Pork is one of the most popular kinds of meat in any cuisine in the world.
However, if you are a vegetarian, or just want to cut down your animal protein intake, our article will help suggest the six best vegan substitutes for pork that you can use in any recipe.
Let’s check it out!
What is pork?
Pork refers to the meat from the pig.
Due to the large size of the pig, pork is often sold in individual cuts on the market, including pork loin, pork shoulder, pork round roast, ham, or pork ribs to name a few.
Pork is considered red meat with higher saturated fat compared to white meat like chicken or turkey.
Red meat often has a stronger taste than white meat, but pork is generally milder in flavor than beef.
It is also a rich source of protein, vitamin B, and many other nutrients like selenium, phosphorus, and iron.
Many people prefer pork because of its versatility.
You can cook this ingredient in different ways depending on the cut.
For example, pork belly can be thinly sliced and smoked to make bacon, roasted, or braised, pork shoulder is perfect for pulled pork, while pork tenderloin is the leanest and most tender cut that is great for baking recipes.
Can you substitute pork with a vegan alternative in cooking recipes?
Although pork is a staple in many cuisines, a lot of people are seeking a vegan substitute that can greatly replace this meat ingredient in their diets.
There are many reasons that can explain this trend.
For example, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, pork is definitely excluded from your diet.
Or if you follow the Muslim religion, pork is also forbidden.
On the other hand, other people just want to swap to another ingredient to refresh their meals with something healthier.
No matter what your reason is, there are plenty of options of vegan substitutes for pork available on the market for you to choose from.
What vegan substitutes can you use in place of pork?
Below is a list of the six vegan alternatives that we find the best to replace your favorite pork cut in your diet.
Let’s check it out!
1. Seitan
Seitan is a gluten-based product that is ideal to substitute for different kinds of meat, including pork.
Seitan has a chewy texture that can resemble the texture of real meat.
If you choose the type that is seasoned with pork extract or pork flavor, you can feel like you are eating real pork, but much healthier with lower calories.
Otherwise, seitan has a neutral flavor that greatly soaks up other spices.
2. Tempeh
Tempeh is a great source of protein and fiber.
It is often compared to tofu because tempeh is also made from soybeans, but the different processes result in a more nutritious product.
Tempeh is an excellent form of vegan protein as well as essential amino acids, therefore, it is great to substitute for pork in baking or pan-frying recipes.
3. Tofu
Tofu is a common and inexpensive vegan substitute for meat.
The reason is tofu is also a rich source of protein as well as other vitamins and minerals.
Depending on your recipe, you can choose among the soft, firm, or extra firm tofu to avoid messing up your dish.
Tofu has a mild flavor of soybeans, so just flavor it with your favorite spices so that you will not only have a healthier and delicious dish from this simple ingredient.
4. Lentils
Lentils are a staple in many cuisines.
Lentils include different kinds of beans and peas, which are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals.
Due to the different textures between lentils and pork, this vegan ingredient is typically used to substitute for ground pork rather than a whole cut of pork.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are another option for you to replace your favorite pork dish.
Mushrooms offer a rich source of vegan protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
They can be cooked in different ways too, such as stir-frying, baking, or stewing.
Mushrooms have an umami taste, so make sure you want to add this special flavor to your dish before using mushrooms in place of pork in the recipe.
6. Store-bought vegan pork
The easiest way to look for a vegan substitute for pork is vegan pork (or also known as plant-based pork).
You can look for a package of vegan pork in most vegan stores or some supermarkets in the country.
Normally, store-bought vegan pork is formed in a patty-like shape to use in burger recipes.
It is also often pre-seasoned but doesn’t taste like real pork at all.
The bottom line
If you have been wondering what kind of pork replacements are vegan-friendly, hopefully, our article has helped enlighten you with the most affordable and delicious alternatives.
You can experiment with all of our vegan substitute suggestions for pork and figure out what works best for your taste buds.
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