How to Rehydrate TVP

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TVP stands for Textured Vegetable Protein and it’s a vegan meat substitute. In this recipe you'll learn how to rehydrate it and make it taste good.

Prep Time2

Cook Time15

Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: international, Mexican vegan, vegan, vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 78kcal

Bring the water, vegetable bouillon powder, bay leaf, garlic cloves and one small piece of white onion, to a boil.
Once boiling carefully pour the TVP crumbles into the hot water and give the ingredients a stir.
Turn off the heat or you can also remove the pot form the heat. Cover the pot with a lid if desired. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
Check to see that the TVP is hydrated and nearly all of the broth has been absorbed. It will have doubled in size and have a spongy texture.
Once it’s cooled enough to handle, squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
Now you’re ready to cook it in any of your favorite dishes. This makes almost 2 cups of hydrated TVP.

*Please note that nutritional may depend on how much TVP you use.

Please note that instead of water and bouillon powder you may use vegetable broth. Or if wanting more of a beefy flavor use vegan beef bouillon.

Another ingredient you could add is soy sauce to give the TVP more of an umami flavor. Some people also use mushroom powder. It's up to you.

For the microwave instructions I used 1 cup of thin filet-like slices of TVP.

Place 1¾ cups of water, 1 teaspoon of vegetable bouillon powder, 1 bay leaf, 2 garlic cloves and one small piece of white onion, in a microwave safe container. Mix well then pour in the TVP filets.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Carefully give the TVP a good stir and check how well it’s rehydrating. If it’s not softening up then microwave 2 more minutes then check again. After 4 minutes you can leave on the counter to finish hydrating and to cool.
Squeeze out any excess broth, discard the broth and spices. Use the TVP as desired.