When the team at Millennial Marbles got in touch to ask if we would test their plant-based beef steak and share our thoughts, we were more than happy to jump in. Over the last few months, we have watched the hype build online as influencers present this product in all sorts of creative ways.
As ethical vegans running a plant-based food business, our fundamental goal is to make plant-based eating appealing, accessible and convincing to meat-eaters. Every brand that enters this space and pushes for innovation deserves genuine encouragement. When plant-based alternatives succeed, fewer animals are harmed, and that is a vision we fully stand behind.
Because we care deeply about this movement, we believe in giving transparent, constructive feedback rather than empty praise. Being honest is not about being harsh. It is about holding high-end products to the standard needed to win over dedicated meat-eaters.
The Vision vs. The Luxury Claim
We genuinely applaud what Millennial Marbles is setting out to achieve. Developing a whole-cut alternative with non-GMO soy, a complete essential amino acid profile and no cholesterol takes serious effort and investment.
However, marketing it as “plant-based Wagyu” sets the bar exceptionally high. For meat-eaters, Wagyu represents an elite tier of dining, known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture. Having been vegan for 12 years, that is not something we have experienced ourselves, but that standard is well understood throughout the industry.
When a brand positions itself at that level, the expectations are enormous. To put it simply, claiming to be plant-based Wagyu is like claiming to be the plant-based Elvis Presley. Looking the part on social media is a great start, but you also have to sing and dance like him when the spotlight turns on.
In the Kitchen
Their preparation guidelines suggest cooking with a blowtorch or over an open-flame grill. While that might work in a specialist setup, it is not particularly practical for the average home cook or a standard kitchen. Pan-frying is the go-to method for most people, so that is how we put it to the test.
To give the product the fairest possible run, we kept it simple with vegan butter, salt and pepper. We deliberately skipped garlic, fresh herbs and heavy sauces because we wanted to taste the product itself without anything masking it.
Flavour
On the flavour front, Millennial Marbles has done good work. It offers a pleasant, savoury base with real promise, and it was easy to pan-fry.
Texture
This is where it fell short for us. It was quite chewy and didn’t hold its structure as well as we’d hoped. The team have told us thicker cuts hold together better, and they’re developing longer, better-connected fibres for a more natural pull-apart texture. They say the improvements are nearly complete and have offered to send us the updated version for another honest review, which we’re really looking forward to.
Like several whole-cut alternatives currently on the market, it also loses heat quickly once plated.
How It Compares
Looking at other alternatives available in the UK, Juicy Marbles delivers great flavour and an enjoyable texture, even if it tends to pull apart and can be a bit trickier to handle. Redefine Meat also has an incredible flavour, but we no longer work with that product for ethical reasons. Millennial Marbles was straightforward to cook, but for a luxury price point, it isn’t there yet.
Moving Forward
We want Millennial Marbles to succeed, and we fully support their mission to expand animal-free choices. They have built a solid foundation with their flavour and nutritional profile, and it is encouraging to see a brand that listens to feedback and is already working on improvements.
Sort out the texture, and this could be something special. We’re rooting for them, and we’ll be back with an honest review of the updated version as soon as we’ve tried it.