Meat-Free? 10 Vegan Startups Making Plant-Based Foods Taste Good

The wait is almost over for vegans who used to enjoy Nutella. Ferrero has finally confirmed the launch of Nutella Plant-Based, set to hit shelves in some European countries later this year. This long-anticipated dairy-free version will offer the same delicious hazelnut and chocolate spread without the milk.

A spokesperson for Ferrero said, “At Ferrero we are always scouting and exploring new categories and emerging food trends. By leveraging innovative spirit and decades of expertise of our beloved global brands, we are now preparing to launch Nutella Plant-Based. This further addition to the Nutella family will deliver the same unmistakable experience, replacing milk with vegetal ingredients.”

Growing Demand For Vegan Spreads

Ferrero’s announcement of vegan Nutella brought forward a trend of growing demand for plant-based alternatives in Europe. A recent survey found that 28% of Europeans consume at least one plant-based alternative weekly, with plant-based milk being the most popular choice.

Startups Creating Tasty Vegan Foods

Nutella Plant-Based is a new invention that comes after many other industry pioneers who are making sure that vegan foods taste good while being good for the environment, and our overall health. Here are 10 startups who are doing exactly this:

1. Hoxton Farms

Hoxton Farms creates cultivated fats in London to enhance plant-based meat alternatives. They grow pork fat cells from a few pig stem cells, feeding them plant-based nutrients. Their modular cultivators allow them to produce fat cells at high volume and low cost.

This way, less energy, land, and water are consumed, while avoiding antibiotics. In them combining Hoxton Fat with plant proteins, they bring you delicious, sustainable, and cruelty-free meat alternatives.

2. allplants

Allplants delivers chef-made, 100% plant-based meals straight to your freezer. Their menu has over 80 dishes, like Mac and Greens with Cashew Cream and Moroccan Tagine. Their meals are flash frozen and ready to heat in minutes, and with them, you don’t have to be worrying about meal planning, meal prep, or washing up pots and pans.

They use sustainable packaging and are a certified B Corp dedicated to a better future for people and the planet. Already having delivered over 7 million meals, allplants is well on their way to making plant-based eating easy while still being healthy and delicious.

3. Meatless Farm

Meatless Farm has different plant-based products, such as mince, burgers, and sausages. They also want to help people reduce meat consumption without sacrificing taste or texture. In swopping one meat meal a week for a plant-based option, they are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Their Meatless Consumption Calculator shows the environmental benefits of choosing their products. Meatless Farm continues to develop new items to make plant-based eating more accessible and enjoyable.

4. Uncommon

Uncommon brings together art and science as a way to make tasty, sustainable food. Founded in 2018, named Higher Steaks at the time, this London startup is creating new ways to enjoy food with lab-grown pork products.

They mix cell biology with creativity to give delicious alternatives to traditional meat. The team wants to keep making high-quality, affordable meat that’s better for both people and the planet.

5. Heura Foods

Heura Foods, launched in Barcelona in 2017, infuses Mediterranean flavours into plant-based eating. Founders Marc and Bernat intend to create meat alternatives that are healthy, nutritious, and tasty.

Using top-notch ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and Mediterranean spices, Heura gives you a taste of the sunny region in every bite. Their goal is to make sustainable eating easy and delicious, and their products can be found and tasted in over 10 countries so far.

6. ENOUGH

ENOUGH is doing something a little different for protein market, with ABUNDA mycoprotein. This is a sustainable and nutritious alternative. Made through fermentation, ABUNDA is packed with protein, fibre, and essential nutrients like amino acids, zinc, and iron. Its meaty texture makes it perfect for so many lovely dishes, from burgers to stir-fries.

The production process uses way less feed and water, and emits fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional meat. They have a goal that by 2032, ENOUGH wants to produce a million tonnes of mycoprotein, cutting the need for millions of cows and chickens and reducing CO2 emissions.

7. Planet A Foods

Planet A Foods is here to remake our favourite treats with more sustainable ingredients. Founded by siblings Sara and Max in 2021, the company uses fermentation to make the flavours and fats we love without relying on limited resources.

Their biggest stand out product is the world’s first 100% cocoa-free chocolate, as a way to address the environmental effects and dangers of traditional cocoa farming. Planet A Foods produces food locally, so they are also decreasing deforestation and carbon emissions, so that you can enjoy delicious chocolate guilt-free.

8. Adamo Foods

Adamo Foods is also changing how we think about meat- steak with their fungi-based alternatives. In using mycelium, the fibrous root structure of fungi, Adamo creates steaks that taste and feel like beef but without the environmental damage.

Their fermentation process is efficient, and it needs very little water and no antibiotics or hormones either. Adamo’s steaks are all-natural, with less than five ingredients, for a delicious, healthy option that’s also kind to the planet.

9. Vegums

Vegums makes taking vitamins fun and eco-friendly with their plant-based gummy supplements. Created by pharmacists John and Abdul in 2018, these gummies are designed for the whole family. Free from animal-derived ingredients and using natural colours and flavours, Vegums are packaged in recyclable and compostable materials.

They give you a tasty alternative to traditional pills and capsules, so that you have a more pleasant vitamin routine while promoting zero-waste living. With Vegums, you can boost your health and support the environment at the same time.

10. THIS™

THIS™ creates plant-based foods that taste like meat, designed by former meat lovers Andy and Pete. Their products are 100% plant-based, high in protein, and low in saturated fat. Their mission is to save animals by making delicious meat alternatives.

They’ve saved over a million animals since their launch. THIS™ products mimic the taste and texture of real meat so closely that some customers can’t tell the difference. With a variety of options, including sausages, bacon, and chicken, all fortified with iron and B12, they offer tasty, high-protein, and fibre-rich foods without the health risks of meat.