From signature grain- and produce-centric menu specialties to plant proteins and entire plant-based menu concepts, eating more plant foods is becoming a mainstream trend. Rather than developing items that are designed just for vegetarians or vegans, creative menumakers are adding vegetable- and plant-focused signature dishes throughout the menu, to appeal to all diners, including those who typically enjoy meat. The focus is on adding variety, flavor, and value with fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and other plant foods while giving animal proteins and carbs a smaller role.
The plant-based trend has also hit the beverage side of the menu—good news for consumers and operators alike. You’ve heard of farm-to-table; now consider garden-to-glass, where fruits and vegetables are highlighted in beverages. They speak to freshness and seasonality, and they’re particularly appealing to Millennials and health-conscious consumers.
Coronavirus has also accelerated demand for plant-based menu items, especially “meats” such as burgers. With more customers interested in flexitarian lifestyles anyway, pandemic-related supply chain problems and rising meat prices caused rising interest in plant-based alternatives.
Today’s plant-based meat alternatives are flavorful, satisfying menu options that just happen to be free of animal products. From new burgers and other ground-meat alternatives such as sausage, to bacon and ham substitutes, to a nascent list of poultry and fish/seafood analogs, plant-based proteins are garnering a lot of attention. Menu-ready plant-based items like burritos, pizza, breakfast sandwiches, and bowls are also popular.
Some tips for adding plant-based meat alternatives include:
Check out our plant-forward recipes plus more menu inspiration in the following pages.
Plant-Forward Articles
Add Craveability to Plant-Based Cooking Blend Global Flavors Into Plant-Based Cooking There’s More to Protein Than Meat Feeding the Future with Plant-Based Proteins 10 Ways to Make Plants Part of the Beverage Menu Keep Your Menu Current: Include Plant-Based Beverages Adapt to Today’s Demand for Plant-Based and Flexitarian Menus Menuing More Plants: Regional Italian Style Menu More Plants: Asian Inspirations Vegetarians Deserve Good Sauces, Serve These Vegan Cuisine Soaring in Popularity
Plant-Forward Recipes: Food
Buddha Bowl with Roasted Root Vegetables and Spelt Grilled Cauliflower Steak with Pesto Mediterranean Falafel Baked Zucchini, Gluten Free* Broccoli Gratin and Dijon Mustard Tarts Black-Eyed Pea Cakes Green Shakshuka Eggplant Steaks with Pesto Yogurt and 'Steak' Sauce Cauli-fredo Chowder Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Vegetable Medley White Cheddar and Brussels Sprout Quinotto Grilled Asparagus Bruschetta
Plant-Forward Recipes: Beverage
Passion Fruit Iced Tea Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Citrus Tea Watermelon Mint Lemonade Cocktail Hibiscus Passion Tea Sangria Berry Lemonade Breeze Orange Ancho Margarita Peach Ginger Tea Cocktail Bloody Ginger
Plant-Based Product Brochures: Sweet Earth
Sweet Earth foods and plant-based products help foodservice professionals attract flexitarian customers who want plant-based proteins and meat substitutes.
Awesome Burger product brochure
Awesome Grounds product brochure
Mindful Chik'n product brochure
Product Brochures: Stouffer's
Stouffer's Awesome Lasagna: premium ingredients come together in a classic scratch-style recipe that offers the added appeal of plant-based protein
Up your meatless game with Stouffer's Tuscan-Style Vegetable Lasagna
Infographic: 5 Reasons the Current Environment is Accelerating Plant Based Adoption
Video Recipes Featuring Sweet Earth Products
Awesome Burger builds plant powered by Sweet Earth
Stir Fried Chik'n Wok plant powered by Sweet Earth
Awesome Kofta plant powered by Sweet Earth
Poha Curried Flattened Rice plant powered by Sweet Earth
Chik'n & Dumplings plant powered by Sweet Earth
Waldorf Chik'n Salad plant powered by Sweet Earth
