The 22 BEST Vegan Soy Curls Recipes

Why Soy Curls Are Amazing

Soy curls are a favorite for so many reasons. They are:

• easy to prepare
• have a long shelf life
• are an excellent meat substitute
• gluten-free and made from real food
• so versatile because they take on the flavors of whatever seasonings and sauces you throw at them

When I'm worn out after a day of work and there's almost nothing in the fridge, I turn to a bag of Butler Foods' Soy Curls; after reading this post, I have a feeling you will, too.

Whether you're looking for a convincing vegan "chicken" salad or you have a hankering for vegan fried chicken but don't want all the heavily processed, artificial junk the frozen aisle offers, these soy curls recipes hold the easy answer.

What are soy curls and how are they made? 

To make these delightful bites of cruelty-free meat-like yumminess, soybeans are slowly cooked and broken into strands, then dehydrated as strips (or curls, as it were) of soy protein. If you're not impressed yet, keep reading.

Unlike other vegan meat substitutes, soy curls are made out of whole, non-GMO soybeans, meaning they keep all of the fiber and protein intact. And unlike those "chick'n" products you find in the frozen aisle, there are no added chemicals, artificial ingredients, or added fat in soy curls.

What do they taste like?

Much like other soy products - I'm looking at you, tofu - soy curls don't taste like a whole lot on their own. But don't be scared off by the idea of bland food; these little bad boys will soak up flavor like sponges.

After rehydrating, the soy curls take on a chewy consistency that makes them a dead ringer for pulled or sliced meats. So whether you're looking to eat vegan versions of Mongolian beef or spicy fajitas, barbecue pork, or buffalo chicken, these magical plant-based bites are here for you.

Are soy curls healthy? 

In short, the answer is YES. Soy curls can be included in a healthy vegan diet.

As I mentioned above, soy curls are not like those faux meats made out of heavily processed soy protein isolates. Rather, Butler Foods uses just one ingredient to make soy curls - whole, certified non-GMO soybeans.

Butler Foods also states on their website that no chemical pesticides are used for growing their soybeans - that in and of itself is a health miracle considering the havoc pesticides wreak on our bodies!

While they are technically processed, the processing is quite minimal. Soybeans are cooked low and slow, separated into strands, and then dehydrated before packaging.

Unlike soy protein isolates, using whole soybeans means the curls keep all the fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and isoflavones naturally present in edamame. They also contain an impressive 10 grams of protein per serving.

If you are still on the fence, even Harvard states that "Soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week, and is likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat."

Where To Buy

If you are interested in buying some you can get them on Amazon, directly from the Butler Foods website, or from certain health food stores.

In case you're worried about your food budget, you should know that each 8oz bag contains 8 servings. This means each serving costs about a buck. As someone who believes in the nutritional power of eating real, whole foods, these pieces of dry soy "meat" are worth every penny!

Uses

The best thing about soy curls is their meaty texture; they can replace most types of meat in a variety of dishes! So whether you have a vegan hankering for beef, chicken, or pork, these yummy nuggets have you covered.

They soak up flavors really well, so I recommend using them with sauces. Buffalo, barbecue, Thai or Indian curry - the options are only limited by your imagination.

Try them in:

• tacos
• enchiladas
• burritos
• wraps
• sandwiches
• grain bowls
• pasta
• salads
• soups and stews
• THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS!

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