If you decide to adopt a vegan lifestyle, you don’t have to sacrifice your favorite meat-based meals.
If you’ve recently made the transition to a plant-based diet, you might be surprised by how much you miss hot dogs. To our relief, vegan alternatives to popular meat products, like hot dogs, can often taste just as good as their meaty counterparts.
I’m looking for a place where I can get some good vegan hot dogs. For the best vegan hot dogs, look for ones that are high in protein and minimally processed. Equally, the salt content of vegan hot dogs shouldn’t be higher than that of conventional ones.
This article lists the 9 best vegan hot dogs and explains how to choose the healthiest options.
Tips for Consumers Looking to Buy Vegan Hot Dogs
If you want the tastiest plant-based sausage possible, there are a few things to bear in mind while shopping for vegan hot dogs.
Protein Content
Meat-based sausages are nutritional powerhouses. Vegan hot dogs are made with soy or pea protein in addition to wheat gluten to up the protein content.
Always check the nutrition information to be sure you’re getting enough protein in your vegan hot dogs.
Sodium Content
The sodium content of vegan hot dogs is something to think about before making a purchase.
The excessive salt content of many vegetarian alternatives is a serious health concern. Hot dogs with fewer than 400 milligrams of sodium per serving are recommended by health professionals.
Work just as well with a touch more salt, though watch your consumption to make sure you don’t go overboard.
Ingredient List
It’s wise to read the hot dog’s ingredient label before making a purchase. There are probably a lot of processed chemicals and artificial preservatives in those hot dogs because of all the weird words on the container.
Avoid eggs if you can help it. A hot dog may mislead you into thinking it is vegan because it is made with vegetable ingredients.
On the other hand, eggs or egg whites are listed as an ingredient in the sausages. Because eggs are such a fantastic binding agent and because they add strength and stability to the mixture, this is not unexpected.
However, if your goal is to actually follow a vegan diet and not just eat veggie dogs, you may want to look elsewhere.
Recommended Cooking Method
Vegan versions of the classic hot dog are now on the market, and some of them even come with suggested preparation methods.
If you want to grill your hot dogs but the package directions say to boil them, you may need to switch brands.
Allergens
Allergy sufferers should use caution while purchasing vegan hot dogs.
Vegan hot dogs often trigger allergies in people who are sensitive to soy and wheat. If you have an allergy to either of them, it’s best to steer clear of sausages that include them.
Luckily, there are many options, and you can find hot dogs that don’t include soy or wheat.
Check the label to be sure you won’t get sick from eating vegan hot dogs, as they may contain substances that persons with food allergies should avoid.
The 3 Best Vegan Hot Dogs That Are Equally Delicious to the Real Thing
Loma Linda Plant-Based Big Franks
The fact that Loma Linda Big Franks vegan sausages are canned makes them convenient and easy to store for later use.
The vegan sausages within the can are tasty and better for you than regular sausages.
Only 1 gram of fat and 11 grams of protein can be found in each of these plant-based sausages, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fast food.
For better texture and flavor, the sausages at Loma Linda Big Franks are produced with textured vegetable protein, which includes soy protein and wheat gluten, as well as onion and other spices.
You may swap out your regular beef, pig, or turkey hot dogs for these tasty sausages. Many methods, such as boiling, broiling, and grilling, are available for preparing them.
Beyond Meat Hot Italian Plant-based Sausage, 14 oz (4 Pack, 16 Links Total)
The Beyond Meat Hot Italian Plant-Based Sausage is here to save the day if you’ve been craving hot Italian sausages but have been under the impression that they can be manufactured exclusively from actual meat.
None of the ingredients in these sausages come from animals. The fact that these sausages don’t contain any gluten or soy is the most appealing aspect of them.
Pea protein, along with other components like rice and fava bean proteins, are used to make Beyond Meat’s vegan sausages.
These spicy Italian sausages have 16g of protein and 190 calories per serving. This sausage is both sugar- and cholesterol-free.
These sausages are best prepared on the grill or in a frying pan/griddle. Don’t bother with these sausages if you want yours boiled or microwaved.
Tofurky Beer Brats Original Sausage, 14 Ounce — 5 per case.
These Tofurky sausages might work if you’re not looking for anything that tastes exactly like a meat hot dog.
The 30 grams of protein and 280 calories per serving are not surprising given that tofu is a healthy protein source. As an added bonus, they are a good source of potassium, calcium, iron, and even a trace amount of vitamin A.
When it comes to heat sources, Tofurky sausages can be prepared in the microwave. However, if you want the vegan sausages to have a more attractive appearance with some color and char, frying them in a skillet or on the grill is a better choice.
Put the sausages on standard hot dog buns and top them with all the fixings you like. Ketchup and mustard, at the very least.
Related Questions
Are Vegan Hot Dogs Healthy?
Vegan hot dogs have been deemed “healthy” by some, but this is a subjective concept. The nutrient content and list of ingredients have crucial roles.
As an added downside, some vegan sausages are just as processed as their meat counterparts because they employ the same ingredients.
As long as they don’t contain too much salt and are made with little processing, vegan hot dogs are the healthiest option.
Plant-based sausages with a short, simple ingredient list are a great option for those who aren’t vegan but still enjoy hot dogs.
Vegetarian hot dogs are a healthy alternative because they are fewer in calories and have no added hormones, cholesterol, or saturated fats.
The all-natural meat sausages may be the better option if you have no dietary constraints and must choose between those and vegetarian dogs loaded with artificial ingredients.
Choose manufacturers that make the least processed forms of this food and eat them in moderation, whether you’re eating vegan sausages or traditional beef sausages.
How Do You Eat Vegan Hot Dogs?
Vegan hot dogs can be prepared and enjoyed in the same ways as conventional ones.
Vegan hot dogs can be prepared in two ways: either by boiling or by grilling. You may also bake them in the oven or use an air fryer to prepare them successfully.
So, grab some hot dog buns and some toppings and get creative. You can serve your vegan hot dogs with the standard condiments if you’re in a hurry.
Ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese, mustard, chopped onions, sauerkraut, and so on are all examples of such condiments.
