5 Best Vegan Ready Meals UK
Having some plant-based ready meals in the freezer is essential for anyone who leads a busy life, especially new vegans trying to stay on track. A delicious pre-prepared dinner should be a simple purchase, but it's important to make sure that the one you choose is healthy and high in protein so that it's satisfying. You might also want a dish that's low in calories and saturated fat if you're trying to lose weight.
With so many tasty products to choose from, selecting a vegan ready meal isn't always easy. So, we've put together this guide with lots of handy tips and delicious recommendations. We've found the best vegan ready meals the internet has to offer, all available from Tesco, Asda and Waitrose, to give you some real food for thought!
Quick List - Top Vegan Ready Meals
ASDA
A Nut Free Tikka Masala Full of Fibre In Recyclable Packaging
mybest UK Specialist Kate Roberts is a registered paediatric dietitian and expert in vegan and plant based diets. Collaborating alongside us, we invited Kate to bring further insight into the world of vegan diets.
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Table of Contents
With Specialist Consultation From Registered Dietician Kate Roberts
Kate Roberts is a registered dietician who also specialises in vegan paediatrics via her Instagram page. Working with mybest UK, Kate has commented on a variety of vegan articles to help you better understand what is best to look out for when shopping vegan!
How to Choose a Vegan Ready Meal in the UK — Buying Guide
New to the world of vegan ready meals or just looking for something exciting to stock your freezer with this week? We're here to guide you through the crucial aspects of finding the best dish to chow down on - let's get started!
Consider Your Preferences When It Comes to Cuisine and Flavour
Sometimes we're looking for a satisfying ready meal that emulates a home-cooked dinner or a takeaway, while at other times we just want something simple that can be heated up quickly. There's a lot more scope in the world of vegan ready meals than you might think, so it's worth considering exactly what you want to eat.
Think about which cuisine really tickles your tastebuds - do you prefer zingy Tex-Mex flavours or comforting tomato-based Italian meals? When it comes to curry, Indian dishes like tikka masala tend to be pretty spicy, whereas a Japanese katsu sauce is much milder in terms of heat. Middle Eastern cuisine is a popular choice due to its warm, smoky aromas, while a French dish like quiche is a lighter option.
Whichever cuisine you go for, look for products boasting lots of vegetables, spices, protein-packed pulses and fibre-rich grains. These will provide the complex flavours you'd find in a homemade meal and will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
The huge variety of vegan ready meals these days means that you can experience new flavours and ingredients. It is also a very convenient way to have a wide spectrum of nutrients. However, it is good to read labels carefully as many can be spicy and contain chilli peppers which are not to everyone's taste!
Fridge Food Is Great for Single Living, Frozen Works for Families
There are loads of vegan ready meals out there that can be stored in either the fridge or freezer and then cooked from chilled or frozen. However, this isn't always the case so it's important to check the label to make sure a product will be suitable for your needs.
Those without a microwave needn't worry — almost all ready meals can be cooked in the oven (or on the hob, depending on their contents). If you've already got a full fridge and would prefer to stock your freezer up, opt for products that are suitable for freezing.
Ready meals are prepared and processed in different ways. This means that you can get them frozen, chilled and at room temperature. Many can be put in the oven and microwave but it is best to check on the label. Some could also be cooked on the stovetop. It is important to keep ready meals at the recommended temperature to reduce the risk of spoiling food or getting food poisoning.
Check the Nutritional Information and Ingredients List if You Have Other Dietary Needs
While most vegans are used to checking the ingredients list for animal-derived products, you might also be wondering how healthy a meal is or whether it meets your other dietary requirements. In this section, we'll quickly go through some important points to help you find something nutritious that fits in with your lifestyle too.
Stay Under 6g of Salt A Day to Avoid High Blood Pressure
The salt content in a ready meal is often overlooked, but it's a key factor to monitor as some products can contain large amounts that we might not notice. Many of us eat too much salt daily which can cause complications such as raised blood pressure, so it's a good idea to get used to checking the salt content in the food that you consume.
It's advised that adults eat no more than 6g of salt a day, which is around 1 teaspoon. To help you out, we've listed how much salt per serving is in our ranked products. Many products also display this information using the colour coding system on the packaging, with red meaning a high salt content.
Ready meals are notorious for being high in salt, aim for meals that are less than 1.5g of salt (0.6g of sodium) per 100g, or look for green or yellow on the 'traffic light' label. Salt can increase blood pressure and put a strain on your kidneys so it's important to be vigilant.
Vitalise Your Body by Keeping Below 70g of Total Fat A Day
Whether you're counting calories, following a low-fat diet, or just want to chow down on something healthy, it's always a good idea to check the saturated fat content. We'll provide this information for each product, to help you avoid consuming too much at dinnertime.
The recommended daily intake for adults is less than 70g per day of total fats and less than 20g per day of saturated fats. Foods are considered high in saturates if they contain more than 5g of saturates per 100g, so look for foods with 1.5g of saturates or less per 100g.
Saturated fat is usually associated with animal fats, it increases cholesterol and can cause arteries to become blocked which in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease, therefore it is very important to be aware of saturated fat in meals.
Just because a food is vegan does not mean it will be automatically low in saturated fat, there are vegan sources of saturates such as coconut oil. Aim for low or medium amounts per meal if you eat them regularly, aim for 1.5g or less per 100g.
Avoiding Gluten, Soy or Nuts? Make Sure Your Ready Meal Suits Your Requirements
For vegans who have allergies or other dietary requirements, buying a ready meal may have felt very restrictive in the past. Luckily there are plenty of options out there nowadays that are also free from gluten, soy and nuts. Meals containing rice, lentils or other grain alternatives are great options for coeliacs or those on a gluten-free diet — and they're terrifically tasty too!
It's essential to check the ingredients list as certain dietary requirements are not shown on the front of package — many vegan ready meals contain soy as a meat or cheese substitute. Opt for a ready meal using oat or coconut milk instead if you fancy some soy-free creaminess in your pasta dish or curry.
Label reading is always important if you have any allergies or intolerances. Since 2014 legislation from the European Union made it illegal not to emphasize 14 of the most common food allergens, this includes wheat, soy and nuts. It doesn't include the other gluten containing foods barley and rye, therefore people with Coeliac disease would have to look for meals labelled 'gluten free'.
5 Best Vegan Ready Meals in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wicked Kitchen Big Bros Enchiladas | | A Zingy, Mexican-Style Meal of Tantalising Enchiladas | |
2 | ASDA Plant Based Veggie Tikka Masala & Rice | | A Nut Free Tikka Masala Full of Fibre In Recyclable Packaging | |
3 | Higgidy Spinach & Roasted Tomato Vegan Quiche | | A Vegan Quiche: Ideal for a Picnic or Light Lunch | |
4 | ASDA Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese | | Spaghetti Low in Saturated Fat and High Protein Content | |
5 | Tesco Plant Chef Mushroom Fettuccine Pasta | | A Generous Serving of Pasta in a Cheesy, Creamy Sauce |
A Zingy, Mexican-Style Meal of Tantalising Enchiladas
Lovers of Mexican-style veggie food can't go wrong with Wicked Kitchen's "Big Bros Enchiladas". Roasted sweet potato, spiced beans and rice are topped with a mouthwatering tomato, sweetcorn and pepper salsa. Plus, there are soft flour tortillas and zingy jalapenos to finish it all off!
Combining simple yet tasty ingredients, this product comes very highly rated by Tesco customers — many of the rave reviews are by non-vegans! You get a hefty portion too for the price, which those with large appetites will appreciate.
A Nut Free Tikka Masala Full of Fibre In Recyclable Packaging
If you're on a tight budget, check out Asda's veggie tikka masala and rice — it's less than £2! In addition to providing one of your five a day and being a great source of fibre, it comes in a 100% recyclable tray too.
Packed with tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut, peas and potatoes, this dish isn't too spicy but it's certainly full of flavour. A mix of basmati rice and bulgar wheat make it a filling meal and it's totally free from artificial colours, flavours or hydrogenated fat!
A Vegan Quiche: Ideal for a Picnic or Light Lunch
Now for something a little different! When you think of a vegan ready meal, a carton containing a comforting meal may come to mind — but that certainly isn't the only option. A plant-based quiche might be more appealing if you're eating dinner al fresco or looking for something to pair with a luscious salad for lunch.
You're probably already familiar with Higgidy's delicious offerings, so you just know that this vegetable-based quiche will be a real treat. Seeded spelt shortcrust pastry, spinach, sunblush tomatoes and a creamy filling make this quiche a winner!
Spaghetti Low in Saturated Fat and High Protein Content
Looking for a ready meal classic at a low price? You can't beat a plant-based spaghetti bolognese! Made with soya mince, onions and mushrooms, it comes in a rich tomato and red wine sauce — plus it's sprinkled with kale for a delightfully healthy finish.
Low in saturated fat and sugar, this dish provides a good source of protein and one of your five a day too. Those who abstain from alcohol for religious or health reasons may want to skip it but otherwise, we think this is product is ideal for a midweek dinner.
A Generous Serving of Pasta in a Cheesy, Creamy Sauce
It can be hard to get the level of cheesiness right in a vegan ready meal, but Tesco has done a pretty good job with their Plant Chef mushroom fettuccine. Mushrooms and pasta are coated in a deliciously creamy sauce made from coconut oil and oat-based cheese, and paired with the perfect amount of garlic.
We love how generous the serving of mushrooms is in this meal, but sadly the pasta isn't quite as good as it would be if made in a pan. Still, it's a quick, flavourful meal for busy vegans or those taking part in meat-free Mondays.
Top 5 Vegan Ready Meals
No. 1: Wicked Kitchen｜Big Bros Enchiladas
No. 2: ASDA｜Plant Based Veggie Tikka Masala & Rice
No. 3: Higgidy｜Spinach & Roasted Tomato Vegan Quiche
No. 4: ASDA｜Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese
No. 5: Tesco｜Plant Chef Mushroom Fettuccine Pasta
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