Daring Foods launches plant-based steak bites at Publix
Daring Foods enters the beef category with Plant Steak Bites, a high-protein, clean-label product exclusive to Publix until 2027, targeting consumers amid record-high beef prices.
Daring Foods has launched its first plant-based steak bites in the US. The Plant Steak Bites are available exclusively at Publix stores, with wider retail distribution planned for 2027. This launch arrives as US beef prices hit a record of nearly $7 per pound in August and 57% of Americans say they are prioritizing protein this year.
Chris Coburn, CEO of the California-based plant-based meat maker, stated the company aims to provide better products that bring more people together. "Our ambition is to make great-tasting, convenient protein that fits into how people actually eat, and beef is where consumers have been most underserved," Coburn said. The expansion into beef comes despite a challenging market; plant-based meat sales fell 10% in US supermarkets last year, and Daring's own plant-based meals sales declined 12%.
Product details and nutritional profile
The new steak bites are gluten-free, non-GMO, and produced without seed oils. Daring highlights the product's short ingredient list, which features semi-defatted soy flour, avocado oil, yeast extract, natural flavours, and spices. Coburn noted, "It’s the shortest ingredient list of any plant-based steak bite on the US shelf."
Each serving provides a substantial amount of protein and fiber. The nutritional profile per 100 grams is as follows:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 141 |
| Protein | 15g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1g |
JJ Kass, Daring's vice president of sales, said the product is designed to give existing customers more variety and to introduce the brand to shoppers specifically seeking plant-based beef options.
Exclusive Publix distribution until 2027
Publix holds exclusive rights to sell the Plant Steak Bites until 2027. The Southeastern grocery chain operates more than 1,400 stores across eight states. Daring plans to extend distribution to other retailers in 2027. This exclusive launch follows Daring's acquisition by the Australian plant protein company v2food in August 2025, a deal done in partnership with Ajinomoto Co.
The steak bites are the latest in a series of product innovations from Daring over the past year. Three months after its acquisition, the company rolled out microwavable Diced and Shredded Plant Chicken at Walmart and Albertsons. It has also introduced six frozen Skillet Meals, with five sold exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market at launch. These skillet meals are designed to compete with any frozen meal, not only plant-based ones. The company has discontinued all dairy-containing products, making its entire range plant-based.
Daring describes itself as the number one unbreaded plant chicken brand in the US and is the fastest-growing of the top five brands in the frozen meatless category. The company now operates in more than 16,000 retail outlets nationwide, including major chains like Kroger and Whole Foods. Its recent activity also includes launching original and Cajun-flavoured chicken pieces in Australian Woolworths stores in May. The broader conversation around food is shifting, with GLP-1 medications influencing discussions about nutrient-dense meals and portion sizes. Daring plans to expand distribution to other retailers in 2027.
