Meat & poultry
Vegan alternative to chicken: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace chicken with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Seitan (chewy, high protein, roasts and schnitzel).
- Ratio: 1:1 by weight.
- Pro tip: Marinate for at least an hour with salt, umami (soy, miso) and a little fat — plant proteins take on flavour in a way whole muscle never does.
- 4 tested vegan alternatives to chicken in total.
Why chicken isn't vegan
Poultry raised and slaughtered for meat.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Seitan | Chewy, high protein, roasts and schnitzel |
| Jackfruit (young, in brine) | Pulled texture for tacos and pies |
| Soy curls / TVP chunks | Stir-fries and curries |
| Firm tofu, pressed and marinated | Everyday protein |
How to substitute chicken, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Seitan — chewy, high protein, roasts and schnitzel. If you need a different texture, Jackfruit (young, in brine) works for pulled texture for tacos and pies.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1 by weight. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing chicken.
- 3
Adjust the method
Marinate for at least an hour with salt, umami (soy, miso) and a little fat — plant proteins take on flavour in a way whole muscle never does.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than chicken. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures chicken by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: Marinate for at least an hour with salt, umami (soy, miso) and a little fat — plant proteins take on flavour in a way whole muscle never does.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1 by weight.
Pro tip
Marinate for at least an hour with salt, umami (soy, miso) and a little fat — plant proteins take on flavour in a way whole muscle never does.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to chicken?
- Seitan is the closest all-round swap — chewy, high protein, roasts and schnitzel. 1:1 by weight.
- Why isn't chicken vegan?
- Poultry raised and slaughtered for meat.
- How much do I use instead of chicken?
- 1:1 by weight.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- Marinate for at least an hour with salt, umami (soy, miso) and a little fat — plant proteins take on flavour in a way whole muscle never does.
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