Vegan Sausage Will Take Your Pizza to The Next Level
Plantbased pizzas don’t have to be boring. In fact, they can be far from it!
The best part about pizza is the melty cheese or savory pepperoni and sausage that tops it—right? How can a vegan pizza that doesn’t include any of these toppings be nearly as tasty? Whether you’re a current vegan or interested in the vegan lifestyle, we urge you to try out the wide variety of vegan meat and cheese alternatives on the market. Vegan versions of your favorite pizza toppings exist, and many taste delicious! There are excellent versions of vegan pepperoni and sausage out there, as well as tons of vegan cheeses.
Today, we’re talking about vegan sausage. There are tons of vegan alternatives to traditional sausage on the market, and, as it turns out, you don’t have to sacrifice the taste of this delicious type of meat when going plantbased. But, what is it exactly, and is it better for you than regular sausage? Which vegan sausage brands are the best for pizza? How can you make your own vegan sausage? Get answers to these questions and more below!
If you’re looking for a ready-to-cook meal that includes tasty, healthy vegan sausage, try The Pizza Plant. At The Pizza Plant, we do vegan sausage right. You can try our house-made Italian spiced wheat crumble on our Salsiccia Italiano Plantbased Pizza. If pepperoni is more your style, try our vegan pepperoni on our Everything But The Hog Plantbased Pizza. You can find both of our delectable pizzas online or in the frozen section of your local grocery store. Whoever said plantbased pizza was boring surely never tried pizzas from The Pizza Plant!
Is Vegan Sausage New to the Food World?
We all know sausage. It’s a popular form of meat that is served up in various ways across many different countries and cultures, and it’s famous both à la carte and as a pizza topping. Traditional sausage is made from pork and a mix of seasonings that give it a savory, slightly spicy flavor. But where did the idea of vegan sausage come from? Surely, the idea of any type of plantbased alternative has to be a modern one.
Surprisingly, it’s not! The invention of vegan sausage dates back to the early 1900s, and in fact, many historians cite this period of time as the birth of the ideas of vegetarianism and veganism. In Germany, during WW1, there were major food shortages throughout the country, and mayor and inventor, Konrad Adenauer, decided to make a sausage alternative out of soya, flour, corn, barley, and rice- he called this plantbased sausage the “Kölner Wurst.” Although this vegan sausage certainly didn’t blow up in popularity at the time, it influenced the concepts of vegan sausage and meat alternatives that we know so well today. Adenauer’s invention showed the possibility of making mock versions of sausage and meat that taste similar to the real thing. Flash forward over a century later, and we have plantbased versions of pretty much every type of meat you could think of- sausage included!
Vegan Sausage: What Is It?
In our modern world, where vegan eating is normalized and popular, there are tons of options for vegan sausage on the market. And since vegan sausage, of course, doesn’t contain meat, it’s usually made from a base of plant ingredients. The ingredients in different brands of vegan sausage vary, but most consist of a base of soy, wheat, seitan, or pea protein. All of these ingredients are plantbased, and most provide a great source of protein that’s often comparable to the amount of protein in a meat-based sausage. This base ingredient creates the majority of the “meaty” flavor of a vegan sausage, and other ingredients typically include a mix of seasonings to give it the savory, flavorful taste of meat-based sausage.
Simply put, plantbased sausage is made from what it sounds like: plants! But, does this mean it’s better for you than meat-based sausage?
Is Vegan Sausage Healthy?
Simply put, yes! Of course, “healthy,” has a broad range of definitions, but when looking at typical ingredient lists, vegan alternatives to sausage are much healthier for you than meat-based sausage.
Meat-based sausage is usually made from pork, and sometimes other types of meat, while vegan sausage is made using plant-derived ingredients, such as tofu, wheat, and vegetables. This means that, unlike sausage made from meat, vegan sausage has no cholesterol, trans fats or added hormones.
Is Vegan Sausage Healthy?
Just like with any food, there are different variations of vegan sausage that are considered healthier than others. For example, at The Pizza Plant, our Organic Italian Spiced Wheat Crumble is made up of organic vital wheat gluten, and a blend of organic herbs and seasonings, including thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, sage, and cumin. For a full list of the ingredients in our vegan sausage, head here. Certain other brands of vegan sausage may not be quite as healthy, as they use non-organic or processed ingredients, and less wholesome forms of protein. It is important to note that some people argue that vegan sausage alternatives are just as “bad for you” as the real thing, but in reality, a traditional pork sausage has double the saturated fat as even the most unhealthy version of vegan sausage.
In general, it’s safe to say that vegan sausage is, indeed, healthier than sausage made from meat. A way to ensure that your vegan sausage is just as healthy as you’d like it to be, is to make it from scratch yourself. Let’s take a look at some homemade vegan sausage recipes.
Can I Make my Own Vegan Sausage at Home?
Whether you occasionally cook or are a self-proclaimed chef in your own kitchen, it’s definitely possible to make your own vegan sausage. Making your own vegan sausages rather than buying pre-made ones can be a healthier and more cost effective option. Impress your friends with homemade vegan sausages for breakfast, or prep them to throw atop a pizza for an easy family dinner. There’s tons of recipes online for the perfect, homemade plantbased sausage, and we’ve listed some of our favorites below.
If you’re both vegan and gluten-free, this recipe will be right up your alley! The creator of this recipe describes the vegan sausages to be “hearty, healthy, and packed with flavor,” and we can see why. The ingredients are all plantbased, and include white beans, oats, walnuts, onion, and a variety of seasonings. If you’re looking to skip out on the gluten while cooking up a delicious center dish, these sausages are the perfect recipe.
Seitan is a classic (and amazing!) alternative to meat in a sausage. It is, however, wheat based, so if you’re gluten free, this recipe may not be right for you. These vegan sausages are easy to make, only take about an hour to complete, and are tasty and versatile. Add them to your breakfast or, as the creator suggests, turn them into vegan corn dogs! Along with seitan, these sausages contain other plantbased ingredients, such as chickpeas and fennel seeds. If you’re looking for a vegan take on a traditional sausage, this recipe is the way to go.
If you’re looking for a plantbased sausage that’s both gluten and soy free, check out these vegan sausages by the Minimalist Baker. They include tons of delicious plantbased ingredients, including quinoa, pinto beans, pecans, and mushrooms and are a healthier, vegan take on a classic round-shaped sausage. They’re also easy to make, and only take 40 minutes to complete. Try them with a side of breakfast potatoes, oven-baked vegetables, or vegan scrambled eggs.
Looking to nail a homemade vegan sausage that’s perfect for a pizza topping? Whip up these vegan sausage crumbles by The Hidden Veggies. These sausage crumbles are based from textured vegetable protein, which is a dehydrated soy product that perfectly mimics the texture of crumbled meat. When mixed with other ingredients in the recipe such as soy sauce, fennel seeds, oregano, and cayenne, the result is a tasty vegan sausage that will bring your vegan pizza to the next level. The best part of this recipe is that it only takes 10 minutes to complete! Invite your friends over for a vegan pizza night and impress them with this home-cooked vegan sausage.
What Are Some of the Best Vegan Sausage Brands?
If cooking isn’t quite your thing, no need to worry! There are quite a few plantbased brands that sell pre-made vegan sausage. Here’s a few brands of vegan sausage that you can find at your local grocery store. If you’re looking for a fully pre-made meal that includes vegan sausage, check out the last option- The Pizza Plant Italian Sausage Pizza may just be your new go-to, easy dinner!
Field Roast has become a well-known name in the plantbased community, and with one taste of their vegan sausage, you’ll know why! They sell packages of sausage links in four different, delicious flavors: Smoked Apple and Sage, Italian Garlic and Fennel, Spicy Mexican Chipotle, and Caramelized Onions and Beer. Cook and eat them straight, or chop them up and add them on top of a pizza, in a pasta dish, or in a bun. They also have two breakfast versions of their sausages- one in sausage link form and one in round, patty form. All of their sausages have the perfect “meaty” flavor, while still giving off hints of vegetables in each bite.
Beyond Meat has boomed in popularity over the last few years for their meat alternatives that taste extremely accurate to the real thing. Their vegan meats are so tasty, that even meat-eaters sometimes can’t spot the difference! They have three types of vegan breakfast sausage (Classic Links, Classic Patties, and Spicy Patties), and three types of regular vegan sausage for lunches and dinners (Hot Italian, Sweet Italian, and Braut Original). All of their vegan sausages are savory, delicious, and certainly worth trying!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it can be the tastiest one as well, with Gardein Breakfast “Saus’ge” Patties. These vegan breakfast sausages are flavorful and juicy like real meat, and pair well with toast, vegan eggs, and tons of other vegan breakfast items. They come in “original” flavor, which tastes like a classic breakfast sausage, and “spicy” flavor, which tastes like the original with an extra kick of heat.
Looking for a pre-made meal that’s already topped with delicious vegan sausage? Look no further- The Pizza Plant is here! Our Salsiccia Italiano Plantbased Pizza is topped with our scratch-made Organic Italian Spiced Wheat Crumble- a vegan (and tasty!) sausage alternative. We love vegan sausage, but of course, it can’t be a full, satisfying meal all by itself. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you, with a pre-made pizza topped with vegan sausage that’s better for both you and the planet. Head to the frozen section of your local grocery store or shop online for our Salsiccia Italiano Plantbased Pizza. We promise you won’t regret it!
Is Sausage Not Quite Your Thing? No Worries!
If you’re not so sure about vegan sausage, there’s tons of other vegan meat alternatives on the market. In fact, there’s a vegan alternative for just about every kind of meat out there. In our growing plantbased world, there are delicious vegan forms of chicken, pork, beef, turkey, fish, and more! If you’re looking for a vegan, protein filled pizza topping other than vegan sausage, try out vegan pepperoni.
Just as for sausage, there are quite a few options for pre-made vegan pepperoni on the market, and even more online recipes for homemade versions. If you’re looking to make your own, try this recipe by The Minimalist Baker, or this “Spicy and Smoky” version by Vegan Huggs. If you’re looking to try a pre-made version, check out these three vegan pepperoni brands that taste amazing.
Perhaps you’d like to take the more convenient route and find a pre-made, plantbased pizza that’s already topped with delicious vegan pepperoni. If so, check out The Pizza Plant Everything But The Hog Plantbased Pizza. Our Organic Ancho Chile Spiced Tofu Pepperone is made with organic vital wheat gluten, organic tofu, and a variety of organic spices, making it healthy, hearty, and undeniably tasty.
Where Can I Find Pre-Made Pizzas with Vegan Sausage?
Whether you’re fully vegan, interested in exploring a vegan diet, or curious about healthier options when it comes to meat, sausage, 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 sausage, our Organic Italian Spiced Wheat Crumble is a great place to start. You can try it on our “Salsiccia Italiano” Plantbased Pizza, that tastes like a classic Italian sausage pizza. If pepperoni is your favorite pizza topping, go for our “Everything But The Hog” Plantbased Pizza. Our pizzas are scratch-made, Organic, and the perfect plantbased meals. They are pre-made and convenient to make- just pop them in the oven for a vegan meal that is both healthy and delicious! Head to the frozen section of your local grocery store or shop online for The Pizza Plant. Plantbased food has never tasted so good!
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.
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