14 food and drink launches for Veganuary 2021

For those on a plant-based diet, there’s an ever increasing number of food and drink options on the market these days, from supermarket ranges, to restaurant menu items. But every year as Veganuary rolls around, we’re hit with a slew of launches that show just how much veganism is growing in popularity. This year is no exception, with new products from big names as well as new plant-based brands unveiling everything from meat substitutes, to ice cream, yoghurt, sauces, puddings and more. Here are just some we think you should keep an eye out for…

Spinach and Roasted Tomato Quiche, £4.25, higgidy.co.uk

We’ve always been fans of Higgidy’s vegetarian goodies as well as its range of plant-based rolls and pies, but now vegans can tuck into more treats with three new products from the brand (see main image). Launching on 30th December in Waitrose, the new range includes Mini No-Pork Pies, Porcini Mushroom & Spinach Vegan Quiche, and our favourite, a Spinach and Roasted Tomato Vegan Quiche. With its spelt shortcrust pastry and rich, hearty filling, the latter is a wonderful dairy-free alternative. It’s available in a sharing size as well as individual portions, and makes a great lunch or dinner, served with a simple side salad and new potatoes.

Cooks&Co Lotus Root, £2.75, cooksandco.co.uk

Billed as one of the next big things in the plant-based industry for 2021, lotus root is taking on the likes of jackfruit and banana blossom. If you saw the ingredient recently being used in Masterchef: The Professionals and are curious to try it yourself, here’s your chance. Cooks&Co is launching tinned lotus root just in time for Veganuary, and it’s ideal for those who enjoy experimenting with homemade dishes on a vegan diet. Lotus root stir-fry anyone?

Zero Egg, £39.99 per kilo, vegex.co.uk

Vegetarian Express, which specialises in supplying vegan and vegetarian food to chefs, has launched a new website so you can get your hands on restaurant-quality, plant-based ingredients in bulk. Vegex.co.uk is now the exclusive stockist for the new vegan seafood range from Vegan ZeaStar, which includes ‘tuna’ and ‘salmon’, as well as new vegan egg replacer Zero Egg, which can be used for everything from making omelettes to baking. So if you’re serious about plant-based cooking and are looking to discover new ingredients, this is the place to go!

Quorn Turkish Style Kebab, £3, Sainsbury’s

Whether you’re cutting down your meat consumption or just want plant-based pieces to make your vegan meals more substantial, Quorn’s new products are worth a try. The veggie brand recently revealed its new Makes Amazing range, featuring two delicious vegan products: Peri Peri Strips and Turkish Style Kebabs. Available in the chilled meat-free aisle, the flavourful strips simply need to be sautéed for a few minutes, making them ideal for whipping up a quick lunch or mid-week meal.

Tesco Plant Chef Meat-Free Italian Style Bake, £3, Tesco

Tesco has made no secret of its aim to offer more plant-based meat alternatives, and its Plant Chef range has so far proven popular with those on a meat-free diet. Now, the supermarket chain has launched even more options so those who are new to veganism can make simple swaps that taste great. There’s certainly no shortage of options either, with dishes like a meat-free roast ‘chicken’, barbecue traybake, meat-free nuggets and chipolatas. We reckon the Meat-free Italian Style Bake will make for a perfect mid-week supper: the wheat protein fillets are topped with a tangy tomato sauce and coconut cheese alternative for an indulgent meal.

Plant-based Greek-style Cubes in Brine, £2.75, Marks & Spencer

M&S has offered a great range of vegan products under its Plant Kitchen brand recently, and now the well-loved food producer is stepping up its plant-based game even more with an expanded range of products. From on-the-go meals to ingredients for cooking from scratch, new products include No Pork Streaky Facon, Chickenless Southern Fried Tenders, Melt in the Middle No Fish Cakes, a Shanghai No Beef Noodle Bowl and Strawberry Cheesecake Wedges. But if you’re missing your cheese, then these Greek-style cubes are a great alternative. The vegan cheese is similar to Feta and works well atop salads for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

No-Beef Strips, £2.50, Sainsbury’s

If you miss the taste and texture of meat, then Naked Glory’s plant-based range will be right up your street. The brand offers vegan alternatives to beef, chicken and pork, and has launched two new products for Veganuary 2021, including these vegan beef strips. Flame-grilled for a rich, deep flavour, they’re extremely versatile, so you can add them into any of your favourite dishes, from stir-fries to pies. They’re also ready to eat, so can easily be added into sandwiches, placed atop salad, or just eaten as is for a mid-afternoon snack.

Fray Bentos Vegan Bolognese Pot, £1.50, Booths

Love classic dishes like spaghetti Bolognese and shepherd’s pie? Then this meat-free mince is a nutritious and speedy vegan alternative. The Bolognese is ready to eat straight away after microwaving for just three minutes, making it ideal for midweek meals when you need something quick and convenient. The soy mince is simmered in a slow-cooked tomato sauce with herbs and spices, so can easily be added to pasta, dolloped onto a baked potato or used in your favourite Italian recipes.

Big Fry Burger, £3.50, Sainsbury’s

If you’re a burger fan, then check out this new quarter pounder from international vegan food brand, The Fry Family Food Co. Three years in the making, the patty is high in protein, naturally cholesterol free, low in saturated fat and non-GMO. Designed to mimic beef burgers, it’s a great option for those who are looking to reduce their meat consumption but miss the taste and texture of meat.

[Seriously] Good Vegan Mayo, £2.89, Tesco

You’ll need a creamy, flavourful sauce to go with your plant-based burger. Luckily, Heinz has launched a range of vegan varieties, including a dairy-free salad cream and three vegan mayonnaises. If you’re a fan of the classics, try the [Seriously] Good Vegan Mayo, a smooth and rich sauce that goes well with sandwiches, burgers, salads and chips.

The Collective Yoghurt, from £1.25, thecollectivedairy.com

If you love starting your day with creamy yoghurt, then check out The Collective. The new range of plant-based, Greek-style yoghurt alternatives is made from a blend of oats, coconut and rice to create a thick base, and is layered with low-sugar compotes. Available in Natural, Raspberry, Passion Fruit and Fudge flavours, the yoghurts are soy-free, nut-free and packaged in 100% recycled pots that are also 100% recyclable.

Silky Pot, £2 for pack of 2, Tesco

We’re big snackers here at LG&G, so we love discovering new brands that satisfy our cravings in between meals. If you enjoy sweeter snacks that aren’t overly indulgent then new plant-based brand Fancy Plants will be right up your street. Catering to grazers with its range of chilled snack pots, the brand has unveiled its new Chia Parfait pots as well as the Silky Pot, a range of plant-based puddings available in Chocolate and Chocolate Salted Caramel flavours. With a smooth, silky texture, the pud contains prebiotic fibre to support digestive health, so you can feel good about tucking in! Better yet, the company partners with 1% for the Planet, and is aiming to become B-Corp certified by the end of 2021.

Magnum Vegan Seal Salt Caramel, £3.69, various retailers

Ice cream lovers will be excited to hear that Magnum is launching Magnum Vegan Sea Salt Caramel. Hitting shelves in January, it joins the brand’s wider collection of dairy-free ice cream that’s enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike. The latest bar features that signature ‘cracking’ experience in every bite, with Rainforest Alliance-certified chocolate providing a solid coating for a deliciously smooth vegan ice cream.

Mighty Pea Milk, £2, Ocado

Dairy-free milk alternatives are surging in popularity with everyone from vegans to those who just want to reduce their dairy consumption. And from cashew and coconut to oat and soya, there are plenty of plant-based milks on the market to choose from. The latest is Mighty Pea Milk, which boasts 50% more calcium than cow’s milk, higher protein content and less sugar. While the milk itself isn’t exactly new – it’s already been named winner of the PETA awards for Best Vegan Milk 2020 – it’s now available online with Ocado.

Don’t Milk It IPA, £4.25, sevenbro7hers.com

It’s certainly not a traditional Veganuary launch, but this new limited edition drink from SEVEN BRO7HERS is certainly worth a try for beer lovers. Don’t Milk It IPA is a vegan milkshake IPA that’s full-bodied and sweet, with a touch of vanilla. The fourth beer in the brand’s limited-edition Lockdown 2.0 series, the unique flavour is the brand’s answer to requests for a vegan equivalent to its popular, sweeter beers like the Marshmallow Stout.