The protein content of each yogurt pot ranges from 16g to 23g per 350g. All are free from both dairy and soy, and are suitable for vegans. The yogurts come in six flavors: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, vanilla fudge (a brand-new addition), and natural.

The natural flavor packs the highest protein content, while raspberry contains the lowest. All yogurt pots are now available to buy from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Marks & Spencer, Planet Organic, Whole Foods Market, and select independent health stores. They are priced at £3.25 for a 350g pot and £1.90 for a 120g pot.

Read more: Tiba Tempeh Launches New Smoky Block As Distribution Expands

The UK’s ‘first-ever’ high-protein, soy-free yogurt?

Nush Foods is a UK-based dairy-free brand founded in 2016 by former London police officers Bethany and Paul Eaton. Motivated by Bethany’s personal health journey and her background in nutrition, the couple set out to create a plant-based yogurt alternative that matched the taste and texture of traditional dairy products. They began by crafting almond milk yogurts in their kitchen, eventually launching Nush as the UK’s first producer of nut milk yogurts.

The new range is believed to be the first high-protein, soy-free vegan yogurt available in the UK. The products are said to be creamier, tastier, and more nutritious than previous versions.

Read more: You Can Now Buy Lion’s Mane Mushrooms In UK Supermarkets

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

The block is infused with a smoky marinade and can be used in a variety of dishes, including stir-fries, sandwiches, and pastas. It will be available on Ocado from April 18 and in Waitrose and Sainsbury’s at the end of the month. The 220g product, which retails at £3.00, is a new addition to Tiba Tempeh’s growing plant-based range, which also includes an Original Block and Sweet Chilli Pieces.

“We’re so excited to launch our new Smoky Tempeh as a natural extension to our best-selling Original Block,” said Alexandra Longton, cofounder of Tiba Tempeh, in a statement. “We’ve crafted the tastiest protein-packed tempeh,
which we know consumers will love. We think this is the tastiest tempeh on the market, and we can’t wait for people to try it.”

Read more: Pinky Cole Hayes Announces Buy-Back Of Slutty Vegan

Tiba Tempeh expands

The product launch coincides with increased retail distribution for the brand. From April 30, Waitrose will carry three of Tiba Tempeh’s products – Original Block, Sweet Chilli Pieces, and Smoky Block – in over 200 stores for the first time. The brand will appear under Waitrose’s “BrandsNew” platform, which highlights emerging brands in the food space. “We are delighted to be working with Waitrose to bring more naturally delicious and nutritious plant-based options to even more consumers,” Longton said.

Tiba Tempeh is currently the UK’s largest tempeh-only brand and has seen rapid growth despite a downturn in the overall meat-free category. The brand reports a 736 percent year-on-year increase in retail sales value, representing a £1.2 million (USD $1.5 million) rise over the past year. Longton attributes the growth to increasing consumer demand for minimally processed alternatives to conventional meat substitutes.

Read more: Vegan Restaurant Unity Diner To Return

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Waitrose

For £20 at Waitrose, you can choose a starter, main, side, and dessert, plus a bottle of wine, a cocktail, beer, or an alcohol-free drink. The Meal Deal means savings of up to £18.65.

The vegan starter is Waitrose own brand No.1 Vegetable Antipasti Arancini with Basil Pesto. While pesto normally contains dairy, this one is made from basil, vegetable oils, and haricot beans, and yeast, meaning it’s safe for vegans.

The main is a pack of Juicy Marbles Thick-Cut Filet Plant-Based Steaks. For the uninitiated, Juicy Marbles makes highly realistic steak filets with soy protein and red beet juice, fortified with vitamin B12. With all the other supermarkets offering a vegan main that is some variation on a pastry pie, Waitrose provides something a little different with this option.

Read more: 10 Vegan Valentine’s Day Recipes: Starters, Mains, And Desserts

For the side, there is No 1. Green Vegetable Medley, a mix of petit pois, cavolo nero, and tenderstem broccoli in a lemon zest and roast garlic dressing. The dessert option is Waitrose Plant Living Vegan Tiramisu, made with sponge biscuit soaked in coffee sauce and a rice-based mousse. If you’re opting for wine, the Ara Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a vegan-friendly option.

Aldi

Aldi‘s Valentine’s Day range lets you pick whatever items you like, with the promise of wining and dining for two for under £14.

The vegan starters include Specially Selected Wild Mushroom or Tomato & Basil Arancini, and Asia Specialties Sweet & Sour Veg Love Bao Buns. The bao buns are pink and adorned with red and white hearts.

While there are no vegan sides, there is a choice of two galettes for the main. One is Mediterranean roast vegetable with a parsley crumb, and the other features chestnut mushrooms and a black truffle sauce with a sage and onion crumb.

For dessert, there is the Specially Selected Gastro Caramelised Biscuit Sponge Pudding. It’s a heart-shaped cake with a caramelized biscuit sauce and crumb. To drink, you could try the Castellore Organic Prosecco Rosé or the Castellore Chianti. 

Marks & Spencer

At £25, the M&S meal deal is a little on the expensive side, and vegans only have one choice for each course. To start, there is the 6 Mini Bao Buns, filled with mushrooms and hoisin sauce. The main is a Butternut Squash and Spinach Pie, made with a crumbly shortcrust pastry base and topped with flaky filo pastry. For a side, there are Smashes Potatoes, coated in oil and parsley and with a pot of basil oil drizzle.

The dessert option is Chocolate and Caramel Pots. The Belgian chocolate ganache is topped with sea-salted caramel sauce and crunchy cocoa nibs. There’s a large choice of vegan wines and prosecco to enjoy.

Tesco

Tesco Clubcard holders can get a meal for two for £18. To start, there is Tesco Finest Crispy Bruschetta Arancini. The arancini are filled with arborio rice, roasted and sundried tomatoes, and vegan soft cheese coated in breadcrumbs. They come with a sachet of balsamic dipping sauce.

The main is two Tesco Finest Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff Pies. A shortcrust pastry base filled with chestnut, Portobello, and dried porcini mushrooms in a white wine sauce with a puff pastry lid. Pair with the Tesco Finest Baby Potatoes with Chantenay Carrots & Tenderstem Broccoli with Smoked Garlic & Herb Dressing for the side. For dessert, Tesco is offering a limited edition Gu Plant Zillionaire Cheesecake. Finish with a glass of Nozeco.

Read more: How To Make Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Chocolate Truffles

Morrisons

Morrisons More Card holders can get a three-course Valentine’s meal deal for £15. The vegan options are Morrisons The Best Valentine’s 4 Vegetable Rose Bao Buns. The buns are bright red and shaped like roses, filled with mixed vegetables seasoned with garlic and ginger.

For the main, there is Morrisons Plant Revolution 2 Mushroom, Spinach & Pinenut Wellingtons. They contain a mix of mushrooms, caramelized onion, and rice wrapped in a crisp puff pastry. Pair with Morrisons The Best Valentine’s Triple Cooked Chips and the Green Vegetable Medley, containing peas, runner beans, and green beans in a lemon, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil dressing.

For afters, Morrisons The Best Valentine’s 2 Vegan Tiramisu in individual pots should do the job. Wash it all down with Morrisons The Best Prosecco.

Sainsbury’s

Nectar card holders can dine in for two for £18 with this range from Sainsbury’s. To start, vegans can enjoy the Taste the Difference Olive & Antipasti Platter. It features chargrilled artichoke quarters in a garlic and thyme dressing, semi-dried tomatoes in a garlic and oregano dressing, and pitted Gordal olives in lemon and herbs.

For sides there are the Taste the Difference Chunky Triple Cook Chips and Rainbow Chard Vegetable Medley, a mix of peas, spring greens, and rainbow chard in a wild garlic and black pepper dressing. Pair with the vegan main of a mushroom wellington, whimsically named There’s Shroom in My Heart Mushroom Wellington. It’s two individual puff pastry parcels filled with seasoned Portobello and chestnut mushrooms and topped with pastry hearts.

There are many vegan drink options on offer, including Sainsbury’s Seville Orange Gin & Tonic and Nozeco for those who want the bubbles without the booze.

For dessert, enjoy two slices of chocolate torte with a chocolate cookie base and topped with cocoa batter. Sainsbury’s has put effort into its puns again, naming it I’m Torte-ally in Love with You.

Asda

Asda has one of the cheaper offers going, with a three-course meal, including two side dishes, and a drink for £11.97.

Bistro by Asda Breaded No-Brie Hearts make an indulgent starter, to be followed by Bistro by Asda 2 Mushroom Stroganoff Pies.

With Bistro by ASDA Triple Cook Chips and Braised Red Cabbage, vegans need not miss out on the two sides offer. While this all may be sounding more like a Christmas dinner than a Valentine’s meal, the dessert option of strawberries with Belgian Chocolate Dip swings it back towards the romantic.

Wash it down with Kylie Minogue’s Alcohol Free Sparkling Rose Wine.

Co-op

Co-op is offering the lowest price of all the supermarkets this Valentine’s Day at just £10 for membership card holders or £12 for non-members. But the low cost also means more limited options, with only a main, side, and drink included. The Co-op Irresistible Triple Cooked Thick Cut Chunky Chips and Roasted Garlic and Parsley Flatbread are the vegan side options. The main follows most of the other supermarkets in being a mushroom wellington. The drinks on offer are all from the Co-op Irresistible range and are all vegan.

Read more: Are Love Hearts Vegan?

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

The upmarket supermarket chain noted that searches for vegan and convenience cooking have been trending on the Waitrose website, with “vegan ready meals” up by 31 percent over the last 90 days. It also found that vegan options remain popular throughout the year.

The updated PlantLiving range now includes items such as Smoky Chili & Rice; Vegetable Tikka Masala & Rice; Aubergine, Mushroom, & Edamame Pillows; Vietnamese Style Vegetable Pancakes; Creamy Spinach Ravioli; Spicy ‘Nduja Style Fiorelli; Rainbow Vegetable Fritters; Mushroom & Leek Sausages; No Chicken Kyiv; No Chorizo Sausages; Plant & Veg Mince; Organic Firm Tofu; Organic Marinated Tofu; Southern Fried No Chicken; Garlic-Filled Doughballs; Plant & Vegballs; and an Indian Inspired Takeaway Feast.

The Indian Inspired Takeaway Feast, in particular, has seen month-on-month sales increase by 38 percent. BBC Good Food named it “Best Vegan Ready-Meal” in the 2024 Plant-Based Supermarket Awards. In the same list, Good Food also praised PlantLiving Southern Fried Chicken and named it the “Best Vegan Chicken Nuggets.”

Read more: Vegan Tiramisu Is Back At Waitrose

Waitrose helps shoppers track ‘plant points’ with new packaging

Waitrose found that 46 percent of surveyed customers are either already trying or interested in trying to eat 30 different plant varieties per week. This is sometimes referred to as the “30 plant challenge” or “plant points,” and can help people to boost and loosely track dietary diversity.

Eighty-seven percent of Waitrose customers agreed that having the number of plant varieties on labels would help them achieve this goal, and the supermarket has now added this information to 14 items in the PlantLiving range. The Vegetable Tikka Masala & Rice, for example, contains 10 different plant varieties, while the Vegetable Pancakes contain 11.

The PlantLiving range is available from Waitrose.com, with select items also available via Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.

Read more: The Biggest Veganuary Food Launches For 2025

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

The traditional Italian dessert recipe is decidedly non-vegan, calling for whipped egg yolks. The PlantLiving Tiramisu, however, is completely free from animal products. Waitrose describes it as a “vegan take on the classic Italian dessert tiramisu, with a biscuit sponge soaked in coffee and a plant-based topping enriched with Marsala wine…(with a) rice-based mousse and dusted with cocoa powder.” 

Read more: Waitrose Launches Fresh Oat Milk In Similar Bottles To Dairy

XL-sized dessert for the festive period

The much smaller, single serve PlantLiving Tiramisu is available year-round, however the large festive edition serves six and weighs in at 500 grams, priced at £6. 

The news was greeted with excitement on the Vegan Food UK Instagram page. One user described it as “delicious,” while another commented: “Not even ashamed to admit I ate half in one sitting!”

A third added: “If I buy this, it will not make it to any other person.”

Read more: Waitrose To Bring La Fauxmagerie Artisan Vegan Cheese To All UK Stores

Other vegan Christmas options from Waitrose

The up-market supermarket has more yuletide options for vegans and those looking to go more plant-based for this Winter. Waitrose has flagged up oven options such as the PlantLiving Mushroom & Leek Sausages, and the PlantLiving: Frozen Mushroom & Chestnut Burgers. 

Also available are Waitrose Fruity Stuffing Chistmas Trees, PlantLiving: Frozen Mushroom Wellington with Seeded Stuffing, PlantLiving Apple & Cranberry Cocktail Sausages, a Waitrose Christmas Mini Vegan Panettone, and Waitrose Plant Chorizo Pigs In Puffers.

Read more: 10 Vegan Recipes To Serve At Your Christmas Party

This article was written by Adam Protz on the PBN Website.

Oato, a Lancashire-based oat milk company, specializes in fresh dairy-free products that can be ordered in milk rounds. Its new Barista-style one liter bottle of oat milk that’s now in Waitrose is “creamy and foamable” and is said to work well in tea and coffee. 

Read more: You Can Now Buy Vegan Dupes Of M&Ms

“The availability of Oato in a mainstream supermarket like Waitrose marks a shift in consumer accessibility to fresh, sustainable milk alternatives,” said Carl Hopwood, Oato Founder, in a statement. “Locally sourced, convenience, and provenance matter to British consumers, so to be one of the few that have those USPs within the dairy alternative category while also being fresh and not UHT raises the bar.” 

The rise of oat milk

Oat milk has skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade, going from a niche product to one of the most popular milks in the UK. Oat milk sales doubled from 2019 to 2020, and Brits spend around £149 million on it each year. 

Read more: Spread Brand Flora Says Dairy Is ‘A Bit Weird’ In New Ad

The UK’s milk alternative market is the second largest in Europe (just behind Germany). A growing number of people are turning away from dairy on ethical, environmental, and health grounds, and there are now many brands stocking vegan milk in pretty much every supermarket in the country. 

According to Oato, it’s hoping to become one of the leading dairy alternative brands in the UK with its USP of being fresh and manufactured in the UK. 

Waitrose follows in the footsteps of Marks and Spencer’s, which launched a similar-looking oat product in cow’s milk-style packaging last year. 

Read more: Tofoo Releases First Seitan Products To Supermarket Shelves

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

A customer recently spotted an in-store coffee machine exclusively offering oat milk-based drinks in a Wimbledon branch of the luxury supermarket. However, it’s not yet clear whether this is a one-off, a trial, or the start of a larger roll-out of dairy-free stations.

Vegan advocate Francesca-Marie Boyle, aka @vegansuttonmama, shared a photograph of the oat milk coffee machine on Instagram earlier this month with the caption “Vegans won’t change anything… Yet here’s an #oatmilk coffee machine at @Waitrose Wimbledon now. Hopefully they will be in all stores soon!”

Plant Based News has contacted Waitrose for more information.

Waitrose’s in-store coffee stations typically offer americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and a breakfast tea option, which are likely also available from the dedicated oat milk machines.

The continued rise of plant-based milk

Waitrose brought back its extremely popular free hot drinks for “MyWaitrose” loyalty card members in 2022 after introducing a minimum purchase amount in 2017 and then pausing the scheme entirely in 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waitrose currently does not require a minimum spend and offers plant milk free of additional charges. However, the supermarket does now require customers to bring their own cups to save on wasted packaging. (Just 0.25 percent of the 2.5 billion single-use coffee cups discarded annually in the UK are recycled.)

Waitrose’s choice to minimize waste and emphasize dairy-free milk options are both representative of broader trends across the industry and amongst consumers.

In the UK alone, around one in three Britons now drink plant-based milk, with oat varieties in particular leading as the dairy-free drink of choice. While in the US, plant-based milk is in up to 44 percent of US households – a 10 percent increase from previous years.

Looking ahead, Global Market Insights (GMI) predicts that the plant milk market could exceed USD $17 billion (GBP £17.3 billion) by 2026, just two years away.

A GMI spokesperson previously noted: “The plant milk market’s exponential growth is a testament to the evolving preferences and priorities of today’s consumers. With a focus on health, sustainability, and inclusivity, plant-based milk alternatives are positioned to play a pivotal role in the future of the food industry​.”

More like this:

• Califia Farms Just Launched New Organic Plant-Based Creamers
• It Wasn’t The Biggest Year For Plant-Based Meat – But Vegan Milk Is Killing It
• Dairy Is Worse Than Coca-Cola, Says Leading Longevity Expert

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

Traditional Christmas dinners generally consist of a number of animal products. A popular centerpiece is turkey, while pigs in blankets, goose fat, various dairy products, and non-vegan stuffing make up the rest. There is growing understanding of the huge ethical implications of eating these products, however, and veganism is skyrocketing in popularity throughout the UK. Around 1.2 billion land animals are slaughtered for food in the country each year. Most of these (around 85 percent) are raised on factory farms, and those who aren’t have still generally suffer brutal lives and painful deaths.

A few years ago, Christmas as a vegan may have been a stressful experience. Aside from the constant “where do you get your protein?” questions from relatives, plant-based Christmas food was generally limited to a nut roast and a few sprouts. In 2023, however, you can enjoy pretty much any traditional food items you want as a vegan – and you can buy these at mainstream supermarkets. From M&S to Aldi, here’s what you can buy this year.

Marks and Spencer vegan Christmas food

At M&S, you can find a wide range of plant-based Christmas food. If you’re a fan of turkey, Marks and Spencer is offering a No Turkey Joint as part of its Plant Kitchen range. The product is made from pea protein, which is a popular ingredient in meat alternatives, and its filled with a cranberry, onion, and chestnut stuffing.

If fake meats aren’t your thing, you can choose from a variety of vegetable-based centerpieces instead. The Plant Kitchen Roast Butternut Squash & Spinach Pie consists of butternut squash, carrot and spinach in a shortcrust pastry. The Plant Kitchen Butternut, Almond & Pecan Nut Roast is a new take on the classic nut roast, featuring an array of mixed nuts alongside roasted butternut squash, as well as bulgur wheat, cannellini beans, and cranberries, all finished off with a red wine and thyme gravy.

M&S is one of the many UK supermarkets offering vegan pigs in blankets. The Plant Kitchen 12 Vegan Pigs in Blankets feature meat-free cocktail sausages wrapped in ‘bacon’. You can also buy vegan Pigs In Duvets, which are sausages and chorizo sausages wrapped in pastry. If you’re looking for convenience on the big day, you can buy the Plant Kitchen Vegan Vegetable Selection. This is a selection of sides that features red cabbage, roast potatoes, a cauliflower and leek bake, and a garnish selection. If you fancy something a little bit more luxurious, you can try the Plant Kitchen Mushroom Parfait with a Port Glaze. This blend of mushrooms comes with a sweet apple and port glaze. Plant Kitchen also offers its own gravy.

For dessert, there’s a vegan chocolate torte. You can also buy Plant Kitchen Mince Pies, an M&S Made Without Christmas Pudding 6 Month Matured, and even a Plant Kitchen No Cheeseboard Selection.

Find the full range of vegan Christmas food at M&S in 2023 here.

Asda vegan Christmas food

Asda has an extensive vegan range named OMV!, which is offering a wide array of festive food this year.

Perhaps Asda’s most notable Christmas launch this year is its OMV! Vegan No Turkey, which has been developed to resemble an entire turkey. The turkey is made from a blend of soya, wheat, and pea proteins. It is bright white in color inside of the ‘crown’. The ‘legs’ have a darker colour, more juicy texture, and more intense flavor.

If this is too realistic for your tastes but you still fancy a turkey alternative, you can opt for the OMV! Deliciously Vegan No Turkey & Trimmings For One or OMV! No Turkey Crown. For the veggie fans, there is a OMV! Oyster & Porcini Mushroom Wellington, which features oyster and porcini mushrooms bound with pea protein, which are topped with minced mushrooms, onion, herbs, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can go for the OMV! Festive Butternut & Chestnut Roast, a blend of butternut squash, chestnuts, kale, bulgur wheat, and onion. This roast is topped off with a clementine and maple glaze.

Asda offers OMV! Mushroom Pigs in Smoky Aubergine Bacon, a more vegetable-based take on vegan pigs in blankets. You can also buy the OMV! Deliciously Vegan Christmas Trimmings Selection, which consists of popular sides like stuffing balls, pigs in blankets, and cocktail sausages.

For dessert, the OMV! Strawberry Trifle, OMV! Chocolate Salted Caramel Tarts, and OMV! 4 Crumble Top Mince Pies are all available to buy.

Find the full range of vegan Christmas food at Asda in 2023 here.

Sainsbury’s vegan Christmas food

Sainsbury’s also has a number of vegan Christmas mains, whether you’re a fan of meat alternatives or vegetables.

Its ​​Taste the Difference Three Nut Roast features pistachios, cashews, and almonds as its base, which are mixed together with mushroom, dried cranberries, spinach, and butternut squash. This main is served with a spiced orange and cranberry glaze. For the meat fans, you can buy a Taste The Difference No Turkey Stuffed Crown, which comes with a vegan bacon lattice. Other options include a Taste the Difference No Beef Wellington, which consists of a mushroom and pea protein-based vegan alternative to beef.

If you fancy something a bit different, you can opt for the Taste the Difference Maple Parsnip, Chestnut & Sage Wreath, which includes a maple roasted parsnips, chestnuts, and vegan cheese.

Sainsbury’s shoppers can also get vegan pigs in blankets – the Plant Pioneers Shroompups In Blankets is a pack of 10 mushroom sausages wrapped in vegan bacon. The Plant Pioneers Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls is another side available.

The Taste the Difference Baos of Holly are bao buns filled with wood ear mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts, and spring onion. The Taste the Difference Korean Style Cauliflower Popcorn consist of cauliflower popcorn nuggets alongside a Korean-inspired seasoning.

Sweet treats include the Taste the Difference Chocolate Cookie Torte, Taste the Difference Free From Ginger & Chocolate Tiffin, Taste the Difference Free From Salted Caramel Chocs, and Taste the Difference Free From Mini Mince Pies.

Find the full range of vegan Christmas food at Asda in 2023 here.

Waitrose vegan Christmas food

Upmarket supermarket Waitrose is also offering a unique take on a traditional nut roast. The Ultimate Triple Nut Roast features roasted nuts, sweet potato, chickpeas, lentils, and miso. It comes complete with a spiced clementine and apricot chutney glaze.

There are also a number of turkey products on offer. The Chestnut and Thyme Plant-Based Turkey Roast and Gravy is a soya-based turkey crown alternative that you can carve like the real thing. You can also buy the Plantliving Chestnut & Thyme Plant Based Turkey Roast, Gravy, And Festive Sides. As well as the roast, this bundle includes pigs in blankets and stuffed ‘Christmas trees’.

If you’re a fan of beef wellington, this No 1 Ultimate Vegan Sharing Wellington contains a plant-based beef alternative braised in garlic, shallot, and thyme vegetable stock.

In terms of party food and sides, Waitrose has an extensive vegan selection. You can buy the 22-Piece Plantliving Festive Cocktail Sausage Selection, which features maple, date, and chestnut cocktail sausages, vegan turkey cocktail sausages, and spiced mushroom ‘chorizo’ sausages in a puff pastry. Another option is the Plant Pigs In Blankets, an alternative to the traditional dish. There is also the Festive Cocktail Sausage Selection, which features different flavored cocktail sausages, and Plant Chorizo Pigs In Puffers, chorizo-alternatives wrapped in pastry.

For dessert, you can buy the No 1 Millionaire’s Torte.

Find the full range of vegan Christmas food at Waitrose in 2023 here.

Aldi vegan Christmas food

Budget retailer Aldi is offering its biggest ever vegan range this year. Unusually, its line-up features a plant-based “gammon,” a vegan take on the pork-based ham. The Specially Selected No Gammon Joint with Orange Marmalade Glaze can either be served up as a main or as cold cuts over the Christmas period.

The Plant Menu No Turkey Roast with Vegan Bacon Crumb is a soya-based turkey joint, which comes filled with a cranberry and chestnut stuffing. It also comes topped with a vegan bacon crumb. The Specially Selected Festive Vegetable Wellington is a pea protein log mixed with mushroom, onion, and other vegetables. The ​​Specially Selected No Beef Wellington features soya-based beef alongside roatsed mushroom duxelles.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Vegan Festive Wreath won an award last year, and it’s back for the 2023 festive season. It features stuffing made from butternut squash, cranberries, chestnuts, and pumpkin seeds, and it’s topped with candied orange slices alongside a mulled festive glaze.

The Aldi party food range is extensive. The Plant Menu Southern Fried No Chicken Stars consists of 10 soya protein vegan chicken star-shaped nuggets. The Plant Menu No Tempura Prawns are vegan ‘prawns’ made from potato starch and rice protein. You can also buy the Plant Menu No Chilli Cheese Bites (vegan cheese blended pickled chilies) and Plant Menu No Duck Spring Rolls (pulled jackfruit in a hoisin-style sauce).

Aldi also offers Plant Menu Ultimate Vegan Pigs in Blankets, as well as Specially Selected Vegetable and Potato Rostis, which are available in two veggie combinations. The Specially Selected Celeriac and Broccoli Vegetable Bake features Celeriac and broccoli in a creamy sauce, which is topped with roasted sliced potato and vegan cheese.

For dessert, you can buy the Vegan Cookie Pot or Specially Selected Vegan Truffles.

Find the full range of vegan Christmas food at Aldi in 2023 here.

Tesco vegan Christmas food

Tesco is offering two vegan turkey alternatives this year – the Tesco Plant Chef No-Turkey Crown with Herb Stuffing and Wicked Kitchen No-Turkey Roast Crown. The former is made from broad bean and pea protein, while the latter consists of pea and wheat protein.

If you prefer something vegetable-based, you can buy the Tesco Finest Stuffed Half Butternut Squash, which is filled with apple, beetroot, and green lentils and topped with a seed and herb crumb mix. Tesco’s new take on the nut roast is the Plant Chef Seasonal Seeded Roasts with Port Gravy, which features pumpkin and sunflower seeds alongside lentils, kale, chestnuts, and mushroom. Alternatively, you can try the Plant Chef Roasted Vegetable Parcels, which feature parsnip, carrot, and kale in puff pastry, or the Plant Chef Butternut Wellington, which features butternut squash and pea protein.

Tesco also offers a festive wreath, which is made from mushrooms, chestnuts, butternut squash, lentils, and caramelised red onion, and topped with cranberries.

In terms of sides and party food, you can buy Plant Chef 6 Mini Katsu Inspired Bao Buns, Plant Chef 10 Paella Inspired Arancini Bites, Plant Chef 10 Mini Mediterranean Inspired Vegetable Lattices, and more.

Tesco also has a wide range of desserts, including Tesco Finest Stem Ginger Tiffin Cracker, Tesco Finest Free From Honeycomb Bauble, Tesco Free From Christmas Pudding, and Wicked Kitchen Spiced Rum Christmas Pudding.

Find the full range of Tesco Christmas food at Aldi in 2023 here.

More like this:

• Greggs Unveils Vegan Christmas Menu For 2023
• Jane Horrocks Stars In New Ad Depicting Cruelty Of ‘Christmas Turkeys’
• You Can Now Buy Vegan Brandy Cream For Christmas

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Goats cheese lovers can get their hands on plant-based organic brand Palace Culture’s Mouldy Goaty in stores and online.

Winner of a Great Taste award 2023, Mouldy Goaty is made with organic cashews and almonds. It also contains coconut milk, sea salt, and live cultures.

From family kitchen to supermarket shelves

Palace Culture started life in a family kitchen in Crystal Palace, London, in 2018. Founder Mirko Parmigiani wanted to create a dairy-free cheese that the whole family, including his dairy-intolerant son, could enjoy.

Having previously been sold at markets and independent stores, including La Fauxmagerie, Palace Culture cheeses are now available nationwide. Mouldy Goaty is available at an introductory price of £4.46 (which will rise to £5.95).

Two other Palace Culture products are also entering Waitrose. Kimcheeze is a soft cheese made with red chillies and Holy Smokes is a smoky cream cheese. Both are also available at an introductory price of £4.46.

A big moment for vegan cheese lovers

With new product launches happening ever more regularly, vegan cheese has well and truly become mainstream in the UK. Until now, however, goats cheese had remained more elusive for many consumers.

On Instagram, enthusiastic consumers called the announcement the “best news ever.”

Goats cheese without the goat

Investigations have unveiled cruelty in the goat milk industry. Like humans, goats need to have a baby in order to produce milk. On farms, they are forcibly impregnated and newborn goats are taken from their mothers.

The arrival of vegan goats cheese in supermarkets offers an alternative for consumers looking for a more ethical alternative to their favorite cheese.

More like this:

• Vegan Cheese: What Is It, What’s It Made Of, And Where Can You Buy It?
• ‘Cheese Paradox’: Why Some Vegetarians Are ‘Disgusted’ By Milk But Eat Dairy
• Philadelphia Launches 3 Flavors Of Vegan Cream Cheese

This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

Waitrose customers can start stocking up on some of its food now. New festive frozen vegetables became available in store and online from August, while frozen party food, confectionery, and bakery goods were released in September. These were launched with the idea to help customers spread the cost of Christmas over multiple months. 

Find out all the vegan Christmas food you can buy at UK Supermarkets here

Waitrose vegan Christmas food 2023

Jump to section:

• Party food and canapes
• Mains
• Sides
• Christmas sandwiches
• When can I order Waitrose Christmas food?

The British supermarket has been seeing a rapid increase in interest from its customers for plant-based Christmas options. By the end of 2022, there was an 188 percent increase for the search of “vegan christmas food” on its website compared to the previous year. This year, it’s found that the search for “plant based” on waitrose.com is up by 115 percent compared to the same time last year.

As a result, the supermarket wanted to launch its biggest new range of vegan Christmas options. Simona Cohen-Vida-Welsh, Partner and Vegan Product Developer, said: “I love developing plant-based food as there are so many wonderful flavors and textures to incorporate. Our brand new Ultimate Triple Nut Roast is the perfect example of this. You discover something new in every mouthful – sweetness from the sweet potato, wholesome lentils and chickpeas, the chutney inside which delivers a fruity flavor bomb, and then there’s an earthy crunch from the whole almond and Brazil nuts. It’s truly a feast for the eyes and stomach that everybody will love.”

Covering party food, canapes, mains, and desserts, plant-based options available this year make a whole vegan menu for the festive period. Here are all the new products you’ll be able to find in Waitrose stores and online.

Waitrose Christmas party food and canapes

22-Piece Plantliving Festive Cocktail Sausage Selection

A seasonal party platter. There are plant-based turkey cocktail sausages; maple, date, and chestnut cocktails sausages; and spiced mushroom ‘chorizo’ sausages wrapped in puff pastry.

Available to order online, delivered between Friday, 22 December and Sunday, 24 December.

Cost £8.

Plant Pigs In Blankets

A plant-based version of a traditional side. Vegan sausages wrapped in vegan bacon.

Available to buy in store.

Cost: £3.50 for a pack of six.

Festive Cocktail Sausage Selection

This pack features different flavors of plant-based cocktail sausages. Expect flavors like cranberry, as well as Bramley apple sauce in the selection pack.

Available in store.

Cost: £3.50.

Plant Chorizo Pigs In Puffers

Vegan smoky chorizo sausage swirls are made with mushrooms. They’re then flavored with roasted red peppers, garlic and chili and wrapped in puff pastry swirls.

Available in store.

Cost: £4.

Waitrose vegan mains

Ultimate Triple Nut Roast

Crunchy roasted nuts combined with sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, and miso. The nut roast is then hand finished with a spiced clementine and apricot chutney glaze. Whole brazil nuts and almonds are placed by hand on top.

Available in store.

Cost: £7.

Chestnut and Thyme Plant-Based Turkey Roast and Gravy

A soya-based ‘turkey crown’ with a caramelized onion and mushroom stuffing on the inside. Furthermore, it’s been created to carve, with a sauvignon gravy to go alongside.

Available in store.

Cost: £10.

Plantliving Chestnut & Thyme Plant Based Turkey Roast, Gravy, And Festive Sides

A seasoned centerpiece with side dishes. A savory plant-based soya ‘turkey crown’ filled with a thyme-scented chestnut and caramelized onion stuffing for the main. Also comes with peppered plant-based pigs in blankets and jeweled stuffing Christmas trees, with mushrooms, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. Sauvignon gravy is also provided to pour on top. Suggested serving is for three people.

Available to order online, delivered between Friday, 22 December and Sunday, 24 December.

Cost: £16.

No 1 Ultimate Vegan Sharing Wellington

Created to share between four, the wellington is a combination of plant-based ‘beef’, braised in a shallot, garlic, and thyme vegetable stock. It’s then encased in a layer of mushroom duxelle and pastry.

Available to order online, delivered between Friday, 22 December and Sunday, 24 December.

Cost: £12.

Waitrose vegan sides

Fruity Stuffing Christmas Trees

Cranberry and apricot stuffing shaped into little Christmas trees. They’re then decorated with a herby cranberry breadcrumb.

Available in store.

Cost: £3.50 for six pieces.

Waitrose vegan Christmas sandwiches

Vegan Bubble & Squeak Sandwich

Crumbled bubble and squeak is layered with roasted butternut squash, Christmas-spiced pickled red cabbage, chili jam, vegan mayonnaise, spinach, and crispy fried onions. Served in malted bread, and available as a quick to-go option.

Available in store from Wednesday, October 25.

Cost: £3.50.

Waitrose vegan desserts

No 1 Millionaire’s Torte

A dark chocolate ganache blended with caramel. There’s a crunchy biscuit base, and cocoa nibs scattered on top. Available to order online.

Delivered between Friday, 22 December and Sunday, 24 December, and between Friday, 29 December and Sunday, 31 December.

Cost: £16 for 10-12 servings.

When can I order Waitrose Christmas food?

Waitrose has released the following dates for when its Christmas and vegan Christmas food options will be available. Note that they are subject to change.

• Monday, August 27 – Frozen vegetable sides
• Monday, September 18 – Frozen party food
• Sunday, September 24 – Confectionery and gifts
• Wednesday, September 27 – Bakery, including panettones, Christmas cake, and mince pies
• Wednesday, October 25 – Christmas sandwiches
• Wednesday, November 22 – Sides. Including stuffing, gravy, and sauces
• Wednesday, November 29 – Party food
• Wednesday, December 6 – Starters
• Friday, December 15 – Chilled desserts
• Wednesday, December 20 – Mains. Includes the Ultimate Triple Nut Roast and Ultimate Plant-Based Festive Wellington

More like this:

• Aldi Vegan Christmas Food 2023: Full List Of Plant-Based Options
• Tesco Vegan Christmas Food 2023: Full List Of Options
• UK Vegans Can Buy An Entire Plant-Based Turkey This Christmas – Where To Get It

This article was written by Tamsin Wressell on the PBN Website.

Waitrose recently announced a long-term supply deal with the Slovenian whole-cut vegan steak producer following a successful trial run this February. The grocery chain initially debuted the Thick-Cut Filet as part of its Valentine’s Day meal deal that allowed customers to purchase two steaks, a starter, a side, dessert, and a bottle of wine, all for £20. 

Shoppers go ‘wild’ for plant-based steak

Customers couldn’t get enough of the innovative plant-based meat, according to Catherine Shacklock, Vegan Buyer at Waitrose. So, Waitrose added the steaks back to its regular stock, listed for £9 per two-piece package. Since April, the vegan steak’s sales grew rapidly, increasing 83 percent since its spring launch. This is one of the supermarket’s fastest-ever selling plant-based products. 

“Our customers went wild for Juicy Marbles steaks last month and have been anticipating their return with searches on Waitrose.com for the plant-based alternative not showing any signs of slowing down,” Shacklock said.

Vegan meat that looks like beef

Waitrose debuted the ultra-realistic meat in the meat section, but that did not deter customers from searching for the plant-based meat. About 40 percent of the product was sold separately from the deal, indicating that there was a significant demand for the vegan meat that looks like beef. 

“Mr. Marbles will be pleased to see the introduction of Juicy Marbles’ steaks in Waitrose, one of the UK’s most respected supermarkets,” Luka Sinček, co-founder of Juicy Marbles, said. “After flying the flag for romantic meals in February, Juicy Marbles steaks are now readily available in the UK for everything from last-minute solo dinners to looming family meal prep and wild dinner parties with friends.”

Juicy Marbles reimagines vegan steak

Juicy Marbles, founded by Vladimir Mićković, Tilen Travnik, Sincek, and Maj Hrovat in Slovenia, developed its vegan marbled steaks in 2021. Unlike many other vegan steak brands, Juicy Marbles does not use 3D-printed technology. Instead, the company uses a grinder called the Meat-O-Matic Reverse Grinder 9000 TM, which layers plant and soy protein fibers to mirror muscle fibers from animal steaks. 

“Whole-muscle products are challenging to mimic because of their fibrous textures and integrated pockets of fat,” Karen Formanski of the Good Food Institute told CNN Business. 

Not only has Juicy Marbles developed a method to replicate the texture of the cow’s meat, but also adds that its steaks are rich in micro and macronutrients. Additionally, Juicy Marbles contains just 0.9g of saturated fat and zero cholesterol, whereas a traditional filet mignon contains 6g of saturated fat and 82mg of cholesterol per serving.

“The first time I tried it, I was sold,” Martyn Lee, head chef at Waitrose, said in February. “The texture of the Juicy Marbles steak is like nothing I have ever seen before from other plant-based alternatives.

Since its launch in 2021, Juicy Marbles’  founders have raised over $4.6 million. The company’s signature filet mignon launched online in Europe and the United States in 2022, and now, the company intends to expand its retail distribution in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union later this year.

Introducing the 1.5-pound vegan tenderloin

Last fall, Juicy Marbles debuted “the biggest, most insulting piece of plant meat ever conceived” with its 1.5-pound vegan tenderloin. The company produced the plant-based loin for the holiday season, noting that it could be cooked into a Wellington, a roast, steaks, or even shredded for various recipes. 

The soy and wheat-based loin contains 18 grams of protein per 100 gram serving, with only 0.8 grams of saturated fat and 0 mg of cholesterol. Juicy Marbles’ founders hope that this massive plant-based meat gives both novice and experienced chefs a chance to experiment with vegan proteins in their cooking. On its website, the company says, “it’s raw and unseasoned, giving you full creative control.”

This article was written by Maxwell Rabb on the PBN Website.

The nationwide roll out – which began on March 30 – follows a successful trial of products during the 2022 Christmas and holiday period. At that time, just 21 shops stocked the selection of artisan cheeses.

Waitrose is reportedly planning to extend the roll out to all of its 332 stores in the coming months.

Which vegan cheeses will be available?

La Fauxmagerie sells various artisanal brands on its own website. However, it will only be supplying Waitrose with its own proprietary recipes. 

Confirmed additions to the supermarket’s vegan aisle include the La Fauxmagerie Brixton and Balham Blue varieties, alongside Truffle Camamvert. Brick Lane Bree, Shoreditch Smoked, and Brielliant Fauxmage.

These are the same recipes as those trialed during the festive period, which impressed Waitrose’s cheese buyer Sarah Miness. At the time of the trial, Miness commented that she had been won over by the “delicious” products. Moreover, she complimented the fact that they had been developed with “time, care, and attention.”

Miness also revealed that the potential for artisan vegan cheese was growing. She revealed that it is not only plant-based consumers that buy them, with curious omnivores taking the plunge at the checkout too.

La Fauxmagerie celebrates the roll out

In an Instagram post – added on March 31 – sisters Charlotte and Rachel Stevens, the founders of La Fauxmagerie, celebrated the news.

They confirmed the full range of dairy alternatives that will be sold. They also stated that the full list of participating stores will be announced shortly.

Waitrose increases its vegan options

News of Waitrose’s permanent addition of artisan vegan cheese comes shortly after the “big five” retailer unveiled another specialist plant-based product.

Shortly before Valentine’s day, Waitrose announced that hyper-realistic plant-based steaks from Slovenian start-up Juicy Marbles were available. Initially sold as a part of a limited partnership between the two, the steaks are expected to return as a permanent shelf addition this month.

This article was written by Amy Buxton on the PBN Website.

The upmarket supermarket will stock the steaks on the same shelves as meat. They cost £10 for two, and are also available in a Valentine’s Day meal deal. 

As part of the deal, customers can get two steaks, a starter, side, dessert, and bottle of wine, all for £20. The vegan starter option is a layered mushroom parfait. PlantLiving dauphinoise potatoes are available for the side, and churros for dessert. The Yalumba Galway vintage barossa shiraz is also plant-based. 

The steaks will be available in 217 Waitrose stores until February 14, 2023. While they are currently on a limited run, Waitrose confirmed to Plant Based News that it is hoping to bring them back in April on a permanent basis. 

How are Juicy Marbles steaks made? 

The products are thought to be the world’s first vegan marbled steaks. They feature nuggets of hardened sunflower oil, which mimic fat marbling. Meanwhile, beetroot powder gives the plant-based meat a reddish color.

Juicy Marbles, which launched in 2021, has said that its steaks are “rich in micro and macronutrients, making them easy to include in a wholesome, diverse diet.”

While many realistic steaks are made with 3D printing technology, Juicy Marbles uses a grinder called Meat-O-Matic 9000. This layers the plant protein fibers on top of each other, mimicking muscle fibers on animal steaks.

“The first time I tried it I was sold,” said Martyn Lee, head chef at Waitrose. “The texture of the Juicy Marbles steak is like nothing I have ever seen before from other plant based alternatives.

“The thing that is really exciting about this product is when cooking you see the raw protein turn into a caramelized and juicy steak that looks like the real thing. Whether you are incorporating a holistic approach to your meals or not, you are absolutely going to want to try this.”

This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.

Plant-based meat brand Heura’s mission to make vegan food as accessible as possible appears to be going well, to say the least. After a record-breaking year that saw hundreds of stores welcome Heura products with open arms, thousands of restaurants plating up its vegan meat, and most notably, more than one million animals’ lives spared, Heura closed 2022 with one last launch.

Popular British supermarket chain, Waitrose – with 118 years of operation to its name – is the latest to stock its shelves with Heura’s plant-based food. 

Waitrose stores at 197 locations now offer three Heura products: its vegan Chorizo Burgers, Spanish Chorizo Sausages, and Mediterranean Chick’n Pieces.

The plant-powered products are made with non-GMO soy protein, using crops that don’t encourage deforestation. In addition, all three vegan meat choices contain fiber, vital for digestive health, and vitamin B12, required for optimal brain function. They also pack 15-19 grams of protein, depending on the product. The vegan chorizo items – which feature shea butter, and radish and carrot extract – boast iron, too. 

Unlike “traditional” meat and other animal products, Heura’s entire range is free from cholesterol. They can also be prepared in 4-7 minutes.

Heura makes its mark on the UK

Waitrose is certainly not alone in bringing Heura products to its shoppers. Across the UK, 300 points of sale (POS) already offer the brand’s plant-based meat, including catering company Benugo, meal kit retailer Mindful Chef, vegan food chain Neat Burger, and Twickenham Stadium in south-west London. Even employees at Google offices across the country can dine on Heura’s food.

“Data shows that almost half of British adults are considering reducing their intake of animal products; however, without options there can be no change,” CEO and co-founder of Heura Foods, food activist Marc Coloma, tells Plant Based News. “Our partnership with Waitrose extends our UK presence to nearly 400 POS and takes Heura one step further in expanding the plant-based category throughout Europe, and making nutrient-dense sustainable foods even more readily available.”

Twenty-two countries are now home to Heura’s products, which can be found at more than 18,000 POS.

Dismantling the meat market, one bite at a time

Unsurprisingly, this level of expansion is accompanied by impressive sales figures. Following a record-breaking 2021, Heura closed H1 2022 with €14.7 million in turnover, up from €7.6 million during the same period the year prior. 

2022 also saw thousands come together to personally support Heura’s mission. The brand opened up its Equity for Good Rebels crowdfunding campaign, which drew in €4 million in just 12 hours. More than 5,000 people took part, with around half aged between 18-35, and 42 percent identifying as women. 

Then, in October, the Barcelona-born brand closed a €20 million funding round, with participation from NBA star Ricky Rubio, football players Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, comedian David Broncano, and Unovis Asset Management. 

Heura plans to use these funds to expand its range, with a breaded chicken fillet, Burger 3.0, Nuggets 2.0, and Meatballs 2.0 in development. It’s also gearing up to launch breakthrough new technologies that will bring even more nutrient-dense, planet-positive foods to people around the world. 

Speaking about the funding round, CEO Coloma said in October: “Having mission-driven investors on board who dare to take bold action to accelerate the plant-based protein transition gives us the resources to continue driving category growth across Europe.

“We have a clear vision, and this new funding will help us transition from a successful Spanish plant-based company, to a net positive food-tech startup that’s leading the protein transition across Europe.” 

Real-word impact

Importantly, these sales and fundraising figures translate into meaningful change in today’s food system, which Coloma says is “broken.”

When compared to the environmental and animal impact of traditional protein, Heura’s products come out on top every time. The company estimates that during the first half of 2022 alone, it helped save approximately 55.9 million liters of water (the equivalent of 22 Olympic-sized pools) and 3.6 million kilograms of CO2 (comparable to more than 18,500 flights from Madrid to London). Further, an estimated 509,000 chickens’, pigs’, and cows’ lives were spared in the six-month period.

As it continues to see more than 100 percent year-on-year growth, Heura is laying the groundwork for its upcoming Series B round in 2023, which the start-up expects will be one of Europe’s largest ever in the category. 

It’s all part of the bigger picture for Heura. Which, Coloma says, is to “usher in a future that’s better for the people, planet, and animals.”

Shoppers can now find Heura’s vegan Chorizo Burgers (£4), Spanish Chorizo Sausage (£3.50), Mediterranean Chick’n Pieces (£3.50) at select Waitrose stores across the UK. To see where else you can get your hands on Heura’s products, visit its website. Those interested can also follow the company on Instagram.

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This article was written by Jemima Webber on the PBN Website.

As a result of the upward trend, the high-end grocer is anticipating its most successful vegan Christmas period to date.

A spokesperson for Waitrose revealed that specific search terms are driving the spike in traffic. Consumers hunting for “vegan roast potatoes” appear to have increased by 166 percent. Meanwhile, enquiries for “vegan panettone” have risen by 110 percent on last year.

To cater to its increasingly vegan-curious and fully plant-based clientele, the supermarket has unveiled its biggest animal-free festive range yet. Included in the 20+ items are Thai Style No Fishcakes and other finger foods. All are part of a multi-buy party food promotion.

Vegan demand at Waitrose

In addition to its groceries sector, Waitrose has reported significant interest in vegan options through two of its other channels. The Waitrose Entertaining department, which prepares ready-to-serve foods for customers, has apparently seen orders for meat-free dishes increase by almost half. This figure is expected to rise further before the end of the year.

“I am delighted we are now able to provide a vegan option for every course and with vegan and vegetarian Waitrose Entertaining orders up 49 percent compared to last year, I have no doubt that this category will continue to go from strength to strength,” Simona Cohen-Vida-Welsh, vegan product developer for Waitrose, said in a statement.

Simultaneously, home cooks are looking to Waitrose for vegan inspiration. A rise in the number of people searching for nut wellington and vegan Yorkshire pudding recipes has been observed. The latter alone has seen a 94 percent increase.

Vegan Christmas food at UK supermarkets

Waitrose isn’t the only UK supermarket chain upping its plant-based festive range. 

Notably, Asda unveiled its largest-ever plant-based lineup this year, featuring 97 products. As well as traditional items, including roasting joints and Christmas pudding, increasingly inventive recipes have been added. These include nondairy breaded brie and chocolate truffles.

This article was written by Amy Buxton on the PBN Website.