Tesco is launching a vegan turkey crown as part of its Christmas range this year.
Seasonal mains include the Plant Chef Festive Nut Roast, Meat-Free Festive Vegan Roast, Wicked Kitchen Wellington, and the Wicked Kitchen No-Turkey Roast Crown. The vegan turkey combines soy and wheat protein and is topped with traditional sage and onion stuffing.
“It all comes down to texture and using a combination of soy and wheat proteins, kind of like a seitan. It’s the first one of its kind and we’re really excited to be able to launch that this year,” said Wicked co-founder and Tesco’s Executive Chef and Director of Plant-Based Innovation Derek Sarno in a statement.
The flavorings are just amazing. It’s a great centerpiece,” he added. “If it were me I’d be enjoying all of these centerpieces at the same time.”
The new range also includes sides and starters such as No-Chicken Drumettes, Wicked Kitchen No-Prawn Firecracker Dippers, and No-Mozarella Sticks.
Plant Chef Pigless Blankets, pea-protein enriched Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, and BBQ Jackfruit Bon Bons are also available. For dessert, Tesco is launching a Wicked Kitchen Ginger Chai Cake and Plant Chef Mince Pies.
“By making all these plant-based products, it makes [hosting vegan guests] so easy,” continued Sarno. “It’s so stress-free. Not only are they delicious and look amazing, they’re so festive. There is something that every meat-eater will want to get into.”
Vegan Christmas Food at Tesco
Last year, Tesco first launched its vegan pigs-in-blankets, which completely sold out. The 2019 range also included a festive squash-filled pastry wreath and other vegetable-based mains.
Wicked Kitchen also launched seasonal variations of its ready-to-eat sandwiches, including the pea-protein and stuffing “turkey” wraps.
Tesco increased its vegan food offerings by 900 percent in 2019. The supermarket chain launched the Plant Chef line, including affordable ready meals refrigerated pizzas. The range brought up Tesco’s total vegan products from 32 to 300.
“It’s my personal mission to make Tesco the plant-based retailer all others can benchmark,” said Sarno at the time. “That’s how we’re gonna change the world.”
