KFC Is Testing a Vegan Chicken Sandwich
But, at this point, ‘The Imposter’ is available only in the U.K.
So many burger chains are embracing the meat-free menu option, but what about chicken? Can a vegan or vegetarian enjoy a meal alongside carnivorous pals at fast-food chicken chains like, say, KFC?
Funny you should ask. (You did ask, didn’t you?) KFC is testing out a vegan chicken-burger sandwich it’s calling The Imposter. In a four-week trial run in select U.K. locations starting this week, ahead of a potential nationwide rollout, KFC will feature a breaded patty made from a sustainable, meat-free, mycoprotein product called Quorn. (Quorn is made from fermented fungus, this video reveals, but let’s not focus too hard on that.)
The Imposter burger mimics KFC chicken burgers by using a coating of the same signature blend of herbs and spices – Col. Sanders’ “Original Recipe” -- that gives KFC chicken its trademark taste. The meat-free Imposter is served on a bun with lettuce and vegan mayo, Metro U.K. reports, and will cost £2.99 ($3.77 U.S.) solo, which is about 1 pound less than a standard chicken sandwich. With a drink, the Imposter will run you £3.49 ($4.41). It will be £3.99 ($5.04) on a wrap with a drink and cost £3.79 ($4.78) as a salad with a drink.
Once the Imposter trial run rolls to a close on July 15, KFC will follow with a test of a new vegetarian meal, the Southern Fritter Stacker, at the same select locations. That veggie option is a crispy-coated vegetable mix and is available as a burger, wrap or ricebox.
“Vegans have been cruelly denied the incredible taste of KFC up to now, which is why we’ve worked hard to perfect The Imposter – a vegan burger that the Colonel would be proud of,” Victoria Robertson, “chief vegetable enthusiast” at KFC UK & Ireland, told Plant Based News.
Tony Davison, head of global foodservice and QSR at Quorn also issued a comment: “A vegan KFC? We couldn’t believe it either. But we’ve done it – working with KFC we’ve created a bespoke Quorn fillet that does the Colonel’s recipe justice. We have no doubt that KFC fans are going to love the modern take on a finger-lickin’ favorite.”
No word yet on whether KFC plans to bring its vegan chicken burger to the U.S. But hey, baby steps, vegan friends. Baby steps.
Related Links:
