Cooking with Ease: 5 Best Substitutes for Ground Veal

So, you’ve hit a recipe snag — no ground veal in sight. Oops. Not a problem!

We’ve all been there, and guess what? It’s a chance to get creative in the kitchen.

Ground veal is versatile, sure, but so are its substitutes.

Finding the right swap doesn’t just save dinner; it might even kick things up a notch.

Think of it as the kitchen plot twist you never knew you needed. Ever tried ground turkey in that lasagna?

How about some beef in the meatballs? These swaps aren’t just stand-ins; they’re stars in their own right.

Plus, switching it up can be kinder to your wallet. Ready to shake up your cooking game?

Stick with us to discover the top five substitutes that’ll make you forget veal was even a thing.

What is Ground Veal?

First of all, it’s important to note that Ground Veal and Ground Beef are not the same thing.

Veal is a young cow that has been slaughtered at 16-18 months old (more specifically, it is an unweaned domesticated bovine calf).

Ground veal is ground from different cuts of veal such as the shoulder, breast, and leg.

The meat itself is very tender because young animals have little muscle tissue.

This makes it leaner than other types of ground beef, which are made from older, more active cattle that work their muscles throughout the day.

In addition to ground veal, you can find other cuts of veal in the meat case.

These include rib chops, loin chops, kabobs, and other dishes made with veal or beef.

The key to cooking ground veal is knowing about the leanness of the meat itself.

This should be cooked at low temperatures (sautéing or grilling) and not overcooked.

Letting it rest after cooking is a must so that you can retain all the juices.

This will produce a moist and delicious dish every time.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Ground Veal

Although it is difficult to find ground veal in most grocery stores, it can be a perfect substitute for ground beef.

Here’s a detailed comparison of the 5 best substitutes for ground veal, along with their key characteristics and proper ratios:

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Ground Lamb	Ground lamb is flavorful and has a similar texture to veal. It adds a rich, slightly gamey taste to dishes.	Use an equal amount as ground veal in the recipe
Ground Pork	Ground pork is another versatile substitute for ground veal. It offers a slightly fattier and richer flavor profile.	Use an equal amount as ground veal in the recipe
Ground Chicken	Ground chicken is a leaner alternative to veal. It has a milder flavor and lighter texture compared to other meats.	Use an equal amount as ground veal in the recipe
Ground Beef	Ground beef is widely available and has a robust flavor. It can be a suitable replacement for ground veal in many dishes.	Use an equal amount as ground veal in the recipe
Ground Turkey	Ground turkey is a lean option that can be used as a healthier substitute for ground veal.	Use an equal amount as ground veal in the recipe

Now let’s take a closer look at each substitute:

1 – Ground Lamb

The main trick with ground lamb is to mix the meat well before cooking it.

This should be done by hand to combine all of the ingredients.

These include onion, salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and parsley flakes.

The best way to cook ground lamb is by sautéing or grilling, using high heat.

Although ground lamb tastes great on its own, it can also be used in taco or gyro recipes with feta cheese and Greek yogurt.

Ground lamb also tastes great when combined with ground beef in burgers, meatballs, and tacos.

To substitute: Use ground lamb in an equal ratio to ground veal in your recipes.

2 – Ground Pork

The best way to substitute ground veal is with ground pork.

This mild-tasting meat is often used in Asian dishes that require stir-frying or sautéing because of its high-fat content.

In addition, it can be used in almost any recipe that calls for ground beef.

The best technique to use is sautéing or grilling, followed by simmering the meat on low heat to retain the juices within the meat itself.

You can use this as a base to make tacos, soups, chili, sauces, and many other dishes.

This substitute is the perfect balance between sweet and savory.

To substitute: Use ground pork in an equal ratio to ground veal in your recipes.

3 – Ground Chicken

Ground chicken tastes similar to ground beef because it contains dark meat, usually lower in fat than white meat.

When using this as a substitute for ground veal, you can find that some dishes are better with one or the other.

This varies by individual taste.

Ground chicken is typically used in Italian recipes like lasagna, although it can be used in almost any recipe that calls for beef or lamb.

For example, use this meat to make hamburgers, meatballs, and tacos.

The key to cooking ground chicken (or turkey) is sautéing or grilling, which both use low heat.

This will produce a moist and delicious meal every time.

To substitute: Use ground chicken in an equal ratio to ground veal in your recipes.

4 – Ground Beef

Although ground beef is the most common substitute for ground veal, it works well with almost any recipe.

Since most recipes call for light meat, try to find the fattiest type possible.

This will provide the best flavor and most succulent dish.

The best way to cook this meat is by sautéing or grilling because it uses low heat.

This is the simplest technique that produces a moist and delicious meal every time.

Ground beef can also be combined with other meats, such as lamb or pork, to create an even more succulent dish.

Ground beef works in almost any recipe, from burgers to meatballs, tacos, and stir-fry.

It’s all about experimenting and finding your favorite flavor.

To substitute: Use ground beef in an equal ratio to ground veal in your recipes.

5 – Ground Turkey

Ground turkey is the best substitute for ground veal because of its light taste.

This lean meat contains white breast meat, which is lower in fat than dark meat found on other poultry.

When using ground turkey as a substitute for ground veal, you can find that some dishes are better with one or the other.

This varies by individual taste.

Ground turkey is typically used in Italian recipes like lasagna, although it can be used in almost any recipe that calls for beef or lamb.

For example, use this meat to make hamburgers, meatballs, and tacos.

It’s important to use low heat when cooking ground turkey because it is lean meat.

This will produce a moist and delicious meal every time.

To substitute: Use ground turkey in an equal ratio to ground veal in your recipes.

Conclusion

Ground veal can be difficult to find in most grocery stores, but each of these meats is an ideal, widely available substitute.

Try them out for yourself. With the right technique, you’ll have yourself an amazing meal in no time.

When using these meats in place of veal, you can find that some dishes are better with one or the other.

This varies by individual taste.

These meats work well in almost any recipe and provide a unique balance between sweet and savory.

To create an even more succulent dish, combine ground beef, lamb, or pork with turkey for a delicious meal that will quickly become your new favorite.