You won’t believe it’s not bacon (or sausage! or ham!)

As more and more consumers look to fill their plates with more plants, supermarkets are loaded with options for alternative ‘pork’ products. Here are some of our favourites!

Many people are surprised to learn that pigs are considered to bemore intelligent than the dogs we share our homes with as companions, yet sadly they’re one of the most used and abused animals on the planet. In our industrial food system driven by consumer demand, over a billion pigs are born and killed every year for pig-based products. And the conditions they are forced to endure are generally terrible.

On top of this, we’re discovering that our planet and our own health bear an enormous cost for consuming processed meats too.

Each year, more and more people are seeking alternatives that are kinder to animals and the planet we share. And food companies are paying attention, developing a sweeping range of products that are versatile, delicious, and animal-friendly!

Here are a few of our top picks for pig-friendly options in Australia…

Sausages

Due to the composite nature of sausages and hot dogs they are arguably one of the easiest food categories to replicate with plants! When it comes down to it, a sausage is flavoured by herbs and spices — when you’ve got the perfect blend of seasonings, using soy, wheat, or pea protein can make the perfect sausage. So when you peruse the selection of plant-based sausages on offer at your supermarket, you can trust that these are practically fool-proof!

Pop any of these on the grill or in a pan for a yummy sizzle:

• Vegie Delights Classic, BBQ, Hot Dogs
• Linda McCartney’s Vegetarian Sausages
• Beyond Bratwurst, Hot Italian
• Eaty Maple Bacon, Classic
• V2 Plant-Based Sausages
• Nature’s Kitchen Smoky Potato & Black Bean Sausages
• Bean Supreme Parsley, Sage & Rosemary
• Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher Sunday Herb, Smoked Chilli, Kale & Cauliflower, Polenta, Sundried Tomato & Basil Sausages
• Field Roast Italian, Beer Bratwurst, Mexican Chipotle, Smoked Apple & Sage, Apple & Maple Breakfast Sausages
• VBites Mild Chorizo Sausages

Also worth mentioning: the ‘chick’n’ and ‘beefy’ style sausages by Unreal Co., available at Woolworths — they are super hearty and flavourful!

Bacon

With some handy plant ingredients, even the taste and texture of traditional ‘bacon’ can be replicated — and thankfully, the alternatives are much kinder to pigs. Previously, people had to get pretty experimental in the kitchen, making coconut bacon, almond bacon bits, or even rice paper bacon! Nowadays, we’re lucky enough to be able to pick some up from the shops.

Just take your pick from this wondrous selection:

• Made with Plants Meat-Free Bacon
• Lamyong Vegan Bacon Strips
• A&T Smoked Bacon Slices
• VBites Cheatin’ Bacon-Style Rashers

Mince

For making tasty tacos or whipping up animal-friendly pulled ‘pork’ burgers, these delicious minces can be used just like any other:

• Deliciou Plant-Based Pork Mince
• OmniMeat Plant-Based Mince
• Juanita’s Kitchen Vegan Chorizo

Shooting to fame quite recently, jackfruit has become the go-to ingredient to recreate this familiar texture with the magic of plants. The ‘meaty’ tropical fruit can be washed of its natural juices and marinated in flavoursome sauces to create a pig-friendly version of pulled ‘pork’. You can find the Upton’s Naturals brand at Coles and Woolies in original, bar-b-que, sweet & smoky and chilli & lime, ready to eat straight out of the packet. Now all you have to choose is your vehicle — bread, buns or tacos?

Ham and pepperoni

Plant-based deli slices like ham, salami, and pepperoni are a super simple filler for wraps, toasties and pizzas, and they’re becoming more popular here in Australia!

Try one of these for a deliciously easy lunch:

• Meliora Plant-based Ham-Style Slices
• OmniMeat Luncheon Meat
• Made With Plants Meat-Free Deli-Style Pepperoni
• VBites Vamm Slices
• A&T Vegan Ham Slices
• YumEat Luncheon Meat
• Lamyong Vegan Ham Luncheon Roll

Savoury bakes

Even at cafés and service stations around Australia, it’s becoming easier to find plant-based sausage rolls for those seeking kinder options for food on the go. So, it should come as no surprise that you can find them at supermarkets as well!

You can’t go wrong with any of these flaky, savoury treats:

• Fry’s Meat-Free Sausage Rolls
• Linda McCartney’s Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
• The Why Meat Co. Plant-based Sausage Rolls
• Pie Society Plant-based Party Pack, Sausage Rolls
• Clive’s Quiche Lorraine

Asian-style finger foods

From bao buns to spring rolls and beyond — you can find kinder versions of all your favourite Chinese specialty foods! Any one of these pig-friendly finger foods would go down a treat at your next party or get-together:

• Nature’s Kitchen Gluten-free Vegetable Dim Sims
• Earth Porkless Spring Rolls
• Street Foodie Cocktail Spring Rolls
• Mr Chen’s BBQ Pork-Style Gyoza
• Simply Wize Gluten-Free Spring Rolls
• Ho Mai Asian Entertainer Pack
• Pam Pam Steamed Buns in BBQ Pork, Thai Pork Basil, Massaman, Mushroom, Green Curry. Dumplings in Mushroom & Pork, Thai Pork Basil, Thai Mushroom
• Green Gourmet Love Buns BBQ Not Pork Buns

Roasts

There are a handful of plant-based roasts you can get any time of the year. But keep in mind, the holiday season brings with it a very exciting influx of rich, savoury vegetarian roasts! Toward the end of the year, keep an eye out at Coles and Woolies for their seasonal home-brand vegan roasts. Plus, you can always trust online retailers to stock additional varieties from Field Roast, Gardein and more.

Here are the ones you can pick up now for a special Sunday roast:

• Vegie Delights Vegetable Roast
• Field Roast Half Celebration Roast Sage & Garlic
• Lamyong Vegan Roast
• Sayur Mock Roast Pork
• Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher Festive Roast

Top tip: explore other shops too

While major supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, ALDI and IGAs are stocking more animal-friendly foods, it’s worth noting that smaller shops, such as your local Asian grocers and specialty stores, can be a wonderland of meat-free gems. Often inexpensive, it’s worth sampling a few different brands and styles to find the ones that best suit your taste!

Eat kindly, for pigs!

By exploring the delicious world of plant-based food you can shape a world that is kinder to pigs and other animals who are farmed.

And each and every plant-based meal you opt for makes a difference. Head to VegKit.com or order your FREE Veg Starter Kit, full of recipes, nutritional advice, tips on eating out and more.