Based on an article written by Patrick Aleph for MyJewishLearning.org

The main reason people do not take on a kosher lifestyle is the idea that it’s too hard or complicated. Because kashrut requires limitation, it can feel really daunting. But keeping kosher is really easy if you know how to substitute non-kosher food for kosher food!

Here are a few easy ways to make anything kosher:

Make It Vegetarian

Keeping kosher is easy when you do not eat meat, since part of kashrut is not mixing meat and milk together. A few of our favorite meat substitutes are:

• Gourmet Veggie Hamburgers (try Boca Burgers and Morningstar Farms)
• Meatless Pasta and Seven Layer Nachos with vegan “beef” crumbles
• Veggie Hot Dogs and Sausages for outdoor grilling
• Meatless Pizza with vegan pepperoni, sausage or chicken
• Meatless Meatloaf (believe it or not!) with kalebone faux meat
• Deli Sandwiches using faux ham and turkey (try Yves brand)
• Even Thanksgiving can be vegetarian with Tofurky

You can also skip fake meat all together by substituting roasted vegetables in any meat recipe.

Un-Milk Your Meal

If vegetarian food isn’t your thing, just take out the dairy. There’s lots of easy ways to do this including:

• Using margarine or oil instead of butter
• Replacing dairy milk with soy, almond or rice milk (use the Silken brand)
• Soy cheese (we recommend Daiya brand) pizza, pasta and more!
• Tofutti (tofu) sour cream
• Mac and Cheese using Nutritional Yeast

I Can’t Believe It’s Kosher!

Kosher bacon, shellfish and pork…there is a revolution in kosher substitutes for your favorite inedible foods.

• Kosher bacon including turkey, duck, beef and vegetarian
• Kosher lamb and turkey sausage instead of pork
• Shrimp and scallops made from tempeh
• Substitute pork or ham with smoked turkey or try faux ham made from tofu
• Faux ham, pepperoni and sausage (vegetarian)
• Kosher Crab in vegetarian and fish (goes great in kosher sushi)