Month: March 2023

A full English breakfast is a classic British dish consisting of grilled or fried bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, baked beans, fried bread or toast, and hash browns.

It is typically enjoyed on weekends or during holidays as a filling way to start the day.

As a former meat eater, I used to indulge in full English breakfasts on vacation.

However, since giving up meat a few years ago and limiting my dairy intake last year, a traditional full English breakfast has become a distant memory for me.

In recent months, however, I’ve discovered that it’s possible to recreate a full English breakfast without ANY animal products!

By using plant-based substitutes such as vegan bacon, sausages, and scrambled tofu, I’ve been able to enjoy a healthy and cruelty-free version of this classic breakfast.

Not only is it better for my health and the environment, but it’s also just as delicious and satisfying as the original.

Now, I’m excited to share with you the four groups of delicious vegan substitutes that I use to recreate the full English breakfast experience.

With these plant-based alternatives, you, too, can enjoy a healthy and satisfying breakfast without compromising on taste or tradition.

Vegan meats

Let’s dive into the essential components of a classic full-English breakfast: sausages and bacon. And, of course, we’ll be using plant-based alternatives to create the same mouth-watering flavours. 

As someone who has tried a variety of plant-based sausages, including big brands like Beyond Meat and supermarket brands like Tesco plant chef, I can say that there is no shortage of options.

From Beyond Meat plant-based sausages to Richmond meat-free vegan sage & onion sausages, the choices are endless.

Personally, I find Richmond meat-free sausages to be my favourite due to their authentic taste and texture.

If you ever wonder how vegan sausages are made, they can be made using a range of plant-based ingredients, including soy, seitan (wheat gluten), pea protein, chickpeas, lentils and vegetables.

They are often flavoured with herbs and spices to recreate the taste of traditional sausages.

As for vegan bacon, it’s made from plant-based ingredients, such as tempeh, tofu, or coconut, that are seasoned and cooked to mimic the flavour and texture of traditional bacon.

Unlike vegan sausages, I have yet to find a good one, as most tend to be quite dry. 

However, I have discovered a healthier and tastier alternative – using carrots to make vegan bacon!

In fact, using vegetables, like carrots or eggplant, to create a bacon-like flavour is becoming more popular in the vegan community.

Check out the video below to learn how to make it yourself from scratch!

It’s easier than you think, and I guarantee it’s a delicious and healthier addition to any vegan full English breakfast.

Vegan breakfast staples

Moving on to vegan breakfast staples, a classic ‘fry-up‘ includes baked beans, hash browns, and bread.

While these may seem like vegan-friendly options, it’s important to check the label as some products may contain animal-derived ingredients.

For example, some varieties of Heinz baked beans may contain non-vegan ingredients such as honey or bacon.

Similarly, some brands of hash browns may contain animal-based products such as eggs, butter, or milk. 

In terms of baked beans, I tend to avoid big brands like Heinz as I find them too sweet for my taste and often more expensive.

Instead, I prefer the more affordable options from Sainsbury’s or Morrison’s savers baked beans.

Interestingly, a recent blind taste test survey revealed that these supermarkets’ own-label baked beans actually outperformed well-known brands.

How about bread? The typical kind of bread used in a full English breakfast is usually white bread, either toasted or fried.

However, some variations of the dish may use other types of bread, such as wholemeal or sourdough. It’s important to note that not all breads are vegan due to non-vegan ingredients like eggs, milk, honey, and butter that may be used in bread recipes.

Eggs and milk are often used as binding agents or to enrich the texture, while honey is used as a sweetener, and butter is used to add flavour or make the bread more tender.

Additionally, some commercial breads may contain additives or preservatives derived from animal products.

So, it’s crucial to check the label of vegan breakfast staples to ensure they are suitable for a vegan diet, as some products may contain non-vegan ingredients or additives.

Vegan eggs and tofu

For a protein-packed breakfast, you can consider adding vegan eggs and tofu to this classic dish.

The brand ‘JUST Egg‘ is probably one of the most well-known vegan egg brands.

The company specialise in creating vegan egg alternatives using mung beans, turmeric, and canola oil to replicate the flavour, texture, and appearance of traditional eggs.

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to try ‘JUST Egg’ or other vegan egg products as they are not available in my local supermarkets, I have experimented with making a homemade version. Here is the recipe I followed.

Making our own vegan eggs can be a sustainable option as it reduces packaging and shipping waste, which can contribute to our carbon footprint and have a negative impact on the environment.

By choosing homemade options, we can help to reduce our environmental impact and support a more sustainable lifestyle.

For those who are short on time, vegan egg products like ‘JUST Egg’ can be a convenient option during the transition to a vegan diet.

This transition can be made easier with the help of vegan substitutes, ultimately benefiting the environment and animal welfare.

Tofu is a great option for increasing our protein intake, too. Compared to vegan eggs made with mung beans, I prefer scrambled tofu because it requires less preparation and fewer ingredients.

Also, tofu is more accessible than mung beans in my area. Firm or extra-firm tofu is the recommended choice for this recipe, as it provides a meatier texture and can absorb flavours well.

Overall, incorporating vegan eggs or tofu into your breakfast routine can be a delicious and healthy way to increase your plant-based protein intake.

Vegan condiments

Vegan condiments may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a full English breakfast, but they can make a huge difference to the taste and texture of the dish.

Traditional condiments such as butter, mayo, brown sauce, ketchup, mustard, and Worcester sauce can all be made in vegan versions that are just as delicious and satisfying as their non-vegan counterparts.

By using these vegan condiments, you can enjoy a fully-flavoured and satisfying breakfast that aligns with your plant-based lifestyle.

If you are new to vegan foods, you may be surprised to learn that most mayonnaise and Worcester sauce products in supermarkets are not vegan unless they are specifically labelled with a ‘vegan-friendly’ logo.

This is because mayonnaise is typically made with eggs, and Worcester sauce often contains anchovies. However, vegan versions of these products are now widely available in most UK supermarkets. 

I prefer to make my own mayo as it is cheaper, very easy, and quick to prepare. Additionally, homemade versions do not contribute to packaging or shipping waste, making them a more eco-friendly option.