Demand for vegan food has never been greater as more and more people turn to plant-based meals for their health, the environment, and animals. From high-end to the high street, varied and exciting vegan options are popping up everywhere.
In 2017, a huge number of major supermarkets, food companies, and restaurants have embraced plant-based eating by releasing new vegan products, menu items, and even whole ranges free of animal-based ingredients. Google searches for “vegan” have increased by 380 per cent in the last five years, and savvy businesses are stepping up to meet the ever-growing demand.
Now in its fifth year, PETA’s Vegan Food Awards highlight some of the most exciting new vegan offerings. Check out the award winners before heading out to try them for yourself:
PETA Vegan Food Awards 2017 Winners
BEST DAIRY-FREE MILK
Oatly Oat Drink Barista Edition
It’s fully foamable, so perfect for a frothy latte but equally delicious in tea, on cereal, or just straight out of the carton. This dairy-free milk is widely available in supermarkets and is nut- and soya-free, making it the top choice for many vegans.
BEST VEGAN MEAT
Veggie Kitchen Meat Free Meatballs
Veggie Kitchen produces a line of vegan meats exclusively for Farmfoods, which has over 300 stores across the UK. Our favourites are these meatballs, which will help you whip up a spaghetti dish or meatball sub in no time.
BEST DAIRY-FREE CHEESE
Mouse’s Favourite Camembert Style
Whilst delicious vegan cheese is now available in every major supermarket, this year’s winner is slightly harder to find but well worth the effort. Mouse’s Favourite specialises in artisanal, handmade cheese, and the Camembert Style is sensational.
BEST DAIRY-FREE ICE CREAM
Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter & Cookies Non-Dairy Ice Cream
The long-awaited UK launch of Ben & Jerry’s vegan flavours didn’t disappoint, and this one is our favourite – vanilla almond-milk ice cream packed full of crunchy peanut butter swirls and chocolatey sandwich cookies. Look out for the other dairy-free flavours: Chunky Monkey and Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
BEST VEGAN BURGER
Beefeater Vegan Burger With BBQ Soya
Available nationwide in Beefeater’s 140+ restaurants, this is one “meaty” meal. The satisfying burger is topped with soya “pulled pork”, covered with BBQ sauce, and sandwiched inside a brioche-style bun.
BEST VEGAN SAUSAGE
Linda McCartney’s Mini Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
The perfect party food, these moreish mini sausage rolls are hard to beat. Linda McCartney Foods offers a host of vegan options available in most supermarkets, making its products ideal for easy, cook-from-frozen snacks and meals.
BEST DAIRY-FREE YOGURT
Loaded with calcium and essential vitamins, these convenient little pots of goodness are great for breakfast or a healthy dessert. This tasty yogurt alternative is made with coconut cream, and Koko offers a whole range of coconut-based dairy alternatives.
BEST EGG-FREE MAYONNAISE
Mr Organic Egg Free and Organic Mayo
This light and creamy mayo is perfect as a dipping sauce, on a burger, or in salads. It also boasts 30 per cent less fat than mayo made with eggs and is available at Waitrose.
BEST VEGAN FISH
Vegans can now enjoy a classic fish-finger sandwich with this offering from vegetarian brand Quorn, which is making more and more vegan options as demand grows. We recommend enjoying these Fishless Fingers with chips, peas, and egg-free mayo – yum!
BEST VEGAN SANDWICH
Starbucks Kale, Jalapeño, and Slaw Wrap
Coffee giant Starbucks has come up with a tasty vegan lunch option – this tortilla wrap filled with crushed corn, kale, and jalapeño bites mixed with a raw slaw, spinach, and a hot chilli jam. You can enjoy yours with a dairy-free hot drink, as the chain offers soya, coconut, and almond milks.
BEST VEGAN CHOCOLATE
Sweet Freedom Choc Pot Chocolate Spread
This magical dairy-free chocolate pot has 75 per cent less fat and half the calories of Nutella, so you can feel good about spreading it on toast, serving it with pancakes, or eating it straight from the jar. Get it from Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Tesco, or Boots.
BEST VEGAN READY MEAL
Sainsbury’s Deliciously Freefrom Macaroni Cheese
Cheesy, creamy pasta that’s ready in an instant – we’re loving this microwavable comfort-food option from Sainsbury’s. The supermarket also has a full range of own-brand vegan cheese, with everything from Cheddar-style blocks to tubs of cream cheese on offer.
BEST VEGAN PIE OR PASTY
West Cornwall Pasty Co Thai Green Veggie Pasty
Fresh from winning an award at this year’s World Pasty Championships, this delicious pasty has now scooped the highest honours. Originally a limited-edition “guest pasty”, the award-winning recipe has secured itself a permanent place on West Cornwall Pasty Co’s menu.
BEST VEGAN DESSERT
Tesco Free From Blackcurrant Cheesecakes
These mini cheesecakes have a gluten-free biscuit base, a set coconut layer, and a topping of blackcurrant compote. Coming in at under £2, these bargain treats are part of Tesco’s wide selection of free-from desserts.
BEST VEGAN PIZZA
Pizza Express Vegan Giardiniera
Pizza Express’ long-anticipated dairy-free cheese pizza was worth the wait. You can now add delicious vegan mozzarella to any of its pizzas, but our favourite is the Vegan Giardiniera, topped with olives, asparagus, artichoke, and onion.
BEST VEGAN NOODLES
JD Wetherspoon Teriyaki Noodles
‘Spoons dishes out more vegan goodness with these new Teriyaki Noodles, which are full of flavour but low in fat. The dish features lots of fresh vegetables and a teriyaki sauce with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and just a hint of chilli.
BEST VEGAN BISCUITS
We love an “accidentally vegan” find, and Fox’s Cookie Minis take the biscuit. Widely available at supermarkets and corner shops, these delicious mini choc-chip cookies are a perfect grab-and-go treat.
BEST CURRY
Fresh and flavourful, the Yasai Samla Curry from Wagamama takes the curry crown. This fragrant lemongrass and coconut curry with tofu, peppers, and shiitake mushrooms is served with white rice and topped with spring onion, chilli, and coriander.
BEST BAKERY
People travel from far and wide to visit Ruby’s famous stall at Greenwich market, which serves the most beautiful and tasty vegan donuts, cupcakes, and cakes, including gluten- and sugar-free options. They’re now also available in selected LEON restaurants.
BEST VEGAN LUXURY FOOD
Pollen Street Social Vegan Tasting Menu 8 Course
Chef Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred London restaurant offers diners a luxurious eight-course vegan menu made from fresh seasonal ingredients. The well-crafted courses prove that fine-dining establishments can offer beautiful dishes without meat, eggs, or dairy “products”.
BEST INNOVATIVE VEGAN PRODUCT
Sgaia has proved itself the master of vegan meat and cheese and has now created surprisingly realistic vegan poached eggs. These stunning creations are currently available from the company’s catering outlets and pop-ups, and it’s working on making them available for retail next year.
BEST VEGAN MENU
We love the vegan menus by Loungers, which has 89 Lounges café/bars and 19 Cosy Club restaurants nationwide. Plant-based options include a full English breakfast, burgers, wraps, sweet potato fries, Pimm’s salad, and a dark-chocolate torte to finish.
BEST VEGAN COOKBOOK
Comfort-food favourites are the theme of Lucy Watson’s new vegan cookbook, making it a great choice for new vegans and those looking for easy everyday meal ideas. Her recipes cover everything from mac and cheese to chocolate fudge cake and are illustrated with mouth-watering photographs.
BEST VEGAN SERVICE
This 100 per cent plant-based meal service delivers delicious handmade meals from its kitchen to your freezer. Its cashew mac and cheese with crunchy kale is a game-changer, and with eight other dishes to choose from – including jerk jackfruit and lasagne caponata – you may never cook again.
Vegan living is growing at an astonishing rate – 12 per cent of UK adults now follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, and two-thirds of Brits are interested in trying more vegan foods. As a result, you can find delicious animal-friendly options almost anywhere you go to shop or eat.
A plant-based diet is the best choice for anyone concerned about the treatment of animals used for food, personal health, or the environmental impact of animal agriculture.
After you’ve tasted these award-winning foods, get cooking with the recipes in our free vegan starter kit:
