Stay up to date with all the vegan and plant-based food news you can handle, from faux or replacement meats to dairy-free desserts, and more!
Click through for the latest.
Drumstick has launched a brand new plant-based ice cream cone for summer, and we are oh so excited.
This brand new cone ties itself to the classics — a classic vanilla flavour that holds no difference in taste and texture to any other Drumstick.
Expect the usual creamy ice-cream top covered in chocolate and crunchy peanuts, with the classic chocolate tip to enjoy at the end.
Available in grocery stores now, we're telling you to run, not walk to grab a pack of these at the ice cream aisle.
November 7, 2021: Five years after New Yorkers queued around the block at celebrity chef David Chang's restaurant to try the much-hyped 'bleeding' plant-based Impossible burger, Aussies can now finally get a taste.
The US-based food brand produces the faux meat using soy protein and heme, a chemical containing iron, to make the food taste meatier.
The award-winning meat is now available at more than 150 restaurants across the country, including Grill'd stores, and the Chatswood and Parramatta outposts of Sydney cult fried chicken and sneakers chain, Butter.
"Our launches in Australia and New Zealand are another huge step towards bringing delicious, sustainable options to every market in the world," said Dennis Woodside, president of Impossible Foods, in a statement.
"Both countries are home to some of the most devoted meat-eaters on earth, and we know they're going to love Impossible Beef."
Food writer Callan Boys has already given the burger a favourable review, writing that the Impossible Mince tastes "very, very close to something that came from a cow."
"The burger pattie had a crunchy, deeply savoury crust, and juicy interior that didn't crumble into cardboardy rubble after a few bites like lesser competitors," he concludes.
Sounds like we're going to have to try this meat alternative.
October 27, 2021: Australia's first chef-led, plant-based food chain, Iku, has recently launched a delivery service, making it easier to get your hands on quality meat-free meals.
The brand has tapped Bondi chef Tom Walton, known or his nourishing and veg-focused approach to cooking, as head of food for the range.
"Growing up with a big influence from cooking alongside my Lebanese neighbour with a variety of seasonal, fresh food that we grew in the garden, my love for celebrating humble ingredients and turning them into something spectacular runs deep, " he said.
"I love and respect the passion and heritage of the brand and their mission to give back. I can't wait to contribute to Iku's journey, celebrating and sharing all of the delicious possibilities that creative plant-based cooking has to offer."
Vegans and the plant-based curious have more than 50 flavour-packed dishes to choose from, with the ability to order a la carte, or pick from a series of specialty meal sets ranging from high protein to gut health-friendly.
Think: spinach and eggplant lasagne, coconut laksa with pickled tofu, caramelised onion tart and, millet and arame macro burgers.
For the sweet inclined, there are also better-for-you dessert options such as bancha slice and coconut sago pudding.
Visit eatiku.com.au for the full range.
October 27, 2021: Plant-based spam luncheon meat has arrived.
With the uptick in plant-based meat alternatives hitting the market, it was only a matter of time before someone took on the luncheon meat category.
That time is now, with OmniMeat (OmniFoods) releasing a range of plant-based pork-style products to Australia via Woolworths, with products set to rival Spam and other cold cut luncheon style meats in the deli.
The OmniMeat range include mince, strips and luncheon meat. And while the first two (packed in convenient pouches) look good, it's really the luncheon meat that has everyone talking. It's set to rival Spam as a convenient product and as far as we can see, it's one of the first of its kind.
The 100 per cent plant-based pork-style proteins are available in Woolworths on the supermarket shelves and select grocers across the country, and the launch into Australia comes after success in the UK market.
According to the press release, the products can be "easily seasoned, steamed, pan or deep-fried, stuffed, or crumbled to create a vegan alternative to everyday Aussie favourite meals such as burgers, pasta sauces, dumplings and more".
"The range is made using a blend of plant-based protein from non-GMO soy, pea, shiitake mushrooms and rice. All products are cruelty-free, vegan friendly, and free of antibiotics and hormones," it adds.
That Spam-looking luncheon meat, though... I'm thinking burgers, sushi and more. And given Spam has a cult following of its own, maybe OmniMeat Luncheon will be next.
Click through for more fun plant based food news.
September 8, 2021: Guzman y Gomez is the latest Aussie fast-food giant to take the plant-based plunge, with the launch of a new mushroom filling that was three years in the making.
The Shredded Shiitake Mushrooms are packed with Mexican flavours, according to the brand, and are the first new filling to be added to the menu since 2018.
GYG spent the last few years working on the recipe, which needed to adhere to their strict clean guidelines, of no artificial flavours, added presevatives, additives or colours. They eventually tapped homegrown innovators Fable Food Co for the task, who came up with a protein filling, seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic and onion.
To celebrate the launch, GYG is dropping a brand-new taco to menus — the Chimi Shredded Mushroom Taco. The menu item features a soft shell tortilla, shredded mushroom, crispy iceberg lettuce, Pico de Gallo and Chimi Mayo, for just $5.
Steven Marks, GYG founder and CEO, said the team had been tasting and trialling every plant-based option before settling on Fable.
"You will not find a more delicious, clean plant-based filling than our incredible Shredded Shiitake Mushrooms. It's so full of flavour, it's honestly the best mushroom I've ever had," he said.
"We've also launched the brand new Chimi Shredded Mushroom Taco which absolutely everyone is going to love."
Fable's co-founder and CEO Michael Fox said the new menu item promotes a more sustainable way of eating.
"Together, GYG and Fable are offering more delicious, nutritious and responsibly crafted food options that are clean and affordable, and promoting a more sustainable way of eating."
The new Shredded Shiitake Mushroom filling is available in GYG restaurants nationwide.
August 4, 2021: Australia's most iconic packet mac and cheese brand, Kraft, has launched a vegan version of the comforting pasta dish — so now even Aussies who don't eat dairy can enjoy the decadent dish.
The dairy-free macaroni is also gluten-free, making the wintry dish more accessible than ever before.
Kraft's chief marketing officer for Australia, Shane Kent, said he was excited to be the first market globally to launch the offering.
"Over the last 18 months, we have been on a journey to extend our range of products in line with changing consumer preferences and this is just one example of many things to come," Kent said.
You can find the new Kraft Vegan Mac & Cheese in Woolworths supermarkets nationally from this week.
August 3, 2021: Now Aussies can finally try world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal's famous mushroom burger without having to fly to London — or spend a small fortune.
The Michelin star chef behind Melbourne's Dinner by Heston and London's The Fat Duck has partnered with Aussie brand Grill'd to launch the burger, featuring his favourite mushroom-based meat, Fable.
The healthy burger chain will be exclusively offering the Heston Fable Burger, created by Heston himself, as an off-menu item at select Grill'd restaurants.
The menu item will be one of four new limited-edition burgers, launching today as part of the new Fable plant-based range.
Bookings are essential, for those keen to try it.
February 17, 2021: Nestlé's beloved 'have a break' treat will be accessible to even more chocolate lovers before 2021 comes to a close.
The confectionery giant has confirmed plant-based fans will soon be able to enjoy the iconic KitKat, with a vegan version in the works for 2021.
Nestlé say the new 'KitKat V' will continue to deliver a perfect balance of crispy wafer and smooth chocolate, without the dairy.
"One of the most common requests we see on social media is for a vegan KitKat, so we're delighted to be able to make that wish come true,' Alexander von Maillot, head of confectionery at Nestlé.
"I can't wait for people to be able to try this amazingly tasty new KitKat. This is a product for everyone who wants a little more plant-based in their life!"
January 20, 2021: If there's ever proof of veganism's exploding popularity, a plant-based restaurant near France's Bordeaux region just became the first ever to earn a Michelin Star.
That's right — even the land of creamy cheeses, boeuf bourguignon and buttery croissants is embracing the vegan and flexitarian trend, with its most prestigious gatekeeper of fine food finally ushering plant-based French dining into the Michelin fold.
Vegan restaurant ONA, located in Ares in southwest France, made history after being awarded one Michelin Star in a Paris ceremony on January 19.
January 8, 2021: A new IKEA food product is being promoted as 'plant-based', much to the confusion of the public.
IKEA Australia announced the release of a plant-based strawberry sorbet, which is now available in all stores at $1.50 for a kids cone, $2.50 for a waffle cone and $3 for a cup.
It is fruit-based, made with strawberry puree and while that sounds delicious, sorbets are understood to have always been plant-based, owing their refreshing flavour to fruit.
"Our ambition was to develop a plant-based sorbet alternative that is just as soft, airy and delicious as our popular dairy-based soft ice," says Matthew Taylor, Country Food Manager for IKEA Australia."The new version will be sold at the same prices of the original, making it an accessible and delicious treat for customers who either need or want to skip dairy products."
While the fact sorbet is plant-based is nothing new, the addition of the product is in keeping with IKEA's aim to cater to all eating styles in their stores, including vegetarians, vegans and 'flexitarians' - because who can go past a traditional IKEA Swedish meatball?
October 14, 2020: Pizza Hut Australia have launched new plant-based 'chicken wings', marking an Australia-first for a quick-service restaurant chain, and a global-first for the pizza brand.
With flexitarian diets exploding in popularity, and recent data from Chef's Pencil revealing Australia to be number-two in the world for veganism, the new menu item has come at an opportune time for the fast food giant.
The Vegan 'Wings' are one of two new menu items in the brand's WingStreet range, which also include new Crunchy Boneless chicken wings.
The new Vegan 'Wings' are made from wheat protein for a "meaty texture", while the Crunchy Boneless are made from chicken breast and covered in a specially-developed breadcrumb-style coating that's new to market — designed to hold its crunch until it reaches your door, according to Pizza Hut.
August 8, 2021: Supermarket giant Woolworths will be upping their plant-based offerings for the festive season, with the debut of a new meat-free Christmas roast for just $15.
The new Plant Based Christmas Roast looks just like a meatloaf, but is made with soy protein and "infused with traditional Christmas herbs and spices for a robust savoury flavour", and served with a cranberry glaze.
The latest addition to the supermarket's festive range can be found in the Plant Based section of the Meat Department.
With a 32 per cent yearly increase in demand for meat-free dishes, Woolies have introduced a range of new plant-based and vegan options for the festive spread, featuring everything from vegan cauliflower and mushroom wellingtons and vegan plum pudding and mini meringue nests.
August 8, 2020: To celebrate the launch of US ice-cream chain Baskin-Robbins new vegan flavours, they've teamed up with Menulog for a special offer.
The vegan flavours include the 'Coco Nuts n Cream' featuring coconut ice-cream with almonds and a chocolate swirl, and 'Choc Chip Cookie Dough' featuring non-dairy ice-cream and chewy cookie dough with chocolate chunks and a ribbon on fudge.
Until August 13, customers or order through Menulog can bag a small Choc Chip Cookie Dough take home pack for $15, and receive the second flavour free.
Menulog data reveals that despite the recent cold snap in some parts of the country, ice-cream orders are up by 26 per cent since autumn, and vegan ice-cream orders up by 24 per cent during winter.
June 18, 2020: You know the plant-based movement is really gathering steam when the major supermarket chains start to seriously up their faux meat offerings.
From June 18, both vegans and flexitarians can pick up Woolworths new plant-based braised beef product by Fable Food Co, which launch in 600 stores across Australia — a product that comes with the blessings of renowned celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal no less.
Made from 62 per cent shiitake mushroom and other natural plant-based ingredients that reportedly pack an "umami punch", the minimally-processed faux meat mimics the taste and texture of braised beef and has even been featured in the menus of Blumenthal's Michelin Star restaurants.
"Leveraging the natural benefits of shiitake mushrooms, Fable goes beyond replacing meat, it should be in a category of its own!" the legendary chef said of the Fable products in a media release.
January 10, 2020: Impossible Foods, known for its meatless burgers, is launching plant-based pork.
Impossible Pork debuts at tech conference CES in Las Vegas this week, and attendees will be able to taste the new product. Like the Impossible Burger, the plant-based pork is made with soy protein and is designed to look, taste and cook like real meat.
Others will be able to try a sausage version of the product when it arrives at 139 Burger King restaurants later this month. Some locations in Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, New Mexico and Alabama will serve a croissant breakfast sandwich featuring the Impossible Sausage for a limited time.
Much of the hype surrounding plant-based meat has been focused on beef substitutes.
But pork could be the next big thing because of the industry's ambitions in Asia, where African Swine Fever has devastated the pork supply. There's also an increasing demand for meat alternatives in the United States.
January 7, 2021: Burger King UK has just released its first plant-based burger in the region, but the new menu item is already stoking controversy on account of the fact that it's not vegan or vegetarian friendly.
The Rebel Whopper is made from soy, but comes with the disclaimer: "it is cooked on the same broiler as our original Whopper to deliver the same unique flame-grilled taste. Due to share cooking equipment it may not be suitable for vegetarians."
The disclaimer is displayed prominently on the Burger King UK website.
The company says the Rebel Whopper will instead target "flexitarians" who wish to cut down on their meat consumption, rather than catering towards the meat-free inclined.
The Rebel Whopper will also feature mayonnaise, an egg-based sauce, as a filling, unless the customer specifically requests a mayo-free version. There is no plans for a vegan mayonnaise to be offered as a substitute.
December 2, 2019: Conversations about how diet impacts the climate crisis have ramped up this past year, with a UN report published in August 2019 suggesting that eating less meat and reducing food waste could help save the planet.
So perhaps it's no surprise that top chefs are sitting up and taking notice, too.
Dominque Crenn, a pioneering restaurateur with three Michelin stars to her name, has announced she'll no longer be serving meat in her portfolio of highly successful San Francisco eateries.
"Meat is complicated," she told CNN Travel in an interview about her meat-free decision. "We have to be thoughtful about the ecosystem that we're living in and not to destroy it because of the instant gratification and the demand of others."
Concerned about the sometimes murky world of food provenance, Crenn decided it was easiest to remove meat from the menu altogether.
November 19, 2019: Burger King is facing a class action lawsuit from a group of vegans, claiming their meat-free Impossible Burger exposed them to meat byproducts as a result of the cooking process.
The fast food giant was slapped with the suit on Monday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, led by one Philip Williams along with other vegans, with claims the chain sold "contaminated" vegan dishes.
Williams claims he was horrified to discover the imitation-meat burger he ordered in one of BK's Atlanta stores shared grill real estate with the beef version, according to the suit. This meant the burger featured a "meat-free patty that is in fact covered in meat byproduct", but the restaurant didn't disclose that the product would come into contact with the meat-exposed surface.
Burger King came under fire following the release of their vegan burger, after media outlets and keen-eyed customers began pointing out the fine-print on their online menus, divulging that they prepare their faux-meat patties on the same broiler as their regular meat patties.
November 13, 2019: Burger King is going big on plant-based meat.
In August, the burger chain started selling the Impossible Whopper throughout the United States, launching in Australia in October. The meatless version of its signature burger has been so successful that Burger King is launching a plant-based "Rebel" Whopper across Europe, and it's testing more plant-based options, including the Impossible Whopper Jr and a new Impossible Burger, in the United States.
Restaurant chains have been enthusiastically adding plant-based options to their menu to attract eaters who want to reduce their meat intake for health and environmental reasons. That demographic has been helping to drive a potentially lucrative sector: Barclays predicts that alternative meat could reach about $140 billion in sales over the next decade, capturing about 10% of the global meat industry.
For Burger King, the bet on plant-based meat has been extremely successful.
During an analyst call discussing third quarter results for Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, CEO José Cil called the Impossible Whopper "a huge hit," adding that the burger "has quickly become one of the most successful product launches in Burger King's history."
October 30, 2019: Faux meat brand Alternative Meat Co and Deliveroo just announced a one-off hybrid food collaboration that both vegans and meat-eaters can get excited about.
Named the Lasagne Dog, the fully-loaded $12 gourmet dog is totally vegan-friendly, available to order via Deliveroo in Sydney and Melbourne from Thursday 31 for a limited run.
But the key difference here is the Franken-food's creator — none other than Aussie chef Shannon Martinez, the renowned meat-eating vegan chef.
Martinez, who runs Melbourne's wildly popular vegan Italian diner Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy, has been dubbed by her carnivore critics as "Melbourne's queen of delicious lies" and "nothing less than a saviour". So when 9Honey were offered the chance to taste the plant-based comfort dish ahead of its Deliveroo debut, we jumped at the chance.
The lunch creation comprises a vegan hot dog bun smeared with plant-based garlic butter, an Alternative Meat Co faux sausage, topped with a rich plant-based Bolognese and vegan cheese sauce, and a sprinkling of basil.