The Best Plant-Based Alternatives to Pork

Pork is a popular food in England, mostly served as roast pork with applesauce or gravy. But there are many issues. For starters, England does not have enough land for 60 million people to eat free-range. So even if you do eat meat, most of the time it’s going to be factory-farmed, unless stated otherwise.

These vegan pulled pork burgers (Lazy Cat Kitchen) use King Oyster mushrooms as the base, and again flavours things up with lots of sauces, spice, brown sugar, maple syrup and canned tomatoes.

Slice sausages lengthwise and lengthwise again for children and those at risk of choking. Don’t give leftovers to pets, garden birds or wildfowl (due to salt, onion, garlic, spices and mushrooms). 

Red meats are hard to digest and very high in saturated fat. Pork (one of the most common meats worldwide) is not a good food to eat for anyone with issues like heart disease or high cholesterol. And red meats (although pork is still classed in culinary circles as white meat) are also linked to certain cancers.

When pork is cured (preserved) it turns into very unhealthy food products like sausages, ham and bacon, as well as charcuterie items like terrines and pâté.

The benefits of real pork (protein and flavour) can easily be replicated both in recipes and artisan food products. Some say they are ‘not natural’. But neither is a slice of pig meat – it’s only when it has the bristles removed and is then cured or marinated, that it becomes tasty anyway. So you may as well do the same with plants. Far kinder, healthier and no factory farms involved.

Pork is also banned by certain religions (like Judaism and Islam) from eating. So all faiths can happily chomp away on plant-based alternatives!

Ingredients Used for Plant-Based Pork

Usually you are looking at seitan (a wheat-meat) or sometimes tempeh (a fermented Indonesian food). Tofu is sometimes also marinated to make roast vegan pork. This bean curd has no taste, it just absorbs the flavours of whatever it is cooked with. Try Tofoo (this Yorkshire company makes both organic tofu and tempeh, including pre-flavoured options for ease of use).

Depending on the recipe creator, anything goes! This ranges from beetroot (to give the colour). Some cooks make ‘pulled pork’ from mushrooms, and usually there are marinades and spices involved in there somewhere!

The only caveat if having a go at making your own ‘vegan pork roast’ is that it will need a fair bit of cooking in the oven. A far better idea is to head your local kitchen store, Argos or Lakeland and invest in either an air-fryer (which needs little or no oil) or an Instant Pot. Either of these lets you cook and ‘bake’ all kinds of foods, at a fraction of the time, and will save a fortune on energy bills.

Vegan BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Vegan BBQ Pork (Rainbow Plant Life) is yet another recipe, just goes to show what can be done, when people can show you how! Nisha is one of the world’s most popular plant-based recipe bloggers, so you’re in safe hands.

This is a US recipe that recommends a couple of ingredients not found in England. So sub the no-chicken broth with homemade vegan stock (to avoid palm oil). And the ‘soy curls’ with Moving Mountains mince (found in most health shops and supermarkets).

The extra taste comes from brown sugar and tamari (posh soy sauce). Lucy recommends Bramley apples (try to find organic if you can or windfalls, as conventional ones are usually sprayed with shellac insects, to make them look waxy). And any good vegan sausages (Moving Mountains is a good brand).

Where to Buy Plant-Based Pork Meats

Moving Mountains Sausages are sold everywhere (they also make ‘hot dog sausages’). This company was founded by an entrepreneur who had health issues. He was told by his GP to give up both meat and dairy. He did, got better and now his products are sold nationwide, including to restaurants and hotels.

Most councils now recycle soft plastic packaging. If not, pop it in the supermarket plastic packaging bin, next time you’re passing.

THIS Isn’t Pork is one of the few brands free from palm oil. High in protein and fibre, it has the same crispy skin with 83% less saturated fat. Good news, as it means you can eat more of them!

Made from pea protein and coloured with beetroot, pan-fry for 7 to 8 minutes in a teaspoon of oil, grill or cook in an air-fryer (not for microwaves). One pack gives 3 servings, keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days.

Swiss company Vegusto sells its own plant-based luncheon meats, which you can find in good health shops. Made from wheat protein and sunflower oil, this is good hot or cold in sandwiches and salads.

Planted is a Swiss food company that makes its own vegan ‘pulled pork’ products. You’ll find them in good grocery stores. In BBQ or Spicy Herb flavours, these are made with marinated pea and soy protein, to take tacos and veggie burgers to the next level. Just pan-fry over a little heat.

Try using it in this simple recipe for Turkish Pasta. After frying the pulled ‘pork’ with tomatoes, onion and garlic, then add parsley and paprika. Serve over pasta, with a homemade herb/lime plant-based yoghurt dip.

Juicy Marbles is a food brand making headlines (it also offers items for food service). Unlike most lab-grown meats, this is all natural and has become known for its homemade ribs. It also offers Meaty Meat Porkish (!) which again is made from pea and soy protein, and packed with nutrients.

Try in a baguette with mustard, pickles and your favourite artisan vegan cheese. Or in a sourdough bun with vegan bacon and sliced vegan cheese.

Redefine Pro Pulled Pork is a renowned ‘meat’ that is endorsed (and eaten and served) by chef Marco Pierre-White. Ready in minutes, it’s made with soy and wheat protein, spices and yeast extract.

Omni! Pork Mince is so popular in China (a country where more pork is eaten than anywhere else) that users are swapping supermarkets, to find it! Made from pea protein, mushrooms and rice, it has 92% less fat than meat pork, half the calories and no cholesterol. It’s even recently released a vegan spam!

Vegan Pork Sausage Rolls and Porkless Pies!

These vegan caramelised apple and ‘pork’ sausage rolls (Lucy and Lentils) are sure to become a household favourite. It’s just a good idea to make your own puff pastry (to avoid palm oil – you can freeze leftovers). It’s a a really simple thing to do, and you’ll have a talent to last for life!

These vegan porkie pies (not from Melton Mowbray!) are made with vege-gel to give the ‘jelly filling’ without the gelatine). Again, make your own pastry, to avoid palm oil.

Homemade Vegan Roast Pork (complicated!)

Vegan Roast Pork (Full of Plants) is not for beginners, but by a talented French chef, and it does indeed look authentically like real pork.

This layers vegan chicken slices with coconut milk fat, and then binds it with tapioca flour and colours with a natural dye.