Nestlé releases vegan mince and updates Incredible Burger recipe

Nestlé has expanded its plant-based product portfolio in Europe with new Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince, alongside the introduction of a “meatier” Incredible Burger.

The Incredible Mince is said to be just as versatile and juicy as minced beef and can be crumbled up in a pan to make a plant-based Bolognese sauce.

Nestlé said that like the Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger, which went on sale earlier this year, the new vegan mince “looks and cooks like raw beef” due to its blend of protein from soy, natural plant extracts – beetroot, carrot and bell pepper – and vegetable fats.

The Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince will be available as of September in European countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Meanwhile, as a response to consumer feedback, Nestlé has also increased the juiciness and meat-like texture of its Incredible Burger.

In a statement, the company said: “The burger creates the experience of eating a beef burger using natural soy and wheat protein, colour from natural plant extracts, chopped coconut oil, and a proprietary method of fermenting plant-based ingredients to boost the ‘umami’ flavour of the burger.”

Wayne England, the head of Nestlé’s food business, said: “We’re pleased at the positive response to our Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger from a broad range of consumers. We have listened to their feedback and we have not sat still. This autumn we are launching a next generation that we are sure people will appreciate.

“As an extension to this exciting and fast-growing burger-led ‘cook from raw’ platform, we are proud to launch Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince. This is a really versatile ingredient that is a real winner in many dishes. We will continue to work hard to improve our Garden Gourmet offers and to bring new formats to the market.”

Earlier this year, Nestlé said it would roll out a plant-based burger in the US as of this autumn under the Sweet Earth brand. Called the Awesome Burger, the product aims to complement Sweet Earth’s existing veggie-centric burgers.