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I Tried the New Beyond Meat Vegan Chicken Tenders – And I Couldn’t Taste the Difference
The plant-based chicken is launching at restaurants nationwide.
Photo courtesy of Beyond Meat
Beyond Meat, the California-based company responsible for the plant-based Beyond burger, has officially entered the vegan chicken space!
Beginning July 8, the brand will launch Beyond Chicken Tenders (made entirely from plants) at hundreds of restaurants across the country. Though it’s not exactly clear which eateries will serve the meat-free chicken tenders, the Beyond Burger is currently served at restaurants such as A&W, Bareburger and Burgerfi.
According to a press release shared with Food Network, Beyond Meat Chicken Tenders are “crafted to look, cook and taste like traditional chicken tenders,” and are also “breaded to perfection for a crispy outside and irresistibly tender bite.”
Since I was lucky enough to get a taste of Beyond Chicken Tenders I can attest to the fact that this vegan chicken product is pretty darn good. It does, in fact, look and taste like chicken and, as promised, it also boasts a crunch exterior and juicy bite. I sampled two small dishes — a spicy chicken sandwich with truffle hot sauce and chicken and waffles topped with maple syrup — made with Beyond Chicken Tenders and can confidently say that I couldn’t taste the difference between the vegan version and the “real” thing.
Photo courtesy of Beyond Meat
More importantly, Beyond Chicken Tenders are more than just a meat-free, chicken alternative — they’re a tasty food in their own right that deserves a spot on your plate. This is especially true if you’re looking to cut down on your meat consumption for health, animal welfare or environmental reasons.
As Beyond notes, demand for chicken is sky high (hello, Chicken Sandwich Wars!) so it’s comforting to know that there’s a new alternative in the mix that’s better for our health and the planet.
From a nutrition standpoint, these plant-based tenders are made of quality, plant-based ingredients. With 14 grams of protein per serving, they’re an excellent source of protein and have 40 percent less saturated fat than the leading foodservice chicken tender. Beyond Chicken Tenders are also made with no GMOs, antibiotics or hormones and, because they are vegan, have no cholesterol.
Given that it took the Beyond team nearly a decade to perfect Beyond Chicken Tenders, it’s no surprise that they’re especially tasty. In fact, the press release states that in consumer testing, Beyond Chicken Tenders scored at parity in overall flavor to animal-based chicken tenders. “As restaurants are rebounding while struggling to meet soaring consumer demand, Beyond Meat is proud to offer a plant-based option for the ultimate everyday, nostalgic or late-night craving that’s perfect as a standalone appetizer or entree, or as an addition to sandwiches, salads and tacos,” it reads.
For more information on where you can taste the new Beyond Chicken Tenders for yourself, click here.
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