Plastic Free Proteins Series: Soy Curls, TVP and TSP

What are Soy Curls?

It is next to impossible to find a meat substitute that isn't packaged in plastic! That's why I was so excited to find out you can get soy curls in bulk here in Portland!

I first came across them at Los Gorditos in SE Portland. Their texture is similar to pulled chicken. The first time I ate there I almost sent my vegan burrito back, positive they had given me the wrong one. But no, there was no chicken, just soy curls.

Soy Curls are a delicious variation on TVP (textured vegetable protein) and TSP (textured soy protein) made by Butler Foods, a company based out of Grand Ronde, Oregon. The founders, after living many years in Africa, are now dedicated to alleviating starvation and famine by encouraging plant based diets. Their products are also strictly non-GMO. They're good people, and worth checking out. Here's an article the Oregonian ran on them a few years back.

Many stores in Portland sell soy curls packaged in plastic in their natural foods section.  However, you can buy soy curls in bulk from the People's Coop. Whole Foods used to sell soy curls in their bulk section, but had to take it off their shelves because not enough people were buying it. I suspect that's because not enough people know how amazing they are. Maybe as more folks find out what a great product this is, more stores will start carrying soy curls in bulk.

What do you do with Soy Curls?

2 cups Soy Curls

Enough water to cover Soy Curls

1 tablespoon Mustard

2-3 tablespoons Soy Sauce

hint of Liquid Smoke

Salt to taste

Lemon Juice to taste (optional)
Coconut Oil

Reconstituting Soy Curls

Soy curls are just as easy to cook as TVP and TSP. This recipe will work for any of those. When you buy soy curls they are dehydrated, and you'll have to reconstitute them before you can add them to any delicious dish. I usually put them in a sauce pan with a little bit of water and add a bit of flavoring. They don't have much flavor themselves. I usually add mustard, soy sauce, a shot of liquid smoke, and some salt. If you have lemon juice a hint of that can be nice, too. Like most alternative meats, it's important to add a fat to it. Since I know I'm going to be adding it to a stir fry, I want to use a high heat oil. In this case, I chose coconut oil but any high heat oil will do. Add a tablespoon or two to the mix. By the time the water boils off the soy curls should be soft and juicy and ready to add to any meal.

Veggies and Soy Curls Stir Fry:

Reconstituted Soy Curls
Purple Cabbage
Green Cabbage Leaves
Onions
High Heat Oil
Salt

Soy Curl Stir Fry

Chop onions how ever you chose and add to hot oil in a pan. After the onions have cooked a little bit, add your chopped cabbage. Allow to cook a few minutes, then add the soy curls and salt and pepper to taste. This delicious dish is great over rice, in a tortilla or even in a sandwich. Enjoy!

Plastic Free Local Shopping List:

Bulk Soy Curls at the People's Coop

People's Coop:

Bulk Soy Curls* 6.66/lb

Bulk Soy Sauce 3.99/lb

Purple Cabbage 1.99/lb

New Seasons/Fred Meyers:

Liquid Smoke 2.39/ 3.5 oz

Salt 0.99/lb

Coconut Oil** 10/pint?

Mustard 3.99/ 9 oz
Safflower Oil 8.99/740 ml

Back Yard
Green Cabbage Leaves***

 Back Yard Cabbage

*Soy curls are a bit more expensive than TVP or TSP. They really are a better product, though. I find that if I buy about a pound of soy curls at the beginning of the month, they last me the whole way through. It turns out a pound of dried soy curls is quite a bit.

** It's been so long since I bought my coconut oil, I don't even have a record of how much it cost. I loosely remember it being around $10/pint.

*** I didn't plant a lot for our winter garden this year, but we do still have some cabbage that's trucking along.  So I continue to nibble off of them.