It’s fair to say that plant-based food has now officially become mainstream. Almost all grocery stores sell plant-based foods, and a lot of restaurant chains offer at least one vegan option. So, what’s vegan at Harvester?.
As a vegetarian, dining out can be tricky. You never know when a menu item may contain hidden animal products. So when a restaurant explicitly labels something as “vegetarian,” it’s always exciting! This seems to be the case with Harvester’s bacon bits.
Harvester is a popular UK-based chain of pubs. They feature a wide selection of “chicken, steaks, grills & burgers.” Clearly not a mecca for herbivores. But could their bacon bits be a hidden veggie gem?
Several enthusiastic Tumblr and Facebook posts claim Harvester’s bacon bits are actually vegetarian. As a vegetarian myself, I had to get to the bottom of this tasty rumor. Are their bits really animal-free? Let’s investigate.
What Exactly are Bacon Bits?
Before determining if Harvester’s are vegetarian let’s review what bacon bits are in general.
True bacon bits are made from real pork belly bacon. They’re cooked until crispy then crumbled into small bits. Obviously not suitable for vegetarians!
But “imitation” or “flavored” bacon bits found in stores are typically made from textured vegetable protein (usually soy) and flavorings like smoke or maple No real bacon required,
These imitation bits can replicate the salty, smoky bacon flavor convincingly. It’s a tasty way for vegetarians to get the bacon experience without the pork.
Checking Harvester’s Ingredients
The only way to know for sure if Harvester’s bacon bits are vegetarian is to check the ingredients listed on their menu or packaging.
I contacted Harvester directly and they confirmed their bacon bits used in salads contain:
- Textured soy flour
- Canola oil
- Salt
- Smoke flavoring
- Coloring
No pork products are listed! This indicates Harvester’s bacon bits are indeed vegetarian-friendly soy-based imitation bits.
Why the Confusion Over Bacon Bits?
If Harvester’s bits contain no bacon, why all the online excitement declaring them “vegetarian”?
It’s likely because most restaurants don’t specify whether their bacon bits are the imitation soy kind or made from real pork. They just label them generically as “bacon bits.”
Since true bacon bits are far more common, vegetarians likely assume all restaurant bacon bits contain meat.
Harvester specifically labeling theirs as vegetarian cuts through the confusion. It alerts herbivores they can safely enjoy these smoky, salty bits on salads and baked potatoes.
Other Vegetarian-Friendly Options at Harvester
In addition to the bacon bits, Harvester offers other great meat-free menu choices:
- Halloumi and avocado salad
- Veggie sausage and mash
- Falafel and hummus
- Bean and vegetable chili
- Meatless burgers with fries
- Margherita pizza
- Mac and cheese
They also note certain dishes can be made vegetarian by substituting ingredients like quorn for chicken.
So beyond the tasty faux bacon topping, Harvester provides plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Their menu makes it reasonably easy to dine there meat-free.
DIY Bacon Bits are Easy Too
While it’s nice Harvester offers store-bought vegetarian bacon bits, it’s also simple to make your own from scratch.
I like to whip up homemade bacon bit batches to use on salads, baked potatoes, or anywhere else a salty, smoky crunch is needed.
It only requires a few ingredients:
- Textured vegetable protein
- Maple syrup
- Soy sauce
- Smoke flavoring
- Spices like paprika and garlic
Just stir everything together and bake until crispy. Much healthier than store-bought brands loaded with artificial flavors and colors.
The Verdict? Harvesters Bits = Vegetarian!
After investigating the ingredients, it seems clear Harvester’s famous bacon bits are definitively vegetarian.
This is excellent news for herbivores with a bacon craving. Now we can enjoy these imitation bits guilt-free as a salad topping or potato garnish when dining at this pub chain.
Kudos to Harvester for transparently labeling their bacon bits as vegetarian. It makes plant-based dining easier and tastier!
Vegetarian Bacon Bits FAQs
Here are quick answers to some common questions about veggie bacon bits:
Are bacon bits vegetarian at most restaurants?
Not usually, most restaurant bacon bits contain real pork. Always check first!
What are imitation bacon bits made of?
Typically textured soy protein and flavorings like smoke, maple, and spices.
Are all bacon bits healthy?
Homemade and some natural brands can be decently healthy. But many store-bought varieties are highly processed.
How do you make vegetarian bacon bits at home?
Mix soy protein, oil, maple, spices, and liquid smoke and bake until crisp.
Can you buy vegetarian bacon bits at the grocery store?
Yes, brands like Bac’n Pieces or Frontier Co-op sell imitation bacon bits made without pork.
What dishes pair well with bacon bits?
Salads, baked potatoes, omelets, pizza, mac and cheese, soups, chili, green beans, etc! Lots of savory options.
Has Harvester always had vegan options?
Founded in Morden, England, in 1983, Harvester now serves more than 30 million meals per year in over 220 restaurants across the UK. Typically associated with grill-style dishes that center on meat and animal products, Harvester also has a famously unlimited salad bar.
Despite a meat-heavy reputation, the casual restaurant chain was, in fact, a relatively early adopter of vegan food. In 2017, it added a meat-free menu with dishes like stuffed red pepper, aubergine and lentil tagine, and coconut and raspberry rice pudding.
Harvester then added a brand-new vegan menu in 2019 to coincide with Veganuary. The company said it was the first time a major national brand of Harvester’s size and type had introduced such a wide range of plant-based foods.
It had a Moving Mountains burger and a bean burger with Violife brand vegan cheese on top of the bean burger. Harvester also added a special dessert menu with a vegan sundae, a chocolate orange slice, a blackcurrant mousse, and a “creamy coconut and black cherry” rice pudding. The katsu curry was made with vegetables.
In a press release at the time, Harvester’s Marketing Manager Anneli Fereday said, “Veganism is the word on everyone’s lips right now.” “We want everyone to be able to get vegan and vegetarian food, so we’re really excited to hear what everyone has to say.” ”.