Uncovering the Truth: Does Jiffy Cornbread Mix Contain Pork?

Jiffy cornbread mix has long been a beloved pantry staple for quick and easy homemade cornbread. The vintage blue boxes are familiar to generations of home cooks. But if you follow certain dietary lifestyles, like vegetarian, vegan or halal, you may be wondering – does this classic cornbread mix actually contain pork products?

This article will take a close look at the ingredients in Jiffy cornbread and tell you for sure if pork, lard, or other animal products are used. Also, we’ll give you some good ideas on how to change the mix or replace it to fit your taste.

A Look at Jiffy’s History

The Jiffy Mix company was founded in 1930 by Howard O. Lewis in Chelsea, Michigan. He and his wife tried and tested more than 500 different cornbread recipes to come up with the famous Jiffy mix of cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and shortening. This mix is still sold today.

Over the years, the company expanded the product line to include muffin, cake, pie crust and brownie mixes as well Jiffy became known for its value, convenience and ability to bake homemade tasting treats in “jiffy” time. The mixes are now distributed across all 50 states and in some international markets as well

Jiffy Cornbread Ingredients

The ingredients listed on a box of original Jiffy Corn Muffin mix are

• Enriched bleached wheat flour
• Yellow corn flour
• Sugar
• Leavening (sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium bicarbonate)
• Salt
• Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean and/or cottonseed)
• Dextrose
• Wheat starch

The key ingredient to focus on is the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. This indicates the mix does NOT contain pork/lard. Many times, the vegetable oil is a mix of soybean and cottonseed oils that have been hydrogenated to make them stickier so they can be used to make cornbread.

This means Jiffy cornbread mix avoids animal ingredients altogether and is suitable for ovo-lacto vegetarians and those who avoid pork for religious reasons.

However, the partially hydrogenated oil may not comply with a vegan diet. Let’s explore some modifications and alternatives.

How to Make Jiffy Mix Vegan

While the original Jiffy mix is vegetarian, vegans will want to avoid the partially hydrogenated oil due to the processing methods. Here are a couple options:

• Substitute regular vegetable oil: Simply use regular liquid vegetable oil like canola or sunflower instead of the hardened shortening. The bread may turn out a bit more dense.

• Use vegan butter: For best results, use vegan butter replacement such as Earth Balance. The end result will be closer to the original.

• Explore egg substitutes: For vegan Jiffy cornbread, replace the egg called for with a vegan substitute like flax eggs, banana or apple sauce.

High Quality Store-bought Vegan & Halal Cornbread Mixes

In addition to modifying regular Jiffy mix, there are some excellent store-bought vegan and halal cornbread mixes to consider including:

• Bob’s Red Mill Vegan Cornbread Mix – Just add water and vegan butter or oil

• Nature’s Eats Cornbread Mix – Vegan, halal and made with non-GMO cornmeal

• Simple Mills Almond Flour Cornbread Mix – Paleo friendly, just add egg and milk

• Bakery on Main Cornbread Mix – Quick bread with non-GMO cornmeal

• Stirrings Gluten Free Cornbread – Use coconut oil for vegan and halal

Make Your Own Vegan Cornbread from Scratch

For the best texture, flavor control and assurance of 100% vegan ingredients, you can easily whip up cornbread from scratch in just 20 minutes or so. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 1⁄4 cup oil or vegan butter, melted
• 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flax meal + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan or skillet.

2. Whisk together the dry ingredients (cornmeal through salt).

3. Mix in wet ingredients (milk through flax egg).

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.

5. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden brown.

6. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.

Get creative with add-ins like corn kernels, vegan cheese, herbs or roasted veggies. Homemade cornbread is easy and endlessly adaptable to your diet.

The Bottom Line

The original Jiffy Corn Muffin mix does not actually contain any pork, lard or other animal products besides milk. However, the partially hydrogenated oil makes it not fully vegan compliant. With just a couple simple ingredient swaps or turn to store-bought vegan mixes, you can easily enjoy delicious homemade cornbread that aligns with your diet and lifestyle needs. Whipping up vegan and halal cornbread from scratch is also a fun, simple baking project.

So whether you avoid pork for religious reasons, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, or simply want to limit processed ingredients, you don’t have to miss out on moist, golden homemade cornbread fresh from the oven. With Jiffy or your own custom mix, cornbread can be enjoyed by almost everyone.