Hannah's Top 10 Vegan Meat Alternatives

'Meat alternatives aren't a new development, but the options now are huge whichever shop you go to. There's nothing more disappointing than picking something new and finding out it isn't as good as you were hoping.

So whether you're at a BBQ with friends or want something to add into a sauce, testing out veganism or you know your stuff, this Top 10 will hopefully give you a little insight into some of the best around. I try to look out for the price, texture taste and versatility.'

Hannah of @herbivorehan_ has delved into her essential vegan meats and narrowed down her top recommendations. From Richmond sausages to Tesco's Plant Chef, you cannot go wrong with this comprehensive list of choices. Make sure to order these from our selected stores whether it be Tesco, Amazon, Ocado or Sainsburys and get your fridge stocked up!

Hannah Layland: Vegan Food Blogger

A vegan food eater, lover and Instagrammer. When I'm not eating I'm often in the gym or running thinking about what I'm going to eat or researching restauran... See More

Source：tesco.com
Tesco
Plant Chef 8 Meat Free Burgers
Hannah Layland
I love the simplicity of these burgers, they aren't trying to be anything other than a classic meat-free burger. Sometimes you get that craving for a classic takeaway burger, without the fancy toppings or the huge price tag. This is that burger. Value for money they're unbeatable.

I love them simple; some soft onions, a bit of ketchup, a slice of vegan cheese and gherkins, always gherkins. it makes the perfect quick dinner. I've microwaved them, grilled them, fried them and popped them on the BBQ there's no bad way to cook them and I am yet to find a bad way to eat them.
£1.75
- View Details on Tesco
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Source：sainsburys.co.uk
Richmond
Meat Free Vegan Sausages
Hannah Layland
I call these the gateway sausage. If you're going from a meat diet to more plant-based these are the perfect sausage. They really aren't overly meaty and from what I remember they taste very much like a standard Richmond Sausage, I know they're nice because my sausage sandwich loving dad will eat them.

My favourite way is in a barmcake, with a bit of avocado and these lined up. The perfect hangover cure, or lazy Sunday breakfast. They're great for quick teas too, chopped into a tomato sauce with pasta is a firm favourite.
£2.00
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Source：groceries.aldi.co.uk
Plant Menu
Spicy No Chicken Burgers
Hannah Layland
If like me you were (or are) a sucker for a spicy fried chicken, then this is right up your street. The texture is more of a reshaped pulled meat rather than a dense patty, but that adds to the experience.

It might be called spicy, but don't let that put you off if you aren't a chilli lover. I think they're delicately spiced with a flavour much more prominent than the heat. My perfect way to eat it is in a Vegan Brioche Bun, lots of mayo and a bit of lettuce.
£1.99
- View Details on Aldi
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Source：tesco.com
The Vegetarian Butcher
What The Cluck
Hannah Layland
If you're a vegan because you didn't like the taste, smell or texture of meat then this really isn't the one for you. it is the perfect chicken substitute, I'd be tempted to say there was some form of magic that went into creating this.

It's high in protein, so if you're a gym buff then it's the perfect addition to your diet. I have it in curries but it is excellent in a chicken and leek pie, I don't think you would know the difference between this and chicken in a blind taste test. It can dry out a little when cooked, so I'd suggest adding it into saucier things rather than just as it is, Although I have been known to eat it as it comes.
£2.75
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Source：tesco.com
Birds Eye
Meat Free Swedish Style Balls
Hannah Layland
A lot of vegan meatballs try to add in different flavours to make them different, but these have gone for just meatball flavour, and it works - it makes them so versatile.

My go-to sub of choice was always a meatball marinara and these are a much easier buy than those from a well known Swedish furniture shop. The timely arrival of these meatballs has filled that void in my life.

They're a little bit spongey in texture, but I think all meatballs whether plant-based or not are. The texture's best quality helps it to take on the flavours of the sauce you use meaning they work best enhancing a dish rather than adding a flavour. Ideal on spaghetti with tomato sauce!
£3.00
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Source：plant-power.co.uk
Plant Power
Sticky BBQ Spare Ribz
Hannah Layland
As a lover of BBQ, these are a must for any time of the year! Tempeh isn't mock meat, it is a form of soya bean that has been fermented. This means it could be perfect for any veggies or vegans that don't want to imitate the texture of meat.

That being said, it does have a bit and a chew to it like a spare rib would. The sweet smokey BBQ marinade and sauce caramelise as it cooks, so I would highly recommend some napkins close by. They are perfect in a crispy baguette with some quick-pickled veg, however, I have put them on a savoury porridge and thoroughly enjoyed it.
£4.88
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Source：sainsburys.co.uk
Plant Pioneers
Cumberland Shroomdogs
Hannah Layland
I find the flavour of these sausages does not compare to any other I've tried, and I've worked my way through a fair few different offerings.

Some vegan sausages have a very thick casing or can be really greasy, you definitely don't have to worry about either of those things with these. The spicing in these is subtle but takes them to a next level, they're a little peppery, but it only benefits them.

With mash and gravy, they're a firm favourite, I think they would be the perfect sausage for a vegan toad in the hole, but only once I've mastered the vegan Yorkshire pudding.
£2.50
- View Details on Sainsburys
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Source：tesco.com
This Isn't Chicken
Plant Based Sticky BBQ Skewers
Hannah Layland
Sure, I could marinate my 'Chicken' and then chop veg and skewer it myself, but when you can open a pack and have it already done and taste this good, I don't know why anyone would bother.

The best way to eat them is definitely straight off the BBQ or grill with a good coleslaw, salad and pitta bread. The texture of the 'chicken' is very meaty, so if you aren't a fan of that then I wouldn't get them. They could fool a meat-eater into thinking it's a regular chicken kebab.
£3.50
- View Details on Tesco
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Source：sainsburys.co.uk
Plant Pioneers
Smoky Jack Quarter Pounders
Hannah Layland
Unlike the basic burger further up the list, these do have a taste, although they're called smoky I wouldn't say that is the main flavour, they're more of a sweet barbecue taste rather than smoked. The only problem I have with these is they are squishy so really easy to misshape when getting them out of the box.

I've not found the perfect way yet but I think it could be a 2 person job. That squishiness goes away as it is cooked, it's not the classic burger texture, it's much softer but doesn't break apart. My favourite way to serve these is on a vegan brioche, bbq sauce, a vegan cheese slice and lettuce. I don't think there's anything you could dislike about the flavours.
£2.50
- View Details on Sainsburys
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Source：tesco.com
Tesco
Plant Chef 4 Meat Free Lamb Style Koftas
Hannah Layland
Tesco is really investing in their Plant Chef vegan range, and you can tell they have researched and developed these wonderfully.

I'm no happier eating these Grilled and serve them with salad pita and vegan tzatziki. It is lightly spiced which makes it really reminiscent of a meat kofta, just 1 kebab has a whopping 16g of protein, post-gym snack anyone? the texture isn't similar to a lamb kofte, it's a little softer, but not too soft so it falls off its skewer. I think you could serve this up to a meat eater and there would be no complaints!
£2.00
- View Details on Tesco
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