Meat-Free Fast-Food Copycat Recipes

Buckwheat Queen

When you go vegetarian, you may feel like you have to give up all of your favorite guilty pleasure foods. Crispy nuggets, burgers, and chili fries all sound meat-heavy, but they don't have to be. We've rounded up over a dozen meat-free recipes that are copycats of our favorite fast food dishes. Buffalo tempeh tenders, kung pao cauliflower, and lentil tacos are just a few of these plant-based dishes that are so tasty, you might not know you're not eating the drive-thru original.

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"Heartbeet" Vegetable Burgers

Linda T

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Sweet potatoes and quinoa are the base for these veggie-filled burgers. Red beets add an earthy flavor and a bright red color.

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Tofu Nuggets with Maple-Mustard Dipping Sauce

Allrecipes Magazine

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Extra crunchy baked tofu is perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces, tucking into sandwiches, or tossing onto salads.

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Lentil Tacos

Buckwheat Queen

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Hearty brown lentils take the place of ground beef in these crispy tacos. Load them up with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

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Tofu 'Fish' Fillet Sandwiches

CookinBug

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Breadcrumbs seasoned with kelp powder and other spices are the key to this fishy tasting tofu sandwich. Just make sure you press the tofu well to avoid a soggy bun.

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Buffalo Tempeh Tenders

Buckwheat Queen

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Tempeh, tofu's nutty tasting cousin, stands in for chicken in these tasty tenders. Serve with a side of celery sticks, ranch, and blue cheese dressing.

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Vegetarian Sliders

Yoly

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While traditional sliders would have a burger patty inside, this vegetarian version takes an Italian spin on the dish and layers mozzarella, tomatoes, and marinara.

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Black Bean and Avocado Burritos

Soup Loving Nicole

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Avocados, black beans, and corn combine for a refreshing burrito filling. To make it a breakfast burrito, recipe creator CatFan suggests adding a cooked egg before rolling up the tortilla.

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Tempeh Gyros

AllrecipesPhoto

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You'll get a double dose of tofu in this plant-based recipe. Tempeh stands in for gyro meat, and tofu is the base for the creamy tzatziki sauce.

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Vegan Chili Cheese Fries

Buckwheat Queen

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This recipe is a lighter version of the diner classic chili cheese fries. The potatoes are cooked in the air fryer, beans are the base for the chili, and a dairy-free cheese sauce perfects the dish.

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Fabulous Zucchini Grinders

CookinBug

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"Wonderful recipe," says reviewer LRIGREM. "I think this would be a hit with most kids, too."

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Kung Pao Cauliflower

Soup Loving Nicole

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Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth to make this takeout-inspired dish veggie-friendly. Pair with some fried rice or lo mein for a complete meal.

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Grilled Tofu Sandwich Filling

bd.weld

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Recipe creator Heather suggests marinating your tofu in BBQ sauce for a hearty sandwich filling. Pair with your favorite coleslaw on a bun and you'll have a satisfying meal.

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Brown Rice Bean Burrito Bowl

thetuna23

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"This was so simple it was ridiculous. And ridiculously good," says user Maggie Tidwell.

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These Meat-Free Fast-Food Copycats Are So Good They'll Fool You

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"Heartbeet" Vegetable Burgers

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Tofu Nuggets with Maple-Mustard Dipping Sauce

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Lentil Tacos

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Tofu 'Fish' Fillet Sandwiches

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Buffalo Tempeh Tenders

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Vegetarian Sliders

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Black Bean and Avocado Burritos

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Tempeh Gyros

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Vegan Chili Cheese Fries

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Fabulous Zucchini Grinders

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Kung Pao Cauliflower

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Grilled Tofu Sandwich Filling

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Brown Rice Bean Burrito Bowl

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