These are the GHI’s winning vegan products to buy this Veganuary
Welcome to the Good Housekeeping Institute’s first ever Veganuary Taste Test.
Over the past few months, our expert panel has been busy tasting over 220 products, from sausages to sauvignon blancs, to find the very best vegan food and drink on the market.
Whether you’re a veteran vegan or giving Veganuary a try for the first time this year, our testers have eaten and drunk their way through everything from vegan meat alternatives and cheese (yes, you can get good vegan cheese) to vegan wine and chocolate, making going meat and dairy-free this January a piece of (vegan-friendly) cake.
Food products were served blind to our testing panel, who assessed them on aroma, texture and taste, including how they measured up to their meat or dairy counterparts, where applicable. Vegan wines were also served blind, this time to a panel of WSET-certified experts. They were looking for bottles with good body and a great balance of acidity and sweetness.
Here are the winners of our inaugural Veganuary Taste Test. Drumroll please...
Best vegan meat alternative
Missing that bacon sandwich in the morning or simply daunted by the search for reliable meat alternatives? Focusing on flavour and texture, we’ve found the best products out there – from vegan steaks to no-chicken nuggets.
Winner: TiNDLE Kyiv Garlic & Herb £4
Score: 83/100
Founded by chefs, TiNDLE continues to revolutionise plant-based chicken. This vegan alternative to the classic chicken kiev is packed with flavour and hits all the right garlicky, buttery notes, with a golden, crispy top.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan meat alternatives
Best vegan sausages
Whether you’re after a meaty sausage that replicates the taste and texture of pork or an option that celebrates fresh veggie flavours, our top bangers are ready to pair with mash and gravy, add to fry-ups or pop in a bun with your favourite sauces.
Winner: Tesco Plant Chef 6 Cumberland Style Bangers £1.95
Score: 89/100
These well browned Cumberland-style, plant-based sausages were a convincing replacement for pork breakfast bangers, with a rich, meaty aroma. Testers agreed they were also a winner on flavour – juicy with just the right texture thanks to the coarse filling and slightly crispy skin.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan sausages
Best vegan burger
Craving a big, juicy burger? Then look no further. From spicy no-chicken burgers to innovative beef-style patties that “bleed”, just add a bun, vegan cheese slice and sides.
Joint winner: Morrisons Plant Revolution Vegetable Burger £1.99
A frozen burger handy for last minute midweek meals, this is made with a comforting veggie base of carrot, sweetcorn, green beans, red pepper and potato and coated in a crispy golden crumb. Sandwich in a burger bun or serve with a fresh garden salad.
Joint winner: Devil’s Kitchen Shiitake Mushroom Burger £3.75
If you’re a fan of funghi then you’ll love these vegan burgers, made with meaty soy protein and shiitake mushrooms for a pleasingly chewy texture. Containing a mix of herbs and spices, including fennel, chilli and cardamom, it was the paprika, onion and garlic that stood out.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan burgers
Best vegan ready meal
Don’t feel like cooking or fancy a fakeaway? Our top vegan ready meals have an option for every occasion, whether you’re after the authentic flavours of Indian cuisine or the rustic dishes of a local Italian trattoria.
Winner: Waitrose PlantLiving Indian Takeaway Kit £11
Score: 90/100
Our winner has all the essential elements of a classic Indian takeaway: Pilau rice, Bombay potatoes, vegetable tikka masala, naans...we could go on. Despite the necessary reheat, dishes retained their flavour and texture – the vegetables had a good level of bite, and the sauces were full of flavour. With a rich nut-based sauce and roasted soy-based ‘chicken’ strips with a satisfying texture, our testers particularly enjoyed the No Chicken korma.
The ideal tasty feast for a Friday night, you’ll also have plenty of leftovers for the next day.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan ready meals
Best vegan cheese
Are vegan cheeses really any good? Yes, they really are. From cheddar to blue cheese and feta, we’ve got a tried and tested dairy-free ‘cheese’ to suit every taste. Cheese boards at the ready…
Joint winner: Applewood Vegan Minis £2
Score: 83/100
These cheesy vegan bites combine a robust smokiness with nutty, salty notes. Creamy in texture, they can be eaten chilled or melted into classic cheese-based dishes. They’re also great for snacking or adding to lunch boxes.
Joint winner: Boursin Garlic & Herbs Vegan Cheese Alternative Spread £3
Score: 83/100
Boursin's lightly whipped cheese-style spread is perfect for dipping your favourite veg in or spreading on crackers. Made with roasted garlic, parsley and chives, testers found the flavour pleasingly tangy with just the right amount of salt.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan cheeses
Best vegan chocolate
Milk, nutty, dark…? Expertly created using solely vegan ingredients, our top picks are sure to satisfy even the most discerning of chocoholics.
Winner: Hu Hazelnut Butter Dark Chocolate £3.50
Dark chocolate with a soft hazelnut butter filling, this luxurious rich and nutty vegan bar has aromas of roasted cocoa and caramelised hazelnuts. Perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet, it’s a great choice for an indulgent treat.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan chocolate
Best vegan wine
Our wine experts tested over 100 bottles to bring you the best vegan-friendly wines, whether you’re after a rich red, a refreshing white, a pale pink rosé or some celebratory fizz.
Winning vegan white wine: Bowl Grabber Alvarinho £9.75
Score: 94/100
This vibrant and refreshing alvarinho took the top spot in our white wine category, offering a crisp and zesty palate and bursting with the aromas of fresh peach and apricot. Pair with vegan fish tacos for a winning combination or simply serve chilled as an aperitif.
Winning vegan rosé wine: Amie Organic Rosé £18
Score: 91/100
A fresh rosé that reminded our testers of being on holiday, it balances lemon, redcurrant and lychee with a touch of vanilla. Made with a blend of organic grenache and cinsault, expect a little residual sugar and good minerality.
Winning vegan red wine: Harvey Nichols Bordeaux Superior £11.95
Score: 89/100
With rich and fruity aromas and notes of spice and leather on the palate that add complexity and depth, this winning merlot is characterised by black plums and stewed fruit. Serve with roast meat alternatives or vegan moussaka for a perfect dinner party pairing.
Joint best vegan sparkling wine: Tesco Cava Rosado £5.75
Score: 83/100
Incredible value, this pale pink cava took the joint top spot thanks to its delicious palate of summer fruits and fine effervescent bubbles. With notes of raspberries, white peach and juicy strawberries, this is a wonderful festive aperitif.
Joint best vegan sparkling wine: Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs £65
Score: 83/100
This English sparkling from Kent-based boutique winery Gusbourne hits all the right notes and is an excellent choice for toasting any special celebration. Made with the traditional method as used in the Champagne region, it’s also a classic blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier grapes. The result is gentle bubbles and a light yeasty flavour typical of its French counterpart, along with notes of apple and lemon.
Read our full list of GHI-Approved vegan wines
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