Just because someone lives a plant-based lifestyle does not mean they don’t enjoy animal products — they just can't stomach the impact of consuming them.
There was a time when vegans had no other option but to survive on their limited replacement options for things like hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and so on. In their cruelty-free place, they'd eat mostly vegetables and dream of vegan alternatives that simply didn’t exist.
Thankfully, it is 2022, and there are numerous cruelty-free alternatives you can consume instead of some of your favourite animal products.
Read on to make the switch and try these amazing vegan replacements!
#1 Pulled Pork → Jackfruit
Meet the world's largest fruit tree - the Jackfruit! A single jackfruit can weigh as much as 80 pounds.
In addition to being delicious, Jackfruit is also nutritious, containing high levels of protein, potassium, and vitamin B. Try roasting jackfruit with BBQ sauce for a delicious pulled pork substitute! Try this recipe for Pulled Jackfruit Tacos by Lazy Cat Kitchen.
#2 Mince or Chicken → Tempeh
As a plant-based substitute for "meat," tempeh is a great choice. Soybeans are made into tempeh by soaking, cooking, and fermenting them. As a result of its dense consistency and fermentation method, tempeh has a savoury, earthy flavour, packed with probiotics. Dice it up fine with some fragrant spices to make some fantastic mince meat-style taco fillings, or season and chop into chunky bits (or place on skewers with some satay sauce) for a tasty chicken-like substitute.
#3 Scrambled Eggs → Tofu
Tofu is curdled soy milk that is pressed into blocks that come in different consistencies. You will want to select the consistency of the tofu based on what it is you want to make and what you want it to replace. For example, firm tofu is best for making savoury dishes, like tofu ‘egg’ scramble! All you need to do is crumble it into the pan and season it with your favourite spices such as turmeric, cumin, salt, paprika and pepper.
#4 Meat → Faux Meats
The popularity of plant-based meat alternatives is on the rise, and we are here for it!
Despite Beyond and Impossible's pioneering work in meat alternatives, many other alternatives have made their way into the faux meat aisles. Whatever you're looking for, there's a meat replacement out there for you! Some of the most popular faux meat brands include:
- Beyond Meat
- Impossible Foods
- MorningStar Farms
- Field Roast
- Gardein
- Boca
- Lightlife
- Amy’s
#5 Milk → Milk Alternatives
There is a tremendous strain on natural resources, such as freshwater and soil, in the dairy industry. Cows in the dairy industry also suffer on a daily basis. If you’re ready to swap out dairy for a plant-based milk alternative, you’ve got options!
The most popular modern-day milks include:
- Almond Milk
- Oat Milk
- Soy Milk
- Rice Milk
- Hemp Milk
- Coconut Milk
#6 Cream → Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a great staple around the world for many different cuisines. This deliciously naturally creamy milk from plants is not only a fantastic alternative for anyone who eats vegan, but also for people with lactose intolerance.
A great base for curries, as well as a delicious mix-in for smoothies, replacement for dairy in baking, or incredibly perfect ice cream base. Versatile, full-bodied, slightly sweet, we are big fans! Looking for a decadent trip? Did you know you can even make whipped cream out of coconut milk? We’re a fan of this recipe by Minimalist Baker, but you can also replace the sugar with any healthy unrefined sugars like coconut sugar, too!
#7 Cheese → Cheese Alternatives
We're cheesin' over the amount of cheese substitutes available today! It's possible to substitute almost every type of cheese, from cheddar to mozzarella. Check out some popular cheesy alternatives below!
- Miyoko’s Creamery
- Field Roast
- Daiya
- Follow Your Heart
- Violife
- So Delicious
- Koko Dairy Free
- Cheese
- Vitalite
- Treeline
#8 Mayonnaise → Hummus
Hummus is an absolute staple snack in every good vegan’s fridge, made from blended chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon and originated in the Middle East. It’s super easy and quick to make from home, or cheap to buy from the store, making it a great all rounder. Plus, it makes an excellent replacement for mayonnaise!
Want to make your own hummus at home? We love this recipe for a quick, easy, perfect hummus recipe you can whip up in a blender or food processor quicker than you can say tahini.
Not a fan of chickpeas? Luckily for you, there’s also a huge range of vegan mayonnaise options available these days which you can buy at the store or whip up at home. We like this one by Jessica in the Kitchen, which only takes 5 minutes, tastes amazing and uses simple, easy ingredients you might already have at home!
#9 Honey → Maple Syrup
Pancakes and maple syrup, a match made in heaven and nature’s true romance. Not only does this sweet delicious syrup make a great breakfast topping, it has a lot more great underrated uses, such a replacing honey in granola, marinades, dressings, and a whole lot more.
Looking for an extra decadent breakfast treat? Try this french toast recipe by Nora Cooks for one that is easy, fast, and just plain delicious.
____It's not too late to make a vegan switch!
If you love what you've read, you need to check out Plant Faced Clothing's blog for even more vegan tips and tricks! We've compiled a few of our favourite reads below!
