World's first vegan 'flank' steak made using 3D printing technology launches in UK supermarket

The world's first vegan 'flank' steak has landed in UK supermarkets next month, in an exciting moment for the plant-based community.

Yup, Ocado is stocking the pioneering brand Redefine Meat (which you might remember us taste testing a few months ago!).

The brand used 3D printing technology during its development process, meaning it's incredibly life-like.

Redefine Meat's 'flank' steak is available in Ocado (Credit: Redefine Meat)

The vegan 'flank' steak has been around for a while in select restaurants (about 4,000 around the world).

However, it's the first time people will be able to get their hands on it from the frozen department of a supermarket.

You'll be able to get it online via Ocado for a very reasonable £6, until 9th July.

After a promotional period, the price will go up to £8.

Whilst the vegan steaks were born via 3D printing, they are now produced using the same technology sans the printer.

This means dissecting the properties that make up a traditional cut of beef into three components – blood, fat and muscle – then melding them together to create a product promising to be more true to life than we’ve ever seen before.

We know what you’re thinking… it might not sound like every vegan’s cup of tea, to put it lightly.

But there is certainly demand for hyper-realistic meat, not only amongst those who eat plant-based, but also veggies and flexitarians who want to cut out meat products for health, environmental, or animal welfare arguments, but still miss a steak dinner. 

The steak is ultra realistic and made with 3D printing technology (Credit: Joanna Freedman for Twisted)

“There is a real desire, I think, for people to reduce their meat intake,” says Simon Owen, the UK head of Redefine Meat.

"The latest Cantar evidence says that 31 percent of people in the UK said they were looking to [cut] their meat consumption, and I think that is a trend that's just going to continue to grow.”

The proof is still to be in the pudding with Redefine Meat's sales, but if you're intrigued, you can read our full review of the steak here

Featured image: Getty/ Redefine Meat