Over the past few decades, the British palate has shifted massively.
It’s out with tepid meat and two veg dinners and in with exotic flavours and cuisines from far-flung destinations. A study by Vadasz, who makes pickles and fermented food like kimchi, found that soy sauce is now the nation’s favourite condiment, leaving the likes of ketchup, brown sauce and salad cream in the foodie dust.
It’s not just sauces that have changed. Many are swapping traditional meat dishes for animal-free alternatives as understanding grows of meat consumption’s environmental costs and knowledge of slaughterhouse practices.
More than a million people in the UK have adopted a vegan diet from 2023 to 2024 according to research by Finder, making up some 4.7 per cent of the population. While many take on the Veganuary challenge at the start of the year, others adopt Meat Free Mondays to lessen the effects of consuming red meat and dairy, benefiting their health and the planet’s too.
While there are plenty of options to sate a vegan or veggie diet throughout the year (every Christmas sees more v-friendly alternatives that hold their own against traditional fare), come the summer BBQ, many hosts are stumped at what to offer their meat-swerving mates.
There’s only so much grilled halloumi and chargrilled veggies a person can take, veggie or not. Luckily, there are dozens of meat-free brands offering the smoky flavour of burgers, minus the guilt.
We consulted Ellie Stevens, brand manager at Beyond Meat, about the evolving plant-based category. “It’s expanding to include a wide range of global cuisines and flavours, catering to diverse palates. This includes plant-based products that incorporate flavours from different cultures, such as Beyond Burger Jalapeño. Brits have always been a nation of spice lovers, but in the last year we've seen the trend for spicy foods accelerate, so we wanted to bring a delicious spicy kick to our iconic Beyond Burger.”
Flavour aside, can they survive the high temperatures and theatre of traditional BBQ cooking? Stevens reveals “The Beyond Meat range is brilliant on the BBQ because we’ve designed our products to not only have the taste and texture of animal meat but also to cook in exactly the same way as their animal counterparts. Beyond Burgers and Beyond Sausages are great for grilling - they sizzle just like a traditional burger or sausage would.”
Adding meat-free alternatives to your BBQ feast means you’re not only catering for vegan and vegetarian friends, but you’re giving your party more variety and offering die-hard carnivores the chance to try something different.
We’ve rounded up the best meat substitute and veggie patties worth slinging on the grill the next time the sun shows its face. Too cold to barbie? They can be cooked on the hob, oven or air fryer instead, meaning you can have juicy burgers whatever the weather.
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This Isn't Beef Plant-Based Burgers, 226g
This brand is a meat-alternative favourite thanks to clear, bold branding and products that hit the mark once cooked (try its plant-based bacon to see for yourself). Coming in hot for BBQ season is this two-pack of alternative burger patties, suitable for vegetarians and vegans, which have not only the flavour but the texture of the real thing. Top with sliced gherkins, special sauce and cheese slices for a guilt-free Big Mac dupe.
Buy now £3.75, Amazon
Beyond Meat Jalapeno Burger
Got a kitchen cupboard dedicated entirely to hot sauce? Then you’ll love this spicy option from Beyond Meat, spiked with jalapeno chilli for a gentle kick of heat that will leave you craving more. The plant-based bite offers 16g of protein per patty and has been approved by the vegetarian society. Patties will last up to a month in the fridge but can also be frozen to roll out at a later date.
Buy now £4.00, Ocado
Moving Mountains 2 Plant-Based 1/4lb Burgers
Crafted from pea and soya protein, Moving Mountains' burger will laugh in the face of your hunger. The towering quarter-pounder patty is full of realistic flavour, with beetroot juice mimicking burger juice (a step too far for some, but we appreciated the detail).
Buy now £2.50, Waitrose
Richmond Vegan & Vegetarian Quarter Pounder Burgers
Chomping down on a juicy quarter pounder, washed down with a cold beer - this is one of the summer moments we’ve been waiting for. If you’re yet to try them, Richmond’s meat-free alternatives made from barley, soya and wheat are a revelation, looking, smelling and tasting like the real deal. Add salad, sauces, cheese and a bun and you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference between this and a beef burger.
Buy now £2.50, Asda
Miami Foods Plant Based Classic Miami Burgers
Just looking at this box makes you feel like you’re on Ocean Drive, but it’s not all packaging. The proof is in the pattie with these soya bean burgers, which each contain 0.8g of saturated fat and are free from palm oil. Sizzle these on the grill or bung in the oven before sandwiching into a soft burger bun with all the trimmings. Vegan friendly.
Buy now £3.50, Ocado
Iceland 4 Onion Bhaji Quarter Pounders 454g
Bringing together two of Britain’s takeout favourites - burgers and Indian cuisine - Iceland was always going to be onto a winner, but its execution is flawless too. Suitable for oven cooking and air frying from frozen, these flavourbomb patties are made from sliced onion and spices. They’re best-eaten burger-style but with Indian swaps: think mango chutney instead of relish, raita to stand in for mayo. Add some fresh salad and you’re in business.
Buy now £2.00, Iceland
Linda McCartney's Very Veggie Spicy Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Sweetcorn Burgers 280g
If you don’t like the idea of a meat alternate, steer clear and stick to veggies instead. Everyone loves Linda McCartney, even carnivores. The Very Veggie patties are hearty bites packed with sweet potato, sweetcorn and black bean. We like ours drizzled with West Indian hot sauce and a smear of vegan mayo to balance the flavours under the hood of a toasted bun. The bonus? One patty counts as one of your five a day.
Buy now £3.20, Amazon
Plants by Deliciously Ella Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burger
It’s black beans to the rescue again, with paprika and chipotle chilli adding brightness to the recipe. The smoky patty also includes sweet potato and chickpeas to up the protein content, making this satisfying from every angle.
Buy now £2.80, Waitrose
PlantLiving: Frozen Mushroom & Chestnut Burgers
Mushrooms are enjoying a moment in the sun right now: the fungi feature everywhere from beauty to tea brands.
Their meaty texture makes them an excellent ingredient in meat-free burgers. Waitrose has used them alongside potatoes, chestnuts and onions to create two patties full of savoury, umami flavour.
Nice as a burger but good enough to stand in for a Sunday Roast substitute when paired with roasted root veg and gallons of gravy.
Buy now £3.00, Waitrose
Tesco Plant Chef 8 Meat Free Burgers 454g
All supermarket brands have developed vegan food lines, underlining the lifestyle is here to stay. This box of eight comes in at an incredible price and spiced with onion and garlic, tastes pretty damn good too. The vegan-friendly bites include soya protein and onion in the recipe, though you may want to add your own sprinklings for a truly bold hit of flavour.
Buy now £2.25, Tesco
Plant Pioneers Ultimate Plant Burgers
From Sainsbury’s own-brand Plant Pioneers line comes this box of two fat patties made from rehydrated soya protein. Each weighing 210g, the burgers are lightly seasoned and will do well topped with slaw and housed in a squishy bun with sauce.
Buy now £2.12, Sainsbury’s
