Replacement for bacon or chorizo

[Imperfectsusan]

I'm very swayed by the arguments against bacon, chorizo etc (nitrosamines and other preservatives).

Some of the recipes I use call for them. I'm waif there are any alternatives people are aware of?

We never were big eaters of bacon etc, but I did used to cut a rasher into soups, some stews and rice dishes.

TIA.

If you don't eat a lot, does it matter?

If you only add a rasher or two to stews, it's mostly it's adding salt, I reckon. Worcestershire sauce might be a good sub? It has a salty, meatiness about it.

Parmesan would add a depth of flavour to soups, as does good home made stock. Mushrooms are another option.

Thank you.
That's what I have been doing.,I just wonder what else there is?

Smoked paprika is good.

Would turkey rashers be any better?

Smoked paprika adds a chorizo style taste to dishes

You can also buy liquid smoke

Agree about smoked paprika! I’ve also recently gone pork free and I’m amazed by how much bacon is in so many dishes.

Sainsbury’s do bacon and ham called naked and it has no nitrates in it
We don’t eat much bacon but DS loves ham so I prefer him to eat that one

Aubergine or Mushrooms both work well, like sponges for flavour.
Loads of recipes here:
www.google.co.uk/search?q=vegan+bacon+alternatives+recipes&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

You can buy old fashioned dry cured bacon, likewise Parma ham is just pork and salt. I often use a tiny bit to add flavour to a dish. You don't need much as it is very salty.

Those are all great suggestions. I hadn't thought of smoked paprika. Parmesans a good one

Yes bacon is really is in lots of stuff. The article I read on it really convinced me that it is dodgy, and I would say our food styles are healthy but not spotless!

Thank you everybody.

What about anchovies? They can give a meaty taste to tomato sauce.

YY to the paprika for chorizo, Spanish friends did this when on a health kick.

Salt for bacon.

Living in a country where pork of all forms is banned, I'd say there is no perfect replacement.
Anchovies, paprika etc can head you in that direction, but cured pork is irreplaceable in many dishes - even cured beef and Turkey replacements dont always work.

I'll have to try them all in turn and see which is best!

Haloumi can be a good chorizo substitute, giving you salty chewy little bites.

They are FULL of salt and colourings so might not be the healthy alternative you're looking for, but bacon flavour salad sprinkles are usually veggie!

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/finnebrogue-naked-unsmoked-back-bacon/567468-645141-645142?gclid=CjwKCAiAkrTjBRAoEiwAXpf9CTVW0JwFmW2M2dcIFoKr9klpg0Bn7z_z6VdKyI7dx_dbcQx-B2tomBoCAEYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You are all incredibly helpful. 💐

When I want a salty, umame kick without pork, I use anchovies, capers, halloumi or kalamata olives.

Sainsbury’s do a turkey ‘chorizo’ ( Spanish origin) - I have used it when cooking for a frequent guest who doesn’t eat pork. Quite good.

Olives and sundried tomatoes can give a good salty little kick in some dishes. Or capers, if you like them.

Love smoked paprika.

Use uncured pork belly and smoked paprika.

Definitely smoked paprika. It bears almost no resemblance to regular paprika. Also Henderson's relish or Worcester sauce. Or soy sauce.