A knock-down, drag-out battle between Los Angeles and Portland. A social media favourite crossing over to bona fide star standing to nab the “Favourite Movie star” title. An growth of Past Meat’s post-burger empire. This yr’s survey of the perfect vegan merchandise, individuals, and locations has revealed one factor: the plant-based panorama is hotter than ever. You voted, and listed here are your 2022 Veggie Award winners.
FOOD
Past Burger by Sarah Sloane
Finest Vegan Burger: Past Meat
This beefy vegan burger has gone the place no plant-based burger has gone earlier than: the Golden Arches. After infiltrating 600 US McDonald’s eating places, it’s clear the Beyond Burger is on the helm of the way forward for meals.
Finest Vegan Sausage: Past Meat
In the case of including an additional little bit of oomph to pasta or fajitas, VegNews readers are turning to Beyond Meat’s plant-based hyperlinks in Unique, Scorching Italian, and Candy Italian flavors.
Finest Vegan Seafood: Gardein
Crispy, golden-fried crab desserts dipped in saucy vegan remoulade and flaky fish filets excellent for baja tacos? Oh yeah, sea life as seafood is so over. Pescatarians, time to degree up!
Finest Vegan Bacon: Candy Earth
Subsequent time somebody says “however bacon,” merely present them these hickory-smoked strips which might be ushering in a greater breakfast revolution. Between mile-high BLTs and large brunch platters, one query stays: crispy or chewy?
Finest Vegan Rooster: Gardein
Vegan chicken is all the fad, and Gardein’s cluck-free choices are fueling the frenzy. Need in on the pattern? Select from the model’s basic tenders, Mandarin orange rooster, gochujang wings, and, most lately, additional meaty filets.
Finest Vegan Jerky: Louisville Vegan Jerky Co.
Ten years after founder Stanley Chase III unintentionally overcooked his barbecue soy protein, this firm has quietly develop into the vegan king of jerky. And now, it has its first Veggie Award to show it.
Finest New Vegan Product: Past Rooster Tenders
When your vegan rooster tenders get picked up by KFC, you already know you’re doing one thing proper. And Veggie Award voters agree: Past Meat’s make-at-home model deserves this yr’s win.
Miyoko’s Creamery cheese wheels by Sarah Sloane
Finest Vegan Artisanal Vegan Cheese: Miyoko’s Creamery
Between elegant cashew cheese wheels, sturdy pub cheese spreads, and one-of-a-kind liquid mozzarella, this gone-mainstream vegan creamery is proving that something dairy can do, crops can do higher.
Finest Vegan Staple Vegan Cheese: Violife
Parmesan wedges for pasta evening, Mexican-style shreds for Taco Tuesday, and Mediterranean cheese blocks for weekend grilling—yep, there’s a Violife cheese for each delicacies and day of the week.
Finest Vegan Milk: Oatly
Six years after its US debut, this oat-based alt milk nonetheless reigns supreme. From a billion dollar IPO to a nationwide Starbucks launch, Oatly’s plant-based energy is proving to be oat of this world.
Finest Vegan Butter: Earth Steadiness
This buttery unfold first appeared on grocery retailer cabinets within the late ‘90s, and 24 years later, Veggie Award voters agree: this tub of vegan spreadable gold remains to be on everlasting rotation.
Finest Vegan Yogurt: Silk
Whether or not it’s basic soy, nutty almond, additional creamy oat, or coconut Greek, on the subject of yogurt, this dairy-free OG leaves no stone unturned (or foil lid unopened).
Ben & Jerry’s vegan ice cream by Sarah Sloane
Finest Vegan Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry’s
The flavour gurus at Ben & Jerry’s have churned out dairy-free pints since 2016. And with next-level mix-ins like fudge-covered waffle cones, salted caramel cores, and gooey marshmallow swirls, one factor is for certain: we’ve by no means met a Ben & Jerry’s pint we didn’t love.
Finest Vegan Cookie: Uncle Eddie’s
Don’t be fooled by the common-or-garden paper bag, these homestyle cookies from this family-owned bakery rival nearly any fresh-baked deal with made by Grandma … even the oatmeal raisin is to die for.
Finest Vegan Chocolate: Hu Kitchen
Chocoholics, unite! New York-based Hu Kitchen takes dwelling its first Veggie Award due to its indulgent bars in flavors like Hazelnut Espresso, Vanilla Crunch, and Cashew Butter Raspberry.
Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups by Sarah Sloane
Finest Vegan Sweet: Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
All of us rejoiced when these vegan peanut butter cups first hit retailer cabinets. And right this moment, we’re nonetheless in nut butter bliss due to additions like tremendous darkish chocolate, crispy quinoa, and espresso.
Finest Vegan Power Bar: Clif Bar
For 30 years, Clif Bar has been fueling high-octane exercises, leisurely hikes, and all the things in between—all with 20 completely different flavors and 0 animal merchandise. Discuss elevating the bar.
Finest Crispy Vegan Snack: HIPPEAS
What’s it about these chickpea puffs we simply can’t resist? Their airy-yet-crunchy texture, the large dose of plant protein, flavors like Sriracha Dawn and Vegan White Cheddar? Sure, sure, and sure—now go the bag.
Finest Unintentionally Vegan Snack: Oreo
Boasting flavors like apple cider doughnut, blueberry pie, and tiramisu, these six-time Veggie-Award-winning cookies hold us on our toes, and guarantee we at all times have a fridge stocked with oat milk.
Finest Vegan Protein Powder: Orgain
With new launches starting from a creamy oat milk protein powder to sport and keto formulations, Orgain is making certain we by no means get bored after we want a plant-based increase to gasoline our exercises.
Finest Vegan Meal Supply Service: Purple Carrot
Providing each readymade and cook-it-yourself kits, this all-vegan firm focuses on beautiful, chef-crafted dishes (Miso Carrot Cavatappi With Toasted Breadcrumbs & Gremolata! Tamarind Curry Noodles With Grilled Tofu!)—no reservations required.
Magnificence and Model
LUSH
Finest Vegan Pores and skin Care: LUSH
Specializing in on a regular basis elements like avocado, chamomile, and sesame, LUSH goals for transparency so you already know precisely what’s going in your pores and skin. Extra of the package-free, oat milk-lavender-shea butter cleanser, please!
Finest Vegan Lipstick: KVD Vegan Magnificence
You could know this line for its super-long-lasting, full-coverage basis that went viral on TikTok. But it surely’s the smudge-proof liquid lipstick in 18 shades that’s on VegNews readers’ lips—actually!
Finest Vegan Drugstore Model: e.l.f. Cosmetics
Stroll by way of any drugstore make-up aisle, and also you’re sure to seek out absolutely vegan magnificence treasures starting from hydrating concealers to glittery eyeshadows. Getting a magnificence counter beat whereas choosing up some vegan cheese puffs? We’re in!
Finest Vegan Haircare: Aveda
In 2020, cruelty-free haircare model Aveda introduced it could veganize all of its formulations. In 2022, its efforts have paid off: you’ve given the model’s shampoos, conditioners, and forehead serums an A plus.
Finest Vegan Make-up: Pacifica
What’s extra dependable than a 26-year-old vegan model that’s advanced with the traits and thrived in a sea of competitors? Nothing, which is why you’re loving Pacifica’s collagen-infused mascaras, light-as-air blushes, and versatile eyeshadows.
Finest Vegan Magnificence Subscription Field: Vegancuts
Because of this month-to-month subscription field, beauty-obsessed subscribers are shocked and delighted by expertly curated cosmetics, skincare, nail merchandise, candles, and extra, incomes Vegancuts its second consecutive Veggie Award.
Finest Vegan Sneakers: Dr. Martens
Ever since iconic leather-based shoe firm Dr. Martens launched a vegan assortment 11 years in the past, it’s been the discuss of the city—and now the Veggie Awards. If we might solely simply decide a method …
Finest Vegan Attire Model: Herbivore Clothes Co.
Proud vegans in every single place flip to message-wear model Herbivore Clothes Firm for colourful T-shirts (“Eat Like You Give a Rattling”), stickers, and even socks that present a delicate nudge to each onlooker.
Finest Vegan Style Label: Boyish
Los Angeles-based Boyish focuses solely on moral and sustainable practices to create timeless denims, attire, and jackets which might be pretty much as good for the planet as they make you’re feeling.
Finest Vegan Purses: Matt & Nat
From backpacks to duffels to totes, the collection of vegan leather-based items from Canada’s Matt & Nat is unmatched, a lot in order that it’s receiving its seventh Veggie Award.
PLACES
Finest Vegan Ice Cream Store: Whipped – City Dessert Lab
What’s higher than an oat milk soft-serve store within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis? A second location in Los Angeles! Search for this cult-favorite, Black-woman-owned dessert store’s drool-worthy cups and cones on each coasts this yr.
Finest Vegan Doughnut Store: Doe Donuts / Donut Pal (tie!)
Doe Donuts for creative specials like ranchy Nashville scorching jackfruit rooster? Or Donut Pal for reliable classics like its strawberries-and-whipped-cream-stuffed Strawberrylab? You stated each, and we agree.
Finest Vegan Bakery: Vegan Treats
Since 1998, this fan-favorite bakery has been giving numerous sweet-toothed vegans motive to trek to Bethlehem, PA. Fortunately, nationwide transport means everybody can take pleasure in its cannoli, cookies, and chocolate containers.
Finest Vegan Pizzeria: Screamer’s
Selection is the spice of life. And Brooklyn’s Screamer’s—with a menu starting from conventional Sicilian-style sq. pizzas to chimichurri-drizzled, carne asada-topped pies—is pizzalicious proof.
Finest Vegan Restaurant Chain: Veggie Grill
With 30 areas spanning California to Massachusetts—and a drool-worthy menu that includes blue cheese-topped steakhouse burgers, orange rooster bowls, and chocolate pudding trifles—it’s no surprise Veggie Award voters can’t get sufficient Veggie Grill.
Finest Vegan Burger Joint: Slutty Vegan
Pinky Cole’s empire has grown to a vegan cocktail bar, a cheesesteak eatery, and even a philanthropic basis. But it surely’s her burger joint slinging indulgent, messy grub that’s her crown jewel.
Finest Vegan-Pleasant Quick-Meals Spot: Chipotle
Chipotle’s plentiful plant choices—from vegan chorizo and tofu sofritas to yes-we’ll-pay-extra-for-it guacamole—all make the quick-stop burrito spot a godsend for VegNews readers.
Cena Vegan
Finest Vegan Taqueria: Cena Vegan
Totally loaded carnitas burritos, large pollo asado nacho boats, fluffy tortas full of birria, and crispy barbacoa tostadas—Los Angeles’ premier Mexican pop-up does all of it and takes the Finest Taqueria title due to it.
Finest Vegan Sushi: Past Sushi
Dumplings, bao, satay, and even nori tacos are only a few of Past Sushi’s tempting choices … past sushi. However on the subject of suave, prime quality rolls, this Manhattan chain can’t be beat.
Finest Vegan Soul Meals: Soiled Lettuce / Vegan Mob (tie!)
The Portland-California conflict involves a head in our first soul meals award. However one style of Lettuce’s golden fried rooster and the Mob’s brisket-mac-and-cheese burrito, and two crowns make whole sense.
Finest Vegan Wonderful-Eating Restaurant: Crossroads Kitchen
The place to go for A-list movie star sightings (the likes of Beyoncé and Joaquin Phoenix), all whereas consuming gorgeously plated vegan meals beneath the twinkling Hollywood stars? Chef Tal Ronnen’s Crossroads Kitchen, after all!
Finest Vegan Italian: Pura Vita
High-notch vegan Italian by means of Brooklyn by means of Rome within the coronary heart of West Hollywood? That’s what New York-born, Italian-trained chef Tara Punzone is serving up at Pura Vita—together with an ingenious avocado “egg” carbonara and a perfected vegan lasagna.
Finest Vegan Bar: charlie was a sinner.
If this Philadelphia bar’s intriguingly darkish and moody ambiance isn’t sufficient to lure you, its menu of vegan bites and world-class cocktails (the farro-infused bourbon, amaro, and absinthe Bullseye is a should) positively will.
Finest Informal Vegan Restaurant: Kale My Title
Pancakes and sausages, Venezuelan cheese sticks, and fried oyster mushrooms take heart stage at this brand-new Encino, CA restaurant co-owned by Veggie Award winner and “America’s Mother” Tabitha Brown.
Spicy Moon
Finest Vegan Asian: Spicy Moon
In case your palate favors fiery chili oil, smoky cumin, and tingling Szechuan peppercorn, then New York Metropolis’s Spicy Moon—and its tongue-numbingly good mapo tofu—is the place for you.
Finest Vegan Espresso Store: Timeless
Sure, the oat milk cortados and chocolate ganache mochas at this Bay Area establishment are divine. But it surely’s the vegan frittatas, cream cheese danishes, and chocolate truffles which have VegNews readers hooked.
Finest Vegan Grocery Retailer: Besties / Meals Battle (tie!)
No have to struggle, we are able to all be vegan besties! It’s one other tie between Los Angeles and Portland with each cities’ major vegan grocers nabbing this yr’s title.
Finest Vegan Metropolis: Los Angeles
From full-fledged PB&J eateries to Jap European bakery-cafés to real-life Fairly Patties—there’s one thing vegan for everybody within the City of Angels.
Individuals and Media
Individuals
Favourite Vegan Movie star: Tabitha Brown
Whether or not she’s starring in Showtime’s gritty drama The Chi or instructing life classes alongside a speaking avocado on her personal youngsters’s present, we’ll always remember this bona fide celeb-started as (and nonetheless is) a vegan famous person.
Favourite Vegan Activist: Greta Thunberg
Since 2018, this vegan Swedish teenager has taken the world by storm along with her local weather change activism and motivating speeches encouraging politicians and the general public alike to get severe in regards to the environmental disaster.
Favourite Vegan Athlete: Serena Williams
With 23 Grand Slam wins beneath her belt, it’s a significant deal that one of many best athletes of all time turns to plant-based meals to gasoline her dominance on the courtroom.
Favourite Vegan TikToker: @AlexisNikole
Maybe city forager Alexis Nikole Nelson’s 3.4 million followers aren’t really making foraged garlic mustard pesto and acorn boba alongside her, however one factor’s for certain: they’re all obsessed along with her encyclopedic nature data and infectious humor.
Favourite Vegan Instagrammer: @badassvegan
He could also be no-nonsense on the subject of his work as a public speaker, documentary director, and writer. However John Lewis’ Instagram feed full of make-you-think vegan movies and hilarious memes hold his 346,000 followers smiling.
Favourite Vegan YouTuber: Low-cost Lazy Vegan / Candy Potato Soul (tie!)
With a collective 1.5 million subscribers, these YouTube channels helmed by Rose Lee and Jenné Claiborne straddle the nutritious and indulgent line of Korean and Southern vegan meals.
Favourite Vegan Podcast: Brown Vegan
Launched to assist those that say “I might by no means go vegan,” this approachable podcast hosted by Monique Koch balances enjoyable vegan conversations with insightful skilled recommendations on all the things from meals to entrepreneurship to household.
Favourite Vegan Cookbook: The Korean Vegan Cookbook
When your storytelling is so compelling that you simply make each Korean delicacies and veganism really feel fully relatable to thousands and thousands, it’s no surprise your cookbook about each turns into a runaway success. Joanne Lee Molinaro’s debut title takes dwelling this yr’s win.
Learn our 2022 Veggie Awards characteristic within the Better of Vegan Concern, out there within the VegNews Store.
For extra vegan awards, learn:
VegNews Best of LA Awards
2021 Veggie Awards
2020 Veggie Awards