Vegan Pork Belly - Veggie Anh (2024)

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Realistic and satisfying vegan 'pork belly' using layers of fried tofu, coconut fat and a crispy crust. Perfect to use with flavorful sauces. This is the recipe to impress any vegan skeptics!

How did this Vegan Pork Belly recipe come about?

Pork belly is a very popular ingredient in Asian cuisine, it is used in many dishes like Char Siu, Red Braised Pork. Many people are skeptical about using plants to mimic dishes. Since I don't want to miss out on my cultural foods so I have to learn to make a vegan version of Pork Belly.

This recipe has been adapted from the creations of many Vietnamese food content creators. I was mindblown by how creative and diverse Vietnamese cuisine is. It looks so realistic while being very satisfying with the coconut layer that just melts in your mouth.

Vegan Pork Belly - Veggie Anh (1)

Ingredients of this recipe

This recipe uses:

  • TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) slices
  • Tofu skin / baguette
  • Tapioca starch
  • Rice flour
  • Coconut milk

Where can I find TVP slices?

You can find TVP slices at Asian supermarkets, health stores or online. I recommend you to choose chicken-like TVP slice, such as:

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How to make Vegan Pork Belly?

Since pork belly has different layers of lean meat, pork fat, and skin, we are going to recreate each layer individually and then stack them on top of each other. This recipe uses TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) slices to recreate the lean meat layer; a combination of tapioca starch, rice flour, and coconut milk to make the 'fat' layer. And finally, tofu skin is used to make crispy pork skin.

Step 1: Make the 'lean meat' layer using TVP slices

First, soak TVP slices in boiling water for 20 minutes.

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Drain and squeeze out excess water from the TVP slices.

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Step 2: Make the fat layer

The fat layer is created to have a sticky texture by mixing tapioca starch and rice flour, fatty texture from the creamy coconut milk. The fat layer will be in the middle and helps the layers stick together.

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Step 3: Make the crispy skin using a baguette or tofu skin

If using tofu skin: rehydrate a sheet of yuba (tofu skin).

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If using baguette: Trust me on this! The baguette works well to replicate the pork skin because it is crispy with a natural golden color. Remove the inside and start layering!

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Step 4: Stack each layer of lean meat, fat, and skin on top of each other

The next task is to put the vegan pork belly layers together:

  • Bread (or tofu skin) in the bottom
  • Coconut 'fat'
  • TVP slices
  • Another layer of coconut 'fat'
  • Another layer of dipped TVP

The final result should look like the picture below:

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Step 5: Steam and refrigerate to keep its form

To keep the layers stick together, we first steam it for 25 minutes, then leave it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

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Step 6: Fry until crispy and add flavorful sauces.

After refrigerating, your 'pork belly' is ready to be used. Cut into slices and fry and they are ready to absorb any flavorful marinades. Check out this blog post to make vegan Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly!

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I use instead of TVP slices?

You can use firm tofu in place of TVP slices. Pat dry the tofu, and cut into slices then fry until golden brown. Dip the tofu lightly in a mixture of cornstarch and water before sticking to the layers. Note that the texture using tofu won't be as good and sticky as with TVP slices.

The result made with fried tofu:

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What are TVP slices?

TVP slices are textured vegetable protein, often used as meat substitutes. They have different sizes and variations, for this recipe I recommend buying a chicken-like variation. You can access them at Asian supermarkets, health stores, or on Amazon.

What can I use instead of yuba (tofu skin)?

You can use a slice of baguette instead. Cut the baguette in half and use it in place of yuba (tofu skin).

How can I add flavor to the vegan pork belly?

You can add a Vietnamese sauce as instructed here, or coat with any Asian (cha siur) or BBQ sauce after frying!

How to serve these Vegan Pork Belly?

You can enjoy them using some sauces and enjoy them with rice, such as in my Vegan Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly recipe. In the future, I will share many more vegan pork belly dishes!

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If you have tried my recipe, please let me know what you think by leaving me a review on this page or tagging me onInstagram @veggieanh. I would love to see your creations!

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📖 Recipe

Vegan Pork Belly - Veggie Anh (14)

Vegan Pork Belly

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5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Veggie Anh
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Realistic and satisfying vegan 'pork belly' using layers of TVP slices, coconut fat and a crispy tofu skin crust. This is the recipe to impress any vegan skeptics!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

Pork fat layer (Coconut Tapioca mixture)

  • 100 g rice flour
  • 120 g tapioca starch
  • 200 ml coconut milk
  • 300 ml water

Lean meat layer

  • TVP slices: 8 TVP slices (could be more, depending on the size of the TVP)
  • oil for frying

Pork skin layer (bread)

  • 1 small baguette (or cut the baguette into a slice)
  • OR 1 small sheet of yuba (tofu skin)

Instructions

To make the 'lean meat' layer

  1. Dehydrate the TVP slices by pouring hot water on them and letting them sit for 20 minutes.
  2. Drain and rinse and squeeze out excess water out of the TVP slices.

To make the coconut 'fat' layer

  1. On a pan on low heat, combine the rice flour, tapioca starch, coconut milk and water.
  2. Keep mixing the mixture until it forms a thick white paste, that is very similar to pork fat. This takes about 5-10 minutes.

To make the pork skin layer

Method 1: Baguette

  1. If use a small baguette, split it in half lengthwise. If use a long baguette, cut into a section that can is the same length as your tofu slice.
  2. Take out some of the crumb (soft inner part) of the bread.

Method 2: Tofu skin

  1. Rehydrate the tofu skin sheet by pouring hot water on top until softened (about finished).

Make the Vegan Pork Belly

  1. To make the vegan pork belly, layer the 3 layers together: bread 'skin' in the bottom, followed by a thick layer of the coconut 'fat', 'lean meat' (tofu or TVP slcies), coconut 'fat' and 'lean meat' tofu. The coconut 'fat' in between each layer will help the layers stick together.
  2. Wrap the vegan pork belly tightly with aluminium foil and steam for 25-30 minutes.
  3. Afterwards, chill the vegan pork belly in the fridge for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
  4. Cut into thin slices that resemble 'pork belly' slices and fry until golden crispy. Add any sauces you like and enjoy with a bowl of warm rice.
  5. Check out this blog post for making vegan Vietnamese braised pork belly.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: steaming, stovetop
  • Cuisine: vietnamese

If you enjoyed this recipe, also check out some of my other recipes:

  • Vegan Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly
  • Vegan Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)
  • Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls (Vegan)
Vegan Pork Belly - Veggie Anh (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan pork belly made of? ›

To make the vegan pork belly, layer the 3 layers together: bread 'skin' in the bottom, followed by a thick layer of the coconut 'fat', 'lean meat' (tofu or TVP slcies), coconut 'fat' and 'lean meat' tofu. The coconut 'fat' in between each layer will help the layers stick together.

Can Muslims eat vegan pork? ›

Many faiths, including Islam and Judaism, forbid pork because it's considered unclean. There's also the notion in both religions that avoiding pork is simply a commandment from God. Umar said he wouldn't promote a product like Impossible Pork within the Muslim community for those reasons.

What is vegetarian pork made of? ›

This plant-based version of roast pork is typically made with layers of vegan meat (usually some TVP slices) and coconut “fat”. It's then topped with a crust that is naturally colored with annatto to mimic the pork skin! It is usually deep-fried to create a crispy outside while maintaining the inside soft and meaty.

Is pork belly non veg? ›

Pork Belly Boneless, Non Veg, 1KG at Rs 500/kg in Bengaluru | ID: 2851319694262.

Why is belly pork so expensive? ›

Countries like South Korea and Japan favor these cuts for their traditional cooking methods and are willing to pay a premium for high-quality bellies. Moreover, the popularity and frequent use of bacon in North American recipes have increased demand for premium-quality pork bellies.

Is pork belly basically bacon? ›

Large slabs of meat are cut from the underside of the pig, known as pork belly. The pork belly is later seasoned, smoked, and sliced to make bacon. Many producers cure the meat by adding synthetic nitrates or nitrites and also choose to add sugar.

Can Jews eat plant-based meat? ›

Impossible Pork and all other plant-based pork products are completely kosher in the spirit of the law,” Koenig explained. “They're made of plants. There's no way they could possibly violate any of the kosher laws.

Can Jews eat pork? ›

Both Judaism and Islam have prohibited eating pork and its products for thousands of years. Scholars have proposed several reasons for the ban to which both religions almost totally adhere. Pork, and the refusal to eat it, possesses powerful cultural baggage for Jews.

Why can't Muslims eat pork? ›

The pig is considered an unclean animal as food in Judaism and Islam, and parts of Christianity. Although Christianity is also an Abrahamic religion, most of its adherents do not follow these aspects of Mosaic law and do consume its meat.

Is there vegan spam? ›

Vegan SPAM for everyone

Called OmniPork Luncheon, it is made from soybeans, wheat, beets, and coconut oil to provide consumers with a better choice to a local staple but with less sodium, no nitrates, and zero animal cruelty.

Why don t vegans eat pork? ›

Veganism is a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, be it for food or any other purpose. For this reason, vegans avoid eating foods of animal origin, such as: Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, veal, horse, organ meat, wild meat, etc.

What does it mean to be vegan pork? ›

It's either soy protein or pea protein with all kinds of additional ingredients to give it a texture similar to meat.

How unhealthy is pork belly? ›

Are there any risks associated with consuming pork belly? Excessive consumption of pork belly, due to its high calorie and fat content, may lead to weight gain and increase the risk of certain health conditions. It's important to practice moderation.

What is the difference between pork belly and belly pork? ›

Pork belly or belly pork is a boneless, fatty cut of pork from the belly of a pig.

What does pork belly consist of? ›

Pork belly is a fatty, boneless cut of meat that comes from the belly of the pig. When kept whole, the cut looks like a brick of meat with a thick layer of flat running along the top and smaller layers of fat marbled throughout. The function it's possibly most famous for? Bacon!

Is vegan pork real pork? ›

Like ground pork from pigs, Impossible Pork provides proteins, fats, and micronutrients such as vitamins and essential minerals. The key difference? Our ingredients are derived from plants, not pigs.

What part of the animal is pork belly? ›

Pork belly cuts come from the underside of a domesticated pig, along the ventral line. As the butcher works up along the sides of a pig's belly, they'll remove the loins and spare ribs, then the remaining meat in the bottom portion of the area, known as pork belly.

Is pork belly just pork fat? ›

Pork Belly is a boneless cut of fatty, flavorful meat from just where it says: the belly. It's widely used in Asian cuisine, and Americans usually make bacon from it. It's about 90-percent fat and 10-percent protein, but 100-percent flavor.

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