Review: Lean Cuisine “Steak Portabella” (3/5 Stars)

A few days ago, I purchased the Lean Cuisine “Protein Kick” Steak Portabella from Meijer, where it was on sale for $1.99. I’m unsure if this is a good price, but the meal contains 190 calories, 800 mg of sodium, 14 grams of protein, and is made with beef, mushrooms, brown sauce, and broccoli.

The 190-calorie count intrigued me, as it’s quite low, prompting me to see what the meal would offer. I’ve tried Lean Cuisine before and genuinely enjoyed their spaghetti and meatballs—the sauce was a bit sweet, but overall surprisingly satisfying. This positive experience encouraged me to give the Steak Portabella a try.

Upon examining the ingredients, I wasn’t particularly impressed. There are numerous components for what seems like a simple recipe, likely due to the need for preservation rather than health considerations. One aspect that caught my attention was the mention of “CONTAINS BIOENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENTS.” Although it doesn’t specify which ingredient, this was a red flag for me, and I probably won’t purchase it again because of this concern.

But how does it taste?

Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad. The beef was tender, although one piece was a bit tough to chew, but it was minimal. The brown sauce was mediocre, primarily filled with starch, and I tried to consume as much of it as possible. The vegetables were decent; the mushrooms were so small I barely noticed them, and the broccoli was slightly over-steamed, lacking the satisfying crunch of properly cooked broccoli. Nevertheless, it’s better than most frozen meals I’ve tried.

Adding a few extras—like fresh dill, cilantro, hot sauce, and some multigrain toast—improved the overall experience, making it quite enjoyable. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars. However, I’ll likely avoid it in the future because I prefer real, non-bioengineered food.