Searches for high-protein foods have soared over the past decade, and only looks to keep growing. While a lot of this has been orientated towards drinks, snacks and desserts, the demand for meat is also steadily gaining traction. Lidl is tapping into this trend with a new range that combines British meat with pea protein – they claim that this will deliver at least 20 per cent more protein than traditional equivalents.
You may be – validly – thinking that meat is already naturally high in protein, but Lidl’s new hybrid range is designed to boost this content further, while keeping prices accessible, given these are often a barrier to shoppers. This range reflects the growing interest in functional hybrid products, which combine familiar meat with plant-based ingredients, so we expect to see similar launches on the horizon from this retailer.
Lidl already have an existing line of high-protein products, including their popular chocolate pudding, mousse and skyr yogurt, however this new hybrid range reflects a more pioneering step by incorporating plant-protein with meat. I expect they will especially resonate with health conscious shoppers who are embracing a flexitarian diet and wishing to maximise their protein intake without consuming a large amount of meat. The products launch nationwide on 18 September, with prices starting at £1.99.
What’s in Lidl’s high-protein range?
Leading the line-up are the high-protein Cumberland sausages (£1.99), which Lidl claim to contain up to a whopping 50 per cent more protein than standard versions, alongside some regular high-protein pork sausages which also cost £1.99. It will be interesting to see how these fair versus existing higher-priced products on the market, which also boast a high-protein or high-meat percentage, such as Heck’s range.
There are plenty more everyday family staples in the range. High-protein beef mince comes in both five per cent fat (£4.79) and 10 per cent fat (£3.99) versions, ready to use in chilli, bolognese, cottage pie or another of our easy mince recipes. If you’re trying to increase your protein intake without completely changing the way you cook, these are probably the most useful products to pick up.
For burger night, high-protein quarter pounders (£2.99) would do the trick, while high-protein meatballs (£2.79) are ideal for pairing with spaghetti & tomato sauce in a classic dinner favourite.
This launch comes as part of Lidl’s wider sustainability plans, including a commitment to increase plant-based options to 25 per cent of its total protein offering by 2030. The idea is that you don’t need to overhaul your diet to take part: swapping one everyday product for a hybrid alternative could be a simple starting point.
Whether you’re looking to add more protein to your meals, feed a hungry family or keep supermarket costs under control, Lidl’s new range looks to offer plenty of familiar options. I’ll be trying the Cumberland sausages first, but the mince looks like the most versatile buy. Given my only experience of pea protein so far is from a slightly mildewy tasting milk alternative, I’m hoping to broaden my horizons with this new innovative meat range.
For more cooking inspiration, check out our high-protein recipes and read our review of the best plant-based protein powders on the market.
