On this blog, I’ve shared that one of my strategies to manage lymphedema has been a whole foods plant-based (vegan) diet. But I know it can be hard to transition, and you don’t want to feel like you are having to “diet” or eat foods you don’t like. I have good news: if you’re trying to eat more plant-based meals, then a product called Butler Soy Curls will change your life!
I know that sounds crazy. When I first read about soy curls. I saw an Amazon review that said just that. It changed someone’s life. Right, my husband and I laughed. But we ordered this and discovered this gentleman was absolutely right!
What Can Replace Meat in Plant-Based Diets?
I was vegetarian for years before turning vegan, but even with that, I still love the idea of meat replacements. It’s filling and absorbs the flavor of what you are cooking. There are many great-tasting meat replacement products, but most are expensive and contain a lot of added fat. Many are vegan junk food, really. Plus, they usually must be kept refrigerated and can have a short shelf life.
Of course, tofu and tempeh are great options. They are very healthy, and if cooked properly, can taste great. But it usually times time to cook them right so they taste good. Press the tofu, pre-boil the tempeh, and deal with everything sticking to the pan if you’re oil-free….yikes, it takes a lot of time.
Why These are a Game Changer for Eating Healthy
That’s why this Soy Curl product is fantastic. Here are the reasons this vegan meat replacement WILL change your life as a plant-based healthy eater (or if you’re striving to just eat better).
- They are Very Healthy. They have one single healthy plant-based ingredient: non-GMO soybeans. That makes soy curls very close to a whole food. Also the company notes the soybeans are grown without pesticides. I subscribe to the Michael Greger/Colin Campbell school of eating whole, plant-based foods. So the less processed, the better. These fit the bill.
- Soy Curls Taste Great! They cook up like white meat chicken. If you’ve ever spent time in Asia, you’ve probably marveled at the fake meats they can concoct there. These are even better! We’ve served them in “chicken” tacos for carnivorous friends who love them. Their texture is spot on.
- Fast and Easy! This is key, they are quick to prepare. ..REALLY fast. Soy curls are one of the easiest and fastest plant-based meat replacements to cook with. Unlike tofu or tempeh, soy curls only require a quick soak in hot water before you can cook them up in any dish you like. They take on the flavor of whatever sauce or marinade you choose to use, making them incredibly versatile.
- Long Shelf Life in your Pantry. They are easily stored, so you can buy them in bulk and keep them on hand. They are dehydrated, so no refrigeration is required until you prepare them. Attention those who spend time in RVs or camping: these are for you! Our lives have been made easy knowing we always have these in the pantry. Once you cook them, they do require refrigeration, but otherwise, they are so flexible.
- Soy Curls are Cheap! You would think you would have to pay up for such a great product, but that’s not the case. These soy curls are generally inexpensive. Since they are dehydrated, they will expand, so you don’t need to use much. An 8 oz bag of Butler soy curls costs somewhere between $6 to $9, less as you buy higher quantities. The 8 ounces rehydrates into over 1.5 lbs of “meat.” That’s much cheaper than other plant-based meat replacements, which are often $5+ for one or two meals. Plus, once you know you like them, you can buy them in bulk for a better price.
- Even the Powder is Useful. When you buy these, you’ll usually find that some get damaged during shipping or while they are sitting on a grocer’s shelf. Fortunately we discovered the powdery remains of damaged soy curls makes a perfect thickener for many things such as curries or sauces. So in our house there’s zero waste.
What is the Nutritional Profile of Soy Curls?
They are low in fat and calories but high in protein and fiber. A serving of Butler Soy Curls has only 130 calories but packs a whopping 11 grams of protein and four grams of fiber. They’re also low in fat, with just one gram per serving. They are also really filling.
How do you Prepare This Product?
Soak soy curls in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess water. Cook in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until slightly crispy. We are oil-free, so we don’t use oil in cooking. The soy curls don’t require oil (when using a nonstick ceramic pan) and still taste incredible!
Should You Marinade Soy Curls Before Use?
You can, but you don’t need to. If you have time, try marinating your soy curls before cooking them. This helps to add flavor and make them even more tender. Simply soak soy curls in your desired marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours if you have the time. Then cook as usual.
What Do Soy Curls Taste Like?
Soy curls have a great, white meat chicken style of texture. Then they have very little taste. That’s actually ideal as they will soak up whatever flavor you add to them. That’s what makes them superbly adaptable. Whether you’re cooking Mexican, Asian or BBQ they will make sure you don’t miss the meat! And you’ll feel good after eating, since they don’t have the excess fat and calories of real meat.
What is the Texture?
The texture of soy curls is very similar to that of white meat chicken, making them a great substitution. But cooked different ways, they can make a pleasing alternative to many different ingredients, such as beef, pork or sausage. Think of these as your blank canvas…they will soak up whatever flavors you choose to add.
How Do You Cook with this Product?
This is an excellent question with an easy answer: anywhere you might use chicken, pork or beef, you can substitute these easily. Here are a few ways we have used Butler soy curls, but the possibilities are endless.
Recipes for Butler Soy Curls
This product is super easy to cook with, and you can basically substitute for almost any type of meat in any recipe. Fortunately there are many vegans out there who are talented chefs, so you can find many great soy curls recipes if you look around. Here are some easy ideas to get you started.
Soy Curl Taco Filling
We just marinade with garlic, black pepper, cumin and fennel and then dry fry on a nonstick ceramic pan. You can also add some veggie broth and some crushed red pepper for heat.
Soy Curl Curry
Soy curls are fantastic in any curry dish. We use Mae Ploy Yellow Curry Paste which is vegan and wonderful. You can add fresh garlic and ginger to make it even better and healthier. We use soymilk instead of coconut and thicken with the powder you’ll find in the soy curls packet or some ground-up oatmeal. It is tasty and way lower in fat than using coconut milk. Add veggies and soy curls and serve with rice, udon or rice noodles, and you will have an easy dish that rivals or exceeds most American Thai restaurant meals.
General Tso’s Soy Curls
You can replace these in a General Tso recipe, and they taste great. Really, you can use these in any Asian dish. Kung pao, orange chicken, etc. Totally flexible.
Pita Filling
Pitas loaded with hummus, sweet potatoes, onion, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce and sweet chili sauce is a lunch staple in our house. We just make a batch of soy curls as additional filling, which you can prepare with really any type of seasoning.
Can Soy Curls replace Meat in Almost any Recipe?
Yes! Their texture is like white meat chicken, but they taste great, so you can use them in almost everything. We’ve even used them in pasta sauce, on pizza seasoned like sausage and in fake chicken salad sandwiches. They are versatile.
Are Butler Soy Curls healthy?
Yes! Butler Soy Curls are amazing. Basically, you are eating whole soy, which despite the claims, is a food that can help you stay healthy and even avoid losing hair. So these are a great clean source of plant protein. They are also very high in fiber.
What’s the Difference between These and other Dried Soy Products?
We are frequently on the other side of the world (New Zealand etc.), and soy curls are unavailable there. But we can buy “soya chunks,” which are dried processed soy. Those are okay but not even close in texture or taste to soy curls. Plus, those are processed, and there’s not a lot of information on how they are made, so I don’t feel as good about eating them.
What’s the Difference between Soy Curls and other Vegan Meat Products?
There’s an increasing number of tasty products that look and taste alot like meat. There are many replacements for beef such as Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger, but also Tofurky and other brands have chicken replacements. So how do soy curls compare? To me, they taste far better. But there’s many other reasons they are superior. First, they are far less processed, with only one ingredient: organic soy. The other products have a fair amount of added fat and oil, so soy curls are lower in calories and have the benefit of being very low in fat. And they are free of preservatives and other junky ingredients. Finally, they don’t require refrigeration and last a along time in your pantry, and are far cheaper. To me, there’s no comparison….soy curls are better in every way.
Are Soy Curls Processed?
No…and that is a huge advantage. There is only one ingredient: whole soy, so these are very close to a whole food. The soy is non-GMO as well. This food is high in plant-based protein and high in fiber. While there’s alot of misinformation out there about soy, if you read the actual evidence, it is a very healthy food. Soy is shown to help prevent cancer and replacing other less healthy forms of protein with soy is very beneficial. And because there’s no added fat, these are great for losing weight too.
Are Soy Curls Gluten-Free?
Yes! Since these are made with soy, there is no wheat or gluten involved. So these are a perfect addition to your gluten free diet.
Are Soy Curls similar to Tofu Skins?
No, they are actually quite different. These are similar to strips of white meat chicken. Plus while tofu skins are great, these are extremely fast and simple to prepare, with a consistent outcome.
Do Soy Curls Contain Hexane?
Fortunately they do not. Apparently some textured vegetable protein products do, but that’s where this product is exceptional. They are made from whole soy, not refined, and are additive and preservative free. So you don’t have to worry about chemicals in this food.
What is the Shelf Life?
This product is dried, so has a longer shelf life. That’s why it is such a convenient food, because you can leave it in the pantry and just grab some anytime you want without worrying about it expiring. Yes, it does expire eventually, but if you keep it in a cool, dry place it should last about six months, or possibly longer. Once cooked, they do need refrigeration. But even hydrated and cooked soy curls can last about 5 days in the refrigerator (or you can try freezing them for an even longer life).
As a Dried Product, why do Soy Curls Expire?
This product is dried…but it also presevative free. Without any added preservatives, yes it will spoil, but it does have a long shelf life (six months or more). But as a preservative free product you can feel better about eating regularly without the fear of added chemicals, so we believe that is a huge benefit. And, if you order too much and can’t get through it, consider freezing the remainder, as that can extend the shelf life.
Where can I buy Butler Soy Curls?
They do sell these at some health food stores, but I found out quickly that they often sell out. Or one time I bought 5 packages from one store and they all were quite broken up, maybe because they were on the shelf for awhile and overhandled. Now I either buy them on Amazon or directly from Butler Foods. Amazon is the most convenient for small orders and maybe because of the amount they sell, I find them in excellent shape. Because of their unique packaging and texture, there’s no issues with counterfeiting. I”m not sure vegan product counterfeiting is a thing…..not sure this part of the market is an attractive target to thieves. 🙂
Key Takeaway
Being vegan or even moving toward eating more plant-based does require more planning. This is where these soy curls excel…just having them in the pantry means you have an easy form of meat replacement on hand. Just pour some boiling water over them, let them soak a few minutes, and you’re ready to go.
They are ideal for anyone wanting to commit to a healthier diet but not ready to give up the foods you love either!
So if you’re vegan or trying to eat more plant-based meals, give Butler Soy Curls a try. You can usually find them at a local natural food store, Whole Foods or you can order them on Amazon. They very well may change your life too!
Buy Butler Soy Curls at Amazon.com
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