What is ‘dirty’ vegan food – and why is it so popular?
Friday August 31, 2018
According to the Vegan Society, veganism has increased by 360 per cent in the last decade; there are currently half a million vegans in the UK, a further million vegetarians, and half of those vegetarians are thinking of going fully vegan. The Vegan Society go on to say that they predict there will be at least a million vegans in the UK within the next ten years.
When many people think of vegan food they presume boring, bland and beige, however that’s no longer the case. With an array of meat free alternatives on the market, vegan food can now be flavour-packed, colourful and satisfying.
One of the current food trends that is popular with vegans is ‘comfort’ vegan food, or as some refer to it, ‘dirty’ vegan food. Think cauliflower fried ‘chicken’, seitan ‘ribs’, mushroom burgers, dairy free gelato and aubergine buffalo hot ‘wings’. The reason for this demand is because vegans (91 per cent according to the latest Flavour Forecast report from Lion sauces) are struggling to find ‘dirty’ food-to-go options.
According to the MCA Menu and Food Trends report 2018, the demand for vegan burgers has increased in popularity, making up almost 9.3 per cent of vegan main courses ordered in restaurants, and they predict that vegan burgers will continue to be popular into 2019. Vegan burgers are generally made from a mix of vegetables and beans. Chef Jamie Oliver’s recipe for vegan burgers consists of chickpeas, sweetcorn and a selection of spices.
Alongside vegan burgers, one of the most popular vegan fast food trends now is pulled jackfruit. When roasted, jackfruit has an extremely similar texture to pork and when present on a roll with barbeque sauce added, the similarities to a traditional pulled pork roll are striking. Quick service restaurant KFC are recognising the demand for vegan fast food and are set to introduce vegan options to their menu. They are currently working with chefs and scientists to create a vegan friendly alternative to their world-famous fried chicken. In July 2018 they announced plans to test the faux chicken with customers later this year. If successful, it could launch the product in 2019.
In March 2018, casual dining restaurant Dirty Bones (Shoreditch, London), who are notorious for their fried chicken and American inspired plates, announced a new vegan concept called Dirty Vegan. Dirty Vegan takes place twice a month and offers those on a plant-based diet the opportunity to eat ‘dirty’ vegan food such as cauliflower ‘chicken’ & buckwheat waffles, a cashew and almond milk mac & cheese, and plenty of other meat-free treats.
In London you can try a wide selection of vegan fast food at the famous vegan quick service restaurant ByChloe. The restaurant, based in South London, aims to share delicious, wholesome, plant-based food that fuels and energizes without compromising flavour, taste or satisfaction. On the menu they have a variety of dishes from, cauliflower mac n cheese and the guacamole burger to tempeh burgers and quinoa tacos.
If you are considering offering vegan food as a takeaway or delivery option for your customers, we have a variety of packaging options to suit your needs, whether you require a leakproof container to hold pulled jackfruit or a bagasse container to carry a vegan burger. To find out more about our different types of food packaging visit our Food Packaging e-brochure.
If you would like any further information, please contact Bunzl Catering Supplies today.
FAQs
One of the current food trends that is popular with vegans is 'comfort' vegan food, or as some refer to it, 'dirty' vegan food. Think cauliflower fried 'chicken', seitan 'ribs', mushroom burgers, dairy free gelato and aubergine buffalo hot 'wings'.
What is dirty vegan food? ›
Instead of eating whole, plant-based foods, the dirty vegan diet embraces highly processed vegan versions of traditional animal-based foods, such as burgers. Image Credit: jenifoto/iStock/GettyImages.
What is the dirty vegan trend? ›
According to Men's Health, a dirty vegan diet is a plant-based diet that leans more on the processed side of the vegan food spectrum rather than the organic, natural side of things.
Why is vegan food becoming more popular? ›
They care for animals and don't want to see them suffer. Others have become more aware of the impact of animal-based diets on the environment. This makes them more willing to forego meat to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. However, most people who are turning to veganism do it for health reasons.
Who are called vegans what kind of food items do they avoid eating? ›
A vegan diet is another form of vegetarianism where only plant foods are eaten and all foods from animal sources are avoided (meat, seafood, dairy, eggs and sometimes honey and gelatine).
Where is Dirty vegan? ›
📍Open: Westfield, White City.
Who is the hottest vegan? ›
Lenny Kravitz & Anitta Named PETA's Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022: Exclusive. Previous celebrities honored with the title include Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Anderson .
What year was bad vegan? ›
Fraud. Fugitives. is a 2022 Netflix docuseries by director Chris Smith. It documents how restaurateur Sarma Melngailis illegally transferred money to her husband so he could pay a deity to bestow immortality upon them.
What started the vegan trend? ›
In November 1944, Donald Watson (right and below) called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians, including Elsie Shrigley, to discuss non-dairy vegetarian diets and lifestyles. Though many held similar views at the time, these six pioneers were the first to actively found a new movement - despite opposition.
Is veganism growing or declining? ›
The latest numbers from 2023, meanwhile, suggest that between 1-4 percent of Americans are vegan. That's a pretty big margin of error between the two polls. It implies that over the last nine years, the share of vegans in America has either increased by 400 percent or, alternatively, hasn't increased at all.
An estimated 2.5 million UK adults are following a vegan diet at the start of 2024, which is 4.7% of the population.
Is being vegan healthy? ›
Vegetarian and vegan diets can be healthy, but they can lack certain nutrients. You may have to use a little creativity to ensure you get enough protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B12. You can find many of these nutrients in eggs and dairy if you're vegetarian, and from plant sources if you're vegan.
What fruit can vegans not eat? ›
You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes. And you'll cut high-sugar tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and bananas, as well as fruit juices and sweets.
Can vegans eat pizza? ›
Try barbecue with mushrooms and caramelized onions, or if you still consume dairy, try a white pizza with spinach, one of our favorites. A good sauce is a foundation for a tasty pizza, so try them all. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you can still indulge in pizza; you don't have to miss out on a thing!
Are Oreos vegan? ›
Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!
What are some vegan junk food? ›
Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
- Cinnamon Life.
- Airheads.
- Cracker Jack.
- Fritos.
- Fruit by the Foot.
- Kettle Brand Potato Chips (sea salt and vinegar)
- Lay's Potato Chips (barbecue and classic)
- Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (peanut butter)
6 Vegan Foods That Are Shockingly Unhealthy
- Frozen fake meats.
- Tofu deli meats.
- Vegan desserts.
- Coconut yogurt.
- Frozen meals.
- Veggie chips.
13 Surprising Foods You Think Are Vegan But Aren't
- Chocolate.
- Beer and Wine.
- Candy.
- Sugar.
- Non-Dairy Creamers.
- Red Foods.
- Worcestershire Sauce.
- Veggie Burgers.
There are three main types of vegans: ethical, health-focused, and environmental. They may follow a variety of vegan diets, ranging from “typical” vegan diets including both processed and unprocessed vegan foods, whole-food plant-based, raw vegan, fruitarian, or high-starch/low-fat.
One of the current food trends that is popular with vegans is ‘comfort’ vegan food, or as some refer to it, ‘dirty’ vegan food. Think cauliflower fried ‘chicken’, seitan ‘ribs’, mushroom burgers, dairy free gelato and aubergine buffalo hot ‘wings’. The reason for this demand is because vegans (91 per cent according to the latest Flavour Forecast report from Lion sauces) are struggling to find ‘dirty’ food-to-go options.
Alongside vegan burgers, one of the most popular vegan fast food trends now is pulled jackfruit. When roasted, jackfruit has an extremely similar texture to pork and when present on a roll with barbeque sauce added, the similarities to a traditional pulled pork roll are striking. Quick service restaurant KFC are recognising the demand for vegan fast food and are set to introduce vegan options to their menu. They are currently working with chefs and scientists to create a vegan friendly alternative to their world-famous fried chicken. In July 2018 they announced plans to test the faux chicken with customers later this year. If successful, it could launch the product in 2019.
In London you can try a wide selection of vegan fast food at the famous vegan quick service restaurant ByChloe. The restaurant, based in South London, aims to share delicious, wholesome, plant-based food that fuels and energizes without compromising flavour, taste or satisfaction. On the menu they have a variety of dishes from, cauliflower mac n cheese and the guacamole burger to tempeh burgers and quinoa tacos.