Turkey bacon has become a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. Some people choose turkey bacon because they think it’s healthier while others avoid pork for religious reasons. But is turkey bacon actually vegan? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Turkey Bacon Made Of?
Turkey bacon is made from sliced and processed turkey, usually from the breast meat. The processing involves curing, smoking, and flavoring the turkey to mimic the taste and texture of pork bacon.
The exact ingredients vary by brand. but commonly include
- Turkey breast meat
- Water
- Salt
- Sugar
- Natural smoke flavoring
- Sodium nitrite
Turkey bacon contains around 70% turkey meat combined with added water, salt, and spices. It typically has fewer calories and less fat than pork bacon but more sodium.
Is Turkey Bacon Vegan?
No, turkey bacon is not vegan. While it comes from turkeys rather than pigs, it still contains animal products. Vegans do not eat any animal flesh or byproducts, including poultry.
Here’s why turkey bacon is not vegan-friendly:
- It contains turkey meat. Vegans avoid all animal meats.
- Turkey bacon is cooked in animal fat. Many brands fry turkey bacon in pork fat, chicken fat, or beef tallow.
- It may contain dairy ingredients. Some turkey bacons add whey or cheese for flavor.
- The curing process isn’t vegan. Salt and sodium nitrite are used to cure turkey bacon.
So while turkey bacon avoids pork, it still relies on animal products during processing and cooking. This makes it unsuitable for a vegan diet.
Vegan Alternatives to Turkey Bacon
Luckily for vegans, there are many tasty substitutes for turkey bacon on the market today. Popular options include:
Coconut Bacon
Coconut bacon provides the same crispy, smoky flavor of bacon without the meat. Most brands are made from coconut flakes, seasonings, maple syrup or brown sugar, and liquid smoke. Watch the ingredients lists for added oils.
Tempeh Bacon
Tempeh bacon is made from fermented soybeans. It can be marinated in smoked maple, coconut aminos, and spices for a bacon-esque flavor. Tempeh bacon retains more protein than coconut bacon.
Seitan Bacon
Seitan bacon offers a meaty texture from wheat gluten. Look for low sodium options, as seitan can be high in salt. It matches the chewy feel of bacon better than other substitutes.
Eggplant Bacon
For whole-food bacon, roast eggplant slices with maple syrup, smoked paprika, soy sauce, and other seasonings. The eggplant perfectly mimics the crispness of real bacon.
Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
Marinated shiitake mushrooms can stand in for bacon on sandwiches or breakfast plates. The umami flavor takes well to smoky seasonings.
Carrot Bacon
For a low-calorie option, thinly slice carrots lengthwise and roast with oil, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and pepper. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Tips for Cooking Vegan Bacon
When preparing any of these vegan bacon alternatives:
- Use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of animal fats for frying.
- Read ingredients lists and look for organic, non-GMO options without artificial flavors.
- For crispy bacon, bake on a lightly oiled sheet pan at 400°F until browned and starting to char.
- For chewy bacon, pan-fry over medium heat until warmed through and slightly crispy at edges.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to one week or freeze up to 2 months.
- Crumble leftover vegan bacon on salads, soups, baked potatoes, pasta, or pizza.
The Bottom Line
While turkey bacon tastes similar to pork bacon, it relies on poultry and is not considered vegan. Thankfully, many innovative alternatives like coconut, seitan, and eggplant bacon allow vegans to enjoy the smoky bacon flavor they crave. With the right seasonings and preparation, these plant-based bacons can satisfy any bacon lover.
So go ahead and give vegan bacon a try if you’re searching for a cruelty-free, healthier way to start your day—your taste buds won’t know the difference!
There’s nothing hip about animal-based bacon, so make sure your next BLT, Cobb salad, or tofu scramble includes one of these plant-based options.
A good brunch plate is made up of some key components. You need a classic tofu scramble or something eggy, like a chickpea flour omelet. Barring any allergies, some form of potato is mandatory, such as hash browns, home fries, or tater tots. The last thing you usually eat at brunch is vegan bacon, maybe with broccoli on the side if you’re in the mood for something green. Truly, we’re the type to opt for both. There are a lot of options out there these days—so how do you pick the best vegan bacon?.
This guide will answer that question, but first, how do you cook with vegan bacon?
10Thrilling Foods Bakon Strips
These tofu-based strips of bacon are made from tofu. But, don’t think of them as thinly-sliced slabs of extra-firm tofu with savory sauce that we have for lunch whenever we don’t feel like cooking. Thrilling foods salt cures and smokes its vegan bacon the traditional way, giving it an authentic flavor.FIND IT HERE
Beleaf’s vegan bacon looks marbled, similar to a cut of extra-fatty bacon. It fries up nice and crunchy or with just a little bit of chew, all depending on your preference or what you’re making. Its realistic appearance makes for great presentation on a vegan breakfast platter, like a full English breakfast. FIND IT HERE
Is Turkey bacon Healthy?! Is Turkey bacon GOOD for you!? **Updated 2021**
FAQ
Can vegans eat turkey bacon?
Is there a vegan bacon?
What is turkey bacon made of?
Is turkey bacon vegetarian or non veg?
What is vegan Bacon?
Vegan bacon refers to a meat alternative product designed to mimic the taste and texture of bacon made from pigs. While the meat analogue market used to be made up largely of burgers and sausages, bacon products are seeing a sharp rise in popularity. The global vegan bacon market is expected to reach USD $1.331 million in 2023.
Is turkey bacon a healthy alternative?
But, according to dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, this substitute is still high in saturated fat and sodium and doesn’t carry as many health benefits as many believe. In fact, opting for turkey bacon as the “healthier” choice can have a negative impact on your health. “Believing it’s the better option, you may eat too much,” Jeffers says.
Is turkey bacon processed meat?
It is also noteworthy that, unlike a slice of freshly roasted turkey cut off the bone, turkey bacon is considered processed meat, as is any meat that is preserved by processes like curing and salting.
Can You Make your own vegan Bacon?
But many of them are highly processed foods. Plus, they tend to be high in saturated fat (from coconut or palm oil), very high in sodium, and they can get more than a little expensive. With a little know-how (see below!) you can make your own vegan bacon – saving money and doing a good turn for your health at the same time.