The UK is a bit famous for our supermarket meal deals. I recently met an Uber driver in the US who could not stop talking about how he would get the best lunches for £5 every day when he was in England!
And there are some fantastic options for vegan. The vegan food industry in the UK is booming – over £1 billion a year booming. And now, retailers are battling it out to win your lunch break.
So, whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just dipping a toe into plant-based eating, you’ve got choices. The real question: Which meal deals are worth your time, and which are just… meh?
Let’s break down the best and worst vegan meal deals across the UK. Grab your appetite; this is your guide to nailing lunchtime.
Where This Data Comes From
This list isn’t just one person’s opinion! We’ve scoured thousands of comments from Reddit and other forums to gather a wide range of viewpoints. The result? A comprehensive guide based on what real people think, not just us.
5 Best Vegan Meal Deals in the UK
1.Tesco’s Plant-Powered Picks
Let’s kick things off with Tesco’s meal deals, which have some solid vegan options to choose from, thanks to the Plant Chef range.
Known for affordable and tasty options, the Plant Chef mains in the meal deal include wraps, sandwiches and sweet potato/falafel salad designed to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.
One standout option is the Plant Chef Falafel & Houmous Wrap, made with spiced falafel, creamy houmous, and fresh veggies in a tomato tortilla.
For those wanting something substantial, the Sweet Potato & Falafel Salad is a great choice. Packed with couscous, red quinoa, and wheat berries, this salad brings a lot to the table with roasted butternut squash, sweet potato falafel, and a zingy beetroot dip for extra flavour.
Suppose you’re in the mood for something seasonal. In that case, Tesco also introduces a festive Christmas limited edition option, like the Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, featuring roasted carrots, parsnips, spiced red cabbage, and vegan gravy mayo in a spinach tortilla.
Tesco’s got us cheering with their plant-based protein snacks! From Itsu edamame to a hummus and carrot combo, these snacks bring some real substance to their meal deals.
Pro tip: You’ll get the meal deal cheaper if you have a Tesco Club Card!
2. Sainsbury’s Satisfying Selection
Sainsbury’s has really levelled up their vegan meal deal game, dishing out a range of options that make plant-based eating easy and tasty.
Their Plant Pioneers Vegan Hoisin No Duck Wrap is a fan favourite. It features shredded jackfruit smothered in hoisin sauce, crisp cucumber, and spring onions tucked into a soft tortilla. It’s flavourful, satisfying, and a great choice for those craving a taste of something different.
Another standout? The Plant Pioneers Southern Fried No Chicken Wrap. Imagine southern-fried vegan chicken-style pieces, fresh crunchy salad, and creamy vegan mayo in one delicious bite. Both wraps are hearty enough to keep you full and delicious enough to keep you coming back.
Keep an eye out for seasonal specials, like the Plant Pioneers No Pigs Under Blankets. It’s got everything you’d expect for a festive treat: a mushroom and wheat protein sausage, soya protein slices, baconnaise-style vegan mayo, cranberry chutney, and onion. It’s basically holiday vibes in a sandwich.
And here’s something unique, Sainsbury’s is one of the few places offering Huel in their meal deal! Packed with 26 vitamins and minerals, it’s a mini health boost in a bottle, perfect for those days when you need a quick, balanced option that doesn’t skimp on nutrition.
3. Co-op’s Plant-Based Picks
Co-op’s vegan selection isn’t extensive, but they’ve still got some solid picks that are top-notch.
At the heart of their lineup is the GRO range, which covers a nice variety of plant-based sandwiches, wraps, and snacks.
One of the stars is the GRO Falafel & Houmous Wrap, a tasty mix of spiced falafel, creamy houmous, and fresh salad. This wrap has a bit of a following for its great flavour and satisfying texture. It’s a reliable choice when you’re after something both wholesome and filling.
Beyond the falafel wrap, you’ll find a few other vegan-friendly highlights like the GRO Onion Bhaji & Mango Chutney Sandwich, with onion bhaji, sweet mango chutney, and crisp salad for a unique, flavourful bite.
And, of course, there’s the GRO Vegan Sausage Roll, with its golden pastry and savoury filling, perfect for when you’re in the mood for a comforting classic.
Come holiday season, Co-op rolls out the GRO Ho Ho Turkey Feast Sandwich, a festive favourite featuring flame-grilled soya protein, vegan mayo, roasted carrots and parsnips, cranberry chutney, and a sage-and-onion stuffing. It’s basically Christmas in a sandwich, bringing holiday vibes to your lunch.
While Co-op’s vegan meal deal selection might not be the biggest out there, the GRO range offers some flavourful and satisfying options that are definitely worth exploring.
4. Boots’ Flavourful Finds
When searching for vegan meal deals, don’t overlook Boots. Their plant-based lineup offers some surprisingly good options that pack flavour and value.
Two standout mains are the Vegan Southern Fried Wrap and the Vegan No Duck & Hoisin Wrap.
The Southern Fried Wrap has a satisfying texture with wheat and vegetable pieces coated in a crispy southern fried seasoning.
Paired with vegan mayo and salsa, this wrap has a hearty, indulgent vibe that’s great when you want something filling. It’s a standout choice if you’re after something with a satisfying crunch and depth of flavour.
The Vegan No Duck & Hoisin Wrap is Boots’ plant-based take on the classic, with seasoned wheat gluten and soy pieces, fresh cucumber, lettuce, and spring onion.
The hoisin sauce adds a sweet-savoury punch without being overpowering, making it a refreshing choice when you’re in the mood for something lighter but still full of flavour.
Boots tends to keep these options stocked consistently, so you’re less likely to be left with slim pickings, which is a common frustration elsewhere.
With reliable, tasty options and good value, Boots’ vegan meal deal is a top choice for plant-based eaters on the go.
Pro-tip: You can get the meal deal cheaper with a Boots Advantage card!
5. Asda’s Plant-Based Stars
Asda might not have the largest vegan meal deal selection, but what they do offer is both tasty and satisfying.
A standout in their lineup is the OMV! No-Chicken Caesar Wrap. This wrap brings together flame-grilled soya protein pieces with a creamy vegan Caesar-style mayo, plus fresh lettuce, tomatoes, gherkins, and a plant-based take on Italian hard cheese.
It’s a flavourful, filling choice for those looking for a classic Caesar-style taste with a vegan twist.
Then there’s the OMV! Deliciously Vegan Hoisin Duckless Wrap, which delivers on flavour with flame-grilled vegan duck-style pieces, tangy plum hoisin sauce, cucumber, spinach, and a sprinkle of spring onion. This wrap is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of sweetness balanced with savoury elements.
One of the biggest perks of Asda’s meal deal is the 3-for-2 offer. With this, you can mix and match three selected meal deal items and get the lowest-priced one for free. That means you can build a standard meal deal with a main, snack, and drink—or you could grab 3 wraps if you’re buying for friends or just want to stock up on favourites.
3 Worst Vegan Meal Deals in the UK
1. Morrisons Limited Options
Morrisons’ vegan meal deal options can be hit-or-miss, and the experience for plant-based eaters often feels like a bit of a gamble.
While Morrisons does technically offer vegan options, you’d be hard-pressed to call it a ‘selection.’
On our recent trip to Morrisons, the only vegan option was the Hoisin No-Duck wrap. It seems like Morrisons is banking on this wrap as its go-to vegan choice, but it’s hardly enough to keep anyone coming back for more variety.
The Hoisin No-Duck wrap itself has its pros and cons. Sure, it’s a decent option, but it falls short of exciting. The spring onion, while adding a nice oniony kick, could use a little more presence. And as with many wraps, the ends are a letdown: it’s all bread, no filling – not ideal when you’re looking for a satisfying lunch.
The hoisin sauce does add a pleasant sweetness, but unfortunately, it pools slightly in one area, creating a soggy patch that isn’t particularly appealing.
Overall, Morrisons’ vegan meal deal feels a bit like an afterthought. When you’re stuck choosing between this single wrap or skipping the meal deal entirely, it’s clear that Morrisons could step up its game.
More variety and a bit more attention to the vegan experience would go a long way in making plant-based customers feel welcome. For now, it’s a limited option in a sea of alternatives.
2. Waitrose Underwhelming Offerings
When it comes to vegan meal deals, Waitrose’s options can feel like a bit of a letdown for plant-based eaters.
Take the PlantLiving Hoisin No Duck Wrap, for instance. While it sounds appealing, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The wrap tends to be overly sweet, with the hoisin flavour overpowering everything else – it ends up masking the other ingredients instead of complementing them.
The texture of the “no duck” filling can also feel a bit rubbery, which makes it less enjoyable to eat. For something that’s supposed to emulate a popular classic, it falls a little flat.
Then there’s the PlantLiving No Chicken & Pesto Sandwich. This one tries to bring in bold flavours but can feel a bit underwhelming.
The pesto doesn’t always come through strongly, and some might find the “no chicken” filling a bit on the dry side. It’s a sandwich that seems promising but doesn’t quite deliver the satisfying bite that vegans might hope for in a main.
Adding to the frustration, the availability of these options varies widely between Waitrose locations, making it tricky for vegans to rely on finding something decent every time they visit.
It is cool, though, that Waitrose is one of the few supermarkets, alongside Sainsbury’s, to offer Huel in their meal deal range – a rare perk that might appeal to those who like meal shakes.
But ultimately, a more dependable and well-rounded selection of vegan mains would go a long way in making Waitrose’s meal deal more attractive to plant-based customers.
3. WHSmith Teasing Temptations
When it comes to vegan meal deals, WHSmith unfortunately falls short. Their options are limited to just a couple of basics, with Falafel & Hummus or Mexican Bean Wraps often being the only vegan-friendly mains available.
While these are decent choices, the lack of variety makes it feel like an afterthought rather than a true vegan offering.
To make matters worse, WHSmith stocks the popular This Isn’t range, with items like the This Isn’t Chicken and Bacon Wrap and This Isn’t Chicken and Sweetcorn Sandwiches, but here’s the catch: none of these are included in the meal deal.
Many customers find this exclusion frustrating, as it feels like WHSmith is offering vegan options but keeping the best ones out of reach for budget-conscious shoppers.
All in all, if you’re vegan and looking for a meal deal, WHSmith might be a disappointment. The limited options and exclusion of quality vegan brands make it a challenging choice for those looking for variety and value in a quick lunch.
Availability Tips
Finding your favourite vegan meal deal can feel like a treasure hunt sometimes! Here’s what works:
- Shop earlier in the day when selection is best
- Check smaller branches near offices – they often stock more lunch options
- Look in the regular meal deal section too, not just the dedicated vegan area
- Download store apps to check stock before heading out
Remember, most supermarkets are still figuring out the right balance of vegan options, so don’t be shy about giving feedback.
The more we ask for better choices, the more likely we are to see improvements in selection, quality, and price.
Keep an eye out for seasonal changes too – many stores introduce new vegan options around Christmas and Veganuary!
The Bottom Line
Plant-based lunch has come a long way. Today, you’ve got options that would make any vegan a little smug. But not all meal deals are created equal. Some are truly worth celebrating, and some are barely worth the price.
Remember, your choices and feedback matter! Every time you pick up a vegan meal deal, you’re voting with your wallet and helping shape the future of plant-based options in UK stores.
So grab your next meal deal with pride. Because every bite is a vote for better vegan options—and a future where plant-based is the new normal.
Jac has been vegan for 15 years – long enough to wonder if tofu owes her a loyalty card. Hailing from Scotland, she enjoys the breathtaking scenery and believes vegan haggis deserves more appreciation. A proud mum to a curious and energetic daughter, Jac spends her time hiking scenic trails, devouring books, practicing yoga, honing her badminton skills, and creating colourful artwork with her trusty colouring pens. She’s passionate about living a vibrant, compassionate, and cruelty-free life, all while championing the magic of tofu.