If you have many non-vegan, carnivorous friends, you may be familiar with the common reaction of, “ew!”, when you bring up the topic of vegan meats. Vegan meat, although more popular than ever before in modern society, is still looked at with a raised eyebrow by many. But, there are many reasons to love vegan meat. For starters, it’s healthier for both you and the planet. It also tastes amazing, especially when, like real meat, it’s paired with other tasty foods. One delicious vegan meat that is often overlooked is vegan pepperoni. It’s healthy, adds more protein to a plant-based pizza, and is so tasty, that it may even have the non-vegans re-thinking their opinions on vegan meat.
The Creation of Vegan Pepperoni in the New Plant-Based Era
It’s no secret that meat has been, and continues to be, a staple in the average human’s diet. But it’s also no secret that within the past few decades, the idea of a vegan diet has become widespread across many countries, communities, and individuals. As the vegan diet has risen in popularity, so has the creation of vegan meats. You can now find a plethora of brands and types of vegan chicken, beef, fish, pork, turkey… and the list goes on. There’s pretty much a vegan alternative for any meat you can think of, and at The Pizza Plant, we have a couple favorites- vegan pepperoni being one of them.
Pizza continues to be a favorite meal among populations world-wide, so there are quite a few options when it comes to plant-based pepperoni. Many vegan food brands produce their own versions of vegan pepperoni, and others, like us at The Pizza Plant, create pre-made, entirely vegan pizzas that are topped with delicious, vegan pepperoni. As it turns out, there’s no need to skip out on the most classic pizza topping. Many vegan meats, as well as vegan pepperonis, are tastier, healthier, and flat out better than traditional meats.
Are Vegan Meats and Vegan Pepperoni Healthy?
Simply put, yes! Of course, “healthy,” has a broad range of definitions, but when looking at typical ingredient lists, vegan alternatives to pepperoni are much healthier for you than real pepperoni.
Real pepperoni is a type of salami that is made from a mixture of ground pork and beef, while vegan pepperoni is made using plant-derived ingredients, such as tofu, wheat, and vegetables. This means that, unlike pepperoni made from meat, vegan pepperoni has no cholesterol, trans fats or hormones.
Just like with any food, there are different variations of vegan pepperoni that are considered healthier than others. For example, at The Pizza Plant, our Ancho Chile Spiced Tofu Peperone is made primarily with organic vital wheat gluten and organic tofu. Tofu provides an excellent source of lean protein that contains much less fat than pork and beef. It’s also derived straight from soybean plants, meaning that it’s vegan and better for the planet’s wellbeing. Certain other brands of vegan pepperoni may not be quite as healthy, as they use non-organic or processed ingredients, and less wholesome forms of protein.
In general, it’s safe to say that vegan pepperoni is, indeed, healthier than pepperoni made from meat. And, you may be surprised to know that meat isn’t what gives pepperoni it’s traditional flavor.
If It’s Not The Meat, Then What Makes Vegan Pepperoni Taste So Good?
The base of any pepperoni is a hardy form of protein, whether that be from meat or a vegan source. What gives pepperoni that tried-and-true flavor, however, is its additional seasonings and additives. Most seasonings come from plants, which means that vegan pepperoni has every potential to taste just as great as the meat kind- and it sure does.
Most forms of pepperoni include a variety of spices that give it its signature taste. These usually include red pepper, black pepper, and garlic. Additional spices and marinades can be added to create more flavor, such as mustard and fennel seed. One thing that’s for certain, is that pepperoni wouldn’t taste like pepperoni without the right mixture of seasonings.
At The Pizza Plant we craft our mouth-watering, vegan pepperoni from scratch, making for the perfect meaty addition atop our plant-based, pre-made pizzas. Our vegan pepperoni begins with its base of wheat gluten and tofu, and then is mixed with a blend of seasonings and marinades that includes safflower oil, onion, tamari, agave, sea salt, paprika, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne. All of these ingredients are organic, vegan, and derived straight from plants. For a full list of the ingredients in our Ancho Chile Spiced Tofu Peperone, click here. Our careful pick and mix of seasonings make our vegan pepperoni healthier, tastier, and better than pepperoni made from meat.
Where To Find Pre-Made Pizzas with Vegan Meat and Pepperoni
Whether you’re fully vegan, interested in exploring a vegan diet, or curious about healthier options when it comes to meat, pepperoni, or pizza, we encourage you to check out The Pizza Plant. Our pizzas are 100% USDA certified organic, made from whole foods, plant-based, and oh-so-craveable.
If, by now, you’re convinced to try out vegan pepperoni, grab our “Everything But The Hog” Frozen Peperone Pizza. If sausage is your favorite pizza topping, go for our “Salsiccia Italiano” Frozen Pizza.
For all The Pizza Plant grocery locations and to find one near you, visit our store locator page. To order nationwide shipping, visit our delivery page.
Remember to follow us on Instagram @thepizzaplantusa for perfect pizza pairings, new store distributions, and more!
