Updated August 21, 2019. Waitrose and Partners has risen to the top of the vegan food chain with its extensive range of plant-based products.
British company Waitrose has always been a little bit fancier than your standard supermarket. Stockist of quality goods and luxury ranges, Waitrose would most likely be your first port of call for say Porcini mushrooms or white truffle oil. Even its everyday items have a slight touch of the luxurious about them, which is unsurprising as Waitrose forms the food retail division for upmarket department store chain, John Lewis.
Launched in 1904, a single store has grown to become a 353 branch chain, with superstores and “Little Waitrose” spread across the UK. The name is a blend of two of the company’s founders, Wallace Waite and Arthur Rose. Rather like Pete Best, the fifth Beatle, Waitrose’s third founder David Taylor left the partnership in 1908, before the store became successful.
Waitrose has always been considered a market leader in terms of trending and luxury foods, but in recent years it has become a trailblazer for the vegan movement. In October 2018 Waitrose launched 29 own brand vegan and vegetarian products including vegan pizza, and vegan carbonara made with mushrooms. It also injected a little bit of fine-dining glamour into vegan eating with items such as chocolate torte and spinach ravioli.
In October 2018, Waitrose revealed that its investment in vegan products was well placed, as sales of vegan and vegetarian food rose by a jaw-dropping 85 percent since 2017.
Waitrose vegan and vegetarian food buyer Chloe Graves said, “the growing appetite for meat-free dishes has been reflected throughout the year with rising sales of vegan and vegetarian products, as well as the introduction of exciting and delicious new products to the foodie market.”
The British chain has set the standard for vegan catering, by creating a dedicated vegan section in its superstores in June 2018. It was the first UK supermarket to take such an initiative, though several more soon followed, including Morrison’s and Marks & Spencers. The store can also be credited with saving plant-based eaters’ from eye-strain as it introduced vegan labeling in September 2018. No more endless hours spent squinting at the backs of packets.
Such is the store’s attention to customer needs that even its website is vegan-friendly. Inputting those five letters into the search bar returns 13 vegan sections, including the often overlooked “vegan beauty.”
Some of the website’s designated vegan sections, such as “Vegan Deli” are a little obvious, but very useful for people new to plant-based eating. With its assortment of grains, pulses, and nuts, the “Vegan Food Cupboard” section is also a little self-explanatory, although Waitrose does warrant a pat on the back for including Nutritional Yeast in this section. Granted, this brewing byproduct does bear more than a passing resemblance to fish food, but it’s cheesy, savory flavor perks up everything from salad to risotto. Rather than list every variety of hummus (much as we love our chickpeas) we have broken Waitrose’s vegan offerings down into an essential list.
Vegan Dairy
Naturally, people need something to add to their Earl Grey or bake vegan scones with.
The search for vegan milk returned a phenomenal 65 plant-based drinks, so we have grouped them by brand to avoid sending readers into dairy-free delirium.
Vegan Milk
- Essential Waitrose Soya Milk, sweetened or unsweetened
- Alpro Chilled Soya, Oat, Almond, Hazelnut, Rice, Coconut, or Coconut and Almond. Essentially, if it tastes creamy and can be squeezed, Alpro will make milk from it.
- Alpro Chilled Caffe Soya Caramel or Coffee Hazelnut for fancy coffee
- Rude Health Almond Drink, Oat Drink, Cashew Drink, and Coconut Drink, for a thicker vegan milk
- Rude Health Tiger Nut Drink, made from tiger nuts which are actually a tuber and high in magnesium
- Rude Health Hazelnut & Cacao Drink for chocolate lovers
- Innocent Coconut Dairy Free, Almond Dairy Free, Hazelnut Dairy Free, and Oat Dairy Free. Better known for its delicious smoothies, Innocent has joined the plant-based milk menagerie
- Oatly Oat Drink comes in whole, semi-skimmed, or low fat, much like its bovine counterparts. There’s also chocolate.
- Provamel Almond Natural, Soya, or Cashew for a subtle milk
- Koko Dairy Free with its slightly sweet flavor
- Rice Dream for a light milk
- Almond Breeze for desserts and baking or the Barista edition for coffee
- Plenish Organic Cashew, Coconut, Oat, or Almond Dairy Free Milk, fully GMO-free
- Biomel Natural or Dark Chocolate Shot, made from coconuts and packed with live cultures
- Good Hemp Creamy Seed or Barista Milk for extra amino acids
- Califia Farms Almond Milk, who counts Leonardo DiCaprio as one of its investors
- Rebel Kitchen Whole, Coffee, or Chocolate milk, made from coconuts, brown rice, and cashews
Vegan Cheese
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person following a plant-based diet must be in want of vegan cheese. While Waitrose has yet to bring out its own range of vegan curd, it still stocks a wide enough variety for an upscale cheese and wine reception
- Violife Original Slices, for hearty sandwiches
- Violife Original Grated, for a crunchy shepherd’s pie topping
- Violife Creamy Original Flavor, for mixing into pasta dishes
- Koko Dairy Free Cheddar, a coconut-based classic
- Koko Dairy Free Soft Cream Cheese for smothering on bagels
- Sheese Vegan Mozzarella Style, comes ready grated
- Sheese Vegan Smoked German for an intense umami flavor
- Sheese Vegan Red Leicester Style, with a mellow aftertaste
- Creamy Sheese Garlic and Herb for more exotic crackers
- Waitrose Original Slices
Vegan Butter
For tasty sandwiches, sumptuous pastry, and rich sauces, butter is one of life’s necessities.
- Flora, any type as Flora’s entire range went plant-based in March 2019
- Pure Dairy Free Soya or Sunflower Spread for lightly flavored spreading
- Pure Perfect Baking Butter
- Waitrose Avocado Oil Spread, for healthy omega 3
Vegan Burgers and Sausages
Barbecue classics and weeknight dinner go-tos, Waitrose offers the following vegan burger and banger options.
- Quorn Five Grain Fillets, with a toothsome coating
- Quorn Vegan Fishless Fingers, a tea-time classic
- Quorn Vegan Hot and Spicy Burgers, offering a nice amount of heat
- Quorn Vegan Cumberland Sausages
- Waitrose Vegan Jackfruit Burger, in breadcrumbs
- Waitrose Vegan Spanish Style Whirls
- Waitrose Lincolnshire Sausage Rolls
- Waitrose Vegan Seitan Patty
- Waitrose Mushroom and Leek Bangers
- Waitrose Tandoori Kofta Kebab
- Vivera Beetroot Burgers, in a fetching purple color or Pumpkin Sweet Potato Burgers
- Heck Bollywood Bangers, with aromatic spices
- Heck Supergreen Sausages made with quinoa and spinach
- Heck the Beet Goes On Sausages, with a crumbly texture
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Quarter Pounders
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Pulled Pork Burgers, with a meaty texture
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Chorizo & Pepper Sausages
- Linda McCartney Red Onion & Rosemary Sausages
- Taifun Organic Tofu Weiners, smoky with a slight chewiness
Vegan Meat
Plant-based protein has become a top-ranking business, which could be worth a massive $3 trillion in the next ten years. Plant-based meat is especially useful for people who enjoy the taste and texture of animal products but want to limit their meat consumption. One such group is the 28 percent of the UK who describe themselves as “meat-reducers.” Waitrose has tapped into this market by developing its own vegan meat products and by stocking leading vegan meat brands.
- Quorn Vegan Ham Slices and Vegan Chicken Slices
- Waitrose Garlic and Chilli Soya Pieces, with a fiery kick
- Waitrose Vegan Grain Mince, made of lentils, soya and sunflower seeds
- Linda McCartney Shredded Hoisin Duck, with a sweet, smokey taste
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Meatballs, made of soya
- Linda Mccartney Vegetarian Roast, beef flavored with a red wine glaze
- Vivera Veggie Shawarma, shredded and seasoned soy
- Cauldron Plain or Marinated Tofu, for a protein packed dish
- The Tofoo Co. Naked or Smoked Tofu, for simple beancurd
- Taifun Basil or Organic Smoked Tofu, great sliced in sandwiches
Vegan Pizza, Pasta, and Soups
For a taste of Italy without the airfare, Waitrose offers the following vegan options.
- Waitrose Vegan Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup, mild and creamy
- Waitrose Vegan Spinach Ravioli with sage and nutmeg
- Waitrose Vegan Green Vegetable and Grains Soup, with broccoli and spinach
- Waitrose Vegan Creamy Sauce, a ready-made dairy-free bechamel
- Waitrose Vegan Soya Bolognese Sauce, for a quick and easy spag bol, or lasagne if twinned with the above sauce and a few pasta sheets
- Dell’ Ugo Porcini Mushroom & Spinach Ravioli, gorgeously savory
- Dell’ Ugo Spiced Butternut Squash Ravioli, creamy and nutty
- Waitrose Vegan Jackfruit Chilli Sauce, for a bit of spice
- Waitrose Vegan Stonebaked Margherita Pizza, sprinkled with coconut cheese
- Waitrose Vegan Stonebaked Jackfruit Pizza for a meatier dish
- Pizza Express Vegan Giardiniera with the chain’s signature vegan mozzarella
- The White Rabbit Pizza Co. The Vegan Gardener with sun-dried tomatoes and pesto
- The White Rabbit Pizza Co. The Smokin’ Vegan with mushrooms and smoky vegan mozzarella
Vegan Ready Meals and Pies
Ready meals have come a long way from the boil in the bag curries and foil enclosed offerings of the past. Ready meals today can be not only nutritious, but downright tasty. Waitrose has catapulted plant-based shoppers into the next era of TV dinners with 23 vegan own brand ready meals. The full range of Waitrose ready meals includes:
- Waitrose Vegan Green Thai Curry, with soya pieces and rice
- Waitrose Italian Vegan Lentil and Mushroom Spaghetti in a rich sauce
- Waitrose vegan Three Bean Chilli, served with couscous
- Waitrose Vegan Chilli made with soya mince
- Waitrose Vegan Rainbow Vegetable Stew, for a stick to your ribs kind of dinner
- Waitrose Vegan Vegetable Paella with Spanish spice
- Waitrose Vegetable and Lentil Cottage Pie, a twist on a traditional dish
- Waitrose Vegan Mushroom Carbonara in a creamy sauce
- Waitrose Vegan Beetroot Risotto with pearl barley
- Waitrose Bombay Potatoes, made with cumin and garam masala
- Waitrose Vegan Inspired Veggie Balls, made with mushrooms and lentils
- Waitrose Vegan Hoisin Jackfruit Parcels in filo pastry
- Waitrose Vegan Cauliflower, Coconut and Chickpea pie, single serving
- Waitrose Red Thai Tofu Curry made with red chilli peppers
- Waitrose Asian Green Thai Vegetable Curry with creamy coconut milk
- Waitrose Mac and Mushrooms
- Feed Me Vegan Chilli by Lucy Watson
- Feed Me Vegan Shepherd’s Pie in a rich gravy
- Feed Me Vegan Curry with veggies
- Kirsty’s Sicilian Veg One Hot Pot, with butter beans and a chipotle sauce
- Clive’s Lentil and Kale Tart, made with gluten-free pastry
- Clive’s Creamy Mushroom Pie with lots of tarragon
Vegan Lunch To Go
Waitrose seems to keep expanding its range of vegan products. The brand now includes several plant-based ready-to-eat lunch options in its stores and online. The range now includes:
- Vegan MLT Sandwich, based on a classic this sandwich swaps bacon for mushroom
- Vegan Miso Roasted Sweet Potato Wrap, featuring heaps of veggies in a chilli tortilla wrap
- Good To Go Sweet Potato, Bulgur & Couscous, for a fresh summer-y lunch
- Vegan Broccoli, Tofu & Freekeh, with a tasty miso dressing
- Vegan Mac & Mushroom, a chilled vegan version of the perfect comfort food
Vegan Desserts, Yoghurts, and Cake
Adding an extra bit of fun to plant-based eating, Waitrose stocks an impressive range of vegan puddings. These include the following top picks:
- Waitrose Vegan Chocolate Tortes, moussey and creamy
- Alpro Yoghurt, plain, fruity, Greek, or coconut based. If there is a vegan yoghurt variety that the Belgian company doesn’t make, we have yet to find it
- The Coconut Collaborative Natural Yoghurt or its Choc Pots
- Co Yo Coconut Milk Natural, Strawberry, or Vanilla Yoghurt, thick and rich
- Koko Dairy Free yoghurt, light and smooth
- Freaks of Nature, Choc Caramel Cheesecake, made with coconut milk
- Freaks of Nature Double Chocolate Ganache, extra decadent
- Freaks of Nature Sticky Toffee Hot Pudding
- Freaks of Nature Cherry Bakewell Hot Pudding
- Freaks of Nature Chocolate Fudge Hot Pudding
- Booja-Booja Chocolate Salted Caramel Ice Cream, made with cashew nuts
- Booja-Booja Caramel Pecan Praline, sweet and crispy
- Nush Almond Milk Blueberry Yoghurt, subtly nutty
- Itsu Caramelised Apple Dumplings, with cinnamon
- Swedish Glace Coconut Ice Cream with Blueberry sauce and coconut sprinkles
- Swedish Glace Cinnamon Ice Cream with Toffee Sauce and Hazelnut Pieces, made with almond milk
- Swedish Glace Dairy Free Heavenly Chocolate vegan ice cream
- Swedish Glace Raspberry nondairy frozen dessert
- Swedish Glace Vanilla Sticks
Vegan Beauty
For a product to be vegan, it must be cruelty-free and contain no animal-derived ingredients. It’s surprising how often ingredients like pearlescence (fish scales) or silk fibers find their way into cosmetics. The number of vegan self-care companies is on the increase, with UK chain Superdrug being a leader in this field. But for modern day lifestyles, when you want to do a one-stop-shop, Waitrose has helpfully itemized its vegan beauty products.
The top picks are:
- Little Soap Company Avocado Soap Bar, unperfumed and made with avocado oil
- Waitrose Pure Facial Wipes, all of Waitrose Pure range is vegan
- Korres Japanese Rose Shower Gel, made with wheat proteins
- PitROK Natural Spray Deodorant, aluminium-chloride free
- Nourish London Hydrating Moisturiser, with vitamin C and rosehip
