Steak has approximately 35 fewer calories than the same amount of sirloin steak (according to the <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168727/nutrients" target="_blank" data-skimlinks-tracking="6337751" data-affiliate="true">USDA</a>). Cholesterol is where things get really interesting, though: As a plant-based product, Beyond Steak contains no cholesterol whatsoever, while the same serving of sirloin would contain approximately 78 milligrams.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/26/14/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-2807-1666795431-6.jpg?crop=1026:1752;100,473"/><p><b>In terms of protein, you're looking at pretty similar amounts.</b> The "real" stuff clocks in at around 23 grams per serving while Beyond Meat boasts a very comparable 21 grams.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">When it comes to the ingredients, I've got good and bad news. The good: As the "plant-based" descriptor would suggest, Beyond Steak is 100% vegan. The bad: If you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, you should know that it's...basically made of gluten.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/26/14/asset/9bf1477d65e1/sub-buzz-2803-1666795500-10.jpg?crop=773:634;887,653"/><p>Wheat gluten, the second listed ingredient, is effectively the same thing as <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-seitan-3376819" target="_blank" data-skimlinks-tracking="6337751" data-affiliate="true">seitan</a>, which has been used as a high-protein meat substitute in China, Japan, and several other Asian countries for centuries. It offers a slightly chewy, bouncy texture that's not unlike real meat, so I'm actually not shocked to see wheat gluten pop up so high on this ingredient list. <b>But alas — gluten-free it is not.</b><br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Beyond Steak is meant to be cooked from frozen, as indicated on the storage and prep instructions on the back of the packaging. So upon opening a package of Beyond Meat, you'll pretty much see a pile of frozen steak nuggets.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/26/14/asset/cf15dee4b698/sub-buzz-2661-1666795557-1.jpg?crop=2000:1713;0,846"/><p>(And though this has absolutely nothing to do with the steak itself, I'd be remiss not to mention the <b>honestly genius concealed zipper</b> that allows you to seal the bag between uses. More of this, please!)<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">At first glance, the "steak" pieces definitely vary in size. I'd say that most were fingertip-sized, with a few here and there being larger or smaller. Even frozen, I was pretty impressed with how meaty the pieces appeared, almost like the kind of steak you'd find in a cheesesteak or taco.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/a2c99f2a0b33/sub-buzz-1562-1666734181-17.jpg"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">The directions on the back of the package list two cooking methods: skillet and air fryer. (They also state that they do <i>not</i> recommend microwaving or traditionally baking Beyond Steak.) For the sake of science, I decided to officially test both methods to see if there was any discernable difference.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1535-1666734193-29.jpg"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">For the skillet-cooked steak, I placed a cast iron skillet over medium heat and lightly oiled it, per the instructions. Then I added the frozen Beyond Steak pieces to the hot skillet and cooked them for five minutes.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1543-1666734202-10.jpg"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">I stirred them around every minute or so, and I've gotta say I was VERY impressed with the sear I got. Looks like <i>actual</i> steak, no?</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/c564a2859f09/sub-buzz-1518-1666734213-1.jpg"/><p>Another impressive element was the smell. I guess I'm not sure what I was expecting, but <b>this stuff smelled like I was cooking a literal slab of beef.</b> How they did it, I have no clue, but I was truly shocked.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Once the pieces were cooked and beautifully seared, I removed them to a plate until I was ready to try them.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/a2c99f2a0b33/sub-buzz-1547-1666734218-18.jpg"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">As easy as it was to sear up the steak pieces in a skillet, cooking them in the air fryer was even easier. I set my air fryer to 350ºF, let it preheat, then popped the steak in for five minutes.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1543-1666734231-12.jpg?crop=1364%3A2046%3B93%2C0&resize=720%3A720"/><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/fc5f85c0625f/sub-buzz-1491-1666734227-15.jpg?crop=1364%3A2046%3B88%2C0&resize=720%3A720"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">At the end of the five minutes, the steak pieces were hot and just beginning to crisp up on the outside, though they did lack that traditional sear of the skillet version since they weren't, you know, seared.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1543-1666734249-14.jpg"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Here are the side-by-side results of the two recommended cooking methods. (Spoiler alert: I preferred the look <i>and</i> taste of the skillet version to the air-fried stuff, but we'll get into specifics shortly.)</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/fc5f85c0625f/sub-buzz-1523-1666734905-11.jpg?crop=2000:2066;0,327"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">I gave them a second or two to cool down before anxiously diving in for a first bite, and...</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1564-1666734701-1.jpg?crop=1167:1591;0,241"/><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">...I was surprisingly thrilled with everything going on in my mouth. By my fourth or fifth taste, I was actually pretty darn shocked.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/9bf1477d65e1/sub-buzz-1591-1666734705-9.jpg?crop=1174:1615;0,200"/><p>If for some reason you don't believe me, just know that at some point, my very-skeptical-of-plant-based-meat partner ended up stealing a few pieces. He exclaimed that he "kind of loved it" and that it "wasn't freaky like some other vegan meats," so <b>if that's not a glowing review, IDK what is.</b><br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">In terms of the two cooking methods, I'll be real with you: The skillet is definitely the way to go here.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/9bf1477d65e1/sub-buzz-1605-1666734865-7.jpg"/><p>The <b>skillet-cooked Beyond Steak was shockingly crispy on the outside</b> — like any good steak — and definitely benefited from the hint of extra richness from the addition of cooking oil. The insides were juicier than I expected them to be and had a slight chew, though admittedly not as much as an actual slice of beef.<br></p><p>A<b>ir-frying was certainly the easier cooking method of the two, but I didn't love the texture as much.</b> It still tasted good, but it reminded me of a steak nugget...which doesn't feel like the product they're going for. I also felt like the pieces were more dried out than the skillet version, so IMO, <b>I'd try the skillet method first if I were you.</b></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">Though I was mostly obsessed with the product, there were also a couple of details that I <i>mostly</i> loved — and one that I didn't love very much at all.</span>
    
  </h2><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">LOVED: The smell. If my eyes were closed, you couldn't tell me I wasn't searing or eating a real steak. (I'm dead serious.)</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/cf15dee4b698/sub-buzz-1477-1666734495-8.jpg"/><p>They nail the beef smell <i>hard</i>, folks. And considering the fact that smell is actually a really important factor in the way that we, as humans, detect flavors, this element made me really happy.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">LOVED: It sears reaaaaally nicely.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/fc5f85c0625f/sub-buzz-1501-1666734688-31.jpg?crop=1194:1220;339,726"/><p>These pieces sear way better than I expected them to.&nbsp;The crust that developed on the skillet-cooked pieces easily rivaled that of a legit steak, albeit in much smaller pieces. Unlike the air-fried pieces, the hard sear made them incredibly satisfying, and that caramelized crust boosted the overall flavor in a really delicious way.</p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">MOSTLY LOVED: The texture of the "meat" itself.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/7cf8334e84c6/sub-buzz-1560-1666734506-1.jpg?crop=1505:1684;31,364"/><p>For a product made of wheat gluten and faba bean protein, I must say that the texture was objectively meat-like. With a crusty exterior and a tender, just-chewy-enough texture on the inside, it mirrored biting into a forkful of steak more closely than I thought it would.<br></p><p><b>Here's my caveat:</b> The smaller pieces are far more texturally satisfying than the larger pieces. And considering the decent mix of sizes of the pieces themselves, textures can be a little inconsistent. The larger pieces looked better, but their interiors were also softer than I would've preferred — not in a freaky way, but I can't say it was ideal.</p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">MOSTLY LOVED: The flavor.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/fc5f85c0625f/sub-buzz-1509-1666734564-3.jpg"/><p>TBH, I think they nailed the flavor of real steak as much as they could have. The only reason I didn't outright <i>love</i>&nbsp;the flavor is because there was definitely a slight "taco seasoning" thing going on, and while it was tasty, I do wonder how it would hold up in a dish that uses an entirely different flavor profile — like a copycat beef and broccoli or even beef stroganoff. Again, I tasted ~steak~ far more than I registered the faint taco seasoning flavor, but IMO, it was definitely detectable.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">DIDN'T LOVE: It's hard not to break the pieces up when cooking them in a skillet.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/c564a2859f09/sub-buzz-1514-1666734587-17.jpg?crop=1219:1306;0,732"/><p>Though the skillet method is the way to go for the most steak-like texture, don't expect the steak pieces to stay whole. The "layers" of...protein (?) in the pieces like to flake apart, and while it ultimately didn't end up making any sort of difference to the flavor, <b>it's certainly not the prettiest thing to look at. But if you're adding them to a dish where you normally serve chopped-up steak in the first place, like a taco or cheesesteak, it shouldn't really matter at all.</b><br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">THE VERDICT: While Beyond Steak wouldn't necessarily trick anyone into thinking they're eating an actual slab of beef, they come pretty darn close. Honestly, they come <i>almost</i> as close to real steak as their Beyond Burgers come to actual beef burgers, and that's saying something.</span>
    
  </h2><img class="PostContentImage" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2022-10/25/21/asset/cf15dee4b698/sub-buzz-1488-1666734591-8.jpg"/><p>If you want to give Beyond Steak a try, my personal recommendation would be to <b>start with a dish where you'd expect smaller, chopped-up pieces of steak instead of hoping it's going to taste like a ribeye.</b> In a dish where steak is just <i>one</i>&nbsp;component of many, like a cheesesteak, I honestly don't think I'd be able to detect that I was eating plant-based meat.<br></p><h2>
    

    
      <span class="js-subbuzz__title-text">If you'd like to try Beyond Steak for yourself, it's currently being sold at a suggested retail price of $7.99 per 10-ounce package at Walmart and Kroger stores nationwide, as well as other select retailers across the country. If you cook it in your own kitchen, be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below! 👇</span>
    
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      Earlier this week, Beyond Meat's first-ever plant-based "steak" substitute hit grocery store shelves. Though it'...

Margaret Moina

Beyond Meat's New Vegan Steak Bites Just Hit Shelves, And As Someone Who Is Actively Trying To Eat Less Meat, I Have Plenty Of Thoughts