Vegan ready meals do work out more expensive, but are ideal if you can’t (or won’t) cook, are caring for someone else or are not very well yourself. Having said that, because all the ingredients are bought in bulk by the companies and cooked into meals, this meals no food waste and if you buy food that then goes off in the fridge, they could actually work out less expensive, especially if you find bargains (or subscribe long-term, which often gives special offers). Keep these meals away from pets, due to toxic ingredients (onion, garlic, mushrooms etc).
Plus you have no petrol money to drive to the supermarket, the meals are healthy (so good insurance for your health). And if they are still expensive, you could always half the quantities and bulk up with potatoes etc. Most vegan ready-meals are simple to prepare. You just order and fill up your freezer, then cook them straight from frozen in the oven or (shock, horror – microwave). Never microwave baby or pet food, it cooks food weirdly. If you combine them with some fresh veggies from your garden or the farmers’ market, your diet will be kinder, and you’ll soon feel better too.
vegan shicken (in compostable packs)
Shicken is a new brand of plant-based ready-meal curries, sold in home compostable sugarcane packaging. All the meals are handmade by chefs, using only natural ingredients. With chef Gordon Ramsay a fan, this is quality food that allows anyone to enjoy their favourite meals without sacrificing taste or texture.
These popular Indian meals sub the dairy with coconut cream, vegan yoghurt and other natural ingredients. The meals are based around soy and rapeseed oil, plus a mix of spices. You can cook them in the oven for around 25 minutes (from chilled) or around 40 minutes from frozen. Or (shock, horror) you can microwave if you use one. The range includes:
- Karahi Kebab Skewers
- Tikka Kebab Skewers
- Vegan Butter Curry
- Balti Curry
- Keema Masala & Peas
- Hot Madras
- Jalfrezi Curry
- Medium Tikka Masala
- Rogan Josh
- Mild Vegan Korma
holy plant-based meals!
Holy offers nutritionally balanced plant-based meals in compostable packaging. The menu changes each week for variety, and the full box option includes drinks and snacks, as well as all your meals for the day. They recommend to keep meals in the fridge, and consume within 72 hours from delivery, or before the ‘best before’ date. Meals include:
- Indian Coconut Curry with Cashew Rice
- Jackfruit & Tofu ‘Fishcakes’
- Jackfruit & Tofu Corn Tortillas
- Aromatic Pad Thai with Tofu
soulful one pot meals
Soulful One Pot Vegan Meals are ideal to have in the fridge for up to 4 days (you can freeze them too) if you are tired or busy or a carer or a vegan with not much time or money. All these plant-based meals are complete in themselves, a blend of vegetables, proteins and grains. Prepared by chefs, these meals are superb, and you can buy gift cards, ideal for the plant lover in your life. 10% off your first order. There are also student discounts and reward points available (to redeem against future orders). Delivery is free on orders over £34.99 (and selection boxes) or choose £5 delivery for smaller orders.
Heat them on the hob or in the oven (or microwave if you use one). They are also fairly cheap (around £3 a meal) so a good affordable option, if you can’t afford to order home-delivered gourmet vegan meals, or don’t live near shops that sell good alternative options. You can order Variety Boxes, swap delivery days to suit. If freezing, OnePots and SuperSoups should be thawed in the fridge and cooked from chilled (or frozen), and just adjust the timings. RealMeals can be cooked from frozen.
A little bugbear for vegans is that the pots are sent in insulation made from either sheep’s wool or recycled denim. However, you can return the packaging to be used again, so at least it gets reused each time, rather than keep buying new. Wholesale orders are welcome, to sell in shops.
- Butternut, Lentil & Spinach Hot Pot
- Brazilian Tomato & Black Bean
- Tempeh Katsu with Peppers, Corn & Rice
- Tikka Masala with Sweet Potato, Cauliflower & Brown Rice
- Moroccan Seitan Tagine with British Spelt
- Cajun Spiced Jackfruit with British Spelt
- Thai Green Jackfruit Curry with Brown Rice
- Thai Red Vegetable Curry with Brown Rice
- Persial Tomato, Lentil & Chickpea with Cauliflower
- Pulled Jackfruit Smoky BBQ Chilli with Corn & Beans
- North Indian Red Lentil Vegetable Dhal
- Chestnut Mushroom Stroganoff
- West African Peanut Chickpea with Red Rice
- Sri Lankan Cauliflower & Kale with Quinoa
- Mexican Bean & Sweet Potato with Quinoa
The company also offer Soulful SuperSoups:
- Sweet Potato, Coconut & Coriander
- Thai Chilli with Edamame, Peas & Quinoa
- Butternut, Lentil & Spinach
And Soulful Meal Trays for more substantial meals:
- Thai Green Jackfruit Curry with Edamame & Kale
- Butternut Mac with Kale & Seeds
- Piri Piri Tofu Jambalaya with Jalapeno
- Marinara Seitan Balls with Spaghetti & Fresh Spinach
Bol Protein Power Pots
Bol Power Pots are protein-packed meals that deliver big on taste and flavour. Each pot includes 2 servings of your 5 a day, a whopping 20g of plant-powered protein and half of your daily fibre needs. The perfect way to add planet-friendly protein to your day. The range includes Piri Piri Sweet Potato Stew, Spanish Smoky Butter Bean Stew, Sweet Potato Katsu Curry and Creamy Coconut Turmeric Daal.
The company also offers dinner boxes in 95% plastic-free packaging made from offcuts of sugar cane), which can pop in the oven, and pour a glass of wine while you wait.
The Veg Pots also deliver serious flavour with a good health kick. Again they are packed with veggies, protein and fibre, combining grains and beans and pulses with fresh veggies and tasty sauces from different regions. Choose from:
- Creamy Japanese Katsu Curry
- Italian Roasted Tomato Pasta
- Creamy Thai Green Curry
- Keralan Coconut Curry
- Japanese BBQ Teriyaki Rice
- Mediterranean Pesto Pasta
Their Posh Noodles take noodles to the next level. Just heat and eat. Forget powdered sachets and dehydrated carrots, these don’t have a dried-out-vegetable in sight. They are packed with fresh veggies, and are the ideal healthy solution for people on-the-go. Choose from:
- Japanese Yakisoba
- Spicy Firecracker Udon
- Creamy Malaysian Laksa Ramen
- Sweet & Sticky Teriyaki
- Korean Sweet Chilli Ramen
- Aromatic Thai Charcoal Ramen
