How to Enjoy Bacon Without Killing Pigs
Everyone knows that pigs used for their flesh suffer immensely. So as International Bacon Day approaches, here’s our guide to celebrating the day without harming these smart, wonderful animals:
1. Buy Some Ready-Made Vegan Bacon
Did you know that there are heaps of vegan bacon brands available? Why kill and cook pigs when you can simply pick up one of these easy alternatives instead?
- A&T Vegan Bacon Slices
- Extraordinary Foods Coconut Bacon
- Kinda Bacon
- Suzy Spoon’s Smokey Rasher
- Tofurky Smoky Maple Bacon Tempeh
- VBites Cheatin’ Streaky-Style Rashers
2. Enjoy a Delicious Restaurant Meal
As vegan eating becomes increasingly popular, restaurants are catching on and offering delectable plant-based options to cater to compassionate customers. Here are some of our favourite restaurants that feature vegan bacon on the menu:
Lord of the Fries – New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia
We’re big fans of vegetarian fast-food chain Lord of the Fries. And its Parma and Poutine burgers feature tasty soy bacon that will satisfy your taste buds like you wouldn’t believe.
The B.EAST – Victoria
Melbourne’s coolest vegan night, “Mock the Casbah”, serves up a rotating drool-worthy menu, including the Fat Vegan burger – a “bacon cheeseburger” complete with mock fried “chicken” poppers. Make sure you’re very hungry when you visit.
Sugar Shack Diner – South Australia
Don’t think about it – just go! The food at Sugar Shack has to be seen to be believed. Burgers this good will satisfy any craving imaginable. And yup – there’s vegan bacon aplenty.
5 Dogs – Queensland
A traditional hot-dog joint is not where you’d expect to find vegan bacon, but 5 Dogs is proof that the vegan revolution is spreading like wildfire. This clever eatery knows that people want compassionate menu choices, and it obliges with its yummy vegan hot dog options.
Mister Nice Guy’s BakeShop – Victoria
Enjoy a vegan BLT Bagel and then satisfy your sweet tooth at this fully vegan bakery in Ascot Vale, Melbourne. Brunch never looked this good.
Pizza Design Co – New South Wales
Go on – throw some vegan bacon on a pizza. We won’t judge you. This is yet another traditional restaurant cleverly meeting the demand for plant-based options. Vegan-friendly pizza bases, dairy-free mozzarella, and a huge variety of toppings (including faux bacon) rule the menu. Oh, and there’s also an Oreo Pizza for dessert!
My Rainbow-Dreams – Australian Capital Territory
It wouldn’t be a list of vegan bacon options without a big cooked breakfast. My Rainbow-Dreams in Canberra offers the Rainbow Breakfast, consisting of scrambled tofu, sautéed mushrooms, baked tomatoes, pan-fried “not bacon”, home-style baked beans, and lightly toasted sourdough. Who’s hungry?
Mandala Organic Arts Cafe – Queensland
Both the Vegan Benny and the Brunch Burger feature delicious coconut bacon, so you might just need to order both.
3. Make Your Own, and Treat Your Friends
Of course, it’s also easy to make your own delicious versions of vegan bacon at home. Why not share some with your meat-loving friends and encourage them to make more compassionate food choices?
Here are a few recipe videos which might help you out:
Rice Paper Bacon
Coconut Fakin’ Bacon
Eggplant Bacon
Tempeh Bacon
Mushroom Bacon
‘Bacon’ Blanket Breakfast Rolls
Tofu Bacon
Shiitake Bacon
4. Find Your Pig-Loving Tribe on Instagram
Lovers of pigs, unite! Instagram is a great way to connect with others who share your desire to protect and show respect for these awesome animals. You’ll find everything from easy vegan recipe ideas and drool-worthy food snaps to hilarious memes and poignant animal tributes.