Beyond Meat®, a leader in plant-based meat, has achieved  GOLD at the esteemed Casual Dining Innovation Challenge 2023, earning praise for the newly launched Beyond Steak® from judges as a “sustainable gamechanger” that offers high protein and low saturated fat benefits. Beyond Steak was launched for the first time in the UK on Wednesday 27th September at Casual Dining Show and will be available for chefs and restaurants for the first time from October.

The innovation builds on the recent roll out of Beyond Stack Burger® and Beyond Burger® Chicken-Style. The Beyond Stack Burger features in children's menus in 250 sites in Greene King's Hungry Horse franchise and was also introduced into 849 JD Wetherspoons sites last month. Beyond Burger Chicken-Style was launched this summer in Brakes, with listings to be announced. All three products deliver on Beyond Meat’s commitment to offer plant-based proteins that are indistinguishable in taste from animal meat, but with the added nutritional and environmental benefits of plant-based meat.

Beyond Steak

A new innovation, designed to deliver the juicy, tender and delicious bite of seared steak pieces, Beyond Steak can be enjoyed by meat eaters, flexitarians and vegetarians alike. Receiving rave reviews and winning awards across the pond, restaurants can add the Beyond Steak to their sandwiches, bowls, salads, stir fries, fajitas, tacos and more. Beyond Steak pieces are easy to portion and quick and easy to prepare. Made with plant-based ingredients such as fava bean and wheat, Beyond Steak boasts a strong nutritional profile and is a good source of protein, with 21g of protein and 170 calories per serving. Beyond Steak is also low in saturated fat (1g per serving) with no cholesterol. 

Beyond Steak has been recognized as “A Healthier Steak” by TIME in their 2022 Best Inventions, and earlier this year received certification from the American Heart Association’s heart-check program for being a heart-healthy food.

Beyond Stack Burger

For even more creativity in the kitchen, gastronomes in the UK can now also order Beyond Stack Burgers. With a juicy, tender centre and crispy, caramelised exterior, the 76g patty provides a customizable experience so that foodservice operators can create the perfect burger option to fit their menu. Perfect for stacking, chefs can get creative with these delicious plant-based burgers - add two, three, four or even more patties for a tasty burger build. Or, instead of stacking, use single patties to create a lighter burger for lunchtimes and kids menus. Like the original Beyond Burger, the Beyond Stack Burger is also made from pea and rice protein. It contains no added soy, gluten or cholesterol, and has 15 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Beyond Burger Chicken-Style 

Restaurateurs in the UK can now also order Beyond Burger Chicken-Style at Brakes. Like all of the Beyond Meat range, the new Beyond Burger Chicken-Style is made from plant-based ingredients and is designed to look, cook and taste like its animal equivalent. Crispy on the outside thanks to the golden breading, and incredibly tender and juicy on the inside, this burger will please everyone. With a meaty taste and texture but now in a chicken-style option, this new plant-based burger packs a punch with 15 grams of protein per 100g. It can be prepared quickly and easily by pan frying, deep frying or cooking in the oven.

Eat what you love, no sacrifice required

A recent report by Straits Research concluded that the UK vegan food market is growing at a rate of 9.58%, largely driven by increased health awareness. The research shows that 40% of consumers say they want plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy, while per capita meat consumption is declining. According to a Mintel study, demand for more vegetarian options in the out of home market remains high – with 59% of people saying they feel veggie options in restaurants are too limited. The latest study by The Good Food Institute, as reported in Grocery Gazette, sees Sustainability, animal welfare and balanced lifestyle all play varying roles in helping people make the move in powering up the plant-based protein in their diet. GFI cites that almost half of British adults are considering reducing their intake of animal products in the future and Beyond Meat has been responding to this increased demand by introducing new products on the market.

Steve Parsons, UK & I Foodservice Manager at Beyond Meat said: “We’re delighted to be introducing the delicious Beyond Steak to the UK. Beyond Steak has already convinced the expert innovation jury at the Casual Dining Show 2023, receiving the Gold Award for creating a product which delivers the taste and texture of sliced steak in a way that is better for you and the planet. In addition to Beyond Steak, we’re also further rolling out Beyond Stack Burger and Beyond Burger Chicken-Style, giving more choice to restaurants and allowing everyone to eat what they love, no sacrifice required.”