Greggs launches vegan steak bakes today and they cost £1.55
GREGGS has finally launched its vegan steak bake and the new snack is hitting shelves TODAY.
The bakery chain says the £1.55 meat-free and dairy-free version of its iconic bake has been created to mirror the original - but it does cost more.
Instead of steak, the bake is filled with Quorn pieces, diced onion and a vegan-friendly gravy.
Like Greggs' other treats, the filling is tucked inside 96-layer puff pastry that doesn't contain butter or eggs - but a key difference is that it hasn't been glazed.
Greggs pastries usually have a glaze made from milk powder, which wouldn't be suitable for dairy-free vegans.
The gravy used in the bake is also made from vegan steak seasoning, onion powder, spice extracts, vegan friendly flavourings and water.
What does the vegan steak bake taste like?
THE Sun reporter Levi Winchester gives her verdict on Greggs' vegan steak bake.
"I've been a vegetarian for two years so I can remember what a traditional steak bake tastes like - and Greggs' vegan version has a lot to live up to.
"It arrived at The Sun HQ this lunchtime in a fancy yellow box with its very own video message inside, obviously.
"The first thing you notice is the difference in the pastry compared to the meat version.
"The slits along the bake are vertical, as opposed to horizontal. The base is also paler and lacks the shine of the original due to not being glazed.
"But still, it's yummy and to be honest, tastes like regular Greggs pastry albeit a little less crispy.
"On to the filling: I was expecting large chunks of Quorn but actually, the no-meat mince used is pretty mushy.
"The gravy is delicious though and I think even meat-eaters would be fooled into thinking they're eating a steak sauce.
"My verdict: vegans and vegetarians will love this. The taste is flavourful but I think the texture of the Quorn mince might be off-putting for some meat-eaters."
Priced at £1.55, the vegan steak bake costs 5p more than its meat alternative, which is priced at £1.50 - although prices do vary by store.
If you already can't wait to try it, the new pastry will be available in 1,300 shops from today before being rolled out into a further 700 stores on January 16.
To find one near you, Greggs has handily launched a so you can see if your local store is serving them. This goes live from 10am today.
The vegan steak bake is also slightly better for you if you're watching your weight.
The meat-free option contains 380 calories compared to the 408 calories in a classic steak bake.
Greggs will no doubt be hoping to replicate the success of its vegan sausage roll, which launched in January 2019.
The bakery chain has been teasing another vegan product for months now, with rumours hitting a peak this week after a label for the meat-free steak bake was spotted in one store.
It comes after chief executive Roger Whiteside said Greggs is trying to create vegan options for all of its best-selling pastries.
Last month, Greggs also took to Twitter to ask customers which vegan products they'd like to see next.
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