The basic burger patty was the primary breakaway product to essentially disrupt the meat business’s established order. In 2018, the Past Burger was outselling beef-based patties in some supermarkets, and the debut of the Not possible Whopper shot Burger King’s gross sales by the roof because the financially declining chain reported its greatest quarter in 4 years.
Whereas vegan beef stole the highlight within the late 2010s, vegan hen is the star of the twenties. Between the explosion of store-bought, plant-based hen nuggets to the complete vegan revamp of Morningstar Farms, vegan hen is right here to remain. Listed below are the entire juicy, tender, golden, crispy vegan hen merchandise you will discover on the retailer and on-line. However first, what truly is vegan hen?
What’s vegan hen?
Because the title implies, there are not any actual chickens concerned within the making of vegan hen. As an alternative, manufacturers use quite a few completely different plant-based substances, like soy, pea protein, and even jackfruit, to recreate the identical style and texture as the actual factor.
Daring
They’ll are available in a number of completely different varieties, together with nuggets, strips, shreds, chunks, popcorn, and extra. It’s additionally potential to make vegan hen at dwelling, utilizing substances like seitan, cauliflower, tofu, or tempeh. (When you’re craving vegan hen, attempt following these simple nugget recipes, this popcorn hen recipe, or make this copycat Chipotle hen burrito bowl.)
The place to purchase vegan hen
When you’re heading out to eat, just a few eating places promote vegan hen. For instance, California and Nevada chain Plant Energy Quick Meals sells vegan hen sandwiches, as does Slutty Vegan. Within the UK, you may even purchase Quorn vegan hen from KFC. (In 2022, US areas additionally provided Past Fried Rooster for a restricted time.) However the best place to seize vegan hen is on the grocery retailer. And while you’re there, listed below are a number of the manufacturers you’re prone to discover on retailer cabinets.
The perfect vegan hen manufacturers
Daring
1 Daring
In recent times, Daring has established itself as one of many distinguished gamers within the vegan hen class. Its frozen items are each high-protein and low-calorie—we’re speaking 90 energy per serving and 14 grams of protein for the Unique selection. Different choices embody Lemon & Herb, Teriyaki, Cajun, Breaded, and Buffalo Wings. And for a fast and simple dinner, search for Daring’s entrées such because the Spicy Fajita and Penne Primavera bowls made with the model’s fan-favorite hen. Customers can discover these merchandise at Sprouts, Goal, Entire Meals, and Kroger, amongst different retailers.
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Past Meat
2 Past Meat
From the model that revolutionized “bleeding” vegan burgers comes Past Rooster. After giving us iconic collaborations with KFC and Panda Specific, Past Meat is satisfying our cravings with its hen merchandise. The breaded plant-based tenders had been initially out there at 400 eating places, however have since expanded into retail. Right this moment, the model additionally boasts nuggets and popcorn hen. Vegan hen for all!
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Not possible Meals
3Not possible Meals
This vegan meals tech large received’t be left behind. Since perfecting its meaty vegan burgers, Not possible Meals has churned out a bevy of plant-based beef and pork merchandise, and now, it’s launched vegan hen. Select between nuggets, tenders, and patties.
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Madison Vegan Eats
4 Gardein
Within the early-to-mid 2010s, Gardein swept veg fests, leaving vegans and omnivores alike astonished at “how actual” its meatless merchandise tasted. Whereas maybe overshadowed by a number of the newer meals tech startups, Gardein has remained stable in its extensively accessible and huge vary of vegan hen choices. Not solely does it produce the usual vegan nugget and patty, Gardein sells frozen vegan Chick’n Sliders, Chick’n Scallopini, and Chick’n Wings in quite a lot of flavors from barbecue to buffalo. When you’re craving a selected preparation of hen, Gardein is prone to have a vegan model of it.
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Aware Chris
5
Alpha Meals
Alpha covers all of the vegan hen fundamentals—nuggets, chick’n burgers, and grilled strips. The corporate’s signature plant-based hen will also be discovered featured in its Chik’n Veggie tamales, wraps, Chik’n Fajita burrito, and Chik’n and Maple Waffle breakfast sandwich. Alpha vegan hen merchandise might be present in quite a lot of shops together with Costco, Sprouts, Kroger shops, and Albertsons.
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Rachely Hernandez
6 Tofurky
The originator of the enduring vegan Thanksgiving roast has massively expanded its product line to incorporate burgers, deli slices, sausages, tempeh, and items. The Plant-Primarily based Chick’n line encompasses grilled and seasoned vegan hen items you will discover within the refrigerated part of the grocery retailer. Flavors embody Calmly Seasoned, Thai Basil, Sesame Garlic, and Barbecue.
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Subject Roast
7 Subject Roast
The Fruffalo Wings are not any extra—effectively, at the very least not by title. This vegan meat-and-cheese firm rebranded its spicy, wingless frozen hen appetizer, opting to drop the whimsical title for one thing extra easy: Buffalo Wings. Whereas we miss saying “fruffalo,” we don’t miss the style that hooked us from day one. Favor a nugget to a wing? Subject Roast gives these, too.
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Candy Earth Meals/Fb
8 Candy Earth Meals
Put together to do a double take while you attain for Candy Earth’s hen items. Whereas it could seem like chunks of hen, these soy-based items are fully animal-free. Use them in stir-frys, salads, curries, grain bowls, and burritos for a scrumptious protein increase to your meal. Brief on time? Attain for the model’s vegan-friendly bowls together with Butter Chik’n and Kung Pao Chik’n.
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The Wholesome Dependancy
9 Quorn
This long-standing vegetarian model gives a medley of now-vegan hen choices together with kid-friendly dino nuggets (presently solely out there within the UK). Within the US, Quorn carries crispy Meatless Spicy Chiqin Patties, Meatless Pineapple Chipotle Chiqin Dippers, Meatless Chiqin Fillets, and Meatless Diced Chiqin Items—all of that are freed from all animal merchandise. Notice: the Meatless Nuggets will not be vegan—they include egg and milk substances.
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MorningStarFarms
10 Morningstar Farms/Incogmeato
Leaping on the vegan market pattern, this decades-old vegetarian meat firm launched a brand new plant-based meat line to compete within the freezer aisle. The Incogmeato hen choices vary from conventional hen nuggets to enjoyable Mickey Mouse-shaped nuggets. The Incogmeato model additionally contains plant-based hen tenders and spicy filets. The mom model, Morningstar, additionally gives a variety of frozen, vegan-friendly hen choices from patties to nuggets and wings.
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The Baking Fairy
11 Boca
Initially recognized for its veggie burgers, Boca has branched out to incorporate vegan hen. Choices span from soy-based nuggets to unique and spicy vegan hen burger patties.
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The Not Firm
12The Not Firm (NotCo)
This Chile-based firm faucets into the ability of synthetic intelligence to duplicate the style and texture of hen. Now out there within the US, NotCo’s vegan hen merchandise embody NotChicken Patties and NotChicken Nuggets.
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Dr. Praeger’s
13Dr. Praeger’s
Not all Dr. Praeger’s merchandise are vegan, however the Excellent line of vegan hen tenders and nuggets are all a secure guess. All merchandise are gluten- and soy-free and made with Non-GMO Mission Verified substances. Discover the Excellent Chick’n Tenders, Nashville Sizzling Chick’n, and Normal Tso’s Chick’n within the freezer aisle.
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Entire Meals Market
14Entire Meals 365
This better-for-you-grocer is regularly including to its plant-based line of merchandise. The frozen Rooster-Model Plant-Primarily based Nuggets and Rooster-Model Plant-Primarily based Patties be a part of the lineup of vegan ice lotions, cheeses, and different meats that now make up the 365 line.
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The Vegan Style Tester
15 Dealer Joe’s
This tiki-themed grocer tends to abide by the philosophy of “why have others do it for you in the event you might do it your self?” Along with its name-brand assortment of vegan burgers, chorizo, and ice cream, TJ’s created its personal plant-based hen. The Chickenless line ranges from savory seasoning to mandarin orange bites to crispy tenders. Refill.
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Lightlife
16 Lightlife
For a soy-based vegan hen you may season and stuff into burritos, take a look at Lightlife’s Sensible Tenders. One serving accommodates 18 grams of protein and nil saturated fats. They’re pretty plain on their very own, however they work wonders with a drenching of vegan alfredo sauce or a coating of taco seasoning. Fajita Friday, anybody?
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Abbot’s Butcher
17Abbot’s Butcher
Neither a nugget nor a patty, Abbot’s Butcher’s Chopped Chick’n is extraordinarily versatile. Past its addictive style and spot-on texture, that is the one vegan hen that is freed from soy, gluten, preservatives, and pure flavors. It’s additionally Whole30-approved, which you’ll be able to’t say for every other patty or nugget in the marketplace.
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Meati
18Meati
This firm transforms nutrient-rich mushroom roots into juicy hen cutlets with an unbeatable texture. With a give attention to whole-cuts, Meati is poised to rework the vegan hen sector. Select between the Basic Cutlet and the Crispy Cutlet and revel in in fajitas, salads, burritos, and extra.
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Sol Delicacies
19 Sol Delicacies
Not a nugget and never fairly popcorn hen, these juicy plant-based Crispy Chik’n Bites are addictively snackable. The bundle comes with barbecue sauce, however these bites work effectively with any variety of dips from buffalo to vegan honey mustard. Bake up a batch for a hoard of hungry children or a board recreation night time—it doesn’t matter what the event, they’ll go quick!
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Jack & Annie’s
20Jack & Annie’s
Jack & Annie’s takes a novel strategy to its vegan hen. In lieu of utilizing the everyday soy, seitan, or pea-based proteins, the corporate depends on jackfruit to duplicate hen’s tender, meaty chew. Whereas quite a few vegan meats are made beneath this model (meatballs, sausages, patties, and many others), the hen choices are excellent. Discover the buffalo wings and crispy hen nuggets within the frozen aisle of your native Goal, Sprouts, Entire Meals, or Wegmans.
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SIMULATE
21
NUGGS
Made by food-tech startup SIMULATE, these golden meaty snacks purpose to be the “Tesla of hen nuggets.” They’re made with a mix of soy and wheat proteins to imitate each style and texture. The corporate posits these nuggets as near actual hen as you will get—minus the cruelty and unsafe environmental affect. Customers can discover NUGGS at a number of the nation’s largest retailers together with Walmart, Goal, and Sam’s Membership. The model additionally makes vegan hen tenders which can be good for any recreation day unfold.
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Rebellyous Meals
22Rebellyous Meals
These golden, juicy, crispy nuggets, patties, and tenders can be found at choose retailers and eating places throughout Oregon, Washington, and California. Refill on the model’s tenders, nuggets, and patties to fulfill all your hen cravings.
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Atlas Monroe
23Atlas Monroe
You received’t discover this vegan fried hen in huge field shops, however in the event you’re fast, you may order it on-line. Founder Deborah Torres gained traction for her firm after showing on ABC hit actuality present, Shark Tank. Whereas the Sharks demolished her samples and made a $1 million supply, Torres turned them down to maintain possession of her enterprise. Since then, she’s partnered with the vegan chain Copper Department for a restricted time, and continues to ship her vegan fried hen nationwide. Comply with @atlas.monroe on Instagram for updates on the following restocking date.
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Hungry Planet
24Hungry Planet
Odds are, you’ll have loved a crispy hen patty from Hungry Planet and never realized it. This firm is a formidable participant within the foodservice market, offering many non-vegan eateries with its plant-based hen patties and versatile grounds. Smaller, 12-ounce parts of the bottom hen, nuggets, strips, and patties are additionally out there in choose grocers throughout the US. From selfmade nuggets to spicy fajitas, the meals you may create with this vegan hen are infinite.
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VFC
25 Vegan Fried Chick*n (VFC)
KFC’s vegan fried hen might come and go, however this UK-based firm is filling within the gaps. Now out there within the US, VFC’s line of tender, crispy vegan hen merchandise fulfill that itch for this acquainted meals. The vary contains breaded Chick*n Fillets, Popcorn Chick*n, and Chick*n Tenders.
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Meatless Farm
26Meatless Farm
Meatless Farm is on a mission to assist the planet, and so they’re banking on vegan meals to assist them do it. Whereas the model gives a collection of plant-based meats starting from breakfast patties to sausages and grounds, it’s the seitan- and pea-based hen breast that may’t be missed.
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@CaliforniaCalories/Instagram
27 These days
For one thing meant to imitate junk meals, these tender nuggets are surprisingly freed from junk. These days solely makes use of 10 substances which can be remodeled into extremely tasty vegan hen nuggets. Who knew natural pea protein, entire wheat flour, yeast extract, mushroom extract, maple fiber, sunflower oil, and water might be so good?
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@this.uk/Instagram
28 THIS
It hasn’t made it to the US but, however British model THIS gives its vegan hen items in most UK supermarkets. Plus, you may even discover its real looking chicken-style chunks in its Korean-Model Noodle Salad, and in the event you’re in WH Smith, there’s additionally a small collection of vegan hen grab-and-go sandwiches, like This Isn’t Rooster & Sweetcorn.
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@vegheadsfood/Instagram
29 Heura
Primarily based in Barcelona, Spain, Heura is dedicated to transitioning the Mediterranean area to plant-based meals. Its tasty merchandise embody spiced Chik’n Items, Mediterranean Chunks, Breaded Chick’n Fillets, Chik’n Stripe, and way more.
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@futurefarm/Instagram
30 Future Farm
Brazilian model Future Farm has gained a popularity for with the ability to mimic animal meat so effectively, it’ll depart you asking “Did I truly simply eat meat?” However don’t fear, all of its merchandise are one hundred pc plant-based. The model gives a variety of merchandise, together with Future Chick’n chunks.
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@ukfoodiefinder/Instagram
31The Vegetarian Butcher
In the case of plant-based meat, the Dutch model The Vegetarian Butcher is a European favourite. (You’ll be able to even discover its merchandise on the menu at Burger King areas throughout Europe!) One among its hottest choices is its What The Cluck vegan chicken-style chunks, that are good for pastas, curries, stir-fries, and extra.
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For extra on vegan meat, learn:
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