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Five alternatives to bacon

Callan Boys
Callan Boys

Anyone for salmon and eggs? Tassal's new salmon rashers.
Anyone for salmon and eggs? Tassal's new salmon rashers.Supplied

Growing up in the early '90s, one of the best parts of excursions to all-you-can-eat salad bar was the "bacon bits". You could make a mountain of potato skins, dollop them with sour cream, sprinkle soy-based bacon chips over the top and it was party time.

Bacon bits are a little harder to find today (MasterFoods discontinued its version of the product a few years ago) but no matter, as there's still plenty of pork-free bacon substitutes on the market for fry-ups without the carcinogenic concern, as highlighted recently by the World Health Organisation.

Tofurky's smoky maple tempeh bacon.
Tofurky's smoky maple tempeh bacon.Supplied
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Salmon rashers

Salmon is high in omega-3, which makes it good for the old ticker, unlike saturated fat-heavy rashers of standard bacon which, according to the Heart Foundation, can elevate cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Say hello to Tassal's new salmon rashers: 11 millimetre thick tranches of Tasmanian salmon smoked with beechwood chips, that are a cinch to fry up for breakfast, brunch or a no-fuss salad. Granted, the concept of a salmon and egg roll with HP sauce seems a little odd, but at least there won't be a gallon of fat to clean out of the frypan afterwards.

Coconut Kinda Bacon for "pure snacking pleasure".
Coconut Kinda Bacon for "pure snacking pleasure".Supplied

RRP $9.99, tassal.com.au

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Coconut bacon

Sydney-based, family-run business Raw Gusto makes Kinda Bacon, a versatile cured meat substitute made from crisp organic coconut flakes flavoured with tamari, hickory smoke, salt, pepper and spices. You can eat the bite-sized bits straight from the packet, melted into pizza or even atop a cupcake.

"I had cravings for the bacon-esque coconut chips I tried in Bali," founder Kim Miller says. "I couldn't find them anywhere in Australia and started thinking day and night about how to make them and if I could start a business from it. I just followed my heart and Kinda Bacon was born."

RRP $12.75, kindabacon.com

Cheatin' streaky bacon-style rashers

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Vegans can have their bacon and eat it too, thanks to VBites Foods. Cheatin' Bacon is a blend of soya protein, vegetable fat and wheat gluten, flavoured with vegetarian bacon flavouring and formed into a shape that resembles a streaky rasher (or at least it does if you blur your eyes).

It's one of the bacon alternatives trying its best to imitate the pork-based version so if you want something to fry up, whack on a roll, douse in tomato sauce and be satisfied that it does taste close to a classic bacon sarnie, the Cheatin' brand is probably a good bet.

RRP $5.95. veganperfection.com.au

Tempeh bacon

What if you're craving a BLT and only eat plant-based products? Add Tofurky's tempeh smoky maple bacon to your shopping trolley. TLTs for all!

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Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but unlike tofu, which is made by coagulating soy milk and setting its curds, tempeh is a firmer product made from fermented soybeans. Tofurky tempeh bacon is flavoured with shoyu sauce, maple syrup, molasses, natural smoke and apple cider vinegar. It's terrific on a sandwich, but Good Food can confirm it works equally well in salad or on its own as an afternoon snack.

RRP $8.70, plantbasedfoods.com.au/Tofurky

​Turkey bacon

Turkey bacon is popular in the US where the bird is consumed with a fair amount of gusto. It can be found in the smallgoods section of some Australian butchers and delis.

Turkey bacon is usually made from cured, chopped and smoked turkey that's been reformed to resemble standard bacon. Although turkey is a leaner meat than pork, the "bacon" version isn't light on salt, and may contain nitrate and nitrites which would put it into the "processed meats" category, classified as a group 1 carcinogen by WHO. Health concerns aside, it's a viable option for anyone who wants a meaty bacon hit but doesn't consume pork-based products.

Available from the Black Forest Smokehouse, Sam the Butcher and other butchers and delicatessens.

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Callan BoysCallan Boys is editor of SMH Good Food Guide, restaurant critic for Good Weekend and Good Food writer.

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