Vegan sandwiches at fast-food chains are no longer difficult to come by, but before Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat infiltrated drive-thru culture, vegan restaurants were making their own super-stacked veggie burgers. While vegans and omnivores have raved over the Burger King Impossible Whopper and the Carls Jr. Beyond Famous Star, fast-food aficionados are still patientily waiting for the nationwide launch of McDonalds McPlant. These 17 plant-based burgers prove vegan joints do it best. From Los Angeles to New York City to local gems in between, vegan handholds are putting the Big Mac to shame.

Vurger Guyz

Beloved by Angelenos and Hollywood celebrities, Vurger Guyz cant be missed when in the City of Angels. The food trucks Deluxe Vurger features a plant-based patty slathered in secret Vurger Sauce before its topped high with vegan American cheese, lettuce, raw onions, pickles, tomatoes, and caramelized grilled onions. Make it a double for an extra meaty burger.Learn more here

Montys Good Burger

Coined the Vegan In-N-Out, Montys aptly mimics this Southern California burger chain right down to the secret sauce. This signature sandwich is stacked with two Impossible patties, melty Follow Your Heart cheese, house spread, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and grilled onions on a local bakery artisan bun. Pair with a side of crispy-yet-tender fries and a strawberry shake.Learn More here

@frankybananas/Instagram

In full transparency, the size of this burger is a bit underwhelming. However, for what it lacks in volume, it makes up in flavor. Made with a beefy vegetable-based patty and topped with caramelized onions, sauted mushrooms, and truffle aioli on a flax seed bun, this handheld from Freesoulcaffe is the most gourmet burger on our list.Learn More here

Burgerlords

This veg-friendly mainstays newly revampedand now entirely plant-basedmenu is cause for celebration. Opt for the signature Burgerlords Cheeseburger featuring a housemade patty and topped with Follow Your Heart cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Burgerlords signature 2,000 Island sauce. Pair your handheld with a side of animal-style Lord of the Fries and a tahini milkshake for true bliss.Learn More here

@blackfoodiefinder/Instagram

What began as a local food truck has become a popular vegan microchain in Georgia. Each menu item is a solid choice, but if youre looking for a McDonalds replica, the Slutty Vegans Fussy Hussy is where its at. Dive into a plant-based patty topped with vegan cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Slut Sauce. What makes this burger even better than the Big Mac? It comes sandwiched between two vegan Hawaiian buns. Pinky Cole, youre making our dreams come true!Learn More here

@christineelisemccarthy/Instagram

You have to ask for the secret menu to order this Big Mac copycat at LAs Doomies Home Cookin. Piled high with two vegan patties and three bunsin addition to all the standard Big Mac toppingsone would never guess this burger didnt come through the drive-thru.Learn More here

Next Level Burger

With locations in California, Oregon, Washington, New York, and Texas, Next Level Burger is redefining fast food one state at a time. Many of its eleven locations can be found in Whole Foods Markets. Skip the hot bar and head to the Next Level register to order The Maverick made with a house-seasoned Beyond patty slathered with special sauce, your choice of vegan cheese, crispy onion rings, tempeh bacon, smoky barbecue sauce, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato between an organic wheat bun.Learn More here

Green New American Vegetarian

Phoenixs favorite casual vegan eatery, Green New American Vegetarian, has a burger on its menu to rival all other fast-food contendersthe Big WAC. Theres nothing fancy about itjust a double patty served with special sauce, pickles, cheese, lettuce, and onions on a traditional sesame seed bunbut this sandwich is perfect in its simplicity.Learn More here

Modern Love

Rest assured, none of the ingredients in the Modern Love Cheeseburger are commercially produced. Bite into this scratch-made bad boy made with a seitan bean patty, cashew cheddar, tomato, lettuce, red onion, pickles, and fancy sauce and youre on your way to burger bliss.Learn More here

J Selbys

J Selbys is a solid contributor to Minneapolis burgeoning vegan food scene. Known for its plant-based renditions of fast-food, bar, and diner dishes, you can bet the menu includes a stellar Big Mac-style burger. The kitchen relies on two beefy vegan patties to mimic this McDonalds icon.Learn More here

HipCityVeg

You cant go wrong at HipCityVeg. The fan-favorite Smokehouse Burger is sure to satisfy even the biggest cravings. Made with a Beyond Meat patty and topped with crispy onions, tangy barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda, pair this veg handheld with sweet potato fries and a chocolate milkshake for a meal you wont soon forget.Learn More here

Veggie Galaxy

Veggie Galaxy grabbed the attention of Food Network star Guy Fierri and was featured on the popular Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives primetime show. While the menu offers several standout burgers to choose from, the one that most resembles the Big Mac is the Kendall Square. Made with a sweet potato and black bean burger, roasted red pepper sauce, onion rings, roasted garlic mayo, and baby arugula, this sandwich beats anything weve ordered from a drive-thru window.Learn More here

Munchies Diner

Orange County, CA isnt necessarily known for its diner culture, but Munchies has recently put the beachside region on the map. The menu is bursting with over-the-top diner-style indulgences, including the Cheeseburger Deluxea house patty burger coated in melted American cheese and stacked high with lettuce, pickles, onions, G sauce, and tomatoes, all sandwiched between toasted sesame seed buns. If you have room, add a VcFlurry for an added touch of sweet nostalgia.Learn more here

Veggie Grill

Veg chain and safe haven Veggie Grill has been slinging plant-based favorites since 2006. The simple VG Classic is a cant miss. Order this Beyond patty topped with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and special sauce for a Big Mac taste thats better than the Mickey Ds original.Learn More here

Vegenation

Representative of its hometown, this burger is nothing short of extra. Vegenations southern spin on the Big Mac features a vegan patty topped with mac and cheese, collard greens, barbecue sauce, cole slaw, and secret burger sauce. It comes with fries, but the loaded sweet potato tots should not be ignored.Learn More here

Plant Power Fast Food

This vegan fast-food chain is giving Mickey Ds a run for its money. In this signature burger, a beefy vegan patty is topped with secret burger sauce, American cheese, lettuce, grilled onions, and pickles for an epic handle thatll have you saying, Big Mac, who?! Complete your order with a creamy milkshake, and youve got yourself an unparalleled burger experience.LEARN More here

Honeybee

This quickly expanding plant-based burger chain does the classics right. Made with the customers choice of Beyond or Impossible beef, this double-stacked handhold comes with double meat, double cheese, and just the right ratio of lettuce, tomato, thinly sliced onions, pickles, and housemade onion jam. Youll need to really squish down the sesame seed bun to fit this sandwich into your mouth.Learn more here

For ever more vegan burgers and sandwiches, read:22 Vegan Fried Chicken Sandwiches9 Vegan Fast-Food HacksThe 36 Best Vegan Sandwiches

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.

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17 Juicy Vegan Burgers That Are Way Better Than the Big Mac - VegNews

This fall, vegan burger chain Neat Burger will open its first United States location in Manhattan in New York City. Founded in 2019 with help from world champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton, the shop serves typical fast-food fare made vegan, including plant-based cheese burgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, ice cream, and milkshakes, along with kids meals. The opening will come after a pop-up in midtown Manhattan this month which will introduce New Yorkers to the United Kingdom-based brand Neat Food Co (NEAT)which encompasses both the burger concept and a retail brand that will also expand stateside.

Neat Burger

NEAT is embarking on its expansion to the US with key hires who will help the vegan burger chain and plant-based meat business get its foothold stateside. At the helm of this expansion is Vincent Herbert, the former CEO of Le Pain Quotidien, who joins the brand as Chief Executive of Neat Burger USA. Additionally, Jeffrey S. Fried (former Chairman of Sweetgreen) and Henrik Fjordbak (former COO at Joe & The Juice) join the brands advisory board to propel it forward in achieving its earth-saving mission.

We are on a mission to fundamentally change how the world consumes protein and are excited to announce these new appointments whose expertise will make a real impact, Zack Bishti, co-founder and CEO of Neat Burger, said in a statement. With Jeff and Henriks success in nurturing industry-leading brands, and Vincents prowess in delivering global expansion, we have a powerhouse team primed for explosive entry into new markets; to shift consumer behavior and be a force for good.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton went vegan in 2017 and uses his immense fame to promote animal-rights and social justice issues, often taking to social media to urge fans to go vegan. Hamilton also puts his money where his mouth is by investing in vegan businesses, including The Not Companya Chilean vegan startup that raised $235 million in funding last year with help from Hamilton and musical artist Questlove.

In 2019, Hamiltons investment in NEATcreated in collaboration with hospitality group The Cream Group and Beyond Meat investor Tommaso Chiabaraprovided the company with key funding to get it off the ground.Neat Burger opened its flagship location in Central London in 2019 before expanding to second and third locations in the Camden and Soho neighborhoods, respectively. The brand grew quickly and last year, after securing an additional $7 million in a funding round led by SoftBanks Rajeev Misra, announced massive expansion plans that bring more locations to its domestic marketincluding through 20 ghost kitchensand take it global, starting with the US.

Neat Burger

By 2030, NEAT plans to expand to 1,000 corporately owned, franchise, and dark kitchens. It is also working to bring next-level plant-based meat alternatives made with wholesome ingredientssuch as its grain mix of quinoa, chickpea, and mung beansto the retail sector.

By 2040 we see a world where alternative proteins have replaced animal proteins completely, Chiabra said in a statement. NEAT is leading the charge in the development of these alternatives that not only satisfy the needs of conscious consumers, but that also deliver on flavor. Were here to prove that the easiest choice can also be the best choice for the planet.

Neat Burgers expansion to the US comes at a time when homegrown vegan fast-food chains begin their own expansions to serve an increasing demand for plant-based foodsa market that a recent artificial intelligence-driven report by Tastewise estimated to be worth $74 billion by 2027.

Vegan chain PLNT Burgerowned by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fameopened its first NYC location in the Union Square neighborhood earlier this year and expanded to Boston this week. Canadas Odd Burgerthe first publicly traded vegan fast-food chainis also eyeing an NYC location with plans to operate 50 North American locations by 2029.

Plant Power Fast Food

On the West Coast, San Diegos Plant Power Fast Food is expanding up the coast with new locations in Los Angeles, Fountain Valley, and Sacramento, along with its first out-of-state location in Las Vegas, NV. Oregons organic vegan fast-food pioneer Next Level Burger is also in the midst of a multi-state expansion, with a Denver, CO opening planned this summer.

And traditional fast-food giants are not sitting idly by, with McDonalds working with Beyond Meat to develop plant-based options globally through its McPlant platform; Burger King testing meatless pop-up locations in Europe; and KFC launching vegan chicken in multiple countries.

For more about vegan fast food, read: Burger King Is First Major Fast-food Chain To Serve Vegan Impossible Nuggets Fatburgers CEO on the Future of Vegan Fast Food Vegan Fast-Food Chains Spread Nationwide. Can McDonalds Keep Up?

Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.

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Lewis Hamilton's Neat Burger Expands to US with Fast-Food Shops and Vegan Meats - VegNews

Vegan Puerto Rican food? Yes, please! Popular Oakland-based pop-up Casa Borinquea has plans to open its first brick-and-mortar location this summer.

Casa Borinquea is a vegan Puerto Rican pop-up and has plans to become the first vegan Puerto Rican restaurant in the country when it opens the doors to its first restaurant location this summer.

The brand is currently in the process of raising funds and building out the kitchen of their new space, which is located at 6211 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA 94601. The opening date is set for late June, and Casa Borinquea plans to be open from 12-8pm seven days a week.

Casa Borinquea currently offers three flavors of pastelillos (Puerto Rican empanadas): chicken, beef, and pork, and has plans to offer more flavors when the restaurant opens.

Casa Borinquea is a family business that was started by Chef Lulu and her family in 2018. Operating as a pop-up, the brand provided Puerto Rican empanadas to the community out of the kitchen of Brix 581 in Oakland.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Chef Lulu decided to change her diet for health and ethical reasons and began experimenting with vegan food in the kitchen. Wanting her business to reflect her beliefs, she removed all animal products from the menu at Casa Borinquea, transforming it into a completely vegan company.

Now, Chef Lulus focus is to provide good food that is approachable to both vegans and omnivores and encourage healthy eating habits in the local community. Casa Borinquea will also be implementing a pay what you can policy on Tuesdays to further increase the accessibility of vegan food in the community. Anyone will be able to get a meal for however much they can pay, something that Chef Lulu knows is incredibly invaluable from her own time as a homeless teen.

For more information about Casa Borinquea, give them a follow on Instagram at @casaborinquena or visit their GoFundMe page here.

More:

Vegan Puerto Rican Restaurant to Open in Oakland This Summer - VegOut Magazine

Just a decade ago, Melisa Hasanspahi from the eastern Bosnian town of Gorade could not have imagined that today she would be running a food production business based on a recipe she inherited from her mother. However, her life changed when she started selling jars of her homemade ajvar, a widely popular vegetable delicacy, which she had previously only gifted to her loved ones.

"I love ajvar; I've always adored it," said Hasanspahi, now a food entrepreneur, whom family, friends and customers jokingly refer to as "Lady Ajvar".

The orange spread, based on roasted red peppers, is not only adored by Hasanspahi but also by the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Balkan region where other "Ladies Ajvar" like her give away or sell homemade ajvar in their communities.

But while Hasanspahi uses red peppers and aubergine to make it, some argue that "real" ajvar should only consist of four ingredients: red pepper, oil, salt and vinegar.

Recipes, however, depend on the region and the cook. Some, for instance, require the addition of garlic, others red onions, carrots and tomatoes. Some do not mention vinegar but suggest adding sugar. And many differ on whether the vegetables should be roasted, baked, boiled or even ground fresh. Whether the ajvar will have a sweet or spicy taste depends on the type of pepper used.

In the first known published ajvar recipe, found in the Great Serbian Cookbook from the 19th Century, author Katarina Popovi mentions both peppers and aubergine. Yet, Serbians usually make ajvar only from red peppers, while citizens of North Macedonia are typically the ones who also use aubergine.

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Ajvar: The vegan 'caviar' of the Balkans - BBC.com

When it comes to traditional recipes, purists may scorn substitutions or innovations. But for vegan cook and TikToker Alyssa Switzer thats part of the fun.

Switzer started eating a more plant-based diet in 2014, but she still wanted to maintain the Caribbean flavours that speak to her heart and her taste buds.

Thats what I grew up on, she told the Star.

Her feed @PlantifulAlyssa is filled with seconds-long tutorials of vegan dishes so colourful it may scramble your phone pixels. And much of it has a Caribbean flair.

Shes found vegan substitutes for meat-based staples, such as a meatless oxtail using jackfruit. And she pulls classic Caribbean foods like ackee and callaloo outside of what is traditional to make tacos, dips and galettes.

You kind of get forced to be creative, Switzer told the Star.

The canvas for some of her most innovative creations: breadfruit. Its a starchy fruit that is typically roasted and sliced in the Caribbean and is part of the national dish of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the island Switzers mom is from.

She subbed diced breadfruit for potatoes, taking advantage of its starchy consistency, and made an island-inspired breadfruit salad in one TikTok video.

In another, she turned thin slices into taco shells and stuffed them with ackee.

And the recipe shes most proud of is her creamy breadfruit split pea soup, seasoned with coconut cream, thyme, allspice and scotch bonnet.

But when she shares vegan alternatives for things like oxtail, saltfish and fritters, shes been met with both praise and ire in the comments.

Its so traditional to eat traditional West Indian foods without altering in any way, Switzer said If people hear like, oh, vegan oxtail, (they say) what are you talking about?

But the raised eyebrows make her want to show these plant-based takes even more.

Theres so much varieties of fruits and vegetables you can eat, and theyre cultural and theyre good, she said. You dont have to be stuck in a certain way or a certain mindset on how to eat.

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Breadfruit tacos? Meatless oxtail? This vegan Toronto TikToker puts innovative spin on her favourite Caribbean foods - Toronto Star

If you have ever been to France, you know that French cuisine is everything but vegan. The French do love their meat, fish, cheese, crme, milk and butter. Open a French cookbook to see for yourself! And they are very proud of their world-renowned gastronomic excellence. Sois being vegan in France totally impossible?

First, let us define the word. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, veganism is the practice of not eating or using any animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or leather: Strict veganism prohibits the use of all animal products, not just food, and is a lifestyle choice rather than a diet.

There are many reasons why someone would want to embrace this lifestyle:

First,the animals: Animals, like humans, are sentient beings, experiencing fear, stress and suffering. An estimated 69 billion chickens; 1.5 billion pigs; 656 million turkeys; 574 million sheep; 479 million goats; and 302 million cattle were killed for meat production worldwide in 2018.

Second, the planet: The production of meat has important environmental impacts. For example, twenty livestock companies are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than either Germany, Britain or France. Raising livestock also has massive impacts on land and water use.

Finally,health reasons: A recent study led by Casey Rebholz, an assistant professor at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, involved 48,000 people over 18 years. The study compared the health of meat-eaters, pescatarians, who eat fish and dairy but not meat, and vegetarians, including some vegans.What they found was that people with a vegan and vegetarian diet have a lower risk of heart disease, though a higher risk of stroke, possibly partly due to a lack of B12. The study author said they found a striking relationship between adherence to dietary patterns and risk of important clinical outcomes.

So whatever the intention, what is it like, being vegan in France?

In 2020, Deliveroo conducted a survey among the French to find out whether veganism was a mainstream trend or reserved for a niche target. In France, in just one year, the number of vegan restaurants on the meal delivery app has increased by 68% and 12% of French people surveyed stated they would like to go vegan, motivated above all by protecting animal life (62%), the environment (54%) and health (50%).

The study also revealed that the summer period seems to be more conducive to the vegan trend, with the months of July and August seeing a peak in vegan orders in Frances major cities. Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg topped the list of cities ordering the most vegan food.

However, the survey revealed that France is slower to adopt this way of life, far behind the Anglo-Saxon countries, due to a lack of knowledge of the movement: 53% of the French people questioned do not associate veganism with its true definition. Furthermore, 64% see veganism as simply a trend and 32% see it as a diet that is too restrictive on a daily basis.71% of those surveyed said they felt judged when they ordered a vegan dish in restaurants.

And, it should be noted, there is still a strong attachment to meat in France, since 51% of those surveyed mentioned their love for meat and dairy as the main reason for not turning to veganism.

But an earlier survey, conducted in 2017 by the marketing and opinion research institute Harris Interactive, found a little more hope for veganism. According to that study, at that time, 5% of French people were vegetarians or vegan. Thats not a lot, but according to a 2017 Ifop/Lesieur survey for OCPOP, 41% of French people said they had increased their consumption of plant-based products and 50% wanted to see it increase further. The same year, an IFOP/WWF survey reported that 67% of French people said they were ready to reduce their consumption of animal proteins in favor of better quality products.

These figures show that veganism is slowly making its way in France and amongst the French, though it still remains a minority of people, concentrated in big cities. And it still can be difficult. For instance, Lison, 33, says,I live in Obernai, Alsace, and it is really difficult being vegan in such a small city. To eat meat and animal-based food is really something cultural where I am from, and I find it hard finding plant-based alternatives in my local supermarket. What is even more difficult is the lack of choice in restaurants, I think we are really lagging behind in France!

But Mathieu who is 45 and has been vegan for 10 years says, I live in Toulouse but I am a musician so I travel a lot. To me it hasnt been that hard. I think that by communicating openly we can get people to acknowledge our standpoint. I think that it is more difficult in the countryside than in big cities to find vegan options, but I think it will be more accepted over time, especially with the climate crisis going on. We definitely have to change the way we live and consume if we want a future that is sustainable!

Camille Bourron lives in Paris and is a political science and social policy graduate, having studied at La Sorbonne and the LSE. She is passionate about politics, culture, art and travel.

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Can You Eat Vegan in France, Land of Lardons and Fromage? - Frenchly

Calling all vegan chicken lovers! BrewDog has teamed up with plant-based chicken brand TiNDLE to revamp its vegan menu.

The new partnership comes as TiNDLE makes its debut in the UK with its popular plant-based range.

The BrewDog X TiNDLE collab will see the independent brewerys iconic Clucky This Time vegan chicken burger now feature TiNDLEs crispy chicken patty.

Additionally, diners can tuck into the Carolina Chicken Burger consisting of a TiNDLE crispy chicken patty loaded with tomato, red onion & Carolina mustard BBQ sauce. YUM!

For those looking for a healthier option, be sure to order the new Protein Power bowl topped with TiNDLE pieces.

In a statement, Chad Crooks, BrewDogs Director of Food, said: At BrewDog, we believe in the alternative way of doing things.

TiNDLE focus on quality, flavour and sustainability every bit as much as BrewDog.

Crooks added: Having more than half of our options suitable for vegetarians and meat-eaters who choose to eat plant-based is incredibly important to us. Our new UK menu has something for everyone.

You can find the new BrewDog X TiNDLE burgers at selected BrewDog chains across the country.

From the Singaporean co-operative Next Gen Foods, TiNDLE promises to showcase ridiculously good chicken, made from plants.

The vegan brand has made its debut in the UK following huge success in countries around the world, including the US, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

TiNDLE has reimagined the flavours of chicken by creating a plant-based fat alternative that theyve called Lipi.

Lipi is what gives TiNDLEs vegan chicken products its unique and authentic taste and texture.

Products include vegan burgers, chicken breast, wellingtons, plus much more!

With 17g of protein per serving, TiNDLE is made from a combination of Soy, Wheat, and of course, Lipi.

Read more:

BrewDog menu expands with addition of new UK vegan chicken brand TiNDLE - Vegan Food and Living

In 2019, Zonk Burger started operating out of the back of a 1994 Ford box truck, peddling vegan burgers and fries.Their goal was to create a "veggie burger joint," inspired by the classic American burger stand. They gained impressive traction in Fort Worth and late last yearopened the doors of a small, albeit bright, brick-and-mortar location northeast of downtown.

With radiant pink stucco walls, rainbow-colored tiles, and a sign that reads Zonk Burger in bubbly red letters, this new Fort Worth eatery surely stands out from its surroundings in more ways than one.

On top of its outlandish design choices and quirky name, Zonk Burger is also the first fast-casual eatery in Fort Worth to serve strictly vegan fare. The menu ranges from the typical loaded fries to the signature Zonk Burger. Owner Erin Hahn uses the eclectic menu as a segue to introduce her vegan lifestyle to the city of Fort Worth.

The patio is dog friendly too.

Anisha Holla

For those seeking more familiar flavors, try the seitan wings, a plant-based alternative to the notorious American comfort food. Made of wheat gluten and tofu, Zonk Burgers wings are deep-fried and coated generously in your choice of dressing: Buffalo, barbecue or sweet and sour. With a spongy interior that rebounds to the bite, Zonk Burgers wings provide a pretty solid alternative to the real thing. Theyre served with vegan ranch and celery for some added authenticity.

Cowtown residents may find even more gratification in Zonk Burgers main menu. Their signature burger patty is millet-based and crumbles when bitten into, reminiscent of your usual vegetable-based patty.

The crowning jewel here may just be their house-made special sauce, a creamy mayo-like dressing made from boiled chickpeas. A drizzle between tangy pickles, crunchy lettuce and soft buns pulls the Zonk burger together perfectly; it may just be the ideal mix of textures and flavors.

Those searching for the uniquely American deep-fried experience may find themselves enticed by the fried tofu sandwich. It's a play on theKFC or Chick-fil-A classics albeitlighter and healthier.

They also offer an eclectic selection of beers and natural wines. On Sundays, they host brunch with fresh-squeezed orange juice andorganic pet nat prosecco with vegan biscuits and doughnuts.

Zonk Burgers, 2919 Race St. (Fort Worth) 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday - Monday. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

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Zonk Burger Is a Hot Pink Vegan Foodie Destination in Fort Worth - Dallas Observer

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Belgium is about to get its first-ever vegan fine-dining restaurant.

The country is known for its meat- and seafood-heavy cuisine. Take cannibale, for example. And no, despite the name, this traditional dish has nothing to do with eating humans. (Its actually a twist on steak tartare.)

Theres also anguilles au vert, which is a plate of eel, and carbonnades flamandes (a thick stew with beef). But Amaranth, which will open in Merelbeke this weekend, will be serving none of these dishes.

Instead, diners will find starters and entrees filled with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms. For example, one appetizer, developed by co-owner and chef Pieter-Jan Lint, is called Roots & Cheese and features carrot & ginger, vegan cheese, and bergamot.

Considering the menu, youd be surprised to learn that one of the owners, Carmen Duytschaever, comes from a family of butchers. But they told De Standaard that they were put off an omnivorous diet after realizing the amount of suffering that goes into making animal products.

I come from a family of butchers. Meat, potatoes, and some vegetables: that was what a regular meal looked like, Duytschaever said. But behind that piece of meat, there is also suffering.

They added: Even a slice of cheese conceals a sad story. While milk production requires a lot of water and is environmentally harmful, the cows also have to put up with a lot.

While Amaranth might be the first of its kind in Belgium, elsewhere in the world, the vegan fine-dining scene is growing.

Last year, Michelin star New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park announced it was going to reopen with a new meat- and seafood-free menu. The resulting waitlist for a table at the restaurant exceeded 15,000.

Also in 2021, Alexis Gauthier, a Michelin-starred French chef, decided to turn his London restaurant, Gauthier Soho, completely vegan. At the time of the announcement, he told Big Hospitality: There are no animal products in the restaurant whatsoever, not even in the chefs pocket. Im vegan myself; it would be unethical for me to profit from selling dead animals.

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More than 2.8 million fans from 100+ countries read, share, engage, and connect with what we cover and that number is growing all the time.

Unearthing the facts often buried deep by leading (and sometimes unethical) organizations, we pride ourselves on being completely independent from commercial control.

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Belgium's First Vegan Fine-Dining Restaurant Is About To Open Its Doors - Plant Based News

When a major American meat companyunveilsits first vegan product, it tends to turn heads. Hormel knownfor itsSPAM and as Americas No. 1 selling chili brand is currently ranked the sixth-largest meat producer in the country, but now, the massive company is launching a plant-based chili. Hormels plant-based chili will feature beans and proprietary soy-based meat, allowing all Americans to enjoy the pantry staple.

Pivoting to plant-based foods, Hormels team announced that it recognized the growing number of plant-based consumers in the United States. As more people begin to shop with theplanet in mind, Hormels plant-based chili provides a healthier and more environmentally-friendly option, representing a significant shift in the companys current meat-heavy selections.

"With the plant-based category growing at double the rate of food overall and the fact that roughly two-thirds of plant-curious consumers are eager for plant-based canned chili, we wanted to provide a convenient and delicious solution," Senior Brand Manager for Hormel Sarah Johnson said. "Hormel plant-based chili with beans, made with textured vegetable protein and soy-based crumble, delivers the taste, texture, and appearance our loyal consumers expect."

Hormels new plant-based chili is packed with 22 grams of protein per can, providing customers with all the nutrientsa classic cup of chili offers. The brand ensured that the new vegan chili is completely dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and BPA-free. Customers can purchase the new plant-based chili on Amazon for approximately $2.07 to $2.60 per can. Soon, the can will be available in retailers nationwide.

With the third installment of the UNs climate report, meat companies are being held accountable more than ever. Meat production is estimated to be responsible for 57 percent of all food industry greenhouse gas emissions. Facing more pressure worldwide, Hormel is joining other major meat companies including Cargill and Tyson as they shift towards plant-based selections.

Plant-based meat production emits anywhere from 30 to 90 percent fewer greenhouse gases than conventional meat production. Some experts claim that a plant-based diet could help slash greenhouse gases by as much as 61 percent. Last year, Hormel revealed new sustainability goals that included reducing greenhouse emissions, improving water quality, and minimizing waste. With a plant-based approach, Hormels sustainability initiative is becoming visible to consumers.

Other than its famous canned chili, Hormels mostbeloved product is SPAM. Theiconic canned meat has become a part of Americana, but recently, plant-based companies have introduced sustainable alternatives to rival conventional SPAM. Hong Kong-based OmniFoods developed a plant-based pork product called OmniPork Luncheon. Teaming up with Pokeworks, the vegan spam musubi became available in Washington, California, and New York, as well as at select retailers nationwide.

During the Plant-Based World Conference and Expo, unMeat revealed a new SPAM alternative with its innovative luncheon meat. The Philippines-based brand provides a healthy, soy-based source of protein and fiber, served in a can just like the original. At the expo, the company enlisted Chef Nicole Ponseco of Jeepney to showcase the versatility and potential of the companys new meat alternatives.

When we launched unMEAT in the U.S. market earlier this year, we knew that we had to bring our absolute best to an already competitive landscape, Chief Operating Officer of Century Pacific Group Gregory Banzon said. Having someone like Chef Nicole Ponseca on our team differentiates us from other brands because of her unique creativity, business style, and her ability to relate to customers who enjoy cooking.

For more vegan product releases,explore The Beet's News articles.

Fast-food restaurants have finally got the memo that their customer base isnt just coming through for a burger, fried chicken, or a beef taco. Many now have plant-based foods and are coming up with creative, delicious ways to get more greens on the menu. Here are the 6 best fast-food chains with plant-based options on the menu.

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Does Hormel's New Vegan Chili Taste as Good as the Real Thing? - The Beet