Is Beyond Chicken Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Crispy Truth

May 4, 2023

Figuring out whether Beyond Chicken is vegan friendly can be difficult.

Processed foods often contain many ingredients, some of which may come from animals.

To ensure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Beyond Chicken.

Here’s what I found out.

Is Beyond Chicken Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Chicken is vegan.

These plant-based chicken tenders are completely plant based and made with a blend of pea protein, soy flour, and spices.

Beyond Chicken is made by Beyond Meat to be a vegan alternative to chicken. The brand’s products are made without GMOs, soy, or gluten.

So for vegans who are looking for a vegan-friendly chicken alternative, Beyond Chicken is a great option! 

You can now enjoy fried chicken tenders as a snack, in a sandwich, or as part of a meal without any guilt.

Is Beyond Chicken Cruelty Free?

Yes, Beyond Chicken tenders are cruelty free!

The company does not test any of its products on animals, and all of the ingredients in Beyond Chicken are also vegan friendly.

Beyond Meat has its mission set on changing the global food system. The company wants to create a world where everyone has access to delicious and nutritious plant-based meat. 

So not only is Beyond Chicken vegan and cruelty free, but it’s also made by a company with ethical values.

What Is Beyond Chicken Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Beyond Chicken:

  • Water
  • Faba bean protein
  • Vital wheat gluten
  • Modified cornstarch
  • Natural flavors
  • Expeller-pressed canola oil
  • Pea starch
  • Methylcellulose
  • Breading—wheat flour, rice flour, salt, cornstarch, pea protein, canola oil, wheat gluten, paprika, spices, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate, sugar, sunflower oil, dried onion, dried garlic, yeast extract, natural flavors
  • Breadcrumbs—wheat flour, sugar, sea salt, dried yeast
  • 1% or less of: yeast extract, refined coconut oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, sodium phosphates, spices, titanium dioxide (for color), sunflower lecithin

Let’s break down each ingredient of Beyond Chicken:

Water

Water is from…you guessed it, H20! Beyond Chicken needs water to help all of the ingredients bind together and create the final product. Water is vegan.

Faba bean protein

Also known as broad beans, faba beans are a type of legume native to Africa and Asia. The protein in faba beans is a great source of essential amino acids, fiber, and vitamins. This is a vegan ingredient.

Wheat flour

Wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from grinding wheat. It is used as a binding agent in Beyond Chicken’s breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Rice flour

Rice flour is a type of flour made from grinding rice. It helps to give the breading a crispy texture. This is a vegan ingredient.

Salt

Salt is a mineral composed of sodium and chloride. It is used to add flavor to the breading. It is also used as a preservative. Salt is vegan.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a type of starch made from grinding corn. It is used as a thickening agent in Beyond Chicken breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Pea protein

Pea protein is a type of protein derived from peas. It helps to give the breading a crispy texture and binds the ingredients together. This is a vegan ingredient.

Canola oil

Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from a hybrid of rapeseed. It is used as an emulsifier of the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Wheat gluten

Wheat gluten is a type of protein that is derived from wheat. It helps to give the breading a chewy texture. This is a vegan ingredient.

Paprika

Paprika is a type of spice that is made from grinding dried peppers. It is used to add flavor and color to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Spices

Spices are dried and ground plant seeds, fruits, or roots that are used to add flavor to food. Spices are used to add flavor to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Dextrose

Dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is used to add sweetness and color to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Sodium acid pyrophosphate

Sodium acid pyrophosphate is a type of leavening agent. It is used to help the dough rise and give the breading a light and airy texture reminiscent of fried chicken. This is a vegan ingredient.

Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is a leavening agent used to help the dough rise and give the breading a light and airy texture. This is a vegan ingredient.

Monocalcium phosphate

Monocalcium phosphate is a leavening agent used to help the dough rise and give the breading a light and airy texture. This is a vegan ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate composed of sucrose. It adds sweetness to the breading. Most sugar is with bone char, but since this product is certified vegan by Vegan Action, you can be assured that no bone char was used in the filtering process.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil made from sunflower seeds. It is used as an emulsifier in the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Dried onion

Dried onion is a type of onion that has been dried for preservation. It adds flavor to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Dried garlic

Dried garlic is a type of garlic that has been dried for preservation. It is used to add flavor to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Yeast extract

Yeast extract is a type of flavoring made from yeast. It is used to add flavor to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Natural flavors

Natural flavors are flavors that are derived from plants or animals. They add flavor to the breading. Beyond Chicken uses natural flavors that are derived from plants, so the natural flavors used in this product are vegan. 

Breadcrumbs (wheat flour, sugar, sea salt, dried yeast)

Breadcrumbs are small pieces of bread used as a coating. They help to give the breading a crispy texture, like fried chicken. The breadcrumbs used in Beyond Chicken are vegan.

Vital wheat gluten

Vital wheat gluten is a type of protein derived from wheat. It helps to give the breading a chewy texture. This is a vegan ingredient.

Modified cornstarch

Modified cornstarch is a type of cornstarch that has been treated to change its properties. It is used as an emulsifier in the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Sodium phosphates

Sodium phosphates are a type of salt used to add flavor and color to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Titanium dioxide (for color)

Titanium dioxide is a type of pigment that adds color to the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Sunflower lecithin

Sunflower lecithin is a type of phospholipid derived from sunflower seeds. It is used as an emulsifier in the breading. This is a vegan ingredient.

Why Is Beyond Chicken Vegan?

These plant-based chicken tenders are vegan because all of the ingredients used in the breading are plant based.

Despite the “chicken” in its name, there are no animal products used in them. Beyond Chicken is a great vegan option for those who are looking for a plant-based alternative beyond fried chicken. 

So, if you are looking for a plant-based option for fried chicken that will satisfy your cravings, Beyond Chicken is a great product! 

Is Beyond Meat Beyond Burger Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat Beyond Burger is a vegan burger. It is made with plant-based ingredients. The Beyond Burger is a great vegan alternative to a traditional beef burger. 

This product is vegan.

Is Beyond Meat Beyond Beef Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat Beyond Beef is a completely plant-based beef. The Beyond Beef is a great vegan alternative to traditional beef. 

This product is vegan.

Is Beyond Meat Beyond Sausage Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat Beyond Sausage is a plant-based sausage. The Beyond Sausage is a great alternative to traditional pork sausage. 

This product is vegan.

Are Beyond Meat Beyond Meatballs Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat Beyond Meatballs are plant-based meatballs. Beyond Meatballs are a great alternative to traditional beef meatballs. 

This product is vegan.

Is Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat Cookout Classic is a plant-based burger. The Beyond Burger is a great alternative to a traditional beef burger. 

This product is vegan.

Are Kentucky Fried Chicken Beyond Fried Chicken Nuggets Vegan?

No. KFC Beyond Fried Chicken nuggets are not vegan. The Beyond Fried Chicken nuggets are part of KFC’s plant-based combo meal that is supposed to cater to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, but it is not vegan.

These plant-based nuggets of the popular fast-food chain are cooked in the same fryers as their real chicken. This means that cross contamination is not just a possibility, but a guarantee. 

Why KFC wouldn’t fry their Beyond Fried Chicken nuggets in a separate fryer is just beyond me. It seems like a perfect way to ruin a vegan product. To add insult to injury, KFC Beyond Fried Chicken nuggets are also served with a dipping sauce that contains dairy. 

Final Words

So there you have it! Beyond Chicken from Beyond Meat is vegan. The ingredients used in the product are all plant based and vegan friendly. It is a great vegan alternative to chicken, but you shouldn’t get it from your local KFC because theirs is not safe for vegans.

If you’re craving some vegan chicken, Beyond Chicken is a great option!