Vegan foodies are getting all excited, as Greggs appears to be teasing that one of its fan-favourite pasties is making a comeback next month.
As any fan of the popular bakery will tell you, the Steak Bake is an absolute staple of the Greggs menu, and is undoubtedly one of the chain’s best-sellers, meaning it’s been a mainstay in stores for years on end now… but sadly, the same couldn’t be said about the plant-based alternative.
In case you don’t quite remember its release, or didn’t get a chance to try it the first time round, the Vegan Steak Bake is exactly what it says on the tin – a vegan version of the iconic Steak Bake.
First launched to mark Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – all the way back in 2020, the Vegan Steak Bake joined the chain’s popular, and still existing, Vegan Sausage Roll to form part of its growing meat-free lineup.
The Vegan Steak Bake was created to mirror some of the original pasty’s features, according to Greggs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Greggs has been teasing the return of the Vegan Steak Bake next month / Credit: Greggs
It featured thin layers of puff pastry, and a filling made with pieces of Quorn instead of beef, all mixed in with diced onions and a meat-free gravy.
While the bake seemed to be a hit with vegans, vegetarians, and those who just fancied a meat-free alternative to their day, it sadly didn’t stick around for too long, and a number of other plant-based options have been introduced in its place ever since – including the Vegan Sausage, Bean and CheeZe Melt, the Vegan Festive Bake, and more.
ADVERTISEMENT
But now, if the hints being dropped all over social media are anything to go by, it looks like it’s time for a Vegan Steak Bake comeback in 2024.
Greggs has been taking to Instagram Stories and X this week to reply to fans who have previously been devastated by the Vegan Steak Bake being discontinued, and have more or less confirmed to them that it won’t be long before they’ll get to tuck into one again.
The Vegan Steak Bake is [REDACTED] on [REDACTED] – hope that helps!
One fan wrote: “Don’t think I’ll ever forgive Greggs for removing the Vegan Steak Bake from their menu tbh”, to which Greggs responded: “What if we said sorry?”
ADVERTISEMENT
Another eager fan questioned: “When is the Vegan Steak Bake coming back?”, again, to which Greggs cryptically replied back on X: “The Vegan Steak Bake is [REDACTED] on [REDACTED] – hope that helps!”
Although there have been no details confirmed as of yet, a number of vegan foodie social media platforms – including Vegan Food UK – seem to believe it’ll be stocked on shelves from early January onwards.
And understandably, fans are absolutely made-up about it, with many calling it a “huge day” and some even saying their “prayers have been answered”.
The majority, however, do seem to wish it was the Vegan Sausage, Bean and CheeZe Melt returning instead though – with one fan commenting: “We want the sausage, bean and cheese back,” and another adding: “Vegan sausage, bean & cheeze is what needs to come back, not this,” and a third echoing the same thoughts: “WE WANT VEGAN SAUSAGE BEEN AND CHEESEEEE.”
“Never liked this one tbf,” one person even admitted.
However, despite fans weighing in, nothing has been confirmed about the Vegan Steak Bake’s comeback at this point, nor do we know how long the pasty will stick around for this time if – and when – it does eventually return.
An official announcement on the Vegan Steak Bake for 2024 is expected in due course.
Featured Image – Greggs
Trending
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Co-op Live has been named the number one arena in Europe following its debut year
Danny Jones
Despite a rocky opening month or so, Manchester’s Co-op Live made the ultimate instant recovery and has now been named the number one arena not just in the UK but all of Europe.
Manc music venues being best in class? Sounds about right.
Yes, even despite some obstacles, delays and early hiccups, Co-op Live‘s debut year as a live music and indoor entertainment venue has seen it beat out the likes of the long-established and iconic O2 in London to take the top spot.
The inaugural 12 months of the arena have not only seen it welcome all manner of music legends, as well as live sporting events such as the UFC and WWE, but the arena welcomed more visitors than any other venue across the continent during that time.
Names to have graced the industry-leading stage so far include Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks and Take That; Peter Kay, Elbow, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, and so many more.
Commenting on the successful start, Tim Leiweke (CEO and chairman of the Oak View Groupbehind the venue) said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
It’s fair to say we’ve had some truly unforgettable nights in there already – and that’s just in the last month alone. Case and point:
With a continued commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero’ status too, the venue’s carbon reduction technologies, solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting, not to mention the recently refreshed CityLink walking in partnership with the Climate Pledge, are all things we can be proud of.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, went on to add: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer – 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
Meanwhile, things are feeling less fortunate at the grassroots end of the spectrum, as the Music Venue Trust is imploring people to get behind a vulnerable Manc music institution.
Emily Sergeant -
29th December 2023 
