A powerful way you can help chickens is to keep them off your plate.
The number of plant-based/vegan chicken alternative products is growing rapidly, so the list below is not necessarily all that is available here in Aotearoa. From ingredients to fully prepared meals, there is something for everyone.
While some vegetarians and vegans prefer to avoid products that replace meat, because it reminds them of eating animals, others enjoy delicious plant-based alternatives because of their ease of use, texture and taste.
Try them out to see which ones you enjoy most.
Ingredients
Sunfed is a New Zealand-based company. The product is made of pea protein. Available at these stockists.
Plan*t is a New Zealand-based company that makes pea protein and hemp-based chicken alternatives. Available at these stockists.
Blissful Foods makes a huge range of soy and wheat protein chicken alternatives. Find a list of their products here.
Bird’s Eye chicken alternatives are soy-based. Find out more about the products.
Fry’s makes a range of soy-based chicken alternatives, as well as other plant-based products. They are available at supermarkets and many other stockists.
Quorn is made from mycoprotein, a mushroom-like protein source. (Not all their products are vegan – some contain egg). Available at these stockists.
Naturli’ is made of pea protein. Available at some Countdown supermarkets and other stockists. Find out more about the products.
VBites make Cheat’n Chicken-Style Slices. These are available in-store or by mail-order at The Cruelty-Free Shop as well as these stockists.
Pams makes a range of soy-based chicken alternatives. Available at New World and Pak ‘n Save supermarkets.
Let’s Eat makes pea protein-based chicken alternatives. Available at these stockists.
Meals
Pams makes a range of soy-based chicken alternatives. Available at New World and Pak ‘n Save supermarkets.
Mrs Green’s plant-based chicken is one of a range of vegan pizzas. They are available in supermarkets. Find out more about the products.
Berkano is a New Zealand based company that makes a range of vegan meals. Available at these stockists.
Harmless Foods is a New Zealand based company that makes a range of vegan meals. Information about their products is here.
Try the 21-day plant-based challenge
Want to take the next step to living a kinder, healthier and more planet-friendly lifestyle? Our friends at the Vegan Society have put this 21-day challenge together to make it easy for you to learn about and experience plant-based eating.
Resources include a 21-day dinner menu plan that will be emailed to you daily, and a dedicated Facebook group for support and to ask questions of vegan mentors. You’ll find 21 days is the perfect length of time to allow your taste buds to change and new eating habits to form.
There are two options to choose from: the Easy Vegan Challenge and the Pacifika Vegan Challenge.
Last updated: 8 April 2022