MANY PLANT-BASED alternatives are cheaper or cost the same as their meat and dairy equivalents, a supermarket price comparison by Veganuary has found. Switching to meat and dairy alternatives can save shoppers money, as well as being a healthier and kinder option.
For example, a 454g pack of eight Tesco beef burgers costs £4, while the same-sized pack of Plant Chef meat-free burgers is just £2.25 – almost half the price. At Sainsbury’s, a 500g pack of Linda McCartney vegetarian mince is £3.30, compared with £5.19 for British or Irish 5% fat beef mince – over a third cheaper.
Other examples include Ocado’s Boursin Plant-Based Garlic & Herb cheese (150g) at £2.40 versus the dairy version at £3, and Aldi’s No Chicken Kievs (2 pack) at £1.99, compared to £2.25 for the meat version. These findings show that plant-based eating doesn’t need to be expensive, and there are plenty of affordable options on supermarket shelves for those taking part in Veganuary or looking for alternatives to animal products.
A YouGov poll commissioned by Veganuary found that more than one-third of UK adults (37%) say they’re likely to buy plant-based products like dairy-free cheese or meat alternatives this January. Almost one-third (32%) say they prefer whole-food options such as beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh, while nearly one-quarter (23%) enjoy both whole foods and plant-based meat alternatives equally. Veganuary is a popular time for people to explore plant-based alternatives, with many supermarkets offering promotions and discounts across their plant-based ranges throughout the month.
Wendy Matthews, Veganuary CEO, said: “Comparing prices at the supermarket shows that eating plant-based doesn’t have to cost more.
“From vegan cheeses to meat-free burgers, sausages and ready meals, there are affordable options for everyone.
“Shoppers can also choose from whole-food sources like beans, tofu and tempeh, which are not only budget-friendly but great for overall health.
“Choosing plant-based is kinder to animals and the planet, and it doesn’t have to come with a bigger shopping bill.”
Sainsbury’s:
- Linda McCartney Vegetarian Mince (500g): £3.30 versus Sainsbury’s British or Irish 5% Fat Beef Mince (500g): £5:19
- Plant Pioneers Lentil Cottage Pie with Potato & Sweet Potato Mash (400g): £3.50 versus Sainsbury’s Cottage Pie (400g): £3.75
- Plant Pioneers Vegan Meat Free Lasagne (400g): £2.00 versus Sainsbury’s Beef Lasagne Ready Meal For 1 (400g): £2.00
- Plant Pioneers Southern Fried No Chicken Wrap: £3.40 versus Sainsbury’s Southern Fried Chicken Wrap: £3.40
Tesco:
- Tesco Plant Chef Meat-Free Burgers 8 Pack (454g): £2.25 versus Tesco Beef Burgers 8 Pack (454g): £4.00
- Tesco Plant Chef Meat-Free Balls 12 Pack (336g): £3.60 or £2.85 Clubcard Price versus Tesco Beef Meatballs 12 Pack (336g): £3.95
- Heinz Plant-Based Baked Beanz & Vegan Sausages (415g): £2.00 versus Heinz Baked Beans & Sausages (415g): £2.00
- Pukka Vegan Chicken & Mushroom Pie: £2.25 versus Pukka Chicken & Mushroom Pie: £2.25
Aldi:
- Plant Menu Mature Grated Vegan Cheese (0.2kg): £1.95 versus Grated Mature Cheddar (0.25kg): £2.19
- No Chicken Kievs 2 Pack: £1.99 versus Garlic & Herb Chicken Kievs 2 Pack: £2.25
- UHT Unsweetened Soya Milk (1L): £0.99 versus UHT Semi Skimmed Milk (1L): £0.99
Asda:
- Vitalite Dairy Free Spread (500g): £1.20 versus Clover Original Spread (500g): £1.50
- Lurpak Plant Based Alternative to Spreadable or Butter (400g): £4.25 versus Lurpak Lighter Spreadable Blend of Butter and Rapeseed Oil (400g): £4.25
- OMV! Deliciously Vegan Plant Based OMV! No Chicken Caesar Wrap: £2.87 versus ASDA Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap: £2.87
Ocado:
- Boursin Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs (150g): £2.40 on offer versus Boursin Garlic & Herbs Soft French Cheese (150g): £3.00
- Babybel Plant-Based Vegan Snacks (5 pack): £1.75 on offer versus Mini Babybel Original Cheese Snacks (6 pack): £2.45
- Violife Non-Dairy Cheese Alternative 10 Slices: £2.00 on offer versus M&S British Medium Cheddar 10 Slices: £2.90
Iceland:
- Greggs 4 Vegan Sausage Rolls (420g): £3.50 versus Greggs 4 Sausage Rolls (427g): £3.50
- Richmond 8 Meat-Free Tasty Sausages (304g): £2.00 versus Richmond 8 Thick Pork Sausages (344g): £2.00 reduced from £2.75
- Oumph! 4 Smash Burgers (320g): £3.50 versus Myprotein 4 Smashed Beef Burgers 340g: £5.00
M&S:
- Plant Kitchen Mushroom Spaghetti Bolognese (400g): £4.00 versus Spaghetti Bolognese (400g): £4.00
- Plant Kitchen No Beef Mince (500g): £5.00 vs British Beef Mince 5% Fat (500g): £5.20 and British Beef Mince 12% Fat (500g): £5.00
- Vegetable Tikka Masala with Long Grain Rice (400): £4.25 vs M&S Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice (400g): £4.25
- Plant Kitchen Vegan Woodfired BBQ Veggie Pizza: £6.00 vs M&S Classic Margherita Woodfired & Stonebaked Pizza: £6.00
