With the New Year officially upon us, many Brits are giving up meat as part of ‘Veganuary’ – and the UK’s favourite chains have launched a range of plant-based treats just in time.
From McDonald’s Veggie Dippers to Waitrose doubling its vegan range, several brands are getting in on the act as people give up animal products for the month.
It’s no surprise food firms are embracing the campaign, after a record 250,000 people worldwide avoided meat, dairy and fish last year, according to the non-profit organisation ‘Veganuary’.
And with numbers expected to be even bigger in 2020, FEMAIL looks at the vegan delights on offer throughout January…
Pizza Hut: Vegan Pepperoni pizza
With the New Year upon us, many Brits are giving up meat as part of ‘Veganuary’ – and the UK’s favourite chains have launched a range of plant-based treats just in time. Pizza Hut have launched the new Vegan Pepperphoni Pizza (pictured), priced from £11.69, and it is topped with meat-free ‘Pepperphoni’ made from pea protein and Violife vegan cheese
Pizza Hut Restaurants has launched a new limited edition vegan pizza that aims to appease even the greatest meat lovers by claiming to taste just like the real thing.
The new Vegan Pepperphoni Pizza, priced from £11.69, is topped with meat-free ‘Pepperphoni’ made from pea protein and Violife vegan cheese.
Available from January 1, for one month only, it’s the seventh Pizza to join the vegan menu, which also features a range of sides and desserts.
If a vegan option is too far from guests’ usual pizza order, Pepperphoni can also be ordered as a vegetarian option with mozzarella cheese.
McDonald’s: Veggie Dippers Meal
The new McDonald’s Veggie Dippers (pictured) – which have been approved by The Vegetarian Society and certified as vegan compliant – are available as both an adult meal and Happy Meal
For flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans or those looking to make more meat-free choices during ‘Veganuary’, McDonald’s will be offering their first ever fully vegan meal from January 2.
The new Veggie Dippers – which have been approved by The Vegetarian Society and certified as vegan compliant as well as gluten free – are available as both an adult meal and Happy Meal.
They are made with red pepper, rice, sundried tomato pesto and split peas surrounded by light and crispy breadcrumbs.
The dippers are now a permanent menu item so will remain available even after ‘Veganuary’ ends.
For four Veggie Dippers, fries and a soft drink the RRP is £4.99, while the veggie dippers Happy Meal will be £2.99. Alternatively, the four Veggie Dippers can be purchased separately for £3.29.
Waitrose: Crisp-Crumbed Fishless Goujons
Waitrose is introducing crisp-Crumbed Fishless Goujons, pictured, made from banana blossom, a natural ingredient found at the end of the banana fruit cluster with a flaky texture that mimics fish
This January, Waitrose & Partners will add over 30 new vegan products, doubling the range from last year – including the launch of Crisp-Crumbed Fishless Goujons.
Made from banana blossom, a natural ingredient found at the end of the banana fruit cluster, the vegan treat will have a flaky texture that mimics fish.
The new range – available online and in stores from January – also includes ‘Vegan No Egg Fried Rice’, cooked rice with tofu, petits pois, spring onion, ginger and sesame seed oil.
Sales for vegan and vegetarian products have increased in the last year, with vegan ready meals overtaking vegetarian for the first time ever, according to the retailer.
M&S: No-chicken Kiev
M&S have released soya based kievs (pictured) with a garlic filling coated in golden breadcrumbs cost £3.50 and are available from January
Marks and Spencer have launched the first ever vegan chicken kiev, 40 years after they first marketed the dish.
The soya based kievs with a garlic filling coated in golden breadcrumbs cost £3.50 and are available from January.
Also hitting the shelves as part of the store’s Plant Kitchen brand is a No Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich and No Duck Spring Rolls, filled with shredded soya protein with hoisin sauce.
Costa: Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie
Also joining the plant-based bandwagon is Costa Coffee, as it unveils its Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie (pictured) this week
Also joining the plant-based bandwagon is Costa Coffee, as it unveils its Vegan Smoky Ham & CheeZe Toastie this week.
The coffee giant will launch the meat-free product across its UK stores on Thursday 2 January 2020.
Costing £2.95, the Quorn ham and vegan-friendly cheese will be sandwiched between two slices of freshly toasted golden animal and dairy-free bread.
Nando’s: Vegan Perinaise
Helping pave the way for vegan condiments, Nando’s has announced the launch of its new meat and dairy free PERinaise (pictured)
Helping pave the way for vegan condiments, Nando’s has announced the launch of its new meat and dairy free PERinaise.
The plant-based twist on the fan favourite is available from January 1 in both restaurants and on the shelves at Tesco supermarkets.
Vegan Nando’s fans can today rejoice, as the brand has announced the launch of its new Vegan PERinaise, a plant-based twist on the fan favourite sauce available Jan 1st in both restaurants and on the shelves at Tesco supermarkets.
With the brand claiming it tastes just as good as the original, Vegan PERinaise is the first plant-based substitute to be developed by the PERi-PERi chefs and is to be added to the menu’s veggie options.
A portion of the sauce in restaurants across the UK will cost 60p, while 265g bottles of the sauce stocked at Tesco supermarkets are priced at £1.90.
KFC: Vegan Burger
KFC’s vegan offering, pictured above, looks like a fried chicken burger but the fillet is replaced with Quorn
It sent customers wild and sold out within just four days of its trial release, but KFC’s Vegan Burger will soon be back for good, just in time for ‘Veganuary’.
The fast food chain announced it would bring back the £3.99 burger on 2 January – but this time it will be a permanent addition to the menu.
The fast-food offering looks like a fried chicken burger but the fillet is replaced with Quorn.
It is cooked with the same 11 herbs and spices original recipe as an original chicken burger and served with mayo and lettuce.
Greggs: Vegan Steak Bake
A label for Gregg’s meat-free Vegan Steak Bake, pictured, was circulated on social media last week after being spotted by a customer in a Cardiff branch of the British pastry chain
Greggs looks set to release a vegan version of its celebrated Steak Bake in the coming days, after a label for the meat-free product was circulated on social media last week.
Spotted by a customer in a Cardiff branch of the British pastry chain, the snap suggested the Vegan Steak Bake is ready to hit stores.
Details on the label revealed it will be made primarily from meat alternative Quorn and will cost £1.55.
It is not known when the Vegan Steak Bake will go on sale. MailOnline has contacted Greggs for comment.