Vegan Bacon Breakthrough: The Best Plant-Based Strips That Crisp Perfectly

Bacon is one of the most popular meat products because it is savoury and goes well with many side dishes. Users from an ordering company platform called Grubhub found that the number of users who bought bacon on the platform increased by up to 113% in 2019, and it is still quite popular today. However, meat or animal-based foods certainly contain high fat and cholesterol, so bacon cannot be a frequently consumed food.

Vegan bacon that uses natural ingredients can be your substitute for meaty bacon. You can still create a crisp texture like real bacon using plant-based, much healthier and beneficial ingredients!

Nutrition of vegan bacon

Compared to bacon, it is high in salt and can lead to many diseases, such as high blood pressure, the lungs and liver, and cancer; veggie bacon has many vitamins that the body needs, depending on what ingredients you use to make the bacon. If you make bacon using carrots, the minerals your body needs will be fulfilled, and if you use seitan as bacon, you will also get very high protein. So, plant-based meats provide more benefits because they don't contain as much fat and calories as red meats.

Benefits of vegan bacon

Vegan bacon with some vegetables

In addition to having a lot of nutrients and preventing your body from all diseases because it is low-fat, vegan bacon also provides many benefits in other fields, such as animals and our surrounding environment.

Saying no to antibiotic resistance

A significant majority, approximately 70 to 80% of the world's antibiotics, are used in livestock rather than in human medicine. These drugs are commonly administered not to treat illness but to promote faster growth and prevent disease in overcrowded and unsanitary farming conditions. By adopting a vegan diet and avoiding animal products, individuals help reduce demand for this harmful system and its contribution to antibiotic resistance.

Saying no to animal cruelty

Consuming vegan food and avoiding eating meat from animals certainly reduces the animal cruelty that is constantly inflicted on animals to produce dairy products. Not only pigs but also chickens and cows are in such high demand that farmers are increasing the number of animals killed yearly. Moreover, factory farming often involves extreme confinement, routine mutilations (such as tail docking and debeaking), and inhumane slaughter practices.

Saying no to carcinogens

A carcinogen can be defined as any substance or agent that can cause cancer. However, some animal-based foods, if processed or cooked in specific ways, can be carcinogenic, such as red meat and processed meat. By consuming vegan food, you certainly don't have to worry about carcinogens because vegan-based food is a healthy solution that doesn't contain substances that can cause disease. 

Saying no to toxic waste

With the increase in farms, there is also a lot of toxic waste in each farm. This not only affects the environment around the farmers but also affects the air pollution on our planet. Data in the US proves that there are 270 million tons of toxic waste in farms yearly, which is a serious problem now and in the future.

Saying yes to plant-based nutrition

Trying to choose vegan food over dairy products is a simple thing that can change the world and your environment for the better. Moreover, you're impacting nature and yourself by getting good and adequate plant-based nutrition. A healthy vegan diet is rich in minerals and vitamins such as protein, calcium, and antioxidants and helps prevent many diseases.

How to use vegan bacon

Real bacon usually goes well with salads with soy sauce or maple syrup, potatoes, burgers, or something eggy like omelettes or chickpeas. Therefore, plant-based bacon is usually a good option for a vegan breakfast. However, because it's versatile, you can also use bacon for lunch or dinner at your convenience. You can make it for noodles, pasta, and so on. 

The essence of vegan bacon taste

The main characteristic of bacon is its salty and savoury taste, with a flavorful smoky flavour. Although it looks crisp, bacon is a meat food with a slightly soft and chewy texture when chewed. You can use soft and somewhat chewy ingredients to achieve that texture. You can use many tools and methods to bring out the smoky flavour in veggie bacon, such as liquid smoke or a grill. Moreover, smoked paprika and garlic powder can help you add a slight smoky savour to your veggie bacon.

Foods you can make vegan bacon with

Assorted foods to make vegan bacon

You may feel confused when you want to substitute bacon with plant-based ingredients, but vegan bacon is one of the vegan foods that can be formed by a variety of ingredients that are familiar and easy to find around us. Here are vegan ingredients you can try to make bacon to your liking.

Tempeh

Tempeh is an Indonesian specialty that is shaped like square blocks. It comes from fermented soybean, which is healthy and savoury, just like bacon. You will find a texture and flavour similar to bacon by slicing it thin and frying it. You can try a quick and easy tempeh bacon recipe, which is very simple and flexible.

Coconut

Having a savoury taste like tempeh, coconut is one of the best substitutes for meat bacon. Coconut flakes also have a texture similar to bacon when processed into bacon. However, several people argue whether coconut bacon is good or bad for health because it is a high-fat ingredient. However, vegan bacon derived from coconut is still healthy if not consumed excessively.

Rice paper

Rice paper is one of the most popular food ingredients, especially in Vietnam, because of its chewy texture. It can substitute other foods such as bacon alternatives or snacks. One sheet of rice paper has a unique function, often used as a wrap for veggies, eggs, and spring rolls. So, making bacon from rice paper can also be the best option, by drying and making it brittle or using the air fryer. However, rice tends to have arsenic, so making rice paper for bacon should not be done frequently.

Carrots

Carrots are a plant-based ingredient with a complex yet crunchy texture many people love. In addition, carrots do not contain much fat, so they feel light when eaten. Moreover, it has a slightly sweet and salty flavour. You can try drying carrots to make bacon and consume a healthier alternative to bacon because carrots have vitamins K and C and minerals that will make your body healthier.

Seitan

Rich in protein and with a texture that can be easily shaped and created according to our wishes, seitan is a vegan ingredient often used to substitute for any kind of meat, including beef, chicken, and pork, to make bacon. You don't need to worry because you can make seitan taste like bacon if you know the correct seasoning to make seitan more savoury and crispy than regular bacon.

Tofu

Although it has a soft and airy texture, tofu can also be an alternative to making crisp bacon with drying techniques. Tofu, especially tofu slices, is also very suitable to be mixed with salt, or you can buy marinated tofu with savoury seasonings, making it ideal as a vegan-based ingredient that you can use as a bacon substitute. In addition, tofu is ubiquitous and can be found everywhere, so you can easily try to make tofu bacon yourself.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms like umami mushrooms are the most suitable vegetables for all kinds of food, including making veggie bacon. In addition, your mushroom bacon can also be served with various seasonings. Therefore, making mushrooms as a vegan version of bacon is one way you can try!

Eggplant

In Australia, many types of eggplant grow around our environment, making this vegetable easy to find and reach. Did you know that chewy eggplant can also be bacon? You can make a veggie bacon recipe home from eggplant using an air fryer or baking to create a tougher and less juicy texture.

Banana Peel

You might be surprised that banana peels can be used as a vegan alternative to bacon. It's also proof that vegetarianism isn't that difficult, as you can utilise many ingredients in a meat alternative that's just as delicious. Banana peels can become bacon when thinly sliced for a crisp and crunchy texture!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vegan bacon healthy?

Vegan bacon can be considered healthy, but it depends on the ingredients. As long as you use low-fat ingredients, vegan bacon is one of the wholesome foods you should try. However, making homemade vegan bacon is recommended because it can avoid chemicals and is more hygienic.

What is vegan bacon made from?

Is vegan chicken healthy?

Conclusion

In conclusion, vegan bacon proves that plant-based alternatives can replicate traditional bacon's satisfying crisp and smoky flavour and offer a healthier and more ethical choice. From simple breakfast sandwiches to gourmet salads, the versatility of vegan bacon opens up a world of culinary possibilities. So, you can also make your vegan bacon recipe at home because it is simple and easy to make. Discover the delicious options of vegan bacon and experience the satisfying crunch without compromise.

If you're interested in vegan food, Brother Bon offers a variety of plant-based meals that will suit your taste buds!