The BEST Vegan Products of 2023

[@TotallyForkable]

✨January 1 @ 2:30pm EST: join me on KZbin live for a chill chat and cooking sesh. Go to the "Community" tab of my channel www.youtube.com/@TotallyForkable/community to see the ingredients and recipe if you would like to cook along with me! ✨TOMORROW Friday December 29 @ 3pm EST come for a quick hang on KZbin live to help me test out my setup etc. Going to be making a snack after my skating session!

[@adiohead]

Congratulations to all the winners!

[@TotallyForkable]

😂🎉

[@TotallyForkable]

I ended up talking to the owner of Little Lad's on the phone and she clarified a few things: 1. the cheese is simply called "Cheddah Cheese." The person who made the comment called it "Bettah Cheddah" and that's what I've called it ever since. I would have sworn it was called that (it should be called that)😂 2. The ingredients are as follows: tahini, lemon, water, roasted red peppers, onion, garlic, nooch, salt. So I was wrong about the sun dried tomatoes 😂 Anyway I will definitely be attempting to recreate this!

[@TotallyForkable]

Very sadly, just today Curbside Comforts (the vegan comfort food restaurant I loved so much in Maine) announced they would be closing. I don't know about where you live, but in Connecticut there have been about 5 vegan restaurants to close down (and a few more that are seriously struggling) in the past year alone. I want to think this is more a reflection on the economy than a demand for vegan food in general. It's disheartening to see this happen meanwhile more and more Shake Shacks and Chik-Fil-As opening with lines around the block. Sickening on multiple levels. Support your local vegan restaurants if you can; they really need us 💚

[@KyouUkaru]

Same is happening here in Tampa/St Pete FL Traffic is slowing down a lot. Also not sure if it’s an economy thing, but we spoke to some business owners and they think the vegan demand was a fad. Which was very sad to hear. But who knows without looking at consumer spending data

[@RatsPicklesandMusic]

Agreed this is sad!! Me and my boyfriend just found a new small vegan restaurant near us and went there today!! The food was good I hope they get more traffic!

[@Dindonmasker]

@@KyouUkaru from what i see in my local supermarkets the vegan products are almost doubling every year but the only vegan restaurant near me closed recently.

[@lisalandry9346]

Thank you for putting this video together for us! I’m definitely going to check out the Trader Joe’s raviolis, and I made note of some of the other brands you mentioned. Great job on helping the animals, the planet, and our health! 💚💚💚

[@TotallyForkable]

Aww thank you for the sweet words, Lisa! & I hope you love the products! 😊

[@zoegeller3222]

Thank you so much for mentioning us!!! So glad you like our meals

[@TotallyForkable]

🤗🙏🏻

[@MichaelToub]

Great Video!

[@TotallyForkable]

Thank you; glad you enjoyed it!

[@DebraFlower]

Very informative!

[@TotallyForkable]

So glad!! 😊

[@jnada101]

I tried the Thrilling Foods bakon because of you! I buy it all the time

[@TotallyForkable]

OMG this makes me happy! So glad you like it!!

[@trumpet5654]

I agree with you on the trader Joe's ravioli and the credo cashew cheese! I live in Houston and I think I've seen Fire Ox, but have not tried it.

[@TotallyForkable]

Yes that would make sense since they’re in TX! Definitely some great products this (last) year 👏🏻

[@Hyanus]

Fun video .. thanks for all you do!! I have been eating Fire Ox for months,, delicious. Going out tomorrow for that ravioli. I’m going to put Pizza girl sauce on it which is now my favorite; it’s organic too!

[@TotallyForkable]

Awesome that you've been enjoying Fire Ox! I hope you love the ravioli 😋

[@HidingFromFate]

From this list of products, I've only encountered and tried the Vegan Spinach Cashew Ravioli from Trader Joe's. Love it. This one has become a regular purchase for me within the last year. Probably eat this pasta meal once every 4 to 6 weeks. I'll have to look into the, "broccoli rabe" vegetable (had to phonetically spell it out for the internet search and up popped, "rabe"). I may have purchased this once before, but then again, it may have been some other broccoli "adjacent" type vegetable instead.

[@TotallyForkable]

From the comments so far, it seems like the TJ's ravioli are really a standout! They are such a welcome addition to our meal rotation, and an unbelievable price considering they serve 2. I only started eating broccoli rabe a few years ago. I would say it's an acquired taste; it's slightly bitter, but I'm convinced there must be some nutrient in them my body craves because I can't get enough! Best to chop it into small-ish (1-2 inch) pieces and slice the stems in half lengthways. It cooks more evenly that way. I love cooking it with a ton of olive oil and garlic, then eating it with pasta!

[@HidingFromFate]

Thanks for the prep tips, I'll keep an eye out for this vegetable in future (and won't hold it against you if I don't like it, especially at first attempt). @@TotallyForkable

[@modest_meghan]

just ordered fire ox - it looks really good! thanks for the suggestions j

[@TotallyForkable]

I hope you like it!! 😊

[@carolinaochoa7900]

I totally agree with your opinion on sweeteners. Happy new year!

[@TotallyForkable]

It’s crazy right?! I assume most people must not mind them since they’re added to nearly everything these days. IMO it’s ruined too many good drinks 🤦🏻‍♀️ Happy New Year to you too!

[@DelusionalMoron]

I don't mind aspartame and sucralose can sometimes taste alright, but monk fruit and stevia taste vile. what is even worse is erythritol; it tastes fine, but gives a huge tummy ache and gas problems.

[@TotallyForkable]

Monk fruit, Stevia and Erythritol are added to e v e r y t h i n g these days 😤

[@carbrock.2854]

Loving the thumbnail. 👍

[@TotallyForkable]

So glad you like it! 🤩

[@RatsPicklesandMusic]

4:23 Heyyyy I work at a Wegmans in NJ! 😊

[@TotallyForkable]

That's awesome! You must have access to so much great vegan food 😊

[@RatsPicklesandMusic]

@@TotallyForkable I do I am lucky!! 😁

[@v_zach]

I'm with you on the Trader Joe's ravioli. Finding them was a highlight of 2023. I hope you get to try the Bolognese. I prefer that one, although I like them both and buy them both when I can.

[@TotallyForkable]

I agree; especially since they have taken some vegan products away it's encouraging to see more being added. Making them for dinner tonight 😋

[@tamcon72]

Loved this list of stuff. A little worried, now that you mention them, that the Wayfare company may be in peril, because I haven't seen their products anywhere here for over a year. Thanks for posting, and I wish you a pleasant New Year's Eve!

[@TotallyForkable]

So glad you liked the list! I have wondered about them too. The Wegman's I first saw their queso in no longer carries it, but they do have another Wayfare product (either butter or cream cheese). Looking at their website, they've recently launched yogurt and are now available in 2 major supermarkets "Hyvee" and "Jewel Osco", so that gives me hope they are expanding! I think next time we are in our local health food store I'm going to request they order the queso 😊

[@bgrune1]

I just saw you on Vegan of Course and subbed to your channel. Unfortunately I live in rural red-state California and most of these products are not available unless they show up at our local Grocery Outlet randomly. I'm excited to try them if I can find them.

[@TotallyForkable]

Thank you for subscribing!! And yes, that can be tough, but I've heard Grocery Outlet is great! Also sometimes you can find these items online, especially in delivery services like Hungryroot and maybe Thrive Market!

[@DelusionalMoron]

how is there no ice cream category. my favorite from 2023 was wicked kitchen's plain chocolate pint. it's surprisingly hard to find plain flavors of vegan ice cream (I think oatly are really the only ones who offer plain flavors). I also liked that it wasn't too sweet, just had a rich chocolate flavor. unfortunately, kroger stopped carrying it.

[@TotallyForkable]

That sounds really good! I've had ice cream categories in the past but like I said if I haven't tried anything new/noteworthy I just don't include the category. I also don't have a huge sweet tooth. That being said, I'd like to try some new ice creams in 2024!