If you’re vegan, you’ve probably gotten used to modifying recipes to suit your diet. However, those beginning this all-natural food journey may not be aware of all the tips and tricks and vegan alternatives available. When it comes to cooking for a natural lifestyle, plant-based alternatives will save the day and won’t take away the flavor either.
Did you know that over 9.7 million Americans have gone vegan? This is revealed by a study by IPSOS Retail Performance. The numbers have risen steadily since 2004 and continue to rise. As it grows in popularity, there is a need for more effective vegan substitutions.
23 Vegan Substitutes Most People Don’t Know About
When people start this healthier style of eating, the first thing they think about is that they will have to get used to bland, tasteless foods. However, with a little creativity, you can make delicious starters and desserts. There’s no reason you can’t make dishes as delicious as their non-vegan counterparts, especially with this list of substitutions.
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vegan egg substitutes
One of a baker’s biggest challenges is finding an egg substitute. If you omit eggs from your recipe, you will end up with a product that lacks volume and texture. While nothing mimics the egg perfectly, a few tasty options will do.
1. Bananas
Bananas are so versatile and great to have on hand as a vegan substitute. The key is that they are high in fiber, so they act as an excellent binder. You can swap a medium sized banana for an egg.
Now keep in mind that the mixture will be a bit thicker than with an egg, so you may need to adjust your liquid content a bit.
2. Applesauce
Applesauce is used in many vegan dishes because the apple is quite versatile. To use it as an egg substitute, you need four tablespoons per egg. Now, it’s important to remember that apples are naturally sweet due to their fructose content, so you may need to adjust your sugars to balance things out and opt for a sugar-free variety.
3. Egg Substitutes
You can find egg substitutes on your grocery store shelves. You mix these powdered substances with water to give you the egg goodness. You will find that the stuff is a little sticky when you mix it up, but it will get the job done.
4. Aguafaba
Aquafaba is chickpea brine, and it’s very healthy. The main thing is that it is economical, which is often a problem in vegan cooking. In addition, the composition of the liquid and the taste are perfect for an egg substitute.
Did you know that you can even make a vegan meringue with this composition? Who knew you could have lemon meringue pie without animals?
5. Chia seeds
You can’t talk about egg substitutes without mentioning chia seeds. These little seeds have become very popular these days and their versatility is undeniable. When you add water to chia seeds, they swell and become a little slimy, like an egg.
Take three tablespoons of water in one tablespoon of chia seeds to make an egg-like substance. Now, keep in mind that chia seeds can get clumpy, so you don’t want to add them to your plate without standing. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes before mixing it with your other ingredients.
6. tofu
Vegan substitutes like silken tofu are another option. Most people prefer to use it as an egg substitute because it’s as close as it gets. If you want to get creative, you can use this tofu to make things like fake scrambled eggs, and it’ll be a challenge to tell the difference.
Vegan Cheese Substitutes
Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up cheese, or at least something that tastes very similar. What would your soy burger be without it? Here are some fantastic vegan substitutes for cheese.
1. Nutritional yeast
This product is a plant-based product made from yeast, so it has a flavor very similar to cheese. Although it’s hard to find an exact way to describe the taste, it works. Vegetarians cannot ignore the health benefits of this product. But it will make a noticeable difference in your vegan mac and cheese and other dishes.
2. tofu
Tofu is great for its versatility, but because it’s so malleable, it’s one of the best vegan cheese substitutes. Although the taste is not as perfect as other products, the texture is quite similar. You will need to play around with different spice and flavor combinations to find the right balance for you.
3. Cashew nuts
It seems the vegan baker can make just about anything with nuts these days, but when you turn cashews into cheese, it’s nothing short of miraculous. You want to make a paste with the nuts, and you can do this by soaking them in a little water.
They become flexible enough for you to manipulate. To top off the cheese, you want to add nutritional yeast along with your favorite spices and herbs to finish it off. Honestly, you will be surprised at the result.
4. sweet potatoes and carrots
Being vegan requires you to be quite creative, so turning potatoes or carrots into cheese will bring out that creativity. It’s more for making a nacho cheese type product. It’s as easy as it gets, because you just need to place the sweet potatoes or carrots in a blender and mash them.
Once it’s done, add some spices to make it cheesy. Remember, this is better as a spicier cheese sauce than your traditional sliced variety.
vegan meat substitutes
If you want to live without animals, your most important task as a cook is to convince people that you eat meat and not plant-based products. These are some of the best options available.
1. Beans
You know beans are good for your heart, but did you know they can also be used as a substitute for ground beef? It’s easy to make, high in protein, and its meaty flavor is a hit. You can also spice them up in a number of ways to fool even the most ardent critic.
2. tofu
Tofu is often used as a meat substitute because it absorbs the flavor. You can turn it into whatever you want. If you’re new to this vegan journey, tofu is a great product to experiment with initially.
3. Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a super hot trend among vegan substitutes. When you cook this unusual fruit, it turns into something else. The inner fruit is a little stringy and the flavor kicks in, allowing it to season into a faux pulled pork sandwich you won’t believe.
4.Seitan
Seitan is made from wheat gluten and is very similar to tofu. If you want to make a product that looks like chicken, this should be your substitute. It is very flexible and can be manipulated to achieve the perfect chicken flavor.
5. Eggplant
You can cut the eggplant into hamburger-sized portions and season them to perfection. Not only is it delicious, but it will smell and taste like a burger.
vegan butter substitutes
Yes, most people forget that butter is an animal product, so you need to find an alternative. Here are a few to consider.
1. Plant-based alternatives to butter
These are inexpensive and easy to find at any local grocery store, and they taste just like the real thing.
2. Coconut oil
The fact that coconut can be used in a 1:1 ratio for butter is fantastic. Plus, it tastes great and has fantastic health benefits.
3. Vegetable oil
Although it’s no substitute for stick butter, it certainly has a place in stir-fries and other forms of cooking where a liquid alternative is needed.
Vegan Milk Substitutes
These are the most common milk substitutes and you can find them in most grocery stores nationwide. The good news is that you can use all of these vegan substitutes in a 1:1 ratio of cow’s milk.
- milk rice
- oat milk
- Soy milk
- Almond milk and other types of nuts
- hemp milk
Final Thoughts on Vegan Substitutes Most People Don’t Know About
Choosing veganism or a plant-based eating style is very healthy for you. Numerous studies show the great benefit. According to Plant Based News, the phytochemicals and antioxidants in the fruits and vegetables you eat can help protect you against certain health conditions and chronic diseases.
The key is that these antioxidants fight free radicals, providing protection. Plus, if you’re battling the Bulge, adopting a vegan lifestyle can help you manage your weight. With the alternatives listed above, you can easily prepare your favorite meals and enjoy a complete diet.5
By Chris Butler. Articles in English