The holiday season brings together friends and families to celebrate timeworn traditions, many of which have been created at the dinner table. In recent years, these traditions are getting revamped, as more consumers than ever care about how their purchases –– especially concerning food –– impact the environment and their health. A new report from UK retailer Waitrose shows that retailers should prepare for the "biggest vegan Christmas ever" this year.
Upscale supermarket Waitrose just published search term data that reveals how consumers are gearing up for a plant-based holiday season this year. The report showed that the term "vegan Christmas food" surged 188 percent since last year. With nearly 55 percent of shoppers looking for the most sustainable options, more consumers aim to cut their carbon footprint this holiday, which on average costs an additional 1,400 pounds of carbon emissions per person.
Waitrose also revealed the most popular food items or recipes among customers. The search term data showed that "vegan roast potatoes" rose 166 percent and "vegan panettone," a dairy-free version of an Italian sweet bread, spiked 110 percent. For recipes, the company found that consumers searched for "vegan nut Wellington" 10 times more since last month, and 94 percent more consumers searched for vegan Yorkshire pudding recipes.
The retail giant's custom-order food service also showed a 49 percent rise in vegan and vegetarian food orders. More than ever, consumer interests are leaning towards more sustainable plant-based options.
“I love being able to make delicious meat-free swaps very accessible for our customers and I wanted Christmas to be no different,” Simona Cohen-Vida-Welsh, vegan product developer at Waitrose, said. “I am delighted we are now able to provide a vegan option for every course and with vegan and vegetarian Waitrose Entertaining orders up 49 percent compared to last year, I have no doubt that this category will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Plant-Based Centerpieces at Christmas Dinner
Last year, nearly three-quarters of millennials, 71 percent, planned to host a plant-based Christmas dinner, according to a poll by Eat Just. Younger generations are increasingly interested in featuring plant-based iterations of traditional holiday meals such as roasts, turkey, and gravy, among others.
Grocery giant Ocado revealed that searchers for "Christmas vegan" have more than tripled, rising by 389 percent, and 29 percent more shoppers are planning a plant-based centerpiece this year.
“Gone are the days of nut roast and veg being the only solution, as the options now available on Ocado are at an all-time high." Beth Vickerman, Vegan and Continental Deli Buyer at Ocado Retail, told Vegan Food & Living. “We’re also seeing the serving size of vegan festive centerpieces increase, with more options that feed three to four people as opposed to single servings, as families and friends try plant-based together.”
Vegan Food Near Me
This plant-based holiday season reflects a general upswing in plant-based interest happening worldwide. In January, Google released its "Year in Search" report for 2021, revealing that "vegan food near me" searches increased 5,000 percent over the year. Google's findings showed that search terms including “is climate change caused by humans” and “how does eating less meat help climate change” ranked as breakout searches last October.
Typically, Americans eat 46 million turkeys during Thanksgiving, but this year, Crestline found that one in four Americans are willing to try at least one vegan alternative this holiday season. With New Year's and Christmas nearing, consumers are gearing up to finish off the year with a sustainable holiday season.
For more plant-based happenings, check out The Beet's News articles.
31 Delicious, Plant-Based Recipes to Make on Repeat
Want fresh ideas for meals that are healthy, plant-based, and delicious? This free newsletter is for you. Sign up to get a recipe of the day delivered to your inbox every morning.
This signature spring pasta dish is loaded with citrus, sweetness, and nuttiness for a refreshing umami taste. The key is to use the freshest produce and quality olive oil. It has 6 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein.
This bowl of chopped seasonal vegetables mixed with vegetable broth, coconut milk, curry powder, and turmeric powder is a tasty way to load up on nutrients and vitamins with powerful superfoods that have anti-inflammatory properties.
If one of your goals is to eat more plant-based for your health, then delicious, nutrient-dense recipes like this one will help you inch closer to that goal. You'll see the difference by feeling energized and skip the post-meal nap.
This Caesar salad with vegan dressing is the invention of actress Zooey Deschanel, who eats a mostly plant-based diet and grows her own greens at home. She shares her secret for making the classic dressing as creamy and tangy as the real thing.
What better way to get into the mood for spring than with a light and fresh Bruschetta Pasta Salad? This recipe is loaded with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, red onions, and basil that go perfectly together.
This sweet and sour shaved cauliflower and fennel salad has the perfect combination of acid, sweetness, and savory flavors with fresh lemon, fruits, salty pistachios. The dressing has maple syrup to counter the bitter fennel. It's a spring delight.
If eating a salad feels like a chore, then hold the fork: We completely upgraded your ordinary lettuce and vegetables into a warm bowl with textured vegetables, beans, and grain of your choosing, such as quinoa, farro, or brown rice.
Adding to your menu this weekend: Buckwheat pancakes with caramelized maple peaches or fresh fruit of your choice, the complete perfect breakfast for a Sunday morning.
Hey potato lovers, you'll really love this one! This potato and chickpea salad recipe has the perfect amount of citrus, fresh herbs, crunchy and sweet hazelnuts, and a light touch of olive oil to become your go-to side dish from now on
In this Asian-inspired recipe, you will be using traditional ingredients that are commonly used in Asian cuisine but with no meat or dairy. This Crispy 5 Spice Tofu Lettuce Wraps With a Noodle Cabbage Slaw recipe is restaurant-quality and your guests will have no idea that this dish is plant-based
Today's Recipe of the Day is Zooey's famous dairy-free pesto that she puts on almost everything: Pasta, salad, soup, and more, adding a boost of flavor to simple dishes. This delicious sauce calls for using fresh herbs since it makes a big difference in texture and taste.
This Black Pepper Tofu can be whipped up in 30 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute meal, packed with protein. Cook it in large batches, and keep in the fridge for an easy weekday lunch.
If you're looking for a new and healthy breakfast idea, try a savory bowl. This recipe is low in calories and high in fiber, to keep you full for hours. Grain bowls are one of the easiest ways to get a healthy serving of plant-based protein.
This twist on the usual avocado toast for breakfast is one of the easiest ways to add a nourishing spread with protein and nutrients. The combination of dairy-free yogurt, blackberries, and basil is full of antioxidants and fiber. Rotate it into your routine as a great nutrient-dense option
When you're in the mood for a healthy lunch and want to switch up your go-to salad for something more creative and delicious, try this kidney bean arugula salad that features summery citrus dressing. It will be your new favorite.
Looking for a refreshing, lightweight meal made with nourishing ingredients? Try these Summer Rolls with Sweet and Spicy Peanut Sauce. The beautiful thing about this recipe is that it requires zero cooking!
This loaded salad is the perfect "fill me up" spring meal. Make this refreshing salad of seasonal vegetables, topped with a homemade hemp-balsamic dressing, with dates, Dijon mustard, hemp seeds, vinegar, lemon, and tamari
Today's Recipe of the Day is Thai Curry Noodle soup, a comforting yet light bowl to enjoy all year round. Thai dishes like this one are especially healthy, with tofu, high in clean protein, and vegetables rich in nutrients and fiber. This dish is sure to fill you up and leave you satisfied.
A lighter, healthier version of your traditional sushi, this recipe swaps cauliflower for rice, which can spike blood sugar. The cauliflower is a keto-friendly substitute for anything high in carbs and is nutrient-rich!
One of the best things about charming farmer markets with stands full of flowers and fresh produce is you can buy what's in season. This sweet potato and spinach salad is full of plant-based protein and complex carbs that are filling, delicious, and healthy.
Artichokes are so easy to make, especially if you're hosting a dinner party because you can prep them in advance. Skip the buttery sauce and make these with healthier lemon and rosemary dressing instead.
We are always told to eat more salads to be healthy, but lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Italian dressing can get old, fast. If you're tired of eating the same old salad, try this cajun caesar salad with blackened chickpeas, full of fiber, protein, and, most of all, taste!
For the days when you don't feel like spending time cooking, but don't want to go with junk food or pop something into the microwave, make this veggie Pad Thai that is ready in just ten minutes
A delicious homemade pasta is so healthy, packed with vegetables, you can eat the entire bowl without a moment's hesitation. Add crunchy pine nuts and fresh shaved vegan parmesan, (Follow Your Heart and Violife make great ones). Make this for date night, and listen to raves about your cooking.
Hot weather ahead! What better excuse for a salad bowl full of plant-based protein and fresh greens loaded with vitamins and minerals. The spinach is rich in iron to help boost your energy.
Looking for a healthy vegan buddha bowl? This recipe is gluten-free and makes a great lunch or dinner. Toss in any fresh vegetables from the farm stand or market: Purple cabbage, cucumber, avocado, and more.
When you're in the mood for a warm, comforting plant-based meal, try this incredibly delicious bowl of nutty, crunchy tempeh and fresh vegetables covered in sweet creamy coconut milk and mixed with Indian-style spices
This Moroccan-inspired salad is gluten-free, easy to make, and healthy! This protein-packed salad recipe uses fresh and flavorful ingredients. Finish it with a deliciously spiced Moroccan dressing.
Today's Recipe of the Day is a warm, rich risotto made with red beets and beet greens. Beets help protect your heart, eyes, brain and reduce inflammation in your body, yet they are often overlooked when it comes to cooking because the vegetable is intimidating to many. Enjoy this comfort food meal!
Today's Recipe of the Day is coconut ceviche created by Executive Chef David Lee of the popular plant-based restaurant, Planta, with several locations in Florida and a new one in New York City. Check out this delectable appetizer, and make it for your next dinner party!