Every January, millions of people around the world take on the Veganuary challenge—a month dedicated to trying a vegan lifestyle. It’s more than just a personal test; it’s a global movement aimed at exploring the benefits of veganism from health, ethical, and environmental perspectives. Veganuary offers a fresh, low-commitment way to step into vegan living for anyone seeking a meaningful new challenge.

How Did Veganuary Start?

Veganuary began in 2014 in the UK, with a small group on a mission to inspire people to try veganism for 31 days. Starting in January—when many are setting goals and resolutions for the new year—Veganuary quickly grew into an international movement. Today, people worldwide join in, inspired by the positive impact a plant-based diet can have on health, the planet, and animals.

A Worldwide Movement with British Roots

One of the joys of Veganuary is its global community. From social media challenges to restaurant specials, Veganuary brings people together to celebrate plant-based eating. Many food chains, cafes, and restaurants roll out unique vegan options, from plant-based Benedicts to veganized comfort foods that will surprise even the biggest sceptics.

British Humour and Veganuary

Veganuary wouldn’t be complete without a bit of British humour! People share their Veganuary stories on social media, from hiding tofu in family dinners to misadventures with homemade almond cheese. A sense of humour makes the challenge feel lighter and keeps it fun.

Veganuary’s Culinary Revolution

Veganuary has made waves in the culinary world, with top chefs and restaurants introducing more vegan dishes and creative recipes. You can now find everything from vegan sushi to meatless tacos and hearty vegan stews—showing that plant-based eating can be as gourmet as you’d like it to be.

Why Try Veganuary?

There are plenty of reasons to give Veganuary a go, all of which make it a win-win experience. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, reduce your environmental footprint, or just try new foods, this challenge opens the door to a whole new world of possibilities.

• Health Benefits
  Eating plant-based is a great way to fuel your body with nutrients while cutting out cholesterol and reducing saturated fats. Research shows that a balanced vegan diet can help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. Think of it as replacing meat with more fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants from colorful vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes.
• Positive Environmental Impact
  Our food choices have a big impact on the environment, and the animal agriculture industry is one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Trying Veganuary allows you to make a personal contribution towards reducing these impacts – basically, you’re saving the planet, one plate at a time.
• Compassion for Animals
  Veganism is also about making conscious choices that show compassion for animals. Veganuary is a chance to explore plant-based eating without any animal exploitation. For one month, see steak as more than just dinner—it’s part of a broader respect for all living beings.

Getting Started with Veganuary

Plan Ahead!

Start by planning your meals and grocery list, finding a few interesting vegan recipes to try, and learning about essential nutrients. A little preparation goes a long way in making Veganuary both tasty and manageable.

• Focus on Protein
  Protein is essential, and a vegan diet offers plenty of delicious sources like lentils, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, and seitan. These ingredients form the base of filling, satisfying meals.

• Eat the Rainbow
  The more colorful your plate, the more nutrients you’re getting! Include a mix of vibrant veggies and fruits for a well-rounded meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

• Keep Experimenting
  Trying new foods can feel challenging, but don’t be discouraged! Cashews can turn into a creamy sauce, and nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavour without dairy. Play around and see what you like!

Must-Have Vegan Products for Veganuary

The market is filled with vegan products that make plant-based eating more enjoyable:

• Plant-based Milks: From almond to oat, dairy-free milks are perfect for your coffee, cereal and cooking.
• Cashew and Coconut-based Cheeses: Great for melting on pizza or adding a creamy texture to dishes.
• Dairy-free Ice cream: These vegan ice creams are creamy and just as satisfying as the classics.

Try Redefine Meat for a Meatier Veganuary

If you’re looking for a truly meaty experience, Redefine Meat’s range of plant-powered options, like their flank steaks and pulled pork, offers a deliciously authentic taste and texture. Crafted to appeal to both vegans and meat-lovers, these new-meat* alternatives are a great way to bring the bold flavours of traditional dishes to your Veganuary journey.

Redefine Meat’s New-Meat Range:

Our portfolio includes versatile offerings across various protein and product types- mince, pulled, and premium cuts of beef, pork, and lamb. With such a versatile range, our products make it easy to create delicious meals that fit your lifestyle, letting you enjoy a flavour-packed Veganuary without compromise.

You can find us at top retailers across Europe like Ocado, Albert Heijn, CrispNL, Jumbo, Vormar, PLUS, Monoprix, Velivery, Knuspr,  gurkerl and Coop across Europe.

Veganuary Recipes

Sometimes, taking on the Veganuary challenge means swapping your regular recipes for some vegan ones. It’s an easy switch to make, and here is some mouthwatering inspiration to make the transition smoother and get your creative juices flowing.

Stuffed Vegetables:

There’s no need to miss out on your favourite meals when participating in Veganuary. Redefine Beef Mince is the star of the show in this stuffed vegetable recipe (well, alongside the mix of vegetables, spices, and herbs). It’s a nutritious, protein-rich, and delicious recipe that makes for the perfect crowd-pleasing dinner.

New-Meat Burritos:

Burritos are perfect for dipping your toe into the Veganuary water because they’re super easy to turn plant-based. Simply swap out the traditional chicken or beef for Redefine Beef Mince and black beans, and for the rest you can either stick to your favourites or follow this recipe for inspiration.

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese New-meat:

Before you begin this recipe, make sure to check that the pasta is egg-free. After that, you’re good to go for this Veganuary comfort food classic. Given that Veganuary – vegan January – coincides with the coldest depths of winter, there’s nothing more warming than a hearty bowl of Bolognese. If you’re looking to go down the authentic route, ditch the spaghetti for Tagliatelle like the Bologna locals do.

Ramen:

In a similar vein to the pasta above, make sure to check that the noodles you use for your ramen are not egg-noodles. Then, take it away with this winter flavour explosion. Each mouthful is guaranteed to bring you so much flavour that it makes for the perfect transition from a traditional meat diet to a vegan one.

Shawarma:

The classic flavour combination of garlic, cumin, tahini, and lamb are brought together in this lamb shawarma dish made with Redefine Lamb Flank. A refreshing chopped salad accompanies the other wise rich components to create a well-balanced meal that will satisfy your Veganuary palette.

Veganuary Menu

Veganuary is a fantastic opportunity for restaurants to shake up their menus with plant-based dishes that make the transition from a meat-eating lifestyle to a plant-based diet simpler – especially since many Veganuary participants are in a trial phase. New-meat is the perfect solution, offering the chance to recreate everyone’s burger, mince, sausage or steak dishes, all without compromising on the authentic meaty taste and texture people love.

A great idea for a Veganuary menu could include offering a plant-based dish of the month or creating a special menu to attract those participating in the campaign. Promoting these new dishes through targeted social media ads can help generate buzz and draw in customers eager to try plant-based options, whether from a new restaurant or a long-time favourite.

Taking Veganuary Beyond January

Many people wonder, “What happens in February?” The answer is up to you! Some find they miss the flavours and continue with plant-based meals, while others adopt “flexitarian” eating—focusing mainly on plants but allowing some flexibility.

Veganuary: A Meaningful Challenge

Veganuary is more than a month-long diet; it’s a chance to connect, explore new flavours, and be part of a community united by compassion, health, and sustainability. Whether you go fully vegan or just try it for the month, Veganuary is an empowering experience, showing that small changes can make a big impact.

So go ahead—grab those veggies, heat up the pan, and cook up a new-meat burger or steak. It’s only a month, so what do you have to lose?

FAQs

1. What is Veganuary, and why is it celebrated in January?
   Veganuary is a global campaign encouraging people to try a vegan lifestyle during January. It aligns with the season of resolutions, offering an inspiring way to kick off the year with healthier, more sustainable, and compassionate choices.
2. How can Redefine Meat enhance my Veganuary experience
   Redefine Meat’s new-meat range is designed to provide the bold flavours and textures of traditional meat, making it easy and delicious to enjoy plant-based versions of your favourite dishes throughout Veganuary.
3. What are the environmental benefits of trying Veganuary?
   By reducing reliance on animal agriculture, participating in Veganuary helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and reduce deforestation—all while supporting a healthier planet.
4.  Can I enjoy Veganuary if I’m new to vegan cooking?
   Absolutely! Veganuary is the perfect time to explore creative and simple recipes. Redefine Meat products make it easy to cook familiar meals—like bolognese, shawarma, or burritos—while keeping the process approachable for beginners.
5. How to create a menu for Veganuary?
   Creating a menu for Veganuary could involve either adding new plant-based dishes to your menu, highlighting your pre-existing plant-based dishes in a dedicated section, or creating plant-based versions of your most popular traditional meat dishes. You can use new-meat to create the perfect Veganuary menu.
6. What happens after Veganuary?
   Many people continue incorporating plant-based meals into their diets, adopting a “flexitarian” approach or transitioning fully to veganism. Veganuary is just the start of discovering how small changes can make a big impact.