After much deliberation and an extended period of testing, Taco Bell is finally taking a dip into the meat-less, plant-based arena.
In a collaborative effort with Beyond Meat, the vegan brand that has been making the rounds everywhere from KFC to Kevin Hart partnerships – the Beyond Carne Asada Steak is hitting the taco-covered deck.
Starting on October 13th, the plant-based steak will be tried in 50 markets located in the Dayton, Ohio area but only for a limited time. If tests prove enthusiastic in these markets, Taco Bell customers can expect a larger roll-out nation-wide at a later date.
This is far from the first time that a plant-based protein will be added to the menu of a brand. Fast food restaurants have been having wildly varying results in their efforts to place a plant-based protein on their menus.
McDonalds tested the McPlant last year in a very limited test market and KFC had the Beyond Fried Chicken.
The McPlant boasted a burger type patty made from peas, rice, and potatoes. Testers had hoped that the creation would bear a close resemblance to that of the texture of a real beef patty.
But judging from their decision to conclude testing on the McPlant, stating that they had “no intentions to re-launch”…feedback must have been dismal.
Burger King also added several plant-based items back in 2020 and only, The Impossible Burger remains.
Burger King’s last-standing admission into the meatless burger world, has enjoyed a fair amount of success and has stayed on the forefront as the foremost recognizable, plant-based burger out right now.
They had the Impossible Croissan’wich launch at the same time but it was discontinued with no further plans to put it back on the menu.
Some might say that Taco Bell has been sitting back, taking notes on the successes and failures of their competitors dalliances into the plant-based world, to gain knowledge before they climb aboard the Plant Express.
“We didn’t want to be a sea amongst the same. We wanted to do something disruptive and different that no one else had done before.” Missy Schaaphok, Taco Bell’s Director of Global Nutrition & Sustainability, told Yahoo Finance in an interview.
In a press release obtained by The Takeout, Taco Bell announced their first plant-based meat, “Beyond Carne Asada Steak” which can be added to any taco, burrito, quesadilla, what-have-you – anything on the menu that implements steak, would have the ability to be replaced with the meat-less option.
“Designed to specifically complement the bold, savory flavors that Taco Bell is known for, Beyond Carne Asada Steak delivers the flavorful, delicious taste and texture of marinated, grilled steak with the added benefits of plant-based meat,” Dariush Ajami, Beyond Meat’s Chief Innovation Officer, says in the press release.”
Taco Bell’s efforts to produce the Beyond Carne Asada Steak took about two years to get right with many versions needed to nail the proper texture and taste.
There won’t be a “plant-based” upcharge like other brands have implemented. The price of the Beyond Steak will cost the same as the regular steak option.
The Beyond Carne Asada Steak sounds like it might have what it takes to make it – barring it doesn’t arrive with the same soft sputter of it’s plant-based contemporaries.
And if it doesn’t make the splash Taco Bell is hoping for, that could be enough to send it slinking back to the kitchen
.
Related Reads
