The traditional burger patty was the primary breakaway product to essentially disrupt the meat trade’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 way of the roof because the financially declining chain reported its finest 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 here are all the juicy, tender, golden, crispy vegan hen merchandise yow will discover on the retailer and on-line. However first, what truly is vegan hen?
What’s vegan hen?
Because the title implies, there aren’t any actual chickens concerned within the making of vegan hen. As an alternative, manufacturers use quite a few completely different plant-based components, like soy, pea protein, and even jackfruit, to recreate the identical style and texture as the true factor.
Daring
They will are available a number of completely different varieties, together with nuggets, strips, shreds, chunks, popcorn, and extra. It’s additionally attainable to make vegan hen at house, utilizing components like seitan, cauliflower, tofu, or tempeh. (In the event you’re craving vegan hen, attempt following these straightforward nugget recipes, this popcorn hen recipe, or make this copycat Chipotle hen burrito bowl.)
The place to purchase vegan hen
In the event you’re heading out to eat, a couple of 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 Hen for a restricted time.) However the best place to seize vegan hen is on the grocery retailer. And if you’re there, listed below are among the manufacturers you’re prone to discover on retailer cabinets.
The most effective 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 straightforward dinner, search for Daring’s entrées such because the Spicy Fajita and Penne Primavera bowls made with the model’s fan-favorite hen. Shoppers 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 Hen. 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 have been initially accessible at 400 eating places, however have since expanded into retail. As we speak, 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 gained’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 among the newer meals tech startups, Gardein has remained strong in its broadly 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. In the event you’re craving a particular preparation of hen, Gardein is prone to have a vegan model of it.
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Acutely 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 may 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 could 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 long-lasting vegan Thanksgiving roast has massively expanded its product line to incorporate burgers, deli slices, sausages, tempeh, and items. The Plant-Based mostly Chick’n line encompasses grilled and seasoned vegan hen items yow will discover within the refrigerated part of the grocery retailer. Flavors embody Flippantly Seasoned, Thai Basil, Sesame Garlic, and Barbecue.
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Subject Roast
7 Subject Roast
The Fruffalo Wings aren’t any extra—properly, not less than 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. Want a nugget to a wing? Subject Roast provides these, too.
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Candy Earth Meals/Fb
8 Candy Earth Meals
Put together to do a double take if you attain for Candy Earth’s hen items. Whereas it could appear like chunks of hen, these soy-based items are utterly animal-free. Use them in stir-frys, salads, curries, grain bowls, and burritos for a scrumptious protein enhance 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 Habit
9 Quorn
This long-standing vegetarian model provides a medley of now-vegan hen choices together with kid-friendly dino nuggets (at the moment solely accessible 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. Observe: the Meatless Nuggets should not vegan—they include egg and milk components.
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MorningStarFarms
10 Morningstar Farms/Incogmeato
Leaping on the vegan market development, 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 consists of plant-based hen tenders and spicy filets. The mom model, Morningstar, additionally provides 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 facility of synthetic intelligence to copy the style and texture of hen. Now accessible 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 protected guess. All merchandise are gluten- and soy-free and made with Non-GMO Undertaking Verified components. Discover the Excellent Chick’n Tenders, Nashville Scorching Chick’n, and Basic 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 Hen-Type Plant-Based mostly Nuggets and Hen-Type Plant-Based mostly Patties be 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 if you happen to 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. Top off.
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Lightlife
16 Lightlife
For a soy-based vegan hen you may season and stuff into burritos, try Lightlife’s Sensible Tenders. One serving incorporates 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’t say for some other patty or nugget available on the market.
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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 luxuriate 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 properly with any variety of dips from buffalo to vegan honey mustard. Bake up a batch for a hoard of hungry children or a board sport 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 singular strategy to its vegan hen. In lieu of utilizing the standard soy, seitan, or pea-based proteins, the corporate depends on jackfruit to copy hen’s tender, meaty chew. Whereas quite a few vegan meats are made beneath this model (meatballs, sausages, patties, and so forth), 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 dangerous environmental affect. Shoppers can discover NUGGS at among the nation’s largest retailers together with Walmart, Goal, and Sam’s Membership. The model additionally makes vegan hen tenders which might be excellent for any sport 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. Top off on the model’s tenders, nuggets, and patties to fulfill your entire hen cravings.
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Atlas Monroe
23Atlas Monroe
You gained’t discover this vegan fried hen in massive field shops, however if you happen to’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 provide, 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. Observe @atlas.monroe on Instagram for updates on the following restocking date.
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Hungry Planet
24Hungry Planet
Odds are, you will 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 accessible in choose grocers throughout the US. From do-it-yourself 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 could come and go, however this UK-based firm is filling within the gaps. Now accessible within the US, VFC’s line of tender, crispy vegan hen merchandise fulfill that itch for this acquainted meals. The vary consists of 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 provides a number 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 components which might 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 provides its vegan hen items in most UK supermarkets. Plus, you may even discover its lifelike chicken-style chunks in its Korean-Type Noodle Salad, and if you happen to’re in WH Smith, there’s additionally a small number of vegan hen grab-and-go sandwiches, like This Isn’t Hen & Sweetcorn.
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@vegheadsfood/Instagram
29 Heura
Based mostly 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 repute for with the ability to mimic animal meat so properly, it’ll go away you asking “Did I truly simply eat meat?” However don’t fear, all of its merchandise are 100% plant-based. The model provides a variety of merchandise, together with Future Chick’n chunks.
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@ukfoodiefinder/Instagram
31The Vegetarian Butcher
In relation to plant-based meat, the Dutch model The Vegetarian Butcher is a European favourite. (You possibly can even discover its merchandise on the menu at Burger King areas throughout Europe!) One in every of its hottest choices is its What The Cluck vegan chicken-style chunks, that are excellent for pastas, curries, stir-fries, and extra.
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For extra on vegan meat, learn:
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