Tesco launches entirely vegan range

The 20-part range includes a selection of ready meals, sandwiches and pizzas

Pumpkin falafel sandwich (Tesco)

Veganism has officially gone mainstream as more restaurants and supermarkets provide for those on a plant-based diet.

Gone are the days when vegans were forced to twiddle their thumbs over a plate of salad leaves - today you can easily find tasty alternatives for ice cream, pizza, liquor and even fast food.

Now, Tesco has jumped on the vegan bandwagon with “Wicked Kitchen”, a new plant-based brand complete with ready meals, sandwiches and salads.

BBQ pulled mushroom pizza (Tesco)

The supermarket giants have partnered with US chef Derek Samo to create the entirely vegan 20-part range.

“When I first arrived in Britain from America I was hugely surprised at how little choice there was for vegans and those considering a lifestyle change,” explains Samo.

“For too long, vegans have been overlooked, with many offerings that are available seemingly created to appease rather than truly please.

“Wicked Kitchen plans to change all that and I’m proud to work with Tesco and offer all its customers delicious meals to get them on board with this growing foodie revolution.”

The range includes a mix of vegetable-based microwavable meals such as mushroom bolognese, BBQ butternut mac, curried cauliflower and teriyaki noodles.

In terms of sandwiches and wraps, shoppers can expect a range of innovative fillings such as carrot pastrami, spicy frijoles and pumpkin falafel.

Sweet potato pakora wrap (Tesco)

In addition to three salad options, there are also two flavours of pizza included in the range: caponata and BBQ mushroom, both on a sourdough base.

The range will certainly have wide-range appeal, as the number of vegans in Britain has risen by 360 per cent in the last 10 years while a third of the UK now identifies as “flexitarian”.

Meanwhile, Tesco reports that the demand for chilled vegetarian ready meals and meat substitutes has soared by 25 per cent in the last year alone.

Happy animal product-free feasting.