The top ten meat replacements that always end up on our shopping list.
1. Fry’s, Chick’n Fillets
Category ranking: #1 in Chicken
Overall score: 48
Fry’s tops our rankings in shopping list sure things as it really is a wonderful all-rounder. For us, it’s the best chicken substitute available. They have an amazing flavour and texture. Fry's is a brilliant plant-based brand, and they are able to charge a low price. They also appear to be quite healthy with half the fat content of Meatless Farm's chicken breasts and the same amount of protein. They come in the perfect recyclable cardboard box, too.
2. Meatless Farm, Chicken Breasts
Category ranking: #2 in Chicken
Overall score: 42
We love Meatless Farm. They were our go-to for a long time before we discovered Fry’s Chick’n Fillets. Juicy, tasty, and indulgent. They’ve got a brilliant taste, especially when charred. These are perfectly versatile. They can be used whole as the primary protein for a meal, sliced up in a dish like curry, or sliced for a cold salad.
3. Meatless Farm, Mince
Category ranking: #1 in Mince
Overall score: 40
Our number one mince makes it onto the podium of our sure things! From its presentation within the packaging to the way it browns when it fries, Meatless Farm mince is the most meat mince substitute like we have come across. While most of their competitors supply these strange little morsels, Meatless Farm manages to feel very mince like.
4. Fry’s, Smoked Hotdogs
Category ranking: #1 in Sausages
Overall score: 40
These smoked hot dogs top our sausages list for many reasons. They’re easy to prepare, they taste like childhood, and they are made by a wonderful family plant-based brand.
5. Quorn, Brilliant Bangers
Category ranking: #3 in Sausages
Overall score: 39
These bangers make our list because they show that Quorn is still innovating! They took a tasty thing and made it better! Basically the same as the original Quorn sausage, but a little bit chunkier with a slightly better texture. The reason this scores a bit higher is that it has the ideal 100% recyclable cardboard box packaging.
6. The Vegetarian Butcher, What the Cluck
Category ranking: #3 in Chicken
Overall score: 39
What the Cluck has been become a staple for us recently, as it is now sold in a cardboard box from the freezer section. While it is a little tough, we have learnt that if you fry these pieces so that they become crispy they work really well. However, that does limit them somewhat. If you're planning to do something more 'saucy' I would suggest crisping them up first, then put them into the sauce at the last minute.
7. The Vegetarian Butcher, Impeckable
Category ranking: #4 in Chicken
Overall score: 36
Simply delicious. Whether you use Impeckable in a curry, cold on a salad or as the main event of a roast, you will not be disappointed. Pretty close to the perfect chicken replacement. With a perfect texture too! This is a faultless product. Unfortunately, it lost points in the Value for Money category as it’s more expensive than its counterpart the Meatless Farm chicken breast, as well as scoring low on packaging given its plastic tray. In terms of Feel Good Factor, it’s more nutritious than the Meatless Farm chicken breast, and it’s a dedicated plant-based brand. Lots to feel good about. Just a shame about the plastic packaging, and the random weird smell when you first open it up. No idea what that’s about!
8. VFC, Vegan Fried Popcorn Chick*n
Category ranking: #1 in Breaded Chicken
Overall score: 36
The texture of VFC's breaded chicken on a small scale is fantastic. It tastes great and the packaging is perfect - it’s a cardboard box and it looks cool too!
9. Fry’s, Plant-based Stars & Moons
Overall score: 35
Category ranking: #2 in Breaded Chicken
These are pretty good across the board. Taste is good, texture is good. They come in a cardboard box. The only thing is, they are a little thin/small, so the value for money score drops a little and it means they aren't quite as satisfying as others, but they are still quite cheap and overall a great option.