Is Tandoori Chicken Samosas Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product like Tandoori Chicken Samosas for a vegan diet, we must look beyond the main protein source. While the presence of cooked chicken is the most obvious disqualifier, the supporting ingredients also present issues for strict vegans.

The filling contains a yogurt mixture derived from skim milk, skim milk powder, and pasturized cream. These are standard dairy ingredients used to provide the creamy texture and tangy flavor characteristic of Tandoori marinades. For anyone avoiding animal cruelty or lactose, these are strict no-gos.

Even if the meat and dairy were removed, the pastry shell poses a challenge. The crust is made from unbleached enriched wheat flour. While wheat is a plant, strict vegans often avoid gluten due to personal preference or dietary restrictions, though it is technically a plant product. Furthermore, the ingredient list includes natural flavors. In the food industry, 'natural flavors' can sometimes be derived from animal sources, though in savory snacks like this, they are often plant-derived. However, combined with the chicken and dairy, the product is firmly non-vegan.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these samosas are a calorie-dense snack. The combination of expeller pressed canola oil in the filling and the fried nature of the pastry contributes to a higher fat content. While canola oil is heart-healthier than some saturated fats, the overall caloric load is significant for a small appetizer.

There is also a notable amount of added sugar. Ingredients like dextrose, dextrin, and cane sugar are used to balance the spicy Tandoori flavors. This spikes the carbohydrate count, making it less ideal for low-carb or keto diets. However, it does provide a quick source of energy. The protein content is decent due to the chicken, but the sodium levels are likely high due to the salt, tomato paste, and vinegar used in the marinade.