Figuring out if your favorite foods are vegan can be challenging, even the fake meat ones.
Makers of plant-based meat substitutes often hide their ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell which ones are vegan.
To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and plant-based diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Gardein products.
Here’s what I found!
Is Gardein Vegan?
Yes! Gardein products are vegan.
Gardein is a food brand that is known for making popular plant-based meat substitutes. The company was founded in 2003 to provide delicious, convenient, and healthy meatless options.
Gardein’s products are made from potato starch, soy, wheat, and pea proteins, as well as vegetables and grains.
The food brand is also certified by Vegan Action, a nonprofit organization that verifies if a product does not contain any animal ingredients or by-products. If you enjoy fake meats, then you’ll be happy to know that Gardein’s products are 100% vegan!
Gardein even has four gluten-free varieties—the Chick’n Scallopini, the Chipotle Black Bean Burger, the Ultimate Beefless Ground, and the Garden Veggie Burger. So if you’re looking for a vegan and gluten-free dinner solution, you’ll be happy with Gardein.
These faux meats have a texture and taste that is similar to real meat, making them a popular choice among vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike.
Is Gardein Cruelty Free?
Yes! Gardein is cruelty free.
Gardein does not test any of its products on animals at any point in their production, nor does it use ingredients that are routinely tested on animals such as artificial colors.
Gardein is also certified by PETA as a cruelty-free company.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that should be stopped. It only leaves animals sick, injured, and dead. There are alternative methods of testing that don’t involve animals, so there is really no excuse for food brands to still be using them.
What Are Gardein Products Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Tenders:
- Water
- Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Vital wheat gluten
- Canola oil
- Soy protein isolate
- Pea protein concentrate
- Tapioca starch
- Degerminated yellow corn flour
- Textured wheat protein
- Wheat gluten
- Wheat starch
- Methylcellulose
- Salt
- Yeast extract
- Natural flavors
- Garlic powder
- Spices
- Dried onion
- Fructose
- Leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate)
- Paprika extractives (color)
- Pea protein
- Onion powder
- Citric acid
- Titanium dioxide (color)
- Xanthan gum
- Lactic acid
- Sunflower oil
Let’s break down all the ingredients of Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Tenders.
Water
Water is used as a solvent in many food products. It dissolves other ingredients and helps them mix together evenly. Water is vegan.
Enriched wheat flour
Enriched wheat flour contains niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. These are vitamins and minerals that are added back into the flour after the milling process. Enriched wheat flour is vegan.
Vital wheat gluten
Vital wheat gluten is a protein that is derived from wheat. It gives foods a chewy texture and is often used as a meat alternative in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Vital wheat gluten is vegan but not gluten free. It’s right there in the name.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the canola plant. It is often used in food products as a flavorless alternative to other oils. Canola oil is vegan.
Soy protein isolate
Soy protein isolate is a protein that is derived from soybeans. It is often used as a meat alternative in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Soy protein isolate is vegan.
Pea protein concentrate
Pea protein concentrate is a protein that is derived from peas. It is often used as a meat alternative in vegan and vegetarian dishes. It is vegan.
Tapioca starch
Tapioca starch is a carbohydrate that is derived from the cassava plant. It is often used as a thickening agent in food products. Tapioca starch is vegan.
Degerminated yellow corn flour
Degerminated yellow corn flour is a flour that is made from corn. It is often used in food products as a thickening agent. Degerminated yellow corn flour is vegan.
Textured wheat protein
Textured wheat protein is a type of protein that is derived from wheat. It is often used as a meat alternative in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Textured wheat protein is vegan.
Wheat gluten
Wheat gluten is a protein that is derived from wheat. It is often used as a meat alternative in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Wheat gluten is vegan but not gluten free. Again, right there in the name.
Wheat starch
Wheat starch is a carbohydrate that is derived from wheat. It is often used as a thickening agent in food products. Wheat starch is vegan.
Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose is a fiber that is derived from plants. It is often used as a thickening agent in food products. Methylcellulose is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor to food. It is also used as a preservative. Salt is vegan.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is used to add flavor to food. It is also used as a source of vitamin B. Yeast extract is vegan.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are extracts of plants or animals that are used to add flavor to food. In the case of Gardein, its natural flavors are likely plant based and vegan.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is made from dried garlic. It is used to add flavor to food. Garlic powder is vegan.
Spices
Spices are plant-derived ingredients that are used to add flavor to food. They are typically ground up into a powder. Spices are vegan.
Dried onion
Dried onion is a seasoning that is made from dried onions. It is used to add flavor to food. Dried onion is vegan.
Fructose
Fructose is a sugar that is found in fruits and vegetables. It is often used as a sweetener in food products. Fructose is vegan.
Leavening
Leavening is an agent that helps bread and other products to rise. It typically contains sodium acid pyrophosphate and sodium bicarbonate. Leavening is vegan.
Paprika extractives
Paprika extractives are extracts of the paprika plant that are used to add color to food. Paprika extractives are vegan.
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a pigment that is used to add color to food. Titanium dioxide is vegan.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is an ingredient that is used to add texture and stability to food. Xanthan gum is vegan.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is used as a preservative in food products. It is also used to add flavor. Lactic acid is vegan.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is an oil that is derived from sunflowers. It is often used as an ingredient in food products. Sunflower oil is vegan.
Why Is Gardein Vegan?
Gardein products are vegan because they do not contain any animal products. Gardein’s meatless meat is derived from plants, including peas, wheat, and corn. These ingredients are then processed and flavored with spices, natural flavors, and other vegan-friendly ingredients.
While some vegans may avoid foods that contain processed ingredients because they might contain traces of animal products, Gardein’s is certified by Vegan Action to be completely vegan. You can rest assured that when you’re eating Gardein, you’re eating a delicious and cruelty-free meal. And you even have a few gluten-free options to choose from. There’s something for everyone!
Are Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Filets Vegan?
Yes! Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Filets use plant-based proteins to create a delicious, vegan-friendly alternative to chicken filets.
These vegetarian filets are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets Vegan?
Yes! Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based Chick’n Nuggets are vegan because they are made with plant-based ingredients.
These plant-based nuggets are safe for vegan consumption.
Is Gardein Bratwurst Plant-Based Saus’ge Vegan?
Yes! Gardein’s Bratwurst Plant-Based Saus’ge is vegan because it is made with no animal-based ingredients or by-products.
This faux sausage is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Gardein Savory Stuffed Turk’y Vegan?
Yes! Gardein’s Savory Stuffed Turk’y is vegan because it is made with plant-based ingredients.
This faux turkey is safe for vegan consumption.
Are Gardein Meatballs Vegan?
Yes! Gardein’s Meatballs are vegan because they are made with plant-based ingredients.
These delicious meatless meatballs are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders Vegan?
Yes! Seven Grain Crispy Tenders are vegan because their main ingredients are plant based.
These delicious crispy tenders are safe for vegan consumption.
Is the Gardein Ultimate Black Bean Burger Vegan?
Yes! Ultimate Black Bean Burger is vegan because it is made with plant-based ingredients.
These delicious burger patties are safe for vegan consumption.
Final Words
So, there you have it! While I can’t say for certain that Gardein products are healthy, I can confirm that all Gardein products are vegan. You can enjoy its delicious, convenient, and cruelty-free meals without worry. So if you’ve sworn off eating meat, Gardein fake meat products are the way to go. Be sure to check out Gardein in your grocery stores nearby. Bon appétit!