Belazu Ve-du-ya Vegan 'Nduja Paste (170g)

'Nduja is a soft, spreadable Calabrian sausage made from pork and chilli. Ve-du-ya is Belazu's plant-based version of it, and it is the jar to reach for if you are looking for an 'nduja substitute: red peppers and Italian hot chillies blended with haricot beans and coconut oil, so it melts into a hot pan the way the pork version does. Nothing in the ingredient list is animal derived.

The Belazu Ve-Du-Ya Vegan 'Nduja Paste is a creative twist on the classic Italian 'Nduja, offering all the heat, depth, and rich texture of traditional 'Nduja, but in a plant-based form. Crafted with a base of Calabrian chillies and sweet red peppers, this vegan 'Nduja captures the bold flavours and melting quality of its meaty counterpart, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking authentic taste without animal products. This product is a versatile addition to any kitchen, perfect for spreading, cooking, and adding a fiery twist to any dish.

The use of Calabrian chillies is key to achieving the distinctive heat and flavour that 'Nduja lovers will recognise. Known for their slightly smoky, fruity heat, these chillies add depth and character to the Ve-Du-Ya paste, while sweet red peppers balance the heat with a touch of sweetness. Coconut oil is added to create the luscious, spreadable texture that’s essential for an authentic 'Nduja experience, while haricot beans provide protein and substance, giving this paste the same satisfying mouthfeel as the traditional version.

Belazu’s Ve-Du-Ya Vegan 'Nduja Paste is incredibly adaptable, making it a fantastic addition to both traditional and experimental dishes. For pizza lovers, a few dollops of this paste on top of a margherita will add an exciting layer of heat, melting into the cheese and creating a beautiful contrast with the mild mozzarella. It’s also an excellent base for vegan pasta dishes, especially ragù. Try sautéing onions, garlic, and vegetables in olive oil before adding the paste and simmering for a hearty, flavour-packed sauce that brings a taste of Southern Italy to your table.

It sits well beside the rest of the Belazu shelf. Sun-dried tomato pesto and black olive tapenade both work on the same board, or on the same plate of pasta: the pesto for sweetness and the tapenade for salt, against the chilli in this jar.

What is nduja?

A fermented, spreadable pork salami from Calabria, loaded with dried chilli. It is soft enough to spoon straight from the jar and it dissolves into anything hot, which is what people are usually after when they cook with it.

Is nduja vegetarian?

Traditional 'nduja is not: it is a pork product. This one is. The full list is red peppers 31 per cent, coconut oil, haricot beans, Italian hot chilli peppers 14 per cent, paprika, sunflower oil, salt, wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, with no meat and no dairy in it. The allergen statement we hold reads contact us for more details, so ring 1300 936 406 if you need that in writing.

What can I use instead of nduja?

This, in the same quantity the recipe asks for. The reason it works as a swap rather than as an approximation is the coconut oil: it is solid in the jar and liquid in a hot pan, so the paste melts and coats instead of sitting in a lump the way a plain chilli paste does. It is chilli-forward with a sweet red pepper base, so expect more pepper and less cured funk than the pork original.

What do you cook with vegan nduja?

The two we have written up are vegan nduja pasta with toasted breadcrumbs and Christmas morning baked eggs with vegan nduja. Six more uses, including the pizza one, are in vegan nduja: what Ve-du-ya is and six ways to spread it. The rest of the plant-based range sits under vegan options, and the rest of the range on the Belazu brand page.

Where is it made and how long does it keep?

Made in the UK, with a twelve month shelf life on the unopened jar. Once it is open, keep it refrigerated. Orders placed before 12pm on a weekday are dispatched the same day from our Corio, VIC warehouse, tracked with Australia Post.