Plant-Based Kefta (Keftedes) Recipe Made with Beyond Meat
My husband, bless his sweetheart, can not pronounce the word ‘keftedes’ to save his life. As a half-Greek person I will tell you the pronunciation of keftedes this one time! Say it like ‘kef-teh-thes’. For a lot of Greek words the ‘d’ is pronounced in more of a ‘th’ sound.
However, for his sake and everyone else afraid of Greek words, I’m calling it ‘kefta’ as this is a far easier pronunciation. You are welcome. Below is a video of some kefta, fresh from the oven, bubbling in their vegan meaty juices (and my cute dog!).
Before Beyond Meat came into existence, I pity the vegans that tried to make kefta. I have no idea how anyone would simulate it. Perhaps there are ways, but thanks to Beyond Meat, delicious Greek Kefta has never been easier!
Full of fresh herbs, onion, and beyond meat, this plant-based kefta will make your mouth water. Traditionally, kefta is made with loads of fresh parsley and onion. Kefta usually has so much parsley in fact, that sometimes the ground beef will look green! We’re not going to put quite as much parsley, but we are going to load this plant-based kefta up!
Meal Prepped Plant-Based Kefta!
This is a protein-rich and filling dish for any meal prep you are planning on doing. If you are looking for more ideas on how to create the best Greek-style meal prep of your life, check out my Plantbased Greek Meal Prep Guide! It has everything from Greek Salad, Split Pea Dip/Salad, Greek Potatoes, Tabbouleh, Dolmades, and more!
Vegan Gyros with Plant-Based Kofta
This is an absolute must try! Even if you are using kefta for Greek themed meal prep, one of your meals has to be a vegan gyro!
How do you make a gyro?
These 5 tips will help you make the best gyros you have ever eaten! I am particular because I am half Greek and I care about you and your Greek food enjoyment.
Tip 1 - Buy GOOD Pitas!
Stop settling for dry generic pita bread from big grocery stores! There are so many freshly made pita options if you look at a more local supplier.
For instance, I go to a local Iranian grocery store right near my house. It is tiny! They have the freshest pita bread with a plethora of options. It makes a huge difference so keep your eyes peeled for new pita bread options around you.
You might need to explore some tiny places you haven’t been to before but it will be worth it. Buy Local!
Tip 2 - Lots of THIN Red Onion
I recently bought a mandolin, and I have never looked back. I slice my red onion so thinly on that thing, it is a dream. Lots of red onion is key for a true Mediterranean tasting gyro. You want a really good amount on here.
Another tip is to season the onion! I like to toss it oregano, salt, and cracked black pepper.
I recommend red onions instead of white onions because it is more traditional. Also, the bitterness cuts nicely with the creamy cool flavor of tzatziki.
Tip 3 - Keep the veggie variety LOW
Honestly, a pure gyro is mainly about the meat (vegan meat!), fresh tomato, bitter onions, creamy tzatziki, and salty french fries. The only non-traditional topping I usually add is some kind of green to make it feel a bit more nutritionally dense.
Tip 4 - French Fries
Yes, a real authentic Greek gyro has french fries inside the gyro! I simply choose my favorite pre-cut french fries from the grocery store and bake them in the oven according to the package’s instructions.
Afterwords, I’ll toss them in salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic granules or seasoning salt.
Tip 5 - LOTS of Vegan Tzatziki!
Lots.
Load on that vegan tzatziki. In my Greek Vegan Meal Prep article, I show a super easy vegan mayonnaise-based tzatziki that is easy to whip up as long as you have mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, cucumber, and either fresh or dried dill!
Plant-based kefta with Beyond Meat (Keftedes)
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Cashew & Cheese | July 19, 2020
- Prep time: 15 minutes (optional 1 hour to let marinate)
- Cook time: 14-16 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Beyond Beef
- 1 Small diced red onion
- 1 Small diced tomato
- 1 Bunch of fresh parsley
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1 minced Garlic clove
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions:
- Let your Beyond Beef thaw completely.
- Preheat oven to 350 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (these Lil guys get messy!).
- Crumble defrosted Beyond Beef into a large mixing bowl.
- Dice one small red onion and throw it in the bowl.
- Dice one small tomato and throw it in the bowl.
- Finely chop 1 cup of fresh parsley and throw it in the bowl.
- Mix all the fresh ingredients thoroughly.
- Add in the 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, and 1 tsp onion powder. Optionally, you can add 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp of steak seasoning to the beyond meat mixture as well. Mix all the spices thoroughly.
- Let all the flavors settle either overnight or for a couple of hours before baking them.
- Make small balls by using a table spoon to scoop them up. Once you have placed them on the sheet, gently press them down a bit.
- Bake on one side for 7-8 minutes, flip over and bake for another 7-8 minutes. Should look dark on each side.
- Serve hot with fresh lemon or if you are using these for Greek-themed meal prep, let them fully cool down before putting them into a Tupperware.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition:
- Per Serving: 4
- Fat: 18g
- Calories:288
