These had a crispy, well-seasoned coating with good flavour. It tastes remarkably like a classic chicken kiev (and also had a similar texture) and the buttery-style filling had strong garlic flavour which is sure to be a crowdpleaser.
Available from:
Aldi (£1.99)
More like this
Runner up: Tesco Plant Chef No-Chicken Garlic Kievs, £2.45 (270g)
These plant-based chicken Kievs were a close runner-up as the garlic butter filling had a perfectly balanced garlic taste with a subtle hint of lemon for a nice zesty kick. The texture of the ‘chicken’ was remarkably realistic with the coating having a nice crunch from the breadcrumbs.
Available from:
Tesco (£2.45)
Best fish alternative
Winner: Aldi Plant Menu Salt & Vinegar No Fish Fillets, £1.99 (240g)
The crispy batter on these fillets reminded judges of classic fish and chips. The filling had a texture and flavour slightly reminiscent of mashed potato, but it did have a slight flake to it just like fish and hint of that flavour too.
Available from:
Aldi (£1.99)
Runner up: Tesco Plant Chef fish-free goujons, £1.70 (250g)
These thin, golden goujons look just like classic fish fingers. There’s plenty of crunch from the coating and a lightly-flavoured filling, ready for a fish finger sandwich and lots of ketchup.
Available from:
Tesco (£1.70)
Best vegan mince
Winner: Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers Meat Free Mince – £1.86, 500g
This vegan mince boasts a meaty texture and a deep, savoury flavour with hints of mushroom, making it a versatile addition to various dishes. The flavour isn’t too overpowering, so we think it would work perfectly in a tomato-based sauce such as a bolognese.
Available from:
Sainsbury’s (£1.86)
Best milk alternative – soy
Winner: ALDI Acti Leaf Sweetened UHT Soya Drink – £0.99, 1 Litre
This soy milk offers a mild and balanced sweetness without an artificial aftertaste. Its texture strikes a good balance between creamy and watery, closely resembling cow’s milk and making it perfect for breakfast teas or iced coffees.
Available from:
Aldi (0.99p)
Best milk alternative – oat
Winner: British oat drink (chilled) – £2.10, 1 Litre
This product is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for deliciously creamy oat milk with a pleasant sweetness. The subtle oat aroma and gentle sweetness create a balanced flavour profile.
Available from:
Waitrose (£2.10)
Runner-up: Co-op GRO The Oaty One – £1.60, 1 Litre
This oat milk is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It would make the perfect addition to your coffee, cereal, or smoothies.
Available from:
Co-op (£1.60)
Best hard cheese alternative
Winner: Sainsbury’s Free From Cheddar Style – £2.25, 200g
If you’re a cheddar lover, this vegan cheese is for you. It offers a pleasantly cheesy taste that avoids the synthetic notes of some alternatives. It also offers a nicely crumbly texture and strong, tangy flavour reminiscent of classic cheddar.
Available from:
Sainsbury’s (£2.25)
Runner up: M&S Vegan Sliced Smoky Mature Style – £2.80, 180g
This sliced ‘cheese’ delivers a delightful smoked flavour like Bavarian cheese. The subtle paprika notes add a pleasant depth of flavour that would taste perfect on top of burgers, in sandwiches or just for snacking on straight from the packet.
Available from:
Ocado (£2.80) or M&S, in-store
Best soft cheese alternative
Winner: Tesco Free From Coconut Oil Alternative To Soft Cheese – £2, 150g
This plain soft cheese alternative had a subtle tang and generally smooth texture with just a slight graininess. It would work well melted through pasta or spread on a cinnamon bagel.
Available from:
Tesco (£2)
Runner-up: Aldi Plant Menu Soft Spread with Garlic & Herbs – £1.75, 170g
If you’re looking for a smooth and creamy vegan soft cheese, this one is a must-try! Its delightful garlic and herb flavour is rich and delicious, making it perfect for spreading on crackers or bread or adding to your favourite dishes.
Available from:
Aldi (£1.75)
Best firm tofu
Winner: Sainsbury’s SO Organic Super Firm Tofu – £1.48, 300g
When fried in slices, this firm tofu was pleasantly golden and crisp on the outside. The middle was creamy with a neutral flavour but would carry marinades and dressings well.
Available from:
Sainsbury’s (£1.48)
Best vegan sandwich
Joint Winner: Sainsbury’s Plant Pioneers VLT La Vie Vegan Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato with Baconaise – £3, pack size 1
Try this vegan sandwich for a delicious and fresh take on the classic BLT! It features a mix of smoky, plant-based bacon with juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce. Our one criticism was that the bacon could have been crispier, but that’s a minor for a guilt-free sandwich!
Available from:
Sainsbury’s (£3)
Joint winner: M&S No Chicken & Chorizo Sandwich – £3.75, pack size 1
With a deliciously seasoned filling that offers a convincing blend of chicken and chorizo flavours, it’s a standout choice for anyone looking for a hearty, plant-based sandwich.
Available from:
M&S, in-store (£3.75)
Best vegan mayonnaise
Winner: M&S Plant Based Vegan Mayonnaise – £1.80, 250g
For a delicious and creamy vegan mayo, look no further! It features a rich, smooth texture and a flavour profile that’s close to classic mayo, with a slight tartness and a hint of sweetness
Available from:
M&S, in-store (£1.80)
Best vegan dessert
Winner: M&S Chocolate Torte – £4.25, 140g
Indulge in the ultimate vegan dessert experience with this decadent chocolate torte! It features a delightful, crunchy biscuit base reminiscent of crispy rice treats and a luscious, creamy chocolate ganache on top that you will struggle to believe is vegan.
Available from:
M&S, in-store (£4.25)
Best vegan ready-meal
Winner: Waitrose PlantLiving: Indian Inspired Takeaway Feast – £11, 1388g
Craving a delicious vegan Indian takeaway? This dish is packed with vibrant lemongrass flavour and features tender sweet potato that’s perfectly cooked. It offers a satisfying spice hit with a fresh, creamy, comforting, and flavourful taste.
Available from:
Waitrose (£11)
Best vegan chicken nuggets
Winner: Waitrose PlantLiving: Southern Fried No Chicken – £3, 227g
These vegan chicken nuggets have a texture and flavour surprisingly similar to real chicken. They have a nice bounce and well-balanced seasoning that makes each bite enjoyable.
Available from:
Waitrose (£3)
Best vegan ice cream
Winner: Aldi Gianni’s Mango Sorbet – £1.99, 500ml
Enjoy a burst of tropical flavour with this delicious mango sorbet! With a sharp, refreshing mango taste and a surprisingly sweet flavour profile, it’s an excellent choice for a summer dessert.
Available from:
Aldi (£1.99)
How we tested
We invited six supermarkets to submit their best summer products across 14 categories. Packaging was completely removed and judges tasted all items blind. Comments and a score out of 10 were submitted for each product in the category via anonymous online judging forms. The entire judging process was overseen by an independent adjudicator. This year, the team tested over 100 products.
This review was last updated in July 2024. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.