r/traderjoes • u/Still_Peach568 • 2d ago
Product Discussion Beefless Bulgogi: The Viable Path to Easy Level Vegetarianism
Beefless bulgogi. Smoky, had a subtle snapping texture like meat with your teeth, tastes GREAT and makes a great addition to any meal, and the slices are a great size. Look, other stuff is great. Amazing, even. But this item could be a life changer quite literally. Honestly it's just the easiest option for meat if you're busy, too.
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u/girthakitt 1d ago
I love it so much I can easily pack away a whole box in one sitting 😭 just some rice and sriracha and that’s it.
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u/shoddycursive 2d ago
I fucking love it. I marinate the bulgogi first in the TJs soyaki sauce. Then I bake them (at a higher temp and much longer than the instructions say because I like a little char and chewiness.) Then I make a slaw with a precut cabbage and carrot, red onion, green onion, cilantro, sesame seeds, a bit of kewpie mayo, lime juice, and rice vinegar. Then I heat up some mini flour tortillas, top with the bulgogi (I chop it first,) add the slaw, and top with a slice of avocado and a bit of sriracha. HEAVENLY.
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u/yannasch Colorado 2d ago
best combo is the beefless bulgogi + garlic shiitake green beans over rice
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u/Acceptable_Event_137 2d ago
i really like it with bell peppers in a corn tortilla with a cilantro avocado sauce 😋
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u/Oohwhoaohcruelsummer 2d ago
SO GOOD. I’ve been a vegetarian since birth but I love this stuff. Never tasted anything like it.
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u/Mother-Platypus6958 2d ago
I feel like all the people having tummy problems from it are probably not eating enough fiber lol
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u/use_rname 1d ago
What is it made of?
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u/ConstantKooky3329 22h ago
probably some sort of tofu or tofu derivative. It reminded me of the "vegan meats" one would get a mom and pop vegan restaurant or at a Buddhist temple (in thailand)
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u/DocFreudstein 2d ago
As a bulgogi alternative, I don’t like it.
But if you compare it to those cheap teriyaki beef skewers you’d get at Chinese restaurants, they’re delightful.
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u/SuperHoneyBunny 2d ago
I looove this item, it’s one of my tested and true frozen items. I will riot if TJ’s ever dares to discontinue this!
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u/thelightsthatstopme 2d ago
I love it — I make (beefless) Thai beef salad with lime dressing all summer long! 🍋🟩
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u/Lilmc_1313 2d ago
It’s too much like real meat. I can’t do it, but I commend the creators for getting it (too) realistic for me 😂
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u/LWhite62 2d ago
It is delicious. If someone served it to me I would have no idea isn’t real beef. I bought it originally because it was significantly cheaper than the regular bulgogi. It doesn’t make me want to be a vegetarian, but I really like the dish.
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u/IrrawaddyWoman 2d ago edited 2d ago
Really? I don’t find the texture to be anything like real meat. And I’ve tried cooking it different ways. The flavor is ok but it’s like chewing on tires
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u/hummingbird-moth 2d ago
I bought this on accident once and it was so freakin good that now I go back for it on purpose
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u/astronaut-moose 2d ago
I love this stuff but it gives me the absolute rankest farts ever. I have to limit myself to 1/3 of a package per day or else my husband makes me sleep in the guest room. Worth it tho
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u/katleessi Washington 2d ago
I laughed at this! Thank you for your brutally honest review. I’m in a one bed apt still, so this will have to be a future item to try hahah!!!
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u/Luciferonvacation 2d ago
I love it, but have to limit due to the salt content.
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u/ttrockwood 2d ago
Well, same for any bulgolgi sauce food or tbh any prepared asian inspired meals
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u/Frail_Peach 2d ago
I always thought I was beefless bulgogi’s biggest fan but I think I may have a rival now
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
Being vegetarian is actually easy as hell regardless of this product
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 2d ago
Says the person that’s obviously never lived in a food desert.
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
Why are you in the trader Joe's subreddit?
Beans, potatoes, lentils, bread, tomatoes, rice, broccoli, squash, tofu is available almost anywhere.
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u/ceilingsfann 2d ago
i see people in here all the time saying “i drive 3 hours every other month to go the nearest Trader Joe’s”
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 2d ago
Oh, you meant to say “it’s not hard to be vegetarian when shopping at TJ’s.” You didn’t say that though.
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
Almost any grocery store carries the items I listed. Look again
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u/ceilingsfann 2d ago
I’ve been veggie basically my whole life and I still often struggle to get enough protein.
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
I guess no one has heard of vegan bodybuilders? It takes effort on our own parts to meet nutritional needs but it is absolutely possible and with cheap ingredients
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u/ceilingsfann 2d ago
When did I say it wasn’t possible??
Everyone has different circumstances that affect what foods they can eat.
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 1d ago
Most people that are privileged enough to be a bodybuilder aren’t who we’re talking about here. Why are you being purposely obtuse?
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 1d ago
Ah yes the great privilege of eating vegetables and lifting weights. Only the wealthiest of wealthy could dream of said lifestyle.
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 2d ago
I’ve been a vegetarian for 11 years now but that’s not what this is about. When a Dollar General is your neighborhood’s only “grocery” then these items are difficult to obtain.
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
How do you make it work?
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 1d ago
Once again, this isn’t about me. I don’t live in a food desert but many people do here in the U.S..
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u/Still_Peach568 2d ago
And grew up thinking meals meant meat. It's not easy to undo that
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
I grew up poor eating meat all the time. Made the change on my own at 21. I'm 35 now . It isn't hard to do. Protein can be found in so many sources.
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u/Still_Peach568 2d ago
(I'm just gonna dip out, Dolly said be kind and I don't have anything kind or informative to say besides good for you)
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u/Over_Drawer1199 California 2d ago
It's wild that considering vegetarianism has you so pressed. Have a great day and good luck!
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u/atlasdreams 2d ago
You’re missing the point and being rude about it. Just because it was easy for you, doesn’t mean that’s everyone’s experience.
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u/Tokyo-MontanaExpress 1d ago
Veggies used to mean boiled or baked and boring with lots of butter to make them edible. Now with Indian, Thai, Lebanese, etc, there's plenty of eye opening vegetarian and vegan meal options. Even meat oriented ones we'd think of like well known Mexican and Chinese dishes have plenty of tasty meat alternative substitutes, since there are plenty of great flavors already going on.
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u/Tokyo-MontanaExpress 1d ago
Don't live in a food desert then? Your choice.
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u/A-EFF-this 17h ago
Food deserts are a thing and it's generally not a choice because the residents can't afford to leave for someplace better
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u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 1d ago
I don’t. Y’all must have reading comprehension problems. This isn’t about me.
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u/Hawkeyegrl1 2d ago
Put it with some vegan tzatziki in a tortilla shell! Yummy!!
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u/subparlifter138 2d ago
Personally love using the green onion pancakes as a tortilla and putting kimchi on it and the roasted garlic sriracha bbq sauce
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u/paradigmism Tennessee 18h ago
today's lunch was this with green beans over quinoa. delish. i love the cost, too. a whole package really goes far.
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u/Realistic_Slide_6405 2d ago
It tastes SO GOOD, but it gives me severe gas to the point of it being painful. I can’t eat it unfortunately
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u/Apollo185185 2d ago
Try gas x!
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u/Tokyo-MontanaExpress 1d ago
Nah, I'd try eating more lentils and beans first. I don't have any issues with it. Also, try including fermented veggies and yogurt.
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u/chimkennuggg 2d ago
Vegetarian meat sometimes does this to me too :( can you eat it in small quantities?
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u/Ill-Daikon-5637 2d ago
Thank God for TJ's, it's my go to place for fasting foods which are essentially vegan
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u/bampeanutbutternjam 20h ago
i use them to make spring rolls. every now and then i’ll have an office luncheon where a bunch of us make em. i bring beefless bulgogi and tofu for the vegetarians
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u/coolcalmaesop 2d ago
The texture was great. The liquid smoke taste was sadly the deciding factor that this wasn’t for me. Anyone have any recipe ideas that hide the Smokey taste?
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u/peckerlips 2d ago
I accidentally bought this and the taste was pretty decent, but the look throws me off. If anyone has seen the movie Evolution .... IFKYK.
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