What is Beyond meat really made of?

November 5, 2025 •

2 min read

Beyond Meat products are engineered from a core blend of plant-based ingredients, primarily featuring pea and rice proteins. For those asking, "What is Beyond meat really made of?", the answer involves a scientific approach that uses plant-based building blocks to create the taste and texture of animal meat.

Quick Summary

Beyond Meat consists of water, pea protein, avocado oil, and rice protein, combined with natural flavors and colors from sources like beet juice. The characteristic fibrous, meat-like texture is developed using a thermal-mechanical extrusion process. The end result is a highly processed but nutritionally competitive alternative to animal protein.

Key Points

Plant-Based Foundation: Beyond Meat is made from a combination of plant-based ingredients, primarily pea and rice protein, rather than traditional meat.
Texture from Extrusion: The product's fibrous, meat-like texture is created through a thermal-mechanical process called extrusion, which uses heat, cooling, and pressure.
Fats Mimic Marbling: Plant-based oils like avocado oil and coconut oil are used to replicate the melty marbling and juiciness found in animal fat.
Color from Beet Juice: Beet juice extract is the ingredient responsible for Beyond Meat's red color, which helps it look like uncooked beef.
Highly Processed Nature: Despite its plant origin, Beyond Meat is a highly processed food, which is a key consideration for consumers concerned with ultra-processed diets.
Nutritional Trade-offs: While offering benefits like lower saturated fat and no cholesterol compared to beef, Beyond products are often higher in sodium.

The Core Plant-Based Ingredients of Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat is primarily made from plant-based ingredients to mimic traditional meat. The main components are sourced from legumes and grains for protein and structure. Recent changes include using more heart-healthy fats.

Protein Sources

The protein in Beyond Meat comes from several plant sources:

Pea Protein Isolate: A main protein source providing a base that mimics muscle fibers.
Rice Protein: Used with pea protein for a more balanced amino acid profile.
Faba Bean Protein: Added to newer products for enhanced protein and texture.
Red Lentil Protein: Included in some recent formulations to improve nutrition and texture.

Plant-Based Fats

Plant-based fats are included for juiciness and to simulate meat marbling.

Avocado Oil: Replaced some coconut and canola oils in newer versions for reduced saturated fat.
Refined Coconut Oil and Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil: Used in earlier and some current products for a sizzling effect.
Cocoa Butter: Helps mimic the appearance and texture of fat.

The All-Important Color and Flavor

Beyond Meat uses specific ingredients for its appearance and taste.

Beet Juice Extract: Provides the red color seen in uncooked patties.
Yeast Extract: A flavor enhancer for a savory, umami taste.
Natural Flavors and Apple Extract: Contribute to the overall flavor profile.

The Extrusion Process: A Giant Pressure Cooker

The plant ingredients are processed using high-moisture extrusion, which is like a large pressure cooker. This process uses heat, cooling, and pressure to create the fibrous texture similar to animal muscle tissue.

A Comparison of Beyond Meat vs. Animal Meat

Beyond Meat mimics meat but has nutritional differences. {Link: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/beyondmeat/posts/beyond-burgers-are-primarily-made-with-pea-and-lentil-protein-and-now-that-my-bo/1114471663369731/} provides a comparison between a Beyond Burger patty and an 85% lean ground beef patty, detailing nutritional aspects like calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, protein, dietary fiber, and processing level.

Health Considerations and the Ultra-Processed Debate

Beyond Meat is categorized as an ultra-processed food due to its manufacturing process. While processed, it can be a healthier choice than some red meats, offering lower saturated fat and no cholesterol. A notable difference is its higher sodium content. Nutritionists still recommend a diet rich in whole foods.

Conclusion

In summary, Beyond Meat is composed of plant-based ingredients like pea and rice protein and avocado oil. Through a process involving heat and pressure, these ingredients are transformed to mimic the characteristics of meat. Although processed and higher in sodium than unprocessed beef, it provides a sustainable and ethical option with benefits like less saturated fat and no cholesterol. {Link: beyondmeat.com https://www.beyondmeat.com/about/our-ingredients} provides further details on its composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main source of protein in Beyond Meat products is pea protein isolate, combined with other plant-based proteins like brown rice and faba bean protein.

Beyond Meat's red, meat-like color is derived from beet juice extract, a natural plant-based coloring.

No, Beyond Meat is not a whole food. It is classified as an ultra-processed food because its ingredients are refined and reassembled using industrial processes like extrusion.

The fibrous, chewy texture that mimics meat is created through a thermal-mechanical extrusion process, which applies heat, cooling, and pressure to the plant proteins.

Beyond Meat has a similar amount of protein as a comparable beef patty but generally contains less saturated fat and no cholesterol. However, it is typically much higher in sodium.

Beyond Meat has a long-standing commitment to not use genetically modified ingredients in its products.

Beyond Meat products contain pea protein, which comes from a legume. People with severe legume allergies, like to peanuts, should exercise caution when consuming pea protein.