Nandos has launched vegan chicken burgers in Australia

Afro-Portuguese restaurant chain Nandos has launched a plant-based ‘chicken’ burger.

The Great Pretender burger, made out of pea and wheat protein is now available at all 270 locations in Australia, following a successful trial in Queensland.

The chain is famous for its Piri Piri chicken and the meat style patty has been designed to imitate its taste and texture.

Mario Manabe, Nando’s Head of Food, described how the new menu item has been well received. He stated: “Sensory testing showed us that those who’d never eaten plant-based meat alternatives or were perhaps a bit hesitant to give ‘fake meat’ a go, really liked the Great Pretender and said they’d eat it again,”

Whilst the patty itself is fully plant-based, you’ll still need to replace the aioli with peri-peri chutney to make it vegan. All of the bread options in Nandos are suitable for vegans too, apart from the soft white roll.

Nandos is calling the new offering plant-based rather than vegan as it shares the same grill as the chicken. However, this is a great step in the right direction from such a meat heavy restaurant.

Article written by Martha Moody- United Kingdom