What’s Cooking in 2025? PETA Names the Hottest Vegan Food Trends to Watch
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating another year of exciting growth in the vegan food world. From AI innovations to celebrity collaborations, there’s a lot to look forward to in the future. So, what’s next now that you don’t have to pay extra for vegan milk in your Starbucks latte?
Well, here’s what we think 2025 will bring:
Plant Protein Is King—Without the Powder?
Yes, the protein craze might be a little out of hand (because you don’t need as much protein as you might think), but upping your intake a little can keep you feeling fuller for longer, especially if you’re lifting weights regularly or trying to lose fat. So, we don’t think this trend will go anywhere soon. But people will be figuring out more ways to add vegan proteins to their everyday favorites without using protein powder. We expect more products like The Better Bagel (or try this at-home version using vital wheat gluten), Kite Hill’s Greek yogurt, and Lenny and Larry’s Fitzels.
Taking ‘Clean Eating’ to the Next Level
Concerns about gut health have prompted the rise of “clean eating” in recent years—minimally processed meals focusing on whole foods. We’re predicting a more literal interpretation of this movement due to the recent outbreaks of E. coli, listeria, and salmonella in meat, eggs, and dairy. Ditching these foods is the best way to protect your health, so we’ll see more people choosing whole-food vegan options instead.
Back-to-Basics Vegan Staples
Since many Americans are feeling increasing financial pressures, they’ll want to keep things simple and inexpensive regarding food. That might make them choose the budget-friendly vegan basics more often—things like lentils, dried beans, potatoes, and tofu. One money-conscious tip: You can shop for many of your favorite vegan foods at a discount at Grocery Outlet, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, or Dollar Tree.
Shelf-Stable Snacking
We’re talking easy foods you can grab on the go that won’t go bad in your fridge—this means less time worrying about food waste. You can also stock these items in the car or throw one in your bag so you (or your kids) won’t get hangry. Vegan jerky is a great savory option, like the Black Pepper & Sea Salt variety from All Y’alls Foods. For sweet snackin’, we love Bobo’s oat bars—especially the Maple Pecan flavor. And for something closer to a meal, Fillo’s Walking Tamales get the job done.
A New Wave of Vegan Dairy
The bird flu virus was already detected in raw milk sold in California, and pasteurization and ultra-pasteurization processes aren’t always effective at eliminating viruses—so the only way to ensure that you aren’t eating infected flesh or secretions is not to eat them at all. As more people move away from dirty dairy, the demand for vegan, dairy-free products will naturally increase. We love options like Country Crock’s Plant Cream and Silk’s Cold Foam, and we’re looking forward to having even more options in 2025.
Asian-Inspired Snacks and Quick Foods
When we went to Expo West, we saw many brands with vegan versions of some of our favorite Asian foods that you can eat on the go or whip up quickly. Things like the viral Trader Joe’s kimbap, Sobo Foods’ vegan pork dumplings, UNLIMEAT’s Bulgogi Jumukbap,and immi’s instant ramen are all quick, delicious items that are packed with flavor and inspired by Chinese, Japanese, or Korean cuisine.
Make the new year one to remember by going vegan. When you do, you’ll spare the lives of many animals, help fight the climate catastrophe, and improve your health. Start the year strong by taking our 3-Week Vegan Challenge:
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