Meat substitutes include at least a dried milk product, a carbohydrate, and a liquid such as water. The dried milk product includes one or both of non-fat dry milk and buttermilk powder. The carbohydrate includes one or both of syrup solids, such as corn syrup solids, and a starch, such as modified corn starch. The meat substitutes include amino acids and sugars that undergo a Maillard reaction during preparation of the meat substitutes, yielding flavor compounds in, and non-enzymatic browning of, the meat substitutes. The meat substitutes can be used in the production of food products such as dairy-based jerky.