Pepperoni is certainly a popular American favorite. The smoky and spicy meat offers great flavor to a variety of dishes such as pizza, sub sandwiches, a charcuterie board, grilled cheese, and more! With its versatility and its deliciousness (as well as the fact that you can buy pre-made pepperoni that is ready to use for convenience), pepperoni certainly is a common household item for many. Yet, what exactly is pepperoni made of? Can pepperoni be enjoyed by everyone? How can pepperoni be altered to fit the dietary preferences of everyone? Well, this article will delve a little bit deeper into all of that.

What is the Typical Pepperoni Made Of?

Well, while pepperoni can certainly be made of many different things depending on where you look for pepperoni alternatives, it is fair to say that certainly whenever you order pepperoni from most stores or restaurants you will typically expect either a mixture of beef and pork or simply a mixture of just pork. Whichever the case may be, you can typically expect those types of meat to be most commonly present in the pepperoni that you purchase on a pizza or sandwich. Don’t fear though! If you are someone who has certain dietary restrictions that prevent you from being able to enjoy delicious pepperoni without the pork or beef, then there are certainly other options!

Turkey, Beef, or Veggie Pepperoni

If you are someone who does not eat pork at all, then you can certainly opt for all beef or all turkey pepperoni options. Feel free to find the closest store that sells them. They will provide that great tasting smoky flavor without having to be in a meat that you don’t eat. If you are someone who cannot eat beef, then no worries, turkey pepperoni will certainly do the trick as well. Turkey pepperoni like beef and veggies comes in a variety of spices that allow the pepperoni to still taste smoky and flavorful! Lastly, if you are someone who does not eat meat at all, then we still got you covered. There are actually wonderful recipes and brands that produce veggie style pepperonis that are entirely made of either veggies, chickpeas, or tofu and are then spiced up to produce an authentic pepperoni flavor. In other words, it doesn’t matter what pepperoni typically comes in. People of all different dietary preferences can still find great alternatives that suit their pizza, sandwich, and charcuterie board needs! If you are someone who may be interested in a vegan style pepperoni option that keep on reading for a super great recipe that you can try at home!

Easy Vegan Seitan Pepperoni Recipe (itdoesnttastelikechicken.com) Ingredients

• ⅓ cup of tomato paste
• 1 ½ cups of vital wheat gluten
• ¼ cup of refined coconut oil
• ⅓ cup of soy sauce
• ¼ cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of whole fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Add in about several inches of water to a large pot and use a steamer basket. Bring water to a boil.
2. In the meantime, make sure to mix together all ingredients into a large bowl. Once the mixture begins to come together, make sure to finish mixing by the hand and knead the dough for 2-3 mins. Ensure that the mixture has combined well. Kneading the dough will ensure that the vegan pepperoni is a chewier texture.
3. Divide the dough up into two pieces and then be sure to roll the dough into two logs that are about 6 inches long. Roll the log up loosely in a piece of aluminum foil and then make sure that you twist the ends closed. Steam the logs for about 30 minutes. Oil may release during the process but that is okay! After 30 minutes, remove the logs from the steamer and cool them in the fridge. Slice them after they have cooled and enjoy!