recently we wrote a very sad blog post about morningstar farms which included the fact that they not only un-veganized some of their products, but discontinued our favorite vegan steak strips. yep, at the meal starters that we’ve used for years just suddenly disappeared from store shelves and from the morningstar website without explanation. total bummer.
morningstar farms steak strips discontinued!
but wait! it turns out that almost the EXACT SAME PRODUCT, gardein’s beefless tips, is available in the los angeles area…and probably at your local ralphs, in the freezer section right next to the spot that morningstar farms steak strips used to occupy.
as of a few weeks ago, gardein (the leading maker of faux meats in america) launched a frozen line which included a product called “beefless tips.” it turns out that gardein is the same company that used to make the discontinued morningstar steak strips…and this new product tastes EXACTLY the same! did you hear me? the product we were mourning is still available, it is just in different packaging and has a slightly rounder shape! YES! HELL YES!
when i tried the “new” gardein beefless tips, i was just beside myself. the round little faux beef balls were flavorful, chewy, and spiced ever so slightly…exactly how i remembered my old vegan steak favorite. i ate these beauties in a bowl of vegetables along with homemade tofu sauce, but they are open for interpretation.
los angeles vegans: next time you are at ralphs and want to grab the old familiar morningstar farms meal starters steak strips, grab for a new white gardein bag instead. the taste is the same, and this time it’s coming from an all vegan company—we can count on gardein not to get all shady and start adding egg whites to stuff.
and hey, if you have never had morningstar farms steak strips before, that’s even more of a reason to check this stuff out! gardein is so good, it will probably get you hooked. i am placed firmly under the vegan beef spell.
i can’t wait to put these beefless tips to use in my favorite cornish pastie recipe. 
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6:42 pm on November 1st, 2009
I was mourning morning star now i’m not mourning morning star any more
7:28 pm on November 1st, 2009
Does Ralphs sell a variety of Gardein stuff?
What about Vons?
7:36 pm on November 1st, 2009
I hope Gardein takes over the Crumbles, if that’s the case!
7:41 pm on November 1st, 2009
@marcus: ralphs does sell a variety of stuff! they have vegan buffalo wings, faux chicken stuffed with daiya, and tons of other stuff! i am not sure about vons…but ralphs definitely does.
vegyogini: FOR REALS.
8:13 pm on November 1st, 2009
My little town is selling Gardein now
1:43 am on November 2nd, 2009
[...] great vegan foodie post written by the girl from the quarry. Link. Spread the [...]
7:28 am on November 2nd, 2009
Trader Joe’s also sells Gardein “beef” and “chicken” strips under the TJ label.
8:02 am on November 2nd, 2009
i never ate morning star stuff. but i’m gonna eat this tips!
i wonder what’s up with the riblets. mmmmm riblets.
8:32 am on November 2nd, 2009
I love the beefless tips! They go great in anything.
9:22 am on November 2nd, 2009
also found three other new Gardin products in the vegan section of Whole Foods 3rd & Fairfax over the weekend. A Santa Fe Chicken, BBQ skewers and shredded beef to use on sandwiches. These were the only Gardin products they carry though so you’ll still need to hop on over to Ralph’s for the others.
4:08 pm on November 17th, 2009
I live in Port Hueneme and am trying to find inexpensive Morningstar Farms’ products that don’t cost an arm and a let. Last Friday 11/13/09 in desperation,I picked up a package of M.S. burgers at $5.25/package!
I think I saw this new product which isn’t a lot cheaper at Ralphs on Channel Islands Blvd. I will try TJ in Ventura next time for M.S.
8:15 pm on November 19th, 2009
Make your own fake meat. Less than $2 for 3 pounds. 5 minutes work, 60 minutes baking time.
http://www.postpunkkitchen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=305212