Vegan Burger Lovers: The Launches You Need To Know About

Whether you frequent vegan-friendly Michelin starred restaurants (fancy) or are a fan of more traditional, plant-based pub grub, the one thing we can all agree on is there’s often nothing that beats a big ol’ burger. And sometimes, nothing will cut it like a high street hero – McDonald’s et al, we’re looking at you. 

Whilst these big chain restaurants can be quite divisive for lots of vegans, and we fully respect both sides, we’ve listed three updates in the world of fast-food chains to show you how mainstream plant-based eating is becoming.

1. McDonald's UK partners with Beyond Meat to launch a new vegan burger

When: McDonald’s is yet to officially confirm the launch and date, so watch this space 

Vegan Food UK has reported that the giant global burger chain is set to launch a 'new vegan burger' featuring a Beyond Meat patty in a sesame bun with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, vegan mayo, ketchup, mustard, and a 'slice of vegan cheese'. 

McDonald's first partnered with Beyond Meat back in September 2019 when it launched a veggie burger in Canada. The burger, called the P.L.T (plant, lettuce, and tomato), was trialled at 28 Southwestern Ontario outlets, though it didn’t make it onto the chain’s permanent menu. 

2. Nando’s UK to launch its first vegan burger 

When: launch date is yet to be confirmed, but certain sources hint towards a Veganuary kick-off

Vegan Food UK also revealed that South African food-chain favourite Nando’s is adding to its plant-based menu, with a new fully-vegan burger set to launch.  It recently shared an image sourced from an anonymous insider instructing staff how to make a 'Peri Plant Burger' – which features a 'based PERi-Plant Puck and 'Vegan PERinaise' as well as lettuce and tomato.

The food chain has experimented a lot with its plant-based offering and launched a plant-based chicken burger in Australia back in February, dubbed 'The Great Pretender'. Though it did state it would be cooked on the same surface as its meat counterparts.

3. Shake Shack has launched a new vegan burger to select UK outlets

When: it’s rolling out as a trial at the moment, so follow Shake Shack on social media to stay up to date 

The limited-edition offer is a vegan twist on the classic ShackBurger and comes packed with a patty made from real vegetables, grains, and herbs, including kale, quinoa, and sweet potatoes, topped with vegan cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and vegan ShackSauce on a toasted bun.

The restaurant chain is always striving to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly and its mission is to ‘Stand For Something Good’ in everything it does and states on its website: ‘We love our planet and all its inhabitants. We’re working hard to lessen our footprint, and promise to keep pushing to make important new strides.’

Fancy getting creative in the kitchen and making your own vegan burger creation? Try Val’s vegan fried chicken burgers to give all of the above a run for their money, and then some.