Finding vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food options in France isn’t always easy. It’s no secret that bread, meat, fish, and dairy are important parts of French culture and cuisine. While some supermarkets offer gluten-free and vegan staples, their product range is often not as comprehensive as you may be used to back home, particularly in rural France.
Statistics vary regarding the number of people in France who are vegan or vegetarian, but the data suggest that the rate is only 3-5% of the population, which is significantly lower than in the US or UK. According to World Population Review data, only 0.33% of the French population is gluten-free, one of the lowest rates in Europe. All of this affects supply and demand.
This means that vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets can be tricky in France – not just at restaurants; for home cooks, it can be very hard to find the individual ingredients needed to whip up a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free storm.
Going vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free in France
If the name Bacon by the Box suggests that these guys are all about the meat, then think again. They offer a fantastic range of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, featuring everything from vegan cheese to gluten-free flatbreads and vegetarian sausages. This not only makes things easier but also means you don’t have to miss out on mouth-watering and wholesome recipes. Take inspiration from some of the ideas below to enjoy a celebration of Irish, English, and French cuisine that’s suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diets – and easy to make too.
Breakfast made easy
Take the stress out of breakfast with Bacon by the Box’s gluten-free porridge, bran flakes, or Corn Flakes, and add a local touch by sprinkling in some fresh fruit.
Vegan French Onion Soup
What could be more French than French onion soup? Choose local onions and mix them with Oxo’s vegetable stock cubes (not suitable for a gluten-free diet). Bacon by the Box offers vegan cheeses – perfect for grating on top- and also has gluten-free and yeast-free bread kits that are really easy to make.
Bangers and mash
Embrace all that is English, French, and Irish with a traditional dish made from a mix of French ingredients and vegan sausages. Irish Clonakilty Veggie Sausages are crafted with fresh vegetables and grains suitable for vegetarians and vegans. They’re packed with flavour, are soy-free, high in protein, and a good source of fibre. Choose local French potatoes for your mash, and perhaps a little vegan cheese for an extra wow factor.
Saucisses aux Lentilles is a wonderfully French dish that combines sausage and lentils simmered with onions, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme in either water or vegetable stock. Substitute meat sausages with Clonakilty Veggie Sausages for a culinary culture fusion and serve with gluten-free herb and salt flatbreads.
Alternatively, Clonakilty Veggie Pudding is a great option for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. It is gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Shallow fry it for just a few minutes and serve with a medley of your favourite French vegetables, such as new potatoes, mange tout, and seasonal asparagus.
Sweet treat
Who doesn’t want a sweet treat? Bacon by the Box can supply everything from gluten-free chocolate biscuits to chocolate buttons and vegan-friendly Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles.
Bake it till you make it
Order some gluten-free flour and create your own version of classic French tarts with local apples for Tarte aux Pommes or a traditional Tarte Tatin, and summer fruits for Tarte aux Fruits.
Pasta be done
Bacon by the Box stocks a good range of gluten-free pasta, including spaghetti, lasagne sheets, and penne, as well as a gluten-free red pesto sauce, bringing the dolce vita to your table!
Cheese without the cheese, please
From a cheese board that includes a vegan option to melted cheese over your jacket spuds or cheese in gluten-free bread, you can enjoy vegan cheese in France without too much hassle – and you’ll also savour the rich flavours of Ireland.
Get together with friends
If you know other ex-pats (and there is a growing number of French clients who love to taste the flavours of Ireland and Britain) who enjoy a taste of home but also enjoy all that is wonderful about French cuisine, why not pool your orders to save on delivery costs? Bacon by the Box delivers all over France, and when you spend €150, delivery is free, making a collective purchase both a sensible option and making vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free diets in France a bit easier.
Bacon by the Box also has a wide range of products, including bacon, lamb, pork, and beef, all grazed on the luscious fields of southern Ireland. They also offer pasties and pies, dairy, cereals, sweets, snacks, spices, sauces, tea, and canned and packaged foods, from Baked Beans to Ambrosia custard.
Find out more or place your order at: Bacon By The Box | British & Irish Food Delivered to Europe
