Nestlé launches new plant-based burgers and grounds in US, Switzerland
Nestlé is launching plant-based burgers and grounds, with ingredients and recipes customised to meet local tastes. All the products look and cook like raw beef and provide a “juicy, meat-like taste and texture”.
The launches come just days after Nestlé announced its ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, including by offering more plant-based food and beverages.
In the United States, Sweet Earth Foods has announced the launch of its newest products, the Awesome Burger and Awesome Grounds. Nestlé said both deliver on the taste and texture of beef with the environmental and nutritional benefits offered by plant-based proteins.
The Awesome Burger is made with yellow pea protein, resulting in a burger that is high in protein and fibre. Sweet Earth’s Awesome Grounds will provide the same plant-based protein in a ground version that allows flexibility to cook various meals and sides, such as meatballs and tacos. Acquired by Nestlé in 2017, Sweet Earth has more than 60 plant-based products in their portfolio.
In Switzerland, Nestlé is introducing its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger and the new Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince. The two add to the already expanding Garden Gourmet range in Switzerland, which also includes many ‘veggie-centric’ options.
The burger is made from soy and wheat protein and the mince from soy protein. Both contain natural plant extracts – beetroot, carrot, and bell pepper – and vegetable fats including chopped coconut oil.
The new Garden Gourmet Incredible Mince is just as versatile and juicy as ground beef. It is easily shapeable to create balls or skewers that can be seasoned to taste. It can also be crumbled up in a pan, for example to make a Bolognese sauce or ‘Chili Sin Carne’.
