Mycoprotein Meat Substitutes

part of: Fusarium Venenatum

Mycoprotein meat substitutes are plant-based alternatives produced from a specific fungus rather than soy or wheat. The resulting product has a fibrous, meat-like texture that sets it apart from other meat alternatives, making it popular in dishes like bolognese, stir-fries, and pies.

Brands like Quorn have made mycoprotein widely available in Australian supermarkets. The products come in various forms designed to replace common meat cuts — mince, sausages, schnitzels, and nuggets. They absorb flavours well and hold their texture during cooking, making them a practical swap in everyday meals.

Mycoprotein is notable for its texture, which comes from the natural fibre structure of the fungus itself rather than from heavy processing or additives. It has a mild, neutral flavour that works as a base for a wide range of seasonings and sauces.

Produced
photograph to come — from twenty years of markets, farms and kitchens

How it's made

Mycoprotein is produced by fermenting the fungus Fusarium venenatum in large vats, feeding it glucose syrup and nutrients. The fungus grows rapidly, producing long protein-rich fibres. After fermentation, the biomass is harvested, heated to stop growth, and the RNA content is reduced. The resulting paste is then compressed, shaped, and combined with binding agents and flavourings to create the final meat-substitute products — mince, pieces, fillets, or formed shapes like nuggets and sausages.

Nutrition (per 100g)

Energy 114kcal
Protein 13.8g
Carbs 2.5g
Fat 4.1g
Fibre 5.6g Sugar 0g
Mass Distribution

What it costs the planet (per kilo)

Carbon ≈4.5kg
Freshwater ≈400.5L
Land ≈1.83

≈ Estimated — worked out from a category-typical value further up its supply chain. Where this comes from →

Where it comes from

In the kitchen

Used as

plant-based protein substitute

Classic dishes
  • Quorn stir-fry
  • Meat-free lasagne
  • Mycoprotein curry

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Where this data comes from

Nutrition data from

FSANZ

How it was calculated

Analysed

Full credits, licences, and methods: the sources page →

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