Fakin’ Bacon: Vegan Recipes and Brilliant Brands
Bacon is of course a popular meat. But pigs are wonderful, and vegan bacon tastes even better. So let’s find out how to make it yourself, or discover the best brands across the world. Kind to pigs and zero cholesterol!
Keep vegan bacon away from pets, due to salt, garlic, onion etc.
For bacon recipes, unless you have a food waste bin (turned into biogas), just bin allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallot, chives), as acids could harm compost creatures.
Top reasons to choose vegan bacon
- Animal-kind – pigs are one of the world’s most intelligent creatures. They are also very clean animals, and some of the best methods in the kingdom – mothers even sing to their piglets!
- Zero cholesterol – pig meat is high in cholesterol, so for people who like a BLT, switch to vegan bacon and you can ignore all the health warnings, and enjoy a BLT everyday for breakfast!
- No carcinogenic nitrates – processed pork bacon is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by World Health Organisation, meaning the curig nitrates when cooked at high heat, can cause cancer. Vegan bacon is free of these, but still has the same smoky taste.
- Massively reduces environmental impact. Vegan bacon does not require the staggering amounts of water, land and feel, nor contributes to huge greenhouse gas and water pollution from factory farm run-off.
- Safer from foodborne illness. Undercooked pork has risks of parasites and bacteria like salmonella or trichinella. Vegan bacon is much safer in the kitchen, as long as you use common sense safety rules.
Make your own vegan bacon
Tofu bacon (Jessica in the Kitchen) goes beyond the normal seitan and uses thinly sliced tofu that’s marinated in a sweet, savory and smoky blend of seasons).
This 6-ingredient vegan bacon (Broke Bank Vegan) is also made with tofu. Serve with a vegean scramble, in burritos or on meat-free BLTS.
Vegan bacon brands in Europe
For these brands, recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins, if your kerbside does not recycle.
La Vie vegan bacon is one of the world’s most popular bacons, from France. Yes, really! Made with pea protein. It’s sold everywhere!
THIS Isn’t Bacon is made with pea protein, and widely sold in UK supermarkets.
Vegan bacon brands in North America
The Herbivorous Butcher is a brother/sister brand that offers hickory bacon (handcrafted with deep umami flavour) and maple-glazed bacon, with profits helping its own farm sanctuary!
Upton’s Naturals Seitan Bacon is made with one of the best ingredients for vegan bacon, but without the bother of making it yourself!
Thrilling Foods Bakon Strips are sure to please the most bacon traditionalist!
Vegan bacon brands in Australia/New Zealand
Next! not only offers a sizzling smoky vegan bacon, but also a ready-made Bangin’ Vegan Carbonara that’s ready in 90 seconds.
Let Them Eat Vegan Not Bacon makes epic breakfasts, ideal on a bagel or for a full English breakfast. It’s made from tofu, liquid smoke, tomato paste, spices and vegan Worcestershire sauce.
