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    Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles with TVP

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles with TVP are the perfect addition to favorite savory plant-based recipes like chili, pasta sauce, pizza, and more. Super easy to make, a good source of protein, fat-free, and a great meat replacement for plant-based recipes.

    vegan italian sausage crumbles in white frying pan with wooden spoon.

    If you’ve been craving the taste of Italian sausage in your favorite savory meals then you are going to love these crumbles.

    These vegan Italian sausage crumbles are the perfect addition to plant-based recipes like chili, pasta sauce, pizza, gravy, and more. They’re fat-free, high in protein, and gluten-free. And, you won’t believe how simple this recipe is to make.

    Textured Vegetable Protein is combined with a mix of herbs and spices like ground fennel seeds, sage, and thyme. Then simply rehydrated and briefly fried in a nonstick skillet.

    It’s hard enough going vegan. But, making the decision to adopt a whole-foods plant-based diet can feel a bit daunting. That’s why I think it’s important to have what I like to call “sane foods” to help the transition.

    And, these vegan Italian sausage crumbles are one of the sanest foods you can incorporate into your life. But, be prepared for controversy because you have some who say TVP is healthy and some who like it’s the antichrist.

    Me, personally? I love them but I ain’t going to war. Because on more than one occasion in my 10 years of being vegan, they’ve brought me great comfort and kept me from falling off the proverbial veggie wagon.

    Whether it was making veggie sausage crumbles to use as a killer vegan pizza topping, delicious vegan bacon bits, or a ground meat substitute for a hearty bolognese sauce, I believe it’s one of the healthier and best vegan meat alternatives you could use.

    If you’re still on the fence about TVP check out this Q & A video from one of my plant-based heroes, Dr. Michael Klaper.

    TVP in glass jar.

    Table of Contents

    • What Is Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • How To Make Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles
    • Tips and Suggestions
    • Why You Will Love TVP Sausage Crumbles
    • More Vegan Recipes You Will Enjoy
    • Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles with TVP

    What Is Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)

    Despite the name, TVP is usually made from soybeans rather than vegetables. It’s produced during the process of making soybean oil.

    Once the oil is removed from the soybeans a paste that is high in protein and fat-free is left behind. This paste is pushed through a hot nozzle, forms tiny little pieces, and is then dehydrated.

    I know, I know. Dehydrated soy paste doesn’t sound all that appetizing. But, trust me, rehydrated TVP is super versatile and you can do some pretty amazing things with it.

    If you are looking for a plant-based alternative to meat without all the fat and cholesterol textured vegetable protein is a great substitute.

    TVP is a great source of protein, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

    It’s also loaded with TVP is loaded with copper, which is a mineral that plays a vital role in iron metabolism and brain health. It’s also super cheap so there’s that.

    TVP in saucepan.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    TVP is very inexpensive and you can usually find it in your local grocery store. If not, there are several links throughout this post that will allow you to purchase it.

    • TVP: Textured vegetable protein.
    • Dry Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, ground sage, ground fennel, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
    • Nutritional Yeast: I like the nutty depth this adds to the recipe not to mention the B vitamins.
    • Soy Sauce: Be sure and use a low-sodium soy sauce. Bragg’s Liquid Aminos is also a great option.
    • Maple Syrup: I like just a hint of sweetness to offset the spice. But, if you prefer things more savory you can leave it out.
    • Liquid Smoke: Obvious. It dds a rich smoky depth of flavor.
    • Blackstrap Molasses: This is primarily for color but I feel it also adds an earthy essence as well.
    vegan italian sausage in frying pan.

    How To Make Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles

    Vegan sausage crumbles are such a quick and easy recipe. It’s low-fat, a healthy plant protein, and perfect for adding to spaghetti sauce, vegan breakfast burritos, or making a delicious vegan sausage pizza. It’s easy as adding a handful of spices to some hot water…almost.

    Ready? Let’s do it!

    1. Start by heating a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
    2. In a small saucepan add all of the wet ingredients and bring to a boil.
    3. While waiting for the water to boil, add the TVP with all of the other dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix together until well combined.
    4. Pour the boiling water into the dry TVP mixture, and stir until everything is completely mixed. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so all of the water can be absorbed. There may be a little moisture in the bottom of the pan but it will cook off once you add the mixture to the frying pan.
    5. Pour the TVP crumbles into the frying pan, stirring occasionally, and cook until most of the moisture is gone. Usually about 2-3 minutes. The mixture will be more “chewy” like sausage and not crisp.
    6. Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed.
    7. Serve right away or store in an airtight container for later use.

    That’s it! Delicious meatless Italian sausage crumbles even your non-vegan friends and family will love.

    veggie sausage crumbles on baking sheet with two spoons.

    Tips and Suggestions

    • If you prefer a crunchier texture you can bake the crumbles after cooking on the stovetop. Preheat your oven to 425˚F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the crumbles out evenly, and bake for 15-20 minutes until crunchy.
    • Use low-sodium tamari sauce to make this recipe gluten free.
    • Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Why You Will Love TVP Sausage Crumbles

    • Fat-free and low in calories
    • A good source of protein
    • Full of Italian herbs and fragrant flavors
    • Super easy to make
    • The perfect addition to your favorite vegan Italian dishes
    • ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
    veggie sausage crumbles on wooden spoon.

    More Vegan Recipes You Will Enjoy

    • Spicy Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties
    • Vegan Apple Crumble
    • Easy Vegan Bacon Bits
    • Best Healthy Substitutes For Cream Cheese (Vegan)
    • Best Vegan BBQ Sandwich

    I hope you enjoy these vegan Italian sausage crumbles. Please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!

    Print
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    Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles with TVP

    ★★★★★ 5 from 14 reviews
    • Author: Shane Martin
    • Prep Time: 10 mins.
    • Cook Time: 5 mins.
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Vegan Side Dish Recipes
    • Method: Boil
    • Cuisine: Vegan
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles are so easy to make and a great meat replacement for certain plant-based recipes. Made with Textured Vegetable Protein along with a mix of herbs and spices like ground fennel seeds, sage, thyme, and more, these veggie crumbles are the perfect addition to favorite savory plant-based recipes like chili, pasta sauce, pizza, and more. Low-fat, high in protein, and gluten-free.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Wet Ingredients

    • 1 cup of water
    • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or 2 ½ tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
    • ½ teaspoon blackstrap molasses (may be omitted, used primarily for color)

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 cup TVP (textured vegetable protein)
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • 1 teaspoon ground fennel
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
    • salt to taste if needed

    Instructions

    1. Start by heating a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
    2. In a small saucepan add all of the wet ingredients and bring to a boil.
    3. While waiting for the water to boil, add the TVP with all of the other dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix together until well combined.
    4. Pour the boiling water into the dry TVP mixture, and stir until everything is completely mixed. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so all of the water can be absorbed. There may be a little moisture in the bottom of the pan but it will cook off once you add the mixture to the frying pan.
    5. Pour the TVP crumbles into the frying pan, stirring occasionally, and cook until most of the moisture is gone. Usually about 2-3 minutes. The mixture will be more “chewy” like sausage and not crisp.
    6. Taste and adjust any seasonings as needed.

    7. Serve right away or store in an airtight container for later use.

    Equipment

    TVP

    Buy Now →

    Parchment Paper

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    Spatulas

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    Nonstick Skillet

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    Baking Sheet

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    If you prefer a crunchier texture you can bake the crumbles after cooking on the stovetop. Preheat your oven to 425˚F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the crumbles out evenly, and bake for 15-20 minutes until crunchy.

    To make these completely gluten-free use low-sodium tamari sauce.

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ cup
    • Calories: 62
    • Sugar: 2.5 g
    • Sodium: 220.8 mg
    • Fat: 0.1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 7.1 g
    • Fiber: 3 g
    • Protein: 7.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: tvp, textured vegetable protein, veggie sausage crumbles, vegan italian sausage crumbles, vegan sausage crumbles

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gail

      October 15, 2023 at 2:39 pm

      This sausage is so good. I’ve used it for biscuits/gravy, in my spaghetti sauce and on pizza. Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Zane

      September 10, 2023 at 5:15 pm

      We make this recipe all the time for homemade lasagna and pizza. I often double it and freeze half because I love to have the crumbles on hand ready to go. It’s easy to make and makes the house smell fantastic!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Gail

      August 27, 2023 at 10:34 am

      Excellent recipe. Simple and oh so tasty! Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Vicki

      June 21, 2023 at 7:44 pm

      One of the things my granddaughter misses is Italian sausage. We have tried numerous recipes and they were off the mark. I tried this one (used Just Like Chicken TVP which is in larger “slices”) and WOW! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        June 22, 2023 at 2:16 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Laura J

      April 07, 2023 at 9:56 pm

      Super tasty!! I made it exactly as written, and put it on biscuits and gravy (both vegan) for dinner. Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Frank

      December 14, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Having high hopes for this recipe. I have failed with tvp before, I have not used your recipes yet. I see from the comments there’s a breakfast sausage recipe. Looking that up next. I love “sausage” gravy and biscuits. Almond flour and almond milk work great, I’d like some crumbled sausage texture.

      Thanks Shane!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Laura H

      August 31, 2022 at 7:18 pm

      This is a fabulous recipe! My carnivore husband even said it was “very tasty.” Thanks Shane!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Sheila

      August 21, 2022 at 7:06 pm

      This is very good. Next time I do spaghetti or lasagna I will add this.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Danielle Goodrich

      June 10, 2022 at 1:12 pm

      Absolutely spectacular!!! What are your thoughts on putting this into a lasagna and baking it? Do you think it would change the texture at all?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        June 10, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        I think that would be a splendid idea:)

        Reply
    10. Pam in Sacramento

      January 29, 2022 at 9:58 pm

      Very tasty. Served it with wfpb marinara and pasta for dinner. Hubby said “make this again!”
      First time ever using TVP, which I previously found intimidating (don’t know why — LOL). Even though I left out the salt, it was a bit salty for my taste, so I will use less tamari next time. And there WILL be a next time. Now, I need to try the breakfast sausage crumbles.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Charlene Streeter

      December 01, 2021 at 1:50 am

      I haven’t made this yet but I will. I made your spicy breakfast sausage and it is amazing so I’m sure this will be too. Love your recipe’s. Thank you for sharing.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Rose_Anne

      October 23, 2021 at 9:50 am

      Sublime, Shane. Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Iris Wilson

      October 21, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      After having made your vegan bacon bits I knew I had to give this a try. I made it tonight and you’ve done it again. So easy and delicious! It made a huge difference to our wfpb spaghetti with marinara sauce tonight. Thanks for sharing your great recipes with everyone!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        October 22, 2021 at 10:45 am

        Thank you!!!

        Reply
    14. Vivian

      October 21, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      Can this be frozen to use later. Haven’t tried this one yet. But love every recipe I have tried of yours.

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        October 22, 2021 at 10:46 am

        Hi, Vivian! I supposed you could although I make it in such a small quantity and eat it over several days. It usually doesn’t last long.

        Reply
    15. Shane Martin

      October 20, 2021 at 11:40 am

      Vegan Italian Sausage Crumbles with TVP are the perfect addition to favorite savory plant-based recipes like chili, pasta sauce, pizza, and more. Super easy to make, a good source of protein, fat-free, and a great meat replacement for plant-based recipes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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