The British High street foods that are going vegan for January

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With more than half a million people expected to sign up to go plant-based for the month of January, dozen of British high-street retailers have announced vegan menus.

From Papa John’s, who have launched a vegan ‘pepperoni pizza’ to Burger King, who are now selling vegan nuggets there’s something for everyone looking to cut their meat intake this month.

The nation is cutting more and more meat and dairy from their diets, with  Deliveroo revealing a 117 per cent increase in orders of vegan food in the last year.

According to the food-delivery giant, this first week of January 2021 saw a 153 per cent rise in searches for ‘vegan’ food in the app compared to the month before, as Brits across the country take on Veganuary.  

From Nando’s ‘chicken-free’ chickpea burger to cheese supremo’s Babybel, Boursin and Philadelphia all launching dairy-free goods, FEMAIL looks at the goods on offer this January… 

PAPA JOHN’S: Vegan Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza and Cheesy Chilli Bites

Papa John’s is welcoming in Veganuary with the limited-edition Vegan Sausage and Pepperoni pizza, and the launch of its all-new Cheesy Chilli bites joining the menu on 31st January.

In true Veganuary style, the pizza delivery chain has welcomed back its much-loved Vegan Sausage & Pepperoni pizza to the menu. Topped with juicy jackfruit ‘pepperoni’ slices and chunks of vegan sausage, the delicious pizza is perfect for vegans and those taking on Veganuary for the first time.

The all-new Cheesy Chilli bites are served in portions of eight, filled with an oozing mozzarella-style cheese and chipotle chilli wrapped in a crispy batter – a hot new addition to its vegan side offering.

Pizza lovers can tuck into an array of meat-free slices, including The Stinger, ‘Jackfruit Pepperoni’, Vegan Garden Party and award-winning pizza The Vegan Works, voted as ‘Best Vegan Pizza’ in PETA’s eighth annual Vegan Food Awards.

For those looking to indulge in a dairy-free ‘cheesy’ treat, Papa John’s has a selection of delicious sides available from Vegan Cheese Potato Tots (also available with Jalapeño) and Vegan Cheese Marmite Scrolls. And if that’s not enough cheese for one sitting, pizza lovers can add the melt-in-the-mouth Vegan Cheese Stuffed Crust to any vegan pizza.

Pizza fans can tuck into a meat-free feast this Veganuary and enjoy 50 per cent off vegan pizzas, sides, and ice cream for the whole of January – with two Ben & Jerry’s Dairy-Free flavours to choose from.

Giles Codd, Senior Director of Marketing at Papa John’s told FEMAIL: ‘We are delighted to offer 50 per cent off our vegan menu for Veganuary 2022. We are continuing to expand our award-winning vegan range to give plant-based pizza lovers a range of option to choose from. We are starting the year as we mean to go on, and our recipe innovation isn’t slowing down any time soon.’

DOMINO’S: PepperoNAY Pizza   

Ideal for anyone wanting to flex their eating habits, Domino’s is launching the Vegan PepperoNAY – a welcome treat for plant-based pizza fans.

Domino’s fresh, vegan dough is hand-stretched to perfection, swirled with the signature vine-ripened tomato sauce, generously sprinkled with Domino’s vegan cheese and finally topped with a specially created vegan pepperoni from The Vegetarian Butcher, for the perfect mouthful in every hungry bite.

The Vegan PepperoNAY is served with the much-loved Vegan Friendly version of the cult-favourite Garlic & Herb dip, so foodie fans can enjoy the full dunking experience.

This latest addition brings the Domino’s vegan menu up to four pizzas packed full of flavour including the Vegan Margherita, The Chick-Ain’t, Vegan Vegi Supreme and now the Vegan PepperoNAY.

Domino’s PepperoNAY Picker, Melanie Howe said: ‘After much experimenting in the Domino’s kitchens, with taste tests a plenty, we can’t wait to bring Vegan PepperoNAY to the masses. These smoky PepperoNAY slices are going to go down a treat. With deals to suit every budget, there is no excuse to not try something new this January!’

The new pizza is available now nationwide. Domino’s is now offering 50 per cent off £30 on all delivery orders made online or on the Domino’s app. Or, head to your local store to bag your favourite pizza and get one free on all collection orders.

NANDO’S: Spiced Chickpea Burger

New year, new Nando’s… this month, everyone’s favourite flame-grilled chicken restaurant is launching a brand-new plant based menu item for its veggie lovers as well as bringing back a selection of fan favourites, by popular demand, to kick-start the New Year in PERi-PERi style with not one but two new menus changes.

Available nationwide from today, coinciding with the launch of Veganuary 2022, Nando’s will be adding to its ever-expanding range of plant-based menu items with the launch of its new and delicious Spiced Chickpea Burger, guaranteed to spice up the menu for those looking to go meat free in Jan.

Served in Nando’s famously soft, sweet roll and priced at just £7.55, the burger contains a tasty chickpea and spinach patty, with hints of cumin, coriander and turmeric – loaded with houmous, red pepper chutney and topped with red pickled onions.

Nando’s Spiced Chickpea Burger will be joined by the return of the restaurant’s original fan favourite Mango & Lime PERi-ometer spice which will be landing on the PERi-ometer for a limited time only, replacing Nando’s seasonal Clementine spice. 

BURGER KING: Vegan nuggets  

After much anticipation, Burger King UK is delighted to be adding to its plant-based menu yet again! Introducing Vegan Nuggets; the sensational new addition, which will be available in branches nationwide from today- after years of development.

Burger King UK® is a committed front-runner in the vegan and plant-based landscape, having released their Plant Based Whopper back in January 2020, and the Vegan Royale earlier this year, in April 2021.

These golden nuggets have been developed by The Vegetarian Butcher and are Vegan Society certified. Made from soy and plant proteins only, they are made to taste and look exactly like their meat originals.

The nuggets are a firm fixture on the Burger King menu alongside the Vegan Royale and Plant Based Whopper. 

Designed for vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and meat reducers alike, order options include 6pc, 9pc and a 20pc sharer box – suiting all appetite needs. What’s more, each order will come with a Vegan Society certified Sweet Chilli Dip to create the ultimate dunk combo! 

KFC: Permanent return of the vegan burger

KFC are welcoming back its award-winning meat-free option – the  Original Recipe Vegan Chicken Burger.

With all the taste and flavour that has been getting fans’ feathers in a twist for years, the meat-free treat is set to get those tastebuds rocking. The burger includes a succulent Quorn™ fillet, coated in the Colonel’s Original Recipe of 11 Herbs and Spices, sat on a bed of fresh iceberg lettuce with a creamy Vegan Mayo, all housed in a soft delicious bun.

So from just £3.99 you can get your hands on the meat free goodness at all UK KFC restaurants, anytime, anyplace. Lettuce rejoice!

MCDONALD’S: McPlant goes nationwide   

McDonald’s  will roll-out of its plant-based offering, the McPlant, to all restaurants across the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 5th January 2022, following a successful trial at over 250 restaurants last year.

The impressive McPlant, which took over three years to develop, features a patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® and has already proved hugely successful with McDonald’s customers.

From today, it will be available from Inverness to Liverpool and Penzance to Grimsby, meaning the McPlant is officially everywhere for burgers lovers to get their hands-on. Whether they’re plant-based, taking part in Veganuary or a true meat lover – McDonald’s is confident it’s a burger for everyone.

 WAGAMAMA: Vegan Fish and chops

Wagamama has delighted fans by launching the UK high street’s first ever plant-based fish and chips, as thousands of Brits sign up for Veganuary.   

The dish, available from today, is called Tempura F-ish + Bang Bang Yaki-imo and is a flavour packed Japanese inspired take on the British classic.

Beer battered fish is replaced with lightly tempura coated ‘f-ish’, made from a mix of soy, rice and pea protein, replicating the taste and flaky texture of fish.

Wagamama brings its version of ‘chips’ to the bench with roasted sweet potato chunks and red onion, coated in wagamama’s famous firecracker sauce, bringing the ‘bang bang’ element of the dish description.

All the traditional trimmings are also included but in a uniquely wagamama way, as smashed minty edamame beans make for wagamama’s take on mushy peas, accompanied by katsu curry sauce, waga tartare with Japanese pickles, chilli, and a lemon wedge.

In a nod to traditional British style it’s served on a mocked-up newspaper and a plate. 

 The new dish costs £12.95 and available in restaurant, on Deliveroo and through click and collect for just one month only at all UK restaurants, excluding Northern Ireland.

MARKS & SPENCER: 175 new vegan products 

The upmarket high street retailer now has  175 vegan products in its range, as hundreds of thousands of Brits sign up to go meat and dairy free for January.

Among the new items includes a Plant Kitchen Tikka Masala, which uses  the same cooking techniques as the chicken version with 12 fragrant, balanced spices, creamy coconut milk, flame-grilled onions, roasted squash and cauliflower. 

Also in the range is the Plant Kitchen Lasagne, which M&S chefs have taken a year to perfect. Described as an umami flavour bomb, it brings savoury richness to the ragu, combined with a creamy vegan béchamel and topped with Santarella tomatoes. 

And you don’t even have to miss out on pizza night thanks to the Plant Kitchen Sourdough Hot & Spicy Wood-fired Pizza – topped with vegan pepperoni, creamy vegan mozzarella, pickled jalapeno chilies, spicy roquito chilies and tomato sauce spiked with hot smoked paprika.

Also on offer is Plant Kitchen Veggie Balls and Veggie Mince. It’s made up of top quality mushrooms, transformed with onions, garlic and miso to create delicious meat alternatives which can be cooked in exactly the same way as regular mince and meatballs. They’re good for you too: gluten-free, a source of protein, high in fibre and low in fat.

For plant power on the go, swap your BLT for the Plant Kitchen VLT, made with vine-ripened tomatoes, no-pork bacon and crisp lettuce on malted bread, and for those snack attacks – we’re launching a first-to market vegan version of our famous Cheese Twists: Plant Kitchen Cheese Flavour Twists made with flaky puff pastry and vegan cheese.

TESCO: Moq au Vin and Cauli Katsu Curry

Tesco also revealed its new plant-based food, including Moq au Vin, Cauli Katsu Curry and Bangin’ Brownie Sundaes, 

Customers can also enjoy delicious plant based meals for less with the new Wicked Kitchen Meal Deal. The offer – which launches today – will allow customers to purchase one main, one side and one dessert for just £4 per head (£8 total).   

CAFFE NERO: Plant-based Chicken Arrabbiata

Premium coffee house, Caffè Nero, has teamed up with plant-based favourite THIS™ to launch a new Veganuary menu. 

The hero piece is the new plant-based chicken arrabbiata panini (£4.60) and sausage ciabatta (£3.65) will be available across all 600 of their sites.

The chicken arrabbiata panini uses juicy THIS™ Isn’t Chicken pieces topped with spinach and a spicy tomato sauce for a moreish on-the-go or dine in option. 

The sausage ciabatta places THIS™ Isn’t Pork Mini Sausages in a fresh ciabatta for a succulent and flavour-packed alternative to meat. In fact, it’s so meaty that in a taste test in Covent Garden, London, 97 per cent of consumers thought the sausage ciabatta was real meat. 

COSTA: Vegan Macaroni Cheeze and Vegan BBQ Chick’n Panini,

Costa Coffee is set to welcome the new Vegan Macaroni Cheeze, made with tender pasta, a rich vegan cheeze sauce and fresh spinach, all topped with a delicate parsley crumb.

Why not opt for a classic with the Vegan BBQ Chick’n Panini, a returning favourite from last year that features vegan chick’n with a Texan BBQ sauce, vegan cheeze, roasted peppers and fresh spinach all encased in a stonebaked sourdough panini.

In need of a delicious breakfast fix in the morning? Look no further than the returning Veggie Breakfast Box complete with a list of everyone’s favourites from Heinz Baked Beanz, roasted mushrooms, free range scrambled egg, Quorn cocktail sausages and a sprinkling of fresh spinach. Simply pair with an Oat Flat White for the best start to any day. 

 SUBWAY: TLC AND TLS Subs

Subway has unveiled two new additions to its plant-based menu for Veganuary – the T.L.C.® Tikka (Tastes.Like.Chicken.) and the T.L.S.™ (Tastes.Like.Steak.).

The T.L.C.® Tikka, a new spice-inspired twist on the original roast-chicken inspired T.L.C.®, is an exciting special addition to the menu exclusively for Veganuary, available from Wednesday 29th December to Tuesday 15th February in select stores across the UK and Ireland, replacing the classic T.L.C.® for a limited time.

The T.L.C.® Tikka is made from delicious strips of plant-based ‘chicken’ and is made to a unique recipe with tikka-inspired flavours, designed to mimic Subway’s roast chicken breast strips, and is available with slices of Violife™ vegan cheese. The T.L.C.® Tikka is fully customisable and is available as a 6-inch or Footlong Sub, a salad or a wrap for even more choice.

Subway® is also trailing a new steak-inspired plant-based recipe, the T.L.S.™ (Tastes.Like.Steak.) which will also be available until 15th February in selected stores in the South of England instead of the T.L.C.® Tikka.

The T.L.C.® Tikka and T.L.S.™ are both made from soy-based protein and a unique recipe that both plant-lovers and flexitarians will enjoy. The T.L.C.® Tikka is also approved by the Vegan Society.

 STARBUCKS: Oat Lattes and Tu’NAH sandwich 

Starbucks has also unveiled its new winter menu full of indulgent hot drinks and sweet treats for a mouthwatering start to the New Year.

The new additions, which will be available across the UK from January 5, include three oat latte flavours, all available for £3.35: strawberry & vanilla, honey & hazelnut and dark cocoa & orange oat.

It comes as Starbucks announced it will no longer charge extra for dairy alternatives as part of the chain’s efforts to improve its impact on the planet. 

Plant-based fans will be eager to pair the beverages with their new and exclusive Tu’NAH Sandwich, priced from £3.29, which is their first plant-based fish alternative in collaboration with the Vegetarian Butcher. 

Elsewhere on the winter menu are plant-based bakery items, including a Pecan & Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake or a £1.99 Chocolate & Caramel Muffin. 

Cuban-style Panini stuffed full of hearty pulled pork and hickory smoked ham, as well as an All Day Breakfast Wrap have also been added for meat lovers.

Priced at £3.55, the new Strawberry & Vanilla Oat Latte is described as being an unexpected flavour combination that is a ‘match made in heaven’.