Vegetarian bacon facts for kids
Vegetarian bacon, also known as veggie bacon or vegan bacon, is a food that looks and tastes like regular bacon but is made from plants. People who follow a plant-based diet or want to eat less meat often choose it. It's a tasty way to enjoy a bacon-like flavor without using any animal products.
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What's in Vegetarian Bacon?
Vegetarian bacon is usually made from plant-based ingredients. These can include things like soy, wheat, or even different kinds of vegetables. It's designed to have a similar texture and smoky flavor to traditional bacon.
Healthy Choices
Many types of vegetarian bacon are good for you. They often have a lot of protein and fiber, which are important for your body. They are also usually low in fat and have no cholesterol. Some brands even have much less salt and fat than regular bacon. For example, two slices of one brand might have about 75 calories.
Where to Find Veggie Bacon
You can find vegetarian bacon in many grocery stores. Lots of different companies make it.
Popular Brands
Some well-known brands that make veggie bacon include:
- Morningstar Farms
- LightLife
- Quorn
- Tofurky
- Soy Boy
- Sweet Earth
- Upton's Naturals
- Hooray Foods
In Stores and Restaurants
More and more stores are selling plant-based bacon. For instance, in 2021, Aldi supermarkets in the United Kingdom started selling "No Pork Streaky Bacon Rashers." Also, during Christmas 2021, Sainsbury's sold vegan sausages wrapped in vegan bacon. Some restaurants, like Anna Loka in Cardiff, have also started serving vegan bacon dishes.
Making Vegetarian Bacon at Home
You can also make your own vegetarian bacon right in your kitchen! It's a fun way to experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
Creative Ingredients
Chefs and food experts have found many ways to make homemade veggie bacon. For example, Welsh chef Gaz Oakley makes vegan "bacon bits" from coconut flakes. Other ideas for homemade vegan bacon include using:
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Rice paper
- Eggplant
- Banana peels
American musician Lizzo even uses maple syrup when she cooks her vegan bacon.
Simple Recipes
A common way to make vegetarian bacon at home is to marinate strips of tempeh or tofu. You can soak them in tasty liquids like soy sauce or liquid smoke to give them a smoky flavor. After marinating, you can either fry them in a pan or bake them in the oven until they are crispy.
People who enjoy raw food sometimes use the meat from a coconut as a bacon substitute. Another option is to use seitan, which is a plant-based protein that can be shaped to look like bacon.
Flavor Boosters
To make your plant-based bacon taste even better, you can add different flavorings. These often include:
- Liquid smoke (for a smoky taste)
- Nutritional yeast (for a cheesy, savory flavor)
- Smoked paprika (for color and smoky spice)
- Barbecue sauce
Food writer David Goldbeck even suggests frying provolone cheese in a skillet to make a bacon substitute he calls "cheeson"!
