What is vegan chicken made of, anyway? Various options for plant-based chicken exist.
If you’re vegan, you might be wondering what vegan chicken is made of. Turns out, it’s made of a lot of different things! There are many different types of vegan chicken, and they each have their own unique flavor and texture.
So, if you’re looking for something that tastes like chicken but doesn’t contain any animal products, there’s definitely a vegan chicken option out there for you. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of vegan chicken!
Soy Chicken
The protein in soy flour is extracted and turned into soy chicken. The protein is combined with water, heated, and extruded through an extrusion cylinder. The soy protein combination’s texture and look are similar to that of chicken, owing to the high moisture level.
Soy chicken can be made into a few different forms, including nuggets and tenders. Soy tends to have little flavor of its own, so it usually takes on the flavor of whatever you’re cooking it in. This makes it a great option for stir fry!
Vegan Chicken Seitan
Many commercially available vegan goods are based on seitan. Seitan may be prepared by hand using either whole wheat flour or vital wheat gluten, and it is formed by rinsing away the starch in the wheat dough.
Seitan’s texture is chewy and dense, like bread. It is generally flavored with soy sauce or tamari (soy sauce made without wheat).
Tempeh Chicken
Tempeh chicken is usually prepared by steaming tempeh, combining it with a vegan chicken-style seasoning mixture, and then deep-frying it in oil until the outside is crispy.
Tempeh is a traditional soy product originating from Indonesia, and it often contains beans such as soybeans. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds the soybeans together into a cake form.
Quorn
Quorn is made from a fungus that grows in big containers. It is given the right minerals and vitamins to support its growth. It is then gathered to create mycoprotein.
When they prepare vegetarian meats, they steam the mycoprotein for a lengthy period of time. This gives it a firm texture and then it is frozen. It has a neutral flavor and, particularly, the texture of cooked chicken.
What Is Vegan Chicken Made Of FAQ
Is vegan chicken healthy?
Plant-based processed meat isn’t the healthiest food around, but it’s still a better choice than animal flesh. Meat alternatives for vegan diets allow consumers to enjoy the meat tastes.
Does vegan chicken taste like chicken?
The taste of the vegan chicken depends entirely on the flavor added. Yeast extract is one of the most-used ingredients. Onion, garlic, salt, and pepper are often added to enhance the flavor.
Why is seitan bad for you?
Seitan is not recommended for people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or gluten allergy. It’s made of wheat and has a tendency to be salty.
Is beyond chicken vegan?
While KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is plant-based, the nuggets may be cooked in oil that isn’t vegan, which means they’re not vegan.
Closing on What Is Vegan Chicken Made Of
Vegan chicken options that are available today can be made from soy, seitan, Quorn, or tempeh. Each has its own unique flavor and texture to offer consumers a variety of tastes.
Whether you’re looking for something that’s been processed in the form of nuggets or tenders or if your preference is more towards a fresh cut steak-like texture, there’s likely a vegan chicken option out there just waiting for you!
If you find yourself missing chicken or needing a chicken alternative for a recipe, vegan options exist! Consider the choices explored in this post to enhance your next faux chicken meal.