Amazon Fresh Just Dropped a Line of 15 Plant-Based Meat and Dairy Alternatives

Don’t know where to find tasty and affordable plant-based foods? Amazon Fresh’s new expanded plant-based selection will allow people nationwide to get nutritious vegan foods delivered directly to their doorsteps with 15 new products under its Fresh Plant-Based product line. With plant-based demand at an all-time high, Amazon’s new selections aim to make vegan foods more accessible than ever before.

Amazon’s Fresh Plant-Based selection offers 15 new-to-the-market products that will be distributed to retailers nationwide. Customers will also be able to order any of the plant-based foods directly from Amazon Marketplace. The Fresh Plant-Based line will include signature vegan Patties, Italian meatballs, Chick’nNuggets, and almond milk. The company intends to bring affordable plant-based options to people everywhere, guaranteeing that the new products do not sacrifice quality or taste at all.

The vegan meat and dairy alternatives have been developed with a nutrient-rich recipe. The Patties contain 21 grams of protein a serving, the Crispy Chick’n Nuggets contain 12 grams of protein per serving, and Amazon's new almond milk products all feature 50 percent more calcium than conventional dairy milk. Alongside the product launch, Amazon released customer reviews regarding the new plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.

“I have tried so many different brands trying to find one that would satisfy my taste buds,” a customer wrote about the Plant-Based Patties. I am so glad I gave these a try, because I absolutely love these, and will continue buying them.”

“Way to go Amazon Fresh, these plant-based meatballs are a home run!” Another customer wrote about the Plant-Based Italian Meatballs. “The texture is identical to meat. Flavor profile is spot on for an Italian-style meal. These pair perfectly in a marinara. Highly recommend as a direct replacement to eliminate meat from your diet, you won’t even notice a difference...these things are amazing!”

Amazon announced that the company intends to continue expanding the Fresh product selection throughout the year. The Fresh Plant-Based line aims to make plant-based food more affordable marketwide as more people take interest in healthier and more sustainable foods.

People worldwide have started leaning into plant-based foods and major companies including Amazon have taken note. Last summer, Amazon recorded that shoppers searched for vegan meat 44,000 times during the month of June. The data signified an unprecedented demand for plant-based meats alternative.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, food delivery and online shopping skyrockets, adding $105 billion to US e-commerce in 2020. Now, Amazon’s new Fresh Plant-Based selection will cater to the massive online consumer base. During last June, Amazon shoppers search for terms including ‘vegan burgers,’ vegan chicken,’ ‘vegan meat,’ and ‘vegan fish.’

Beyond the Fresh Plant-Based brand, Amazon is working with other retailers and companies to expand its plant-based offerings. Late last year, online grocery company PlantX announced that it would partner with Amazon Marketplace to maximize its distribution and delivery abilities. Now, people can browse through and shop from PlantX's impressive grocery catalog, which currently offers over 10,000 vegan products including major vegan brands and smaller, locally-based products.

“We recognize the potential of joining Amazon as a third-party seller on its platform," PlantX CEO Lorne Rapkin said at the time. "Being active on Amazon Marketplace means that we will be able to leverage Amazon's world-class e-commerce resources."

Protein: 21 grams in ⅓ cup (1 ounce) Seitan isn’t as popular as other proteins, but it should be! Made from wheat gluten, its texture resembles ground meat. It’s often used in pre-made veggie burgers or meatless nuggets. Seitan has a savory taste, like mushrooms or chicken, so it works well in dishes that call for an umami flavor. With a hearty texture, seitan can be the star of practically any vegan main dish. Add it to stir-fries, sandwiches, burritos, burgers, or stews. Like tofu, seitan will take on the flavor of any marinade or sauce.

Protein: 16 grams in 3 ounces If you like a protein with a bit of bite, add tempeh to your list. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh has a slightly nutty flavor and is pressed into a block. Most varieties include some sort of grains, such as barley or millet. Not only is tempeh a plant-based source of protein, but the fermentation process also creates good-for-your-gut probiotics. You can cut tempeh right off the block and use it as the base for a sandwich or pan-fry it with some sauce. Or, crumble, heat, and make it the star of your next taco night.

Protein: 13 grams in ½ cup cooked Lentils come in multiple varieties--red, yellow, green, brown, black. Regardless of the type lentils are small but mighty nutritional powerhouses. They pack a good amount of protein as well as iron, folate, and fiber. When cooked, brown lentils retain their texture and can be the base for a grain bowl or make a hearty substitute for ground meat in meatballs, lasagna, tacos or Bolognese. Red lentils are a bit softer and make a nice add-in for a hearty soup, chili, or stew.

Protein: 10 grams in 3 tablespoons Hemp seeds are a tender and nutty seed, derived from the hemp plant. They contain good amounts of omega-3s, iron, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. They are also a solid source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to keep your digestive tract healthy and humming. Because they pack a double whammy of protein and healthy fats, hemp seeds can help satisfy hunger, preventing those embarrassing stomach growls as you slog your way to your lunch break. Add them to your morning smoothie or sprinkle them on top of yogurt, oatmeal, or even a salad.

Protein: 9 grams in 3 ounces (⅕ of a block) Made from coagulated soybeans, tofu is the most popular plant-based protein. Soy is one of the only meatless "complete" proteins, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids that the body can’t make but needs for muscle and immune function. With 15% of your daily calcium needs, tofu is also a good replacement for dairy.

Protein: 9 grams of protein in ½ cup This sushi appetizer is a nutrient powerhouse, so eat it anytime. Edamame is really just another name for soybeans in their pods. Let’s list off some stats--a small ½-cup serving of edamame has 9 grams of protein, 15% of your daily vitamin C, 10% of your daily iron and 16% of your daily fiber. Keep a bag of edamame in your freezer to serve as a fun-to-eat side dish or opt for the shelled variety to toss into salads or a grain bowl.

Protein: 8 grams per cup (cooked) Quinoa is an ancient grain and since it's gluten-free a great choice for anyone avoiding gluten. Add it to your burger recipe to create filling texture, or instead of meat in your taco or burrito. Quinoa is among the healthiest foods on the planet, delivering phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory qualities, so keep it in your pantry for any meal that needs a filling grain. Just remember to soak it and rinse before cooking to get rid of any bitter taste.

Protein: 7 grams in ½ cup (canned) Eating beans on the regular might as well be a prerequisite for a plant-based diet. Not only are canned black beans inexpensive, but they also contribute 10% of your daily iron and 25% of your daily fiber to your diet. For less than $1 a can, beans can be the star of tacos, quesadillas, salads, soups, burgers, or dips.

Protein: 6 grams in ⅔ cup (cooked) Chances are you’ve never cooked amaranth. But you should, since this tiny, gluten- free grain is packed with almost 30% of your daily fiber and 20% of your daily iron. Cook it like a traditional grain to yield a soft, porridge-like texture. Many people add amaranth to other a hot breakfast cereal mixture, like oats and quinoa. It also pops like popcorn. Toss it in a pot with some oil and wait for it to pop up into a nutritious snack.

Protein: 5 grams in ⅔ cup If peas were one of your most hated veggies as a kid, it’s time to give them another chance. These green beans are a great low-calorie protein to keep in your freezer. Sure, they don’t always taste great when steamed or microwaved (who wants to eat mushy, overcooked peas?), but they do blend well into a yummy puree that can be slathered on toast. To amp up the flavor, add some lemon juice or mint to your mix before you blend.