Best Vegan Food And Drink Alternatives In 2024

In the ‘garden of empathy’, the world was a better place. Cows grazing beneath the willow trees. Cloaked in black and white splotches, her eyes reflecting the sun’s soft light. Wild pigs with glistening ebon coats. Tussocks of grass their chosen nest, as they treaded the forest floors. Chickens squawking, flapping their wings. Released from the cruel cages that threatened to break them in. Though A wasn’t preachy, she was passionate about the welfare of animals. About treating all living beings with kindness and compassion.  Celebrating all creatures big and small. It sounded cheesy, but A knew that she was always destined to be an animal rights advocate. Proudly cruelty-free, giving up meat since she was 17. In the beginnings, navigating life without meat was challenging. Remembering the cold anemic chips smothered in ketchup at uni. The nights out, where a sad decrepid bean burger fell apart. She laughed thinking back to her university diet. Vegan chicken nuggets, chips, and beans. Fried egg on toast. A pot noodle or two. When she compared it to how she ate today, she was amazed. Vegan food and drink that was nutritious, vibrant, healthy and colourful. Even when it was ‘bad food’, it was always DELICIOUS. Finding the best vegan food and drink alternatives, licking her lips with relish. Sure, Veganuary had come and gone, but vegan food and drink was here to stay.

 

Her eyes lighting up in a smile, as the world evolved towards a more compassionate and sustainable future. A range of plant-based options from vegan steak, to vegan cakes, making it easier than ever to adopt a cruelty-free lifestyle. Gone were the days when plant-based meat alternatives struggled to replicate the taste and texture of their animal counterparts. No more were the rancid early offerings of vegan dairy, that put her off. Even the vegan drinks had a massive overhaul, with alternatives for Bailey’s, rum, and gin to name a few. Though she was the only vegetarian in her family, she had inspired the people around her to eat less meat and fish. Her partner, an avid meat eater, mostly vegetarian. Her friend, largely eating plant-based. Realizing that good food and drink, didn’t need to be made from animals. Taking inspiration from cuisines and cultures around the world that were vegan friendly. Mediterrenean, Middle Eastern and Asian, featuring heavily in her meals. Cooking with and without meat substitutes. Tofu, laced with soy sauce, slipped into a veggie stir fry. Greek vegan sausage and pepper skillet, paired with garlic, tomato and bell peppers. Ful Medames (fava beans) marinated in garlic, lemon juice. A dash of olive oil.

In 2024 the range of compassionate, animal loving food and drink alternatives blew her mind. Vegan steak, that tasted almost like the real thing. A substitute for ‘Japanese Beef with Udon’, slow cooked. Shredded into pieces, marinated in miso and ginger. Garlic dancing precariously with soy. A hint of dried seaweed, Chopped spring onions and coriander, in udon noodles. A shower of crunchy sesame seeds, a vegan dashi broth without the mushrooms. Vegan tuna, in a spicy poke bowl. A splash of soy, a teaspoon of sriracha. Wild rice, and an Asian slaw. Sliced avocado and salted edamame. Pickled ginger gossping with pink kimchi. Cubes of mango, and julienned carrots. Vegan Sweet Potato Katsu Curry Lattices, a wholesome snack. Paired with Chuka-Fu Shredded Cabbage, a dash of white miso. A slithering of mirin. Lime cutting through, effortlessly tart. But wait, these were all savoury. What about the vegan sweet treats that would tempt our dessert stomachs?  Lemon tarts created by the Gods themselves. Hard to believe it was gluten free. Moist,  dusted with sugar, pastry that melted into her mouth. Adding a homemade blueberry compote for added flavour. The best vegan food alternatives for savoury and sweet lovers alike.

Sure, she was a foodie. But there was something mesmerizing about a tipple or two. Vegan wines laced with berries and spice. A red wine, like a bouquet of berries in a fragrant trance. An aroma that lingered, in a seductive velvety swirl. Notes of oak and whispers of the earth. A liquid sonnet paired with dairy-free cheese. Vegan brie laced with garlic and sea salt smeared onto crackers. Grapes that accentuated the vintage of the wine. Feeling the kiss of red stain her lips in a crimson glow. Amarula, the vegan version drenched in mouthwatering coconut. Velvet richness in a golden haze. Hints of caramel, a sweet refrain. Imagining the elephants that guarded the Marula Tree in Southern Africa. Eyes like pools of wisdom, waiting for their beloved tree to blossom. Slipped into the most decadent vegan hot chocolate, bobbing marshmallows. A sprinkle of cream, that tasted like the real thing. And who could forget the vegan rum that transported her senses. Sunset’s last breath on her tongue, fire and warmth. Golden caramel and cayenne pepper, bobbing in ice. A splash of pineapple juice, a hint of lime. Beneath the cerulean sky, where waves like dancers gracefully pirouetted. A timeless duet, sipping to the beat of a coastal song.

Vegan Meat & Fish Alternatives

 

Best Vegan Chicken

Planted Chicken Lemon And Herb

Frost-kissed winds nipped at her neck playfully, sending chills down her spine. But still, she was excited, envisioning what lay in wait. A steaming bowl of vegan chicken laska noodle soup slipping down her throat. Rice noodles wrapped up in a tumeric coconut broth. The scent of lemongrass infused with lime tickling her throat. Tenderstem broccoli worshipping the majestic pak choi. A smattering of chopped red chillis sinking into a bed of beansprouts. Spinach cradling hunks of ginger. Garlic sat in coriander leaves. But wait, what was this? Vegan chicken that tasted like the real thing? Made from pea protein for a meaty texture. Slathered in a simple lemon and herb marinade that tasted delicious on its own. Who were these culinary geniuses that had created such a beautiful thing? Planted, with their ‘Chicken Lemon and Herb’. In a deep purple and vibrant box that caught her eye immediately.  She watched the chicken sizzle in the pan, a glug of olive oil gurgling. Throwing in slithers of garlic, mixed chillis too. Shallots that melted into the chicken with glee. Firm but not too chewy, crispy on the outside. A vegan chicken substitute that was tasty and filling. She gazed at the crispy chicken pieces burbling in the laska noodle soup. Coated in yellow, her fingers stained. A sprinkle of seasalt and rainbow peppercorns. A scattering of peanuts for an added crunch. It was easy to see why Planted had made it on the list of best vegan food and drink. High in Protein, clean ingredients, and zero additives, the chicken was a Godsend.

 

 

Prices:

£2.50 (160g) at Ocado instead of £3

£3 (160g) at Tescos

£7.99 (400g) at Planted

 

Best Vegan Chicken Mince 

VFC Protein Packed Chick*n Mince

She flung the large Wok with enthusiastic clumsiness. Careful not to slip, watching the garlic and chilli burble in a pool of oil. Shallots next, melting into liquid silken folds. But the real love story? VFC Protein Packed Chick*n Mince, made with soya. She couldn’t wait to taste it, the centrepiece of her ‘Vegan Spicy Thai Chicken Stir Fry’. Watching the vegan chicken marinate in vegan soy sauce, a splash of tamari. A hint of sugar, red chillis too. Her favourite, ginger grated into slithers. She tore up some coriander leaves, a splash of colour in the muted pan. Wide rice noodles slipping in like snakes, salt and pepper to taste. The finishing touch? Slices of cucumber and large tomato wedges, roughly cut. She grabbed her fork to taste the vegan chicken mince, a smile impending.  A mild taste, but she liked it that way. Mince that would soak up the flavour of sauces without overpowering the dish. Texture that was frighteningly akin to real mince. Though she loved cooking with vegan beef mince often, this was her first time trying vegan chicken mince. Granted, she didn’t have experience with chicken mince before she gave up meat. But it tasted exactly how she imagined it to be. Vegan ground chicken that was just at home in a stir fry as it was in a curry. Moulded into vegan chicken meatballs for a homemade sub. Flung into a pasta for a quick weekday meal. She loved the idea of a high-protein meal without the cruelty free. Food that didn’t just taste good, but made a difference. Kinder to animals, kinder to humans, kinder to the planet.

 

Prices:

£2.49 at Morrisons (300g frozen)

£2.75 at Asda (250g)

£2.25 at Waitrose instead of £2.50 (300g)

 

Best Vegan Chicken Sausages 

VFC Lean Mean Chick*n Sausages 

VFC had done it again. Lean Mean Chick*n Sausages sprinkled in Italian style seasoning that made her mouth water. The aroma of paprika, garlic and oregano captivated her senses. Yellow and brown tinged sausages that looked like the chicken sausages she would eat growing up. Memories of a ‘kids meal’ where chicken sausages would playfight with baked beans. Potato wedges dashed with salt and pepper. Chicken nuggets, beige comfort food. She imagined how she would cook them today, reaching into the portal of her inventive mind. Thinking of a weeknight meal, that was simple, but delicious. Homemade gnocchi cradled in spinach and vegan parmesan. Hunks of vegan chicken sausages cooked in garlic, chilli and shallots. Ready in just twenty minutes, gnocchi prepared the day before. Rainbow peppercorn to season, a spritz of extra virgin olive oil to dress. Her fork encountered the vegan sausage first, her eyes closed in rapture. Wrapping her mouth around the hunks, pleasantly surprised. Mild like the mince, yet robust and hearty. The casing like the real thing. She imagined what she would cook the chicken sausages in next. Large pearl cous cous with sundried tomatoes, chilli, and feta crumbled. A hidden vegan chicken surprise in every mouthful. Open-faced Greek vegan chicken sausage gyros. On a bed of tomato, cucumber, and parsley, a dollop of red pepper hummus. But her personal favourite? A Jamaican Sausage and Black Bean Bake. Delicate orzo pasta whispering to corn kernels. Sweet potatoes soft and tender rising out of peppered black beans. Chicken sausages adorned in Jerk seasoning. A versatile ingredient, was it any wonder that VFC’s chicken sausages were in the best vegan food of 2024?

 

Price: £2.00 at Asda (270g)

 

Best Vegan Chicken Skewers 

 

Shicken Teriyaki Kebab Skewers 

The rain drizzled down her windowpane, the wind howling like a banshee. Craving comfort food that would warm her bones. A meal that would ease the stress in her shoulders. Salivate her senses. Make her mouth water. Shicken had the answer to all her strifes. Vegan Teriyaki Kebab Skewers in a sticky glaze. Surprisingly meaty, layering kebab sticks with chargrilled peppers. Testing the meat, relishing how it tasted almost identical to the real thing. Crispy new potatoes, and roasted chickpeas. Crumbled with moerish vegan feta, and mint. Drizzled in olive oil. A summery dish that warmed up her winter. It tasted like home. Belly pooched, already thinking about the next meal. Teriyaki Vegan Chicken Stir Fry, on a bed of cauliflower rice. A Teriyaki Chicken And Rice Bowl with steamed broccoli, and peppers, doused in sauce. And what about the Teriyaki Chicken Alfredo, a surprising take on the classic. A sauce made with cauliflower and peppers, poured over Teriyaki skewers. Linguine piled high, garnished with pepper. She had fun thinking of the creative and inventive ways to use the skewers. Kebabs with spiced rice and crispy chickpeas drizzled in vegan yoghurt. A vegan BBQ her personal favourite. The skewers cradled like the centrepiece they were. A side of paprika-lime corn on the cob. Sesame-ginger potato salad with zesty lime. Spicy kimchi cous cous, washed down with a vegan beer.

Prices:

£15 at Shicken (960g)

 

 

 

Best Vegan Roast

THIS™ ISN’T ROAST CHICKEN & STUFFING

She dreamed of a roast dinner that would make all her dreams come true. A plate filled high with the crispiest roast potatoes, brown round the edges. Garlic and thyme sprinkled on top, carrot batons laced with oregano. Parsnips roasted with hazelnuts and pecans. Cavolo Nero doused in lemon and garlic, fluffy yorkshire puddings. But the centrepiece had her salivating. THIS™ ISN’T ROAST CHICKEN & STUFFING, oozing deliciousness. Hunks of vegan chicken with a garlic melt, drowned in lashings of port-infused gravy. She closed her eyes, the blend of soya and pea protein filling her senses. Remembering when she used to eat meat all that time ago. Rejoycing in the cruelty-free lifestyle she had led for so long. The crown jewel of a roast dinner, she imagined its infinite possibilities. A vegan chicken and stuffing pie oozing with double cream. Leftovers the day after. Sandwiched between brown seeded bread, slathered in dairy-free mayo. But the icing on the cake? An ooey-gooey vegan cheesy casserole bake. Laced with chicken, stuffing, carrots, spring onion and leeks. There was no doubt about it. In A’s mind This was always top of the list for the best vegan food. Now, the roast chicken and stuffing had won her heart too. But what would she eat next?

Price: £5.95 at Tesco’s, Sainsburys and Zoom by Ocado

 

Best Vegan Flavoured Sausages 

Meatless Farm Pork & Apple Plant-Based Sausages 

There was something surprising about vegan pork and apple together. The sweet and the salty. The savoury and the baked. But the combination had her mind in a spin. Watching mottled sausage like creatures sizzle in the pan. Garlic and olive oil, a healthy glug. Browning round the edges, flipping the sausages over. For she was making a classic. Vegan Sausage and mash. Dollops of plant-based butter oozing out of fluffy mash. Roasted veggies sitting patiently on the plate. The star of the show entered, crispy but soft too. Meatless Farm Pork & Apple Plant Based Sausages. Nibbling at an end, a smile reaching her eyes. The taste of the apple toying with her tongue, even when drowned in her signature gravy blend. The next day, wandering what to do with the leftovers. And then it hit her. A creative Pumpkin, sausage and sage lasagna, something different. Comfort food at its finest, with a vegan twist. A plant-based bechemel sauce oozing out of the lasagna. A cheesy crumb on top, sausages torn into chunks. A surprise in every mouthful, a delectable blend of flavours. A simple Italian salad to serve, drenched in lemon, sea salt and rainbow peppercorn. A dash of olive oil, a glass of red wine. The ultimate evening in, with vegan sausages that had something a little extra.

Price:

Asda:£2.75 (300g)

 

 

Best Vegan Bacon

La Vie Plant Based Bacon Smoked 

She remembered the taste of vegan bacon so mind-blowing, worlds fell apart. Caremelized, crackling deliciousness without Mr. Piggy. Cruelty-free bacon that tasted like the real thing. The goddess was La Vie, whose Plant Based Bacon was gorgeously smoked. Watching it sizzle in the pan, pink round the edges. A hidden surprise in a bowl of Cuban Black Beans. Bacon shredded into pieces, laced with lime. Smoky yet tart, crispy yet tender. On its own it was magical. Remembering the first time she tried it in a Carbonara. Creamy, salty, unami flavours that seduced her into submission. A quick meal that was rich and creamy, lime wedges to garnish. Cilantro spiralling on top. Bell peppers whispering sweet nothings to bacon hunks. The taste of garlic melting on her tongue. Scooping a spoonful of spring onion rice to pair with the weekday meal. A splash of more lime, salt and pepper. Avocado slices to add interest and flavour. Whether the bacon was hidden or was the centrepiece, it was always the star of the show. High in protein, fibre and only 7 ingredients, no best vegan food round up would be complete without it.

Prices:

£3.50 Sainsbury’s

£3.60 Waitrose

 

Best Vegan Seafood 

 

Best Vegan Tuna

Future Tvna 

Admittedly, the thought of vegan tuna had often scared her. Memories of a competitor that began with ‘T’ resembling the taste of vomit. But Future Farm was a pioneer. Future Tvna that might not have looked much, but its taste was beyond compare. Flaky vegan tuna with clean ingredients. Infused with Omega 3, a source of protein, iron and fibre. Was it any wonder she had fallen in love? Smelling like tuna, she almost did a double take. But this was 100% plant-based. Melt in her mouth, a signature triple protein blend. She marinated the tvna in a salty and tangy hoison glaze. Poured into ginger-infused soba noodles. Sea salt edamame and strips of baby corn. A fork twirling each strand, a foodgasm in each mouthful. She dreamt of the endless possibilities; a Mediterrenean tuna salad drenched in Djion dressing. Doused in sumac and red chilli flakes. A splash of lime, cucumber and olives dancing in a sea of olive oil. Crunchy bell peppers, and fresh parsley. But her favourite possibility? Tuna empanadas stuffed with chickpeas, chopped olives, and sundried tomatoes.

Future Farm has a range of vegan products but my favourite has to be the Future TVNA. it tastes just like the real thing.

Prices:

£2.70 at Tesco’s

£2.75 at Asda

 

Best Vegan Steak

Juicy Marbles Thick Cut Filet 

Before she stopped eating meat, steak was her favourite. Doused in salted butter, herbs in the pan. Garlic simmering in a generous pour of oil. Remembering the Prego’s she would eat in childhood. Steaks, medium rare sandwiched in Bolo de Caco bread. A splash of soy, confit garlic. Lambs lettuce and beefsteak tomato. After giving up meat aged 17, she never thought she would eat anything that resembled steak again. But she was wrong. Juicy Marbles Thick Filet reigniting a childhood favourite. More like brisket than steak, pulling apart like butter. Marbled like the real thing, high in protein. She watched the steak gurgle in red wine and balsamic vinegar. A simple dish to taste test its steak-ness. Sprigs of rosemary on top, pink salt and rainbow peppercorn. Juicy, tender, melt in her mouth, she could hardly believe it was vegan. Becoming her favourite meat substitute in a short amount of time. A Spanish ‘Beef stew’ a highlight. Chunks of filet rubbed in smoked paprika. Shallots, and garlic to season. Green olives bobbing in an orange hued liquid. Baby potatoes cut roughly, a medley of mixed peppers. Served with basmati rice, and a glass of red. Hunks falling apart in her ravenously hungry mouth.

 

Prices:

£8.00 (2 pack) Tesco’s

£9.00 (2 pack) Waitrose

 

Best Vegan Burgers

Beyond Meat Plant Based Burgers 

When it came to delicious burgers the first name that came to mind was Beyond Meat. The burger maestro, from chicken to beef. A gamechanger, the original innovator. A round up of the best vegan food not complete without it. Juicy, meaty, satisfying her cravings in one hit. A staple in her household, when it came to burger night. She would normally go for a ‘vegan blue cheese-burger’ with smoked paprika wedges and a lemon side salad. Yet this time, she was trying something new. A spicy Indian-inspired burger infused with garam masala and ginger. A slithering of mango chutney, chunky tomatoes and lettuce. Chilli to add some heat. Served with Bombay Potatoes, and a mango lassi, revelling in the combination. Korean BBQ burgers another recent find; pickled radishes bathed in vegan miso mayo. Soy sauce, garlic and ginger peeking through the burger. Served with her favourite kimchi, and a smashed gochujang cucumber salad. She bit into the burgers with undisguised relish, letting the sauces drip down her chin. Chunky stacked burgers that made her fall apart at the seams. Flavours that turned her world upside down.

Prices:

Beyond Meat Plant Based Patties: £3.00 at Ocado (on deal), £4 at Sainsbury’s £3.65 at Waitrose and £4.30 at Tesco’s

 

Best Vegan Beef Style Mince

 

Meatless Farm Plant Based Mince 

The first time she discovered Meatless Farm’s Plant-Based Mince, she fell in love. The star of a bolognese, her partner’s signature dish. Finely chopping shallots and garlic into a frying pan. Grated carrots thrown in, rosemary and oregano too. Scooping the vegan mince into the pan, extra herbs, salt and pepper. She watched the colour deepen into a golden brown. Marvelling at how it broke down with ease. Red wine and tomato paste was next, a fusion of scarlet. Simmering until the alcohol was cooked off. Fresh tomatoes and vegan beef stock for flavour. Slow-cooked patience, a labour of love. Hours going by, her stomach protesting with distaste. But at last, it was ready. A sea of brown and red, plonked onto buttery spaghetti. A sprinkle of vegan parmesan, salt and pepper to taste. She sighed longingly at the memory. A red Argentian Malbec laced with black cherries and vanilla waiting on the table. The combination of both? Perfection. Not mushy, like other vegan minces she had tried. A tried and tested recipe that would become her go-to comfort meal. Watching Ru Paul’s Drag Race, cats curled around her feet. But would she dare to try something different? Thai Chilli Mince with Stir Fry Noodles caught her eye immediately. A bed of shallots melting into olive oil. Mince browned in two lots. Adding sticks of lemongrass that danced with chopped ginger. Chilli, sizzling heat, her eyes widening. Wide noodles splashed with soy, and cooked with scallions. A sweet chilli sauce to garnish.

 

Prices:

£3.25 Tesco’s

£3.25 Asda

£3.30 Sainsbury’s

£3.50 Ocado

 

Tasty Vegan Meals

 

Best Vegan Chef Made Meals 

 

Planty Not-A-Chicken-Tikka Masala 

She broke the evening with a weary sigh. Toes cramping, sinking into the sofa, muscles aching. Up since the crack of dawn, dark shadows like charcoal smudges under her eyes. Craving a night off from cooking, wishing the kitchen fairy would grant her wishes. But wait! She had almost forgotten. Two vegan chef-made meals lurked in the freezer. The primary colours drawing her in. An orange box, with purple typography. Her eye glancing over the Great Taste Award. For it was Planty, and their Not A Chicken Tikka Masala that had come to save the day. Memories of those Chicken Tikka ready meals from childhood rent-free in her mind. But this was nothing like it. Fresh tasting, layered with aromatic spice and flavour. Tender Heura chicken chunks bobbing in a creamy masala sauce. Fluffy pilau rice flanked by Bombay Aloo. Steamed spinach wrapped around toasted almonds. A hint of heat, a source of protein, low in sugar. This was no ordinairy quick plant-based meal. Sweet yet savoury, a marriage of flavours cascading. Tomato serenading the ever-impish garlic. Coconut swimming in garlic and ginger. A hunk of homemade vegan garlic naan bread plunged into its creamy depths. A fragrant swirl, washed down with a vegan beer. Replacing the memories of teenhood with a new one. The adult version, now plant-based.

 

Planty Mac ‘No’ Cheese 

They had done it again. She couldn’t help but reach into the ‘Planty drawer’ twice. A vegan Mac ‘No’ Cheese with a delectably creamy sauce. Slurping up macaroni shells with a healthier twist. Steamed broccoli and sun-blushed cherry tomatoes bobbing on her tongue. An indulgent cashew cheese sauce dribbling onto her chin. Memories of making Mac ‘N’ Cheese in uni halls with a friend of hers. Scooped onto mini plates, a dash of salt and pepper. An simple rocket and tomato salad, drowned in olive oil. This time round was just as memorable. A taste that would stay with her for the rest of her life. Hands numb from the cold after a shoot. Feet that were curling up in rebellion. Red blotchy cheeks and a pinched nose. Craving winter comfort food that would touch her soul. If Mac and Cheese was impactful then, it was just as special now. Licking the plate clean, every last drop. Washed down with a homemade lemonade, a light sweetness refreshing the palette. For when it came to the best vegan food and drink, Planty’s meals were hard to beat.

Prices:

 

Best Vegan Recipe Kits 

Grubby Plant-Based Recipe Kits

She hummed under her breath, scooping her latest Grubby Box under her arms. Tearing into the cardboard with childish excitement. Would her chosen recipes live up to her expectations? Four meals waiting to be eaten. But what would they try first? One-Pot Linguine & Meatballs with Garlic Pangrattato, craving food that would soothe her soul. ‘This Sausages’ rolled into vegan meatballs, drizzled in olive oil. A dash of Henderson’s relish, smatterings of garlic. Linguine marinating in chunky tomato polpa. But her favourite part? A garlic and basil crumb sprinkled over a pasta classic. Winding pasta around her fork, sauce around her lips. Day two, another meal, another slay. A Mexican Black Bean stew that felt like home. High in protein, all 5 of her ‘5 a day’, laced with mouthwatering flavour. A blend of fajita spices that made her mouth tingle. Black beans bobbing in tomato sauce. Hunks of avocado with scattered chilli flakes. Coriander to garnish, drenched in zesty lime. But her favourite meal came on day 2. The definition of the best vegan food, and then some. Plant-based Steak with Creamy Potato Dauphinoise. A dish that felt luxurious, comforting, and melt-in-your mouth. A collaboration with Redefine Meat, whose ‘Flank Steak’ made her shudder with joy. A side of green beans, jazzed up with garlic and rainbow peppercorns. Potatoes that sang to her soul. The last day of Grubby Meals lamented its farewell. Dreading saying goodbye to meals that were easy, creative and delicious. Harissa Sweet Potato Stew drizzled in balsamic dressing. Lentils rubbing shoulders with avocado. Ready in just 25 minutes, a godsend on a Friday night.

Prices:

£27.00/6.75 per meal ( Recipe Box for 2)

£45.00/ £5.62 per meal (Recipe Box for 4)

 

 

Vegan Dairy Alternatives

Best Vegan Cheese

It was fair to say that vegan cheese often had a bad rap. Remembering vegan cheeses of the past that tasted like rubber. An aftertaste that reminded her of pencil erasers or even playdough. But those days were long gone. La Fauxmagerie and their Brixton Blue was on another level. Off-white, threaded with blue veins that looked like the real thing. Made from almond, not coconut like the vegan cheeses that frequented the supermarket shelves. Crumbling piece by piece, for a taste test that sent her spiralling. Tangy and piquant, flavour that haunted her senses. It was spooky, tasting like Roquefort, and Stilton too. On its own a delight, but a revelation in dishes. A French Lentil Salad cooked with carrots and shallots. Tossed with balsamic vinegar, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil that made her mouth salivate. But the best part? The Brixton Blue marinated in sweet red wine, a splash of lemon. Another cheese-forward dish that took her fancy. Creamy, rich and utterly decadent, a pasta dish that needed no introduction. Blue cheese pasta scattered with walnuts and garlic spinach. Fettucine with crumbled vegan blue cheese that slipped into her mouth raptorously. Salty, tangy, addictive to taste. Her mind wandered dreaming up recipes. Slathered on salt and pepper crackers, a glug of oil. Paired with the juciest red and green grapes she ever did see. Dipped into a tomato and chilli chutney that made her heart sing.

 

Price: £5.50 at La Fauxmagerie

 

Best Vegan Margarine 

The Flower Farm Spread Without Palm Oil 

A was all about championing the best vegan food and drink. Celebrating brands that made a difference. Taking a stand against animal cruelty, deforestation and the destruction of the natural world. The Flower Farm‘s spread was living proof of that. Laced with shea butter rather than palm oil. Saying no to the loss of biodiversity, Greenhouse gas emissions and social issues that palm oil left in its wake. Instead, Shea Butter was a sustainable alternative, grown on the savannahs of Africa. Margarine that was nutty, with a slight sweet undertone. Balanced with sea salt, and a splash of carrot juice. Surprisingly rich and creamy, not like the margarines she had tried before. No synthetic taste, spreading easily. Delicious on its own, as much as in dishes. Singing loudly startling the cats, as she began baking. Paying homage to her Maderian heritage with Bolo de Mel. Something she had been craving for years, deciding to make her own. Nutty, infused with oranges, the vegan butter peeking through. Cutting off a generous slice, dunking it into her oat milk decaf latte. Broas de Mel another classic from Madeira, steeped in vegan honey. Popped in a tin, shared with the neighbours. Their eyes lighting up with undisguised delight.

Price: £2.95 at Sainsbury’s

 

 

Vegan Savoury Pastries & Confectionairy

Higgidy Mini No Pork Pies 

She tucked into Higgidy’s Mini No Pork Pies, as a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Remembering when she saw a beautiful pig killed for its meat aged ten. Her stomach in knots, tears dribbling down her face. Begging them to stop and save it from this unneccessary pain. It was then that she knew she wanted to give up meat. Saying goodbye to animals being killed for her personal gain. Though she was 17 when she gave up, the image of that pig stayed with her. But these pies were cruelty-free. Red pepper, serenading Sunblush tomato. Carrots softly stroking green lentils. Deliciously vibrant veggies in a vegan hot water crust pastry. Surprisingly moist, a snack that she would come back to again and again. She would stock up on them in their dozens. Often out of stock, a testament to their popularity all these years later. A welcome addition to a spring BBQ that she would be planing. A side of pulled jackfruit marinaded in smoky barbeque sauce. Sweet potato wedges and a vegan garlic aoli. But of course, the pies would be the star of the show. Paired with a tomato, chilli and cilantro chutney that made the lentils sing. No meat subtitutes in sight. A vegan snack that had her reaching for more, more, more. Though A was a big fan of Higgidy in the first place, this was a classic that she came back to time and time again.

 

Prices:

£3.40 at Tesco

£3.50 at Waitrose

 

Best Vegan Sweet Tarts 

We Love Cake Lemon Tarts And Salted Caramel And Chocolate Tarts 

She rubbed her hands with glee, as We Love Cake had the answer to all her prayers. Hosting for a friend that was gluten-free. Who was well known for their sweet tooth and then some. Lemon tarts, a pack of two, dusted in sugar. Her friend shocked it was gluten-free, begging to check the back of the pack. Indulgent, the aroma of lemon seeping into their ravenous mouths. Not too sweet, just the way A liked it, the pastry buttery like the real thing. Their hands, almost in unison wrapped around matching mugs. A steaming blend of caffeine-free Roobibos Chai, washing down the rest of the lemon tart. Her favourite of the two, a tart that she would seek out again and again. But wait… what was this? Salted Caramel and chocolate tarts, her friend’s personal favourite. Individually wrapped, one for each of them. Sweet, but surprisingly the right amount of sugary goodness. A hint of salt to balance out the sweetness. Washed down with a cherry soda, infused with mint. A surprising combination that somehow worked. Though A was more of a savoury lover, she couldn’t deny that the best food and drink wouldn’t be complete without We Love Cake’s tarts.

Price:

£2.50 at Sainsbury’s (£2.00 with Nectar)

 

Best Vegan Cupcakes

 

Lolas Cupcakes

She bit into its creamy frostiness, and let its dopamine wash over her with glee. The memories flooding back, her first cupcake, chocolate and vanilla. Replaced with vegan sensations from the wonders that were Lola’s Cupcakes. It was hard to believe that they were vegan. A sponge that had moist as its middle name. A filling that was indulgent, yet not too rich. In the words of Goldilocks, it was ‘just right’. Vegan Raspberry & Passionfruit, her personal favourite. Tart yet sweet, a freeze-dried raspberry soaking up passionfruit cream cheese. Vegan Strawberry another highlight, filled with mouthwatering strawberry jam. Vegan strawberry cream cheese icing whispering sweet nothings to a vanilla sponge. Four cupcakes in total, they had earned their place on the best vegan food and drink list. The classic vegan vanilla sponge iced with smooth buttercream.  The Vegan Chocolate Brownie Cake A’s partner’s personal favourite. A rich, ooey-gooey chocolate fudge sponge with a sprinkling of gold dust. Brownie chunks and chocolate buttercream. Iconic Vegan Red Velvet’s new recipe. Where red velvet danced with cream cheese so good she could cry. And who could forget the Vegan Caramel Biscuit? A Biscoff sponge light and airy, sandwiched between Biscoff biscuit spread.

Price: Box of 6 £21.30 and box of 12 £42.60

 

Best Vegan Gum

Peppersmith Taster Box 

She reached for the gum inside her pocket. In a white cardboard box, a burst of flavour, with 100% xylitol. Blowing bubbles with playful glee, chewing down on English Peppermint Gum. Sticky strands that wound round her fingers in a playful twist. It was hard to believe it was sugar-free, and yet, it was. Gum that would help keep her teeth healthy, from none other than Peppersmith. But wait, what was this? Mints, gum and pastilles for  (nearly) every day of the week? Changing it up on a Tuesday, with Sicilian Lemon Mints in an acid yellow box. The sharp freshness of Sicilian lemon blended with English mint, adding zest to her day. But her personal favourite? Strawberry pastilles on a Wednesday,  reminding her of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. A taste of summer on the cusp of spring. Natural strawberry flavours with a hint of vanilla. Thursday, reverting back to the classics. English Spearmint Gum, that tasted like sunshine. Friday an ode to English Peppermint mints. Saturday, another favourite. Extra strong mints that reminded her of her favourite ecalyptus gum. With natural menthol, not for the faint hearted. Giving a new meaning to sweet treats without the sugar.

Price: £16.99 for a taster pack which comes with the following:

• 2 x 15g packs of English peppermint gum
• 2 x 15g packs of English spearmint gum
• 2 x 15g packs of English peppermint mints
• 2 x 15g packs of extra strong mints
• 2 x 15g packs of Sicilian lemon mints
• 2 x 15g packs of strawberry and vanilla pastilles

 

The Best Vegan Alcoholic And Non Alcoholic Drinks 

 

Best Vegan Liqueur

 

Amarula Vegan Liqueur 

She imagined sitting under African skies were red-tinged sunsets blazed. Watching a sacred tree plump with Marula, with branches that touched the sky. Whispering secrets in the breeze, golden fruits in a summer glow. A herd of elephants with wizened trunks standing guard, protecting the Marula fruit. The first time she tried it, she fell in love without warning. Amurula’s Vegan Liqueur  a celebration of its nectar. Like a bee, she suckled at its divinity. Subtle notes of caramel infused with sweet vanilla. Creamy coconut on the tongue, balanced with Marula fruit. Lighter than a Bailey’s, yet somehow double the taste. Peering at off-white liquid swirling in a large glass. She glanced at the rain that lashed out at her windows with villianous veagence. Closing her eyes, reverting back to her happy place. Where she danced in the savannahs watching majestic lions roar with pride. The stampeede of a thousand wildabeest. The bray of deer scuttling into the shadows. A calm settled over her, as Marula took over her senses. Until at last she slumbered, and woke up in the sun again.

Price: Waitrose £15 and Amazon £14.99

 

Best Vegan Non-Alcoholic Rum

 

Clean Co’s Clean R 

There was something about the way rum made her feel. Carefree and nochlant. Laughing like she had nothing else to worry about. The life of the party. She felt confidence, where before her shoulders would sag. She felt energetic, like she could rule the world. And yet, truth be told, she wasn’t a big drinker. A drink or two every so often, something she would enjoy as a treat. Preferring to opt for non-alcoholic options, on a weekday. Something special, a drink she could knock back, without the unpleasant hangover. But would it make her feel the same? Clean Co’s Clean R, more than just your average non-alcoholic drink. Warming spice wrapping its lips around golden caramel.  Cayenne pepper in a boldy flavoured distillate. Their ‘clean’ take on Spiced Carribean Rum,  A’s all time favourite. Was it any wonder that she kept coming back for more? She paused, breathing in the scent of Bourbon vanilla, and ginger spice. She felt good when she drank it, sip by sip. Watching her worries melt away in a flurry of award-winning no-rum-rum.

 

Best Vegan Red Wine 

Trivento Private Reserve 2022 Malbec 

She ran her hands over its sleek bottle. Imagining a scarlet hue dancing in a wide brimmed glass. Velvety, bold, aromas of berries, a subtle spice. For Trivento Private Reserve Malbec captured the essence of Argentinia’s revered terroir. Eight months passing, watching it age in smoky oak barrels. Swimming in autumnal blackberry, plum peeking through. Black cherry whispers, admist vanilla’s thrum. Her tongue lingered over its ripe flavours, kissed by the evening’s decadent breath. Tannins caressing her palette, a melody of depth. But what would she pair it with? A vegan beef chimmichurri casserole came to mind. Stewed in red wine, laced with garlic and love. Slow-cooked, rich and smoky. Juicy Marble’s vegan filet cut into delectable hunks. Tempered with sweet potatoes and carrots, glazed with chimmichuri. Fragrant, a glass of Malbec slipped into her glass. Tranquility washing over her, her limbs not her own. Watching the world go round, lost in a place where there was no time or space. A warmth that tickled her stomach, luring her into submission. Reminding her that her best food and drink list had come to a close. What a way to finish with a glass of red. Where spiced notes tangoed across her tongue. Waltzing down her throat with a passionate heat. Sinking into a delicious haze, letting her senses slip.

Prices:

£9 at Tesco’s, Asda’s and Sainsbury’s

£11 at Morrisons

£10.50 at Ocado

 

What Is Your Favourite Vegan Food And Drink?

*Disclaimer 

Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by gifted compensation. What should I add to the best vegan food and drink? Is there anything I should try?