Research suggests that interest in plant-based foods is increasing, prompting more Brits than ever to embrace a vegan Christmas dinner this year
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Over a third of Brits would be willing to ditch their traditional festive turkey and instead enjoy a vegetarian or vegan Christmas dinner, according to new research.
A survey, commissioned by international online supermarket British Corner Shop, suggests that while animal products including turkey, beef and gammon are traditionally consumed at Christmas, a growing number of Brits are open to ditching them in favour of plant-based options.
In a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, food expert at British Corner Shop, Hannah Ward, said: “This increasing interest in a meat-free diet has not gone unnoticed by major retailers.
“Many supermarkets are expanding their veggie and vegan Christmas lines, and we’re happy to be able to offer some of these alternatives to the international market.”
She added: “Christmas is a time for indulging, and as the vegetarian and vegan food industry has developed, Brits now don’t have to compromise on flavour for their ethics over the festive period.”
Vegan Christmas dinner
The research also cites a number of statistics showing the growing interest in vegetarian and vegan products.
It notes that last December, some 266,000 people searched for ‘Vegetarian Christmas Food’ , and a further 182,660 people googled ‘Vegan Christmas Dinner’ in the same time period.
According to the survey: “Findings such as these, combined with the predicted increase in meat-free eaters throughout 2022 suggest that even more Brits will be tucking in to a vegan or vegetarian dinner this Christmas.”
British Corner Shop’s survey revealed some of the nation’s favourite home cooked vegan and veggie alternatives at Christmas time, including Butternut soufflé, parsnip roast, vegan foie gras or mushroom wellington.
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Supermarket options
A number of major retailers have revealed that they will be releasing extensive vegan Christmas ranges this year.
They include Aldi, Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s among others.
According to Aldi, its 2022 Aldi Christmas range marks its biggest and most affordable to date, and it boasts a number of new products, including dairy-free cheeses.
Asda’s vegan Christmas range, which it has described this year as its ‘biggest and most innovative’ yet, promised that as the cost of living continues to rise, it will deliver ‘quality products at affordable prices’.
Tesco’s vegan Christmas range offers a mixture of dishes including No-Beef Wellington and tempura prawns, to ‘ensure everyone is catered for during the festive season’.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s vegan Christmas range has extended its upmarket festive offering this year, with a spokesperson for the supermarket revealing that they included more plant-based dishes in their signature Taste the Difference range because they were so proud of the quality and flavour of the food.
Why not make this year’s festive meal your best yet? You can find all the inspiration you need among these 48 vegan Christmas recipes
Featured image © British Corner Shop
