10 Best Plant-Based Foods at Walmart You’ll Actually Like

October 8, 2023

Clean Plates

For years, there’s been a stigma against plant-based foods. For some people who aren’t on a vegan diet, they see plant-based foods, which don’t contain any animal products, including meat, dairy and eggs, as being bland, weird and lacking when it comes to things like protein. While that may be true for some foods, it’s certainly not true for all. There are plenty of Walmart plant-based foods that are proving that stereotype incorrect. Not only are they delicious, but these Walmart plant-based foods are low in saturated fat, high in protein, and packed with nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet.

Whether you’re a full-fledged vegan, or just wanting to cut out some meat from your diet and looking for alternatives, there are plenty of tasty, nutritious options at Walmart. From flavor-filled veggie burgers, to filling burritos, there’s an abundance of Walmart plant-based foods that customers turn to time and time again.

1. Banza Pasta

A vast majority of dried pasta sold at grocery stores, including Walmart, is vegan-friendly, including Banza, a pasta made out of chickpeas, so it’s not only plant-based, but also gluten free. Banza pasta comes in several varieties at the department and grocery chain, including cavatappi, rotini and spaghetti. Customers love the plant-based pasta, because it’s an easy way to consume more fiber and protein, compared to traditionally-made pasta.

“I love Banza products, a chickpea-based pasta that’s a delicious and convenient way to boost your vegetable, fiber, and protein intake,” says Elieke Kerns, RD. “If you’re eating it for protein then simply eat some grains, nuts, or seeds at some point throughout the day to ensure you give your body all the protein building blocks.”

Banza doesn’t only make dried pasta — the brand also sells chickpea-based pizza crusts and rice.

2. Beyond Meat Beyond Burger

There are plenty of veggie burgers on the market, including at Walmart stores, which sell more than a dozen different varieties, but the Beyond Burger tends to stand apart. Customers attribute this to its similarity to real beef patties, which helps people who are transitioning to a plant-based diet, but still have cravings for meat.

“It’s a standout because it mimics the taste and texture of real beef patties, making it a crowd-pleaser,” says Chef Norah Clark, editor-in-chief of Boyd Hampers. “Beyond Meat’s attention to replicating the meaty experience sets it apart. While slightly more expensive than traditional burgers, it’s competitively priced among plant-based alternatives. It’s a good source of protein and is lower in saturated fat compared to beef.”

Beyond Burgers can be purchased in packs of two burgers, or packs of eight.

3. Oatly Oat Milk

When you’re on a plant-based diet, it’s not just meat products that you have to find substitutions for. Vegans also can not consume any dairy products, making it necessary for them to find a milk alternative for cooking, using in cereal and coffee, or just drinking. Walmart has several different alternative milk options, including almond milk and soy milk, but customers love Oatly Oat Milk for its taste, and its minimal ingredients.

“Plant-based milk is a staple for vegans and health-conscious consumers alike,” says Jakob Miller, a cook and founder of Barbecue Pals. “Oatly’s Oat Milk stands out due to its creamy consistency and natural sweetness. It’s perfect for coffee, cereal, or as a cooking substitute. What sets it apart is the purity of ingredients – just oats, water, and a pinch of salt.”

The oat milk has a five-star rating on Walmart’s website, and is sold online in a pack of three containers, or a bulk case of 12 containers.

4. Daiya Pizza

Typically, one of the hardest things for people to give up when they transition to a plant-based diet is pizza. While vegans can eat pizza without cheese, that’s pretty difficult to come by when shopping for frozen pizzas at Walmart. Conveniently, the store has a regular stock of Daiya frozen pizza, which is made with plant-based cheese, and serves as a great source of fiber.

“Daiya pizzas are known for their melty, cheesy goodness that satisfies pizza cravings,” Clark says. “Their stretchy, dairy-free cheese is a game-changer for vegan pizza lovers. While slightly more expensive than non-vegan frozen pizzas, they offer excellent value for a plant-based option. They often have less saturated fat and no cholesterol compared to dairy-based pizzas.”

5. Amy’s Kitchen Non-Dairy Burrito

For more than three decades, Amy’s Kitchen has been creating a whole host of vegetarian-friendly frozen meals and soups, and has developed some beloved items in the meantime, like the company’s non-dairy burrito. While Amy’s Kitchen has several frozen burritos that are sold at Walmart, the non-dairy burrito, which is made with pinto beans and brown rice, is one of the only entirely plant-based options.

“I love that this burrito includes pinto beans and brown rice, as well as some whole wheat flour in the tortilla, making it a balanced and fiber-rich meal,” says Stephanie Wells, RD and owner of Thyme to Go Vegan Nutrition Services.

Wells adds that if the burrito seems light for a meal, it can be paired with fruits or vegetables rich in Vitamin C, like strawberries or red bell peppers.

6. Love Corn

People on plant-based diets have a decent amount of flexibility when it comes to picking out crunchy and savory snacks, like potato chips, or popcorn without butter, but sometimes shoppers want to go for a healthier option, like Love Corn.

“[Love Corn] offers a great alternative to chips with a variety of crunchy flavors while providing a good source of whole grains and fiber,” says Erin Palinski, RD. “They contain no added sugar, are vegan and gluten-free.”

The plant-based snack also comes in a variety of flavors, including salt and vinegar, barbecue and habanero chili.

7. Tofurky Italian Sausage

It’s a recent phenomenon that plant-based meat substitutes have started to not only be healthier alternatives to eating meat, but have actually started to taste pretty good, too. While Walmart shoppers appreciate that Tofurky’s Italian sausage is lower in saturated fat, and a great source of protein, customers mostly buy it because of its flavor.

“These sausages have a savory, herby flavor that appeals to both vegans and non-vegans,” Clark says. “The blend of spices and herbs sets Tofurky apart from other vegan sausages.They provide a good amount of protein and are often lower in saturated fat than traditional sausages.”

Walmart also sells Tofurky-branded plant-based beer brats, as well as Tofurky plant-based deli slices.

8. Amy’s Kitchen Lentil Soup

You wouldn’t think that it would be tricky to find a plant-based soup, but sometimes it’s tougher than expected. Even if some brand-name soups don’t have chunks of meat in them, they can still contain chicken or beef broth. Conveniently, Amy’s Kitchen has dozens of soups that are guaranteed to be vegetarian-friendly, at the least, and most of them are entirely plant-based, including the brand’s lentil soup, a favorite among Walmart shoppers that follow a plant-based diet.

“Amy’s Kitchen offers a variety of flavorful vegan soups, with classics like their lentil and vegetable soup,” Clark says. “They focus on using high-quality ingredients, resulting in homemade taste. They are often lower in sodium and fat compared to many canned soups.”

9. Impossible Chicken Nuggets

There are plenty of reasons to eat plant-based meat substitutes. For someone who has transitioned to a plant-based diet from one where they previously ate meat, it’s a helpful way to stay on the new diet, while combating the craving for meat. Another perk of eating plant-based meat substitutes? They’re often a great source of protein, while typically being healthier for you than a meat alternative. Each serving of Impossible’s chicken nuggets contains 13 grams of protein, and up to 60% less saturated fat than other chicken nuggets made of actual chicken.

“Companies like Impossible Foods have revolutionized the plant-based meat industry,” says Daniel Craig, a chef and an editor at Kitchen Deets. “These products mimic the taste, texture, and juiciness of traditional meat, making them appealing to both vegans and omnivores. The prices are competitive, though they may be slightly higher than conventional meat. However, they often have lower saturated fat and higher fiber content.”

10. Justin’s Classic Almond Butter

For people on a plant-based diet, a big nutrition concern is what will they use as a source of protein? Many vegans get protein from nut butters. Both peanut butter and almond butter are great sources of plant-based protein, but it’s important to also be aware of how much excess sugar and sodium is in nut butter.

“Unlike some other almond butters, which can add large amounts of added sugars, preservatives, and sodium, Justin’s Classic Almond Butter contains just two simple ingredients: almonds and oil, so you can get the nutrition you want without any ingredients you don’t want,” says Palinski. “One serving is six grams of plant-based protein.”

Another perk of Justin’s Almond Butter? The brand comes in several different flavors, including cinnamon, vanilla and maple. If you’re not a fan of almonds, the brand also sells peanut butter and hazelnut butter, both in several different flavors.