19 Vegan Soy Curl Recipes + FAQs

Have you seen recipes that call for soy curls and thought, "What the heck are soy curls?" Well, you're not alone! There's a reason this unique meat substitute remains mysterious to most of us, even though they've been around for decades.

This article will hopefully answer all of your questions, like where to buy soy curls, how they're made, and how to store and use them. Plus, I've rounded up 19 fantastic vegan soy curl recipes that prove soy curls are the versatile, 1-ingredient meat replacement you need in your plant-based kitchen.

What are soy curls?

Soy curls are a unique and healthy, 1-ingredient meat substitute made by family-owned, Oregon-based company Butler Foods.

Unfortunately, Butler soy curls aren't widely distributed to grocery stores, but don't let unfamiliarity keep you from trying this amazing vegan meat replacement!

Soy curls are made from just one ingredient, whole, non-GMO soybeans. This makes them unique in the world of meat replacements, since most soy-based meats are made from isolated parts of the bean (as well as a lot of additives, usually).

The whole soybeans are slowly cooked, then textured and processed by special extruder that shapes them into strands (I like to picture a Willy Wonka-type environment for vegan meat).

The soybean strips are then dehydrated and packaged, giving them an extended shelf life.

Where to Buy Soy Curls

The best way to buy soy curls is by ordering online. You can order directly from the Butler Foods website. They are sold in 8-ounce packages, and for soy curl super fans, there's even a 12 pound bulk package (pictured below)!

Soy curls are also available on Amazon in a variety of package sizes (the 6-pack is usually the best deal).

According to the Butler Foods website, soy curls are available in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Even here in the U.S., locating soy curls can seem tricky because they're not distributed to grocery stores. Your local co-op or health food store might carry them, but there's no guarantee.

Soy Curls vs TVP

Soy curls and textured vegetable protein (TVP) seem very similar at first glance. Both are dried and made from soybeans. The main difference is in the way the two products are made.

Soy curls are made from whole soybeans which means they contain all of the fiber, protein, and nutrients of the bean. TVP, on the other hand, is made from defatted soybeans, which is really just a more attractive way to explain that it is the byproduct of soybean oil production.

While less fat might sound like a good thing, and sometimes it is, soybeans are rich in healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, the type of fat we want in our vegan diets.

From a health perspective, soy curls are considered a "whole food" and are less processed than TVP.

Soy curls and TVP also differ in shape and size. If you were to grind up soy curls and add them to a recipe, visually and texturally they will seem similar to TVP.

What do soy curls taste like?

Dry soy curls straight from the bag are pretty much flavorless. So think of soy curls like you would tofu or tempeh, a blank slate for flavor.

Depending on how you plan to use them, you can begin building flavor right from the start when rehydrating the soy curls.

Since soy curls are dehydrated, they're basically a sponge ready to soak up your favorite seasonings and spices.

Instead of rehydrating soy curls in water as stated on the package, you may want to use a rich vegetable broth or mushroom broth.

You can also simply add a few dashes of salt and seasonings to the water. Keep in mind that for some recipes you won't need to rehydrate the soy curls. More on this below.

Tip: Always out of vegetable broth when you need it? Try this Homemade Vegan Chicken Broth Powder. Use it to rehydrate soy curls for maximum flavor!

How to Use Butler Soy Curls

Since soy curls are dried they are great at soaking up flavors. When rehydrated, soy curls have a striated appearance and chewiness similar to chicken. This similarity makes them incredibly useful in a variety of dishes.

Soy curls are great for quick dinners because unlike tofu, there's no pressing involved. Simply rehydrate the soy curls in water or broth for about 10 minutes, then squeeze out the excess liquid and add them to a saute or stir fry.

Sometimes you may not need to rehydrate soy curls before using them in a recipe. For example, in this bacon bits recipe a minimal amount of liquid is added so the soy curls get nice and crispy.

And in this lentil curry, the soy curls go into the pot dry and soak up all the delicious coconut curry flavor during cooking.

You can also chop or pulse rehydrated soy curls in a food processor for a ground meat texture. The taco meat recipe below is a perfect example of how much soy curls can resemble ground meat in both mouthfeel and appearance.

Soy curls can also be added to a pot or pressure cooker while cooking grains, like in this millet recipe, and added whole or chopped to chili, stews, and soups.

Are soy curls healthy?

Yes, soy curls are considered a healthy, whole-food source of many important nutrients. It's also important to note, Butler Foods sources its non-GMO soybeans from a family farm that does not use chemical pesticides.

Soy Curls Nutrition

One serving of soy curls contains:

• 120 calories
• 11 grams protein
• 8 grams carbohydrate
• 6 grams fiber
• Omega-3 fats
• No trans fats or preservatives

Ready to start cooking? Check out these 19 tasty soy curl recipes!

5. Soy Curl Ground "Beef"

Made with healthy, whole-food ingredients, this oil-free, gluten-free beef substitute is perfect for everything from stuffed peppers to spaghetti!

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Isn't it incredible how versatile soy curls are? Their meaty texture and neutral flavor are perfect for so many vegan recipes.

Have other questions about Butler soy curls?

Let us know in the comments below, and if you try any of these amazing soy curl recipes be sure to let us know!

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