Plant-based alt-meat has taken the world by storm. What was once just bland soy meat and faux chunks of nuggets have evolved into a wide range of tasty food, from alt-beef burgers to juicy plant-based sausages made from various meat-free ingredients.
There are more plant-based meat alternatives today than ever before. Some of the most popular use jackfruit, soy and mushrooms to mimic the flavour of traditional meats.
Here we share eight plant-based alt-meat brands you can find in New Zealand supermarkets (yes, we checked!)
Eight plant-based alt-meat brands you can find in New Zealand supermarkets
Tonzu
Established in the 1970s, initially aimed to run as a macrobiotic restaurant, the founders, the Chalmers family, decided to open a shop for families seeking healthier food.
Over the years, the business grew into offering handcrafted, certified organic whole foods and plant-based meat such as tempeh, nuggets, and patties. It also has a Zenzo range which offers dairy-free alternatives like cheese and yoghurts.
Products: tofu, tempeh, vegan sausage, black rice tempeh, nuggets, vegan patties
Where to buy: New World, Pak’nSave, Countdown, Four Square, Fresh Choice, Super Value, Raeward Fresh, Moore Wilson’s, Ceres Organics, Common Sense, Huckleberry Bin Inn, Farro Fresh Food.
Food Nation
The New Zealand-owned company was founded with a “vision of redefining great food” and a mission to put more plants on people’s plates.
“We know our taste buds are our best buds and our toughest critics,” said the company. “So, when we decided to create a range of plant-powered food that is good for the people and the planet, we knew everything had to be irresistible.”
The company uses ingredients such as fresh veggies, mushrooms, legumes, herbs, and spices for its product range.
Products: Magic Mince, Happy Patties, Amaze Balls, Super Sauces
Where to buy: Gilmours, Trents, Bidfood, The Produce Company, Pak’nSave, Countdown, Farro, Moore Wilson’s
Vegie delights
Made in Australia, Vegie Delights is part of the Sanitarium Health Food Company family that aims to help Kiwis “eat well and live well”.
The company offers a vegan-friendly range of high-protein meat alternatives made with soy, wheat, and oats, with added iron, B12, and zinc.
Products: Crispy chicken-style burgers, Smokey BBQ Burgers, Bacon Style Rashers, Thai Chili and Lime Cakes, Nutolene, Nutmeat, Savoury Vegie Mince, Classic Hotdogs
Where to buy: Countdown, New World, Pak’nSave
Bean Supreme
New Zealand-based Bean Supreme was established in the 1980s offering plant-based food made with tofu, jackfruit, hemp, beetroot, and more. The company shared that its philosophy is to invent convenient, nutritious, tasty wholesome foods that everyone can enjoy.
All products are made using ethically sourced ingredients and free from palm oil and GMOs.
The company emphasises that its products do not aim to pretend to be meat because plants are naturally delicious, nutritious, and sustainable.
Products: Hemp burgers, Kumara Burgers, Masala Burgers, Beetroot Burgers, Quinua and Mushroom Burgers, Marinated Chili and Lime Jackfruit, Tofu Sausages, Firm Style Tofu, Marinated Tofu, Wholefood Mince
Where to buy: Countdown, New World, Pak’nSave
The Cool Gardener
The Cool Gardener is a New Zealand brand that supports local farmers and their produce. It directly sources its ingredients from Kauri Coast kumara to Hawke’s Bay beets, and all veggies are said to be harvested by hand.
Products: Kumara Rosti, Cauliflower Schnitzel, Falafel, Pumpkin and Spinach Burger
Where to buy: Countdown, New World, Pak’nSave
Sunfed
Sunfed was established by Shama Sukul Lee in 2014 after he wanted to make alternatives to meat that were clean, healthy, and tasted good.
Made with yellow pea protein, the brand is different from other plant-based alt-meat because the company claims its “raw meats” are cut, cooked, feel, and taste like real animal meat.
All products in the range are free from gluten, soy and GMOs.
Products: Bull-free beef raw prime mince. Bull-free beef raw prime riced, Chicken-free chicken chunks, Boar-free bacon
Where to buy: Countdown Supermarkets, New World, Pak’nSave, Huckleberry, Farro Fresh, And Moore Wilson’s.
Birds Eye
Established in 1920, the company is one of the most important brand names in New Zealand, responsible for the breakthrough in preserving food through freezing.
The company initially offered traditional frozen food like fish fingers, fillets, and vegetables but eventually ventured into plant-based alt-meats in the 2010s.
Products: Burgers, chicken-style strips, ‘chicken’ tenders, meatballs and mince.
Where to buy: New World, Pak’nSave, Countdown, Four Square, Fresh Choice, Super Value, Reward Fresh, Moore Wilson’s, Ceres Organics, Common Sense, Huckleberry Bin Inn, Farro Fresh Food
Plan*t
Plan*t is New Zealand-made and known for its protein-based vegan mince, burgers, sausages and chick*n nuggets & strips.
The range uses plant-based ingredients such as soy, wheat, hemp, and pea protein. However, they are not gluten-free.
Products: Ground mince, vege balls, chick*n nuggets, chick*n strips, burgers, sausages
Where to buy: New World, Pak’nSave, Countdown, Foursquare
Did we miss any?
Let us know in the comments so we can add your favourite product to our list of plant-based alt-meat brands you can find in New Zealand.
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