Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Healthy Meals Vegetarian 3 Plant-Based Ingredient Swaps and Recipes for Your Next Meatless Monday These super-easy plant-based meal recipes using jackfruit, tempeh, and seitan are a cinch to whip up—and can tempt even the pickiest meat eater. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 22, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email If you're trying to eat a more plant-based diet, but having a hard time figuring out how to use all those meat alternatives, you're not alone. Simply host Haley Cairo has been trying to up her Meatless Monday game, and found some really tasty (and super easy) swaps that even her meat-loving husband loves—jackfruit, tempeh, and seitan. Try some of these tasty recipes this week—and see if you can start swapping in a few plant-based options for your favorite meaty dishes. 01 of 03 Jackfruit Carnitas Jackfruit is a fibrous tropical fruit that can mimic the texture and flavor of pulled pork when cooked—making it a perfect addition to tacos.To make Haley's recipe, cook diced jalapeño, onion, and garlic until tender, then add the jackfruit and cook until softened. Add in spices to taste—Haley uses chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika—and allow the jackfruit to caramelize slightly.Serve on warmed corn or flour tortillas with a squeeze of lime and some shredded cheese. 02 of 03 Tempeh Meatballs Tempeh "meat" balls are a healthy plant-based alternative to the traditional meatball—and they can be cooked up in under a half hour.Haley's recipe for tempeh balls includes:extra-virgin olive oil to taste1/2 onion2 cloves garlic1 tablespoon flax seeds with 3 tablespoons water9 onces tempeh1/4 cup parsley1/2 cup almond meal1/4 cup chickpea flour1/2 cup bread crumbs1 tablespoon oregano1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder2 tablespoons tomato sauceBlend the ingredients in your food processor until smooth, then shape into meatballs. Cook in a skillet with olive oil, five minutes per side or until golden brown. Top with your favorite sauce. 03 of 03 Seitan Stir Fry Seitan is a wheat protein, and can be easily cooked to give a chicken or beef-like texture. This easy stir fry is a great way to use up leftover veggies. (Haley uses broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and red onion in hers.) Brown your seitan in a wok or large skillet, then set to the side and cook the veggies for five to seven minutes or until tender. Mix up the sauce: 2 tablespoons soy sauce or liquid aminos 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons maple syrup 2 teaspoons corn starch Mix in the sauce and the seitan—and cook until heated through. RELATED: 22 Easy Vegan Recipes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit