A new year often rings in a new diet, and with 2020 now firmly behind us, thousands of Brits are preparing to take part in Veganuary – ditching meat, fish and dairy for the first 31 days of 2021.
And hoping to cash in on the new vegans are UK retailers, who’ve been busy creating new plant-based dishes.
From Subway’s No Chick’n Sub to Domino’s vegan pizza and Starbucks’ Beyond Meat breakfast roll, several brands are getting in on the act as people give up animal products for the month.
Meanwhile, Wagamama has announced that half its menu will be meat-free within a year.
Launching on January 5, it will offer a raft of meat-free alternatives to its popular dishes such as vegan chilli squid, sticky ribs, firecracker curry and no duck donburi.
Here, FEMAIL looks at the vegan delights on offer throughout January…
Those going vegan will be able to grab a bite in Starbucks, with their new No Chick’n & BBQ Bean Hot Wrap (left)) , a delicious flame grilled soya-based chicken alternative with BBQ beans, spinach, onion, coriander and a hint of lime juice. The chain is also launching a Beyond Meat® Breakfast Sandwich. This plant-based breakfast option is made with an irresistible Beyond Breakfast Sausage® patty, Starbucks’ signature tomato relish, tofu turmeric egg alternative and a slice of melted plant-based cheese (right)
CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
STARBUCKS
With a chilly month ahead and lots of brisk walks in the pipeline as the country remains in lockdown, many will be nipping into their local coffee shop for a takeaway hot cuppa.
And those going vegan will be able to grab a bite in Starbucks too, with their new No Chick’n & BBQ Bean Hot Wrap. A flame-grilled soya-based chicken alternative, it comes with BBQ beans, spinach, onion, coriander and a hint of lime juice.
The chain is also launching a Beyond Meat® Breakfast Sandwich. This plant-based breakfast option is made with a Beyond Breakfast Sausage® patty, Starbucks’ signature tomato relish, tofu turmeric egg alternative and a slice of melted plant-based cheese.
This sandwich marks the debut of Beyond Breakfast Sausage in the UK and is an exclusive Starbucks UK recipe.
To wash it down, Starbucks has now gone one step further and added a new exclusive dairy alternative option to the menu – the Starbucks™ Original Nut Blend.
Truly making customers’ drinks unique to their taste, the silky-smooth dairy alternative is blended with hazelnut, cashew nuts and rice. Innovated to steam perfectly and provide a superior coffee experience, this dairy alternative is a great partner to both hot and cold drinks.
PRET A MANGER
Pret A Manger will launch nine vegan items, including the new Meatless Meatball Hot Wrap, available in stores and for delivery on the 5th January alongside their existing extensive vegan range.
Pret is so confident in its vegan take on its classic Swedish Meatball Hot Wrap that they are removing the traditional version for a month.
The new Meatless Meatball Hot Wrap will be making its Pret debut after over 20 different attempts to perfect the recipe. This vegan version of the customer favourite Swedish Meatball Hot Wrap is the first dish at Pret and Veggie Pret to feature a plant-based meat alternative created in partnership with Meatless Farms.
Pret A Manger will launch nine vegan items, including the new Meatless Meatball Hot Wrap, available in stores and for delivery on the 5th January alongside their existing extensive vegan range
SUBWAY
Subway has unveiled the new additions to its plant-based menu for 2021 – the vegan T.L.C. (Tastes Like Chicken) Sub and Vegan Double Choc Cookie.
The plant-based T.L.C. Sub is packed with all the delicious flavour of the original, made with a bespoke recipe designed to mimic Subway’s roast chicken breast strips, and available with slices of Violife™ vegan cheese.
The T.L.C. is fully customisable and is available as a 6-inch or Footlong Sub, a salad or a wrap for even more choice.
Subway has unveiled the new additions to its plant-based menu for 2021 – the vegan T.L.C. (Tastes Like Chicken) Sub and Vegan Double Choc Cookie
The T.L.C. Sub is made from soy-based protein for the plant-lovers and flexitarians to enjoy and is the result of over 10 years of development – but tastes so much like the real thing that even meat-lovers should give it a try.
For the Subway cookie lovers out there, Subway will be expanding its existing cookie range to include a vegan offering for the first time.
The delicious Vegan Double Choc Cookie will newly join the hallowed cookie menu, designed to replicate the flavour of Subway’s original Double Chocolate Cookie, and can be ordered as a single cookie, as part of a pack of 3 or the 12 cookie sharing box.
DOMINO’S
There’s not one but two new freshly prepared products being added to the much-loved Vegan Friendly menu in January at Domino’s.
Joining fan-favourites the Vegan Margherita pizza, the Vegan Vegi Supreme pizza, the Vegan Garlic & Herb dip and Potato Wedges is the Chick-Ain’t pizza.
Domino’s fresh vegan dough is hand-stretched, spread with vine-ripened tomato sauce and generously sprinkled with Domino’s vegan cheese before being topped with delicious plant-based strips, crunchy onions, finely chopped green and red peppers for that handmade quality that Domino’s always delivers on.
The Chick-Ain’t pizza and Vegan Nuggets are both served with the much-loved vegan version of the iconic Garlic & Herb dip, specially developed by Domino’s food innovation crew so foodie fans can enjoy the full dunking experience.
The pizza is available in a medium classic crust or large Italian style base.
Domino’s newest side comes in the form of the delicious Vegan Nuggets, tasty bites coated in mouth-watering, crispy southern-fried breadcrumbs. Both new additions are perfectly timed to make Veganuary that little bit tastier.
The Chick-Ain’t pizza and Vegan Nuggets are both served with the much-loved vegan version of the iconic Garlic & Herb dip, specially developed by Domino’s food innovation crew so foodie fans can enjoy the full dunking experience.
KFC
KFC are bringing back their bespoke Quorn™ fillet coated in the Colonel’s Original Recipe herbs and spices, topped with fresh iceberg lettuce, creamy vegan mayo and housed in a soft glazed bun.
The meat-free priced from just £3.99. It’s available at KFC restaurants, including takeaway, drive-thru and via Mobile ordering.
HONEST BURGERS
Honest Burgers will launch their Tribute to Jamaica burger in collaboration with Jamaican vegan kitchen Dee’s Table.
Available from 5th January to 1st February, the burger combines a plant-based patty with Dee’s Table’s apricot and scotch bonnet ketchup, THIS Isn’t bacon, vegan smoked gouda, plantain fritters, Jamaican curry ‘mayo’ and lettuce .
BYRON BURGER
Byron will also launch delicious new additions to its Vegan menu, as a brand-new chilli burger and a plant-based Salted Caramel Milkshake join the line-up for Veganuary between 6th and 31st January.
Scottish restaurants will also have a very special vegan haggis burger.
That’s One Hot Vegan is made up of a legendary Beyond Meat plant-based patty, topped with a special home-made vegan chipotle mayo, hot green chillies, vegan cheddar and fresh shredded lettuce. This is a fully-loaded, fiery burger that’ll set Veganuary off with a kick.
This can be accompanied by Byron’s first ever vegan milkshake. The new Salted Caramel Vegan Milkshake, using Marshfield’s plant-based salted caramel ice cream and sweet coconut milk, is a delicious twist on Byron’s signature offering and ensures that everyone can indulge this January.
Byron will also launch delicious new additions to its Vegan menu, as a brand-new chilli burger and a plant-based Salted Caramel Milkshake join the line-up for Veganuary between 6th and 31st January.
BONE DADDIES
As for Bone Daddies, the ramen group will launch the ‘Notkotsu’, London’s first plant-based tonkotsu.
Available from 1st January, the special combines Bone Daddies homemade plant-based tonkotsu broth, mushrooms, THIS Isn’t pork belly rashers, beansprouts, spring onion, pickled ginger and burnt garlic mayu oil for a rich, satisfying tonkotsu-style ramen.
As for Bone Daddies, the ramen group will launch the ‘Notkotsu’, London’s first plant-based tonkotsu.
FRIDAYS (FORMERLY TGI FRIDAYS)
Guests who are vegan, veggie or going flexitarian for Veganuary this year, need look no further than the Fridays Vegan Burger.
This dish is made from plant-based protein, beetroot and coconut oil served on a vegan bun topped with guacamole and drizzled with Fridays® Legendary Glaze (which is vegan), served with house fries on the side.
Joining the Fridays Vegan Burger as a fan-favourite are the veggie Garlic and Chilli Veg fajitas (dine in only).
Served on a hot skillet with a selection of dips and warm tortillas, it also comes with a selection of tasty starters such as the Loaded BBQ Beans and much more.
WASABI
The chefs at Wasabi Sushi & Bento have pulled out all the stops for January 2021 to offer 19 vegan products.
From 6th January, the menu includes 30 dishes under 600 calories for customers keeping it light after the holidays, as well as the usual favourites for anyone who just wants their sushi or bento fix.
The chefs at Wasabi Sushi & Bento have pulled out all the stops for January 2021 to offer 19 vegan products. From 6th January, the menu includes 30 dishes under 600 calories for customers keeping it light after the holidays, as well as the usual favourites for anyone who just wants their sushi or bento fix
If you fancy more wholegrain, there will also be three new brown rice dishes and, from January 20th, a new vegan ‘Chi-King’ katsu curry with all the delicious flavours of Wasabi’s chicken katsu curry but 100 per cent plant-based.
The vegan range includes the Spicy Yasai Roll Set with inari, carrot, cucumber, red pepper and chive rolls and a sriracha dressing; Pumpkin Katsu Curry with Yakisoba Noodles; and Sweet Chilli Tofu and Rice.
SUPERMARKETS & SHOPS
ICELAND
Iceland is kicking off the New Year with a bang by launching an exclusive frozen Greggs vegan range, including the famous Greggs Vegan Sausage Rolls (£2.50, 4 pack) and Greggs Vegan Steak Bakes (£2.50, 2 pack) – all of which will be available online on Friday 1st January 2021 and in stores from Saturday 2nd January 2021.
The tasty Vegan Sausage Rolls take only 30 minutes to bake in the oven from frozen before shoppers can get their teeth into golden layers of crisp puff pastry and a delicious bespoke Quorn filling. As they can be baked any time of day or night, the rolls are a convenient treat for the whole family.
Iceland is kicking off the New Year with a bang by launching an exclusive frozen Greggs vegan range, including the famous Greggs Vegan Sausage Rolls (£2.50, 4 pack) and Greggs Vegan Steak Bakes (£2.50, 2 pack) – all of which will be available online on Friday 1st January 2021 and in stores from Saturday 2nd January 2021.
Another Greggs addition to Iceland’s vegan range is the iconic Greggs Vegan two pack Steak Bakes (£2.50).
Mirroring Gregg’s original Steak Bakes, these tasty vegan-friendly snacks are created with savoury flavoured Quorn and diced onions in a rich gravy, all wrapped in a light and crisp puff pastry.
MORRISONS
Morrisons is the first supermarket to launch a vegan version of the classic dessert – the strawberry trifle alongside 15 new additions to its plant-based V Taste range, featuring the likes of V Taste Korma Cooking Sauce, V Taste Southern Fried Chicken Burgers and V Taste Butternut Mac & Cheese.
The plant-based sweet treat comes complete with whipped non-dairy ‘cream’ and vanilla ‘custard’ as well as vegan boudoir biscuits and delicious strawberry compote
The Best Vegan Trifle tastes just like the real thing with layers of vegan custard, sponge and a strawberry filling, finished off with a whipped non-dairy topping made with lentil protein. Offering all the flavours of a strawberry trifle but without the dairy. Weighing in at a whopping 800g, the vegan masterpiece serves 7 and is priced at £7.- just £1 a serving.
ASDA
To help those wanting to eat plant-based get their hands on all the tasty and affordable products they need under one roof, ASDA is adding 22 new products to its recently launched Vegan Bay from this Veganuary.
Only recently launched, the Vegan Bay already features over 100 ambient plant-based products.
ALDI
With something for everyone, from long-term vegans to open minded meat-eaters, shoppers won’t need to sacrifice on taste or pennies to get a delicious dinner this Veganuary.
Get everything you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from a pizza to prosecco.
In a hurry and need breakfast on the go? Or maybe you want to enjoy a weekend treat, Aldi’s Vegan Pain Au Chocolat (£1.49, 8 pack) are the perfect breakfast treat.
For a healthy array of fruity goodness, why not try Aldi’s NEW Plant Menu Vegan Flavoured Yogurt (£0.99, 140g / £1.99, 350g). For the perfect fakeaway vegan treat, you can now pick up Aldi’s Plant Menu Vegan Burgers (£1.49), available in No Chicken (227g) or No Beef (220g) varieties.
For those with a sweet tooth, Aldi has launched Plant Menu Vegan Cookies (99p, 200g), available in two scrumptious varieties, including Chocolate Chip and Fruity Flapjack.
MARKS & SPENCER
M&S own label Plant Kitchen is expanding to include more choice and variety this January.
Mouth-watering new launches include an amazing ready to eat New York Style No Salt-Beef Pretzel Roll, meat-free versions of customer favourites like Chicken-less Tikka Masala, Melt in the Middle No-Fish Cakes, No-Beef Meatballs and No-Chicken Southern Fried Tenders, and stir fry ready Plant Kitchen BBQ No-Chicken Pieces and Piri Piri No-Chicken Pieces – made from wheat and pea protein these look and taste JUST like chicken and are the perfect meat substitutes for all your favourite recipes.
They are also launching the first M&S vegan cheese.
M&S own label Plant Kitchen is expanding to include more choice and variety this January, including a New York Pretzel Roll with No Salt Beef (left) and Chickenless Southern Fried Tenders (right)
Plant Kitchen Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake Wedges £4, 180g Strawberry and Madagascan vanilla cheesecake wedges made with a plant-based lentil protein cream. The dairy free cream cheese creates a luxurious creamy texture, and the crunchy oat biscuit base makes this a perfect New York cheesecake alternative!
WHOLE FOODS
Whole Foods Market has one of the biggest to lead the way in catering for speciality diets and stocking the most innovative, trend-led products.
From everyday basics including cashew cheese sauce and no egg eggs, to unusual plant-free alternatives such as smokey tempeh and bacon-flavoured mayo,
All products fit the high-quality standards and will be available in one of the seven London stores all throughout Veganuary and beyond.
PRODUCTS
HELLMANN’S
Hellmann’s has announced an all-star line-up of new Vegan Mayo’s, set to hit shelves in January.
Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo Baconnaise, Chipotle and Garlic spreads will be available nationwide from Ocado, Amazon Fresh and Asda retailers, at £2.50 per jar.
Hellmann’s has announced an all-star line-up of new Vegan Mayo’s, set to hit shelves in January. Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo Baconnaise, Chipotle and Garlic spreads will be available nationwide from Ocado, Amazon Fresh and Asda retailers, at £2.50 per jar
QUORN
Quorn’s NEW Vegan Peri Peri Strips and Vegan Turkish Kebab will be available from the chilled meat free aisle in Sainsbury’s main and local stores and ASDA stores from 2nd January 2021. (175g, RRP: £3).
The flavoursome strips are super speedy to prepare, making them ideal for either a quick and easy lunch or a delicious evening dine-in.
All you need to do is heat them up in a pan for a few of minutes to release a magnificent burst of flavour. The hardest part is deciding which flavouryou should go for!
For those looking to cut back on meat, dabble in Veganuary or do their bit to help the planet, the Makes Amazing strips are perfect to add to a salad or make the hero of your takeaway inspired homemade kebab.
PROPER CORN
PROPER Snacks are launching the ultimate night-in collection to make sure you’ve got the perfect snacks and comfies on hand to stay ‘in-in’.
Alongside their two new PROPERCORN flavours – all new vegan Salted Caramel and classic Sweet with a 2020 glow up – PROPER are launching their FIRST EVER merch range, featuring limited-edition socks and sliders for your night in this winter.
Salted Caramel and Sweet are both under 100 calories per serve, with the benefit of being totally vegan, gluten-free, and made using only the finest natural seasonings.
The limited-edition merch range will be available exclusively online, featuring plush, popcorn-covered socks, perfect for climbing into the sofa, and must-have PROPER sliders, used best for a quick trip to the snack cupboard. The two new PROPERCORN flavours are also available at major supermarkets nationwide.
GINSTERS
Ginsters of Cornwall – the nation’s favourite pasty maker – has a selection of quick, easy and delicious savoury treats for vegans and flexitarians this Veganuary.
From meat-free twists on much-loved British classics to brand-new, street-style empanadas inspired by global flavour, the five-strong vegan-friendly range by Ginsters is available in supermarkets nationwide now.
Small in size and big in flavour for Veganuary snacking, Ginsters Vegan Mexican Chilli Empanadas combine marinated Pulled Oats® with piquanté pepper and ancho chillies in a smoky Mexican style sauce. Wrapped in light pastry and finished with a smoked paprika topping, each empanada is less than 100 calories offering a lighter hunger fix.
Ginsters of Cornwall – the nation’s favourite pasty maker – has a selection of quick, easy and delicious savoury treats for vegans and flexitarians this Veganuary.
Perfect straight from the packet for an instant street food snack experience or they can be microwaved in 40 seconds and enjoyed warm.
A plant-based, vegan meat alternative, Pulled Oats® is made from a high protein mix of oats, pea and faba bean. The unique ingredient is completely free from additives and is tipped to be the hot new UK food trend having already taken Finland and Sweden by storm. It is brought to the savoury pastry aisle of supermarkets across Britain exclusively by Ginsters with Gold&Green Foods.
Ginsters brand-new Vegan Peppered Steak Slice is a meat-free take on the much-loved Ginsters Peppered Steak Slice recipe. Tender marinated Quorn pieces are combined with onions and Cornish sourced potatoes in a classic peppercorn sauce made using a blend of peppercorns, garlic and Dijon mustard. This delicious and distinctive filling is then encased in light puff pastry and finished with coconut milk for a unique and modern flavour.
A vegan twist on Ginsters’ much-loved traditional ‘Cornish Pasty’ recipe, the award-winning Ginsters Vegan Quorn Pasty combines marinated Quorn pieces with potato, onion and swede. Distinctly seasoned with pepper and wrapped in light puff pastry, it captures the flavours of a traditional Ginsters Cornish Pasty loved by millions across the country, simply minus the meat.
The Ginsters Vegan Quorn Sausage Roll wraps a bespoke meat-free, high in fibre sausage peppered with herbs and spices in a light puff pastry.
Crafted by Ginsters’ expert chefs using quality ingredients and baked in Cornwall, the Ginsters Vegan Quorn Sausage Roll is a reinvention of a much-loved British classic – the perfect snack to pop in the fridge or a quick and easy, impulse pick-up on the go.
Ginsters award-winning Moroccan Vegetable Pasty, created by acclaimed Cornish chef Chris Eden, is filled with butternut squash, chickpeas and roasted red piquanté peppers, brought to life by a hint of harissa and sweetness of apricots and dates. The appetising spiciness is thanks to Moroccan chermoula paste, based on aromatic cumin, paprika and cayenne.
This a pasty for any time, any place. Great for lunch and on-the-go, but also delicious hot from the oven for a quick, tasty dinner – with side dish suggestions including a fruity couscous or spiced roasted cauliflower.
HIGGIDY
A dish commonly resigned to dairy lovers, Higgidy is championing a quiche democracy and doesn’t want anyone to be left out. So, this Veganuary, the chilled food brand is opening the doors to a whole new world of quiche appreiciators with the addition of a vegan alternative.
After years of hard work, taste tests and trials, Higgidy has cracked (without the use of eggs, of course) the recipe to the UK’s first ever vegan quiche, which has been made with clever food combinations and careful cooking. No cream, no milk and no eggs in sight.
A dish commonly resigned to dairy lovers, Higgidy is championing a quiche democracy and doesn’t want anyone to be left out. So, this Veganuary, the chilled food brand is opening the doors to a whole new world of quiche appreiciators with the addition of a vegan alternative.
Ideal for working from home lunches or supper for the whole family, Higgidy’s vegan quiches come in two different sizes. One little quiche to be enjoyed all for yourself, and another sharing size to be enjoyed with loved ones or to be served in slices with a side salad for lunches throughout the week.
Joining its first ever range of vegan quiches will also be the new Mini No-Pork Pies, another first for Higgidy – packed with delicious veggies and green lentils, with no fake meat or substitutes.
MAGNUM
Magnum is launching its newest vegan ice cream the Magnum Vegan Sea Salt Caramel in January 2021.
The new flavoured vegan ice cream will be hitting shelves in the UK next January 2021 and will join the brand’s much-loved wider collection of vegan ice cream.
The Magnum Vegan Sea Salt Caramel ice cream is made with a velvety sea salted caramel base dipped in a sumptuous vegan chocolate couverture; the latest ice cream from Magnum will be sure to give vegans, non-vegans and foodie lovers something to ‘crack’ into this Veganuary.
THE COLLECTIVE
The Collective has launched a dairy-free, live Greek-style yoghurts made from a unique blend of oats, coconuts and rice giving those looking for a dairy-free yoghurt something to talk about!
The Collective Plant, is made with a unique blend of oats, coconut and rice to create a melt-in-the-mouth thick and creamy base, then layered with delicious low sugar compotes.
Soy-free, nut-free and vegan-friendly; this range, grown from a love of dairy yet made without it, is perfect for those who like to switch between dairy and dairy-free and, of course, those who avoid dairy altogether.
UK’S FIRST FROZEN TOFU
Already leading the way in the chilled meat-free aisle, Tofoo can now be picked up for the first time in the frozen section of the supermarket. Offering an alternative source of protein, ‘Original Chunkies’ are crumb covered beauties that provide an emergency midweek dish for time-poor foodies in less than 18 minutes.
Organic, handmade tofu Chunkies with a subtle hint of onion and garlic coated in a gloriously golden crispy crumb. The Tofoo Co. has developed its first frozen product to deliver a great taste with a satisfying crunch.
Brilliant in a buttie, or equally tasty with chips and peas, Tofoo Original Chunkies are ideal for those occasions when you don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen.
HEINZ
Heinz has also expanded their vegan range for 2021 – including both their burgers and sauces.
Their new vegan salad cream is said to have the same zingy taste as the classic but is completely plant-based.
They also have vegan mayo, aioli, and chilli mayo, as well as their new ‘beanz burgerz’.
Heinz has also expanded their vegan range for 2021 – including both their burgers and sauces. Their new vegan salad cream is said to have the same zingy taste as the classic but is completely plant-based. They also have vegan mayo, aioli, and chilli mayo, as well as their new ‘beanz burgerz’.
The new range of Beanz Burgerz is launching on Ocado from 14 January before being rolled out to more retailers later in the year. At £3 a pack, three flavours are being launched, with two out of three being vegan; Original and Texan.
Both flavours contain 10g of protein and are packed full of beans, with the Original flavour also boasting tomato, mushroom and mixed spices, whilst the Texan Style flavour contains black beans, smoky chipotle, chilli & corn. With two burgers to a pack, you’ll find them in the frozen section.
CHICAGO TOWN
Chicago Town has filled its deep dish crust with burger sauce for create a vegan Cheeze burger pizza.
This small but mighty pizza is then topped with vegan mince, red onions, tomatoes and gherkins, and sprinkled with lashings of mozzarella alternative, giving it an irresistible flavour.
Chicago Town has filled its deep dish crust with burger sauce for create a vegan Cheeze burger pizza.
The new vegan variant means that anyone can enjoy this tempting pizza cheeezeburger combo, no matter if you’re vegan or not. It will join Chicago Town’s existing Deep Dish Cheeseburger pizza which was successfully launched in 2020. Now that’s what you call the ultimate pizza offering, with an option for both plant-based eaters and those still wanting a meaty-feast.
Also joining Takeaway, the UK’s number 1 frozen pizza range, Chicago Town is launching Vegan Tomato Stuffed Crust Takeaway Smokey Bac’n and Mushroom. This indulgent sauce-filled crust bakes for the first time in consumer’s ovens, giving it that authentic takeaway taste. It’s topped with a smoked gouda alternative and smoky vegan bacon, which is accompanied by red onions and mushrooms.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
