The best trend since sliced bread
The idea of plant-forward sandwiches isn’t new, but it’s been experiencing significant growth and popularity in foodservice as consumers increasingly prioritize more healthful and sustainable dietary choices. This has led to new and exciting ways for operators to incorporate more plant-based sandwiches, wraps, and burgers onto menus to attract this growing plant-based crowd while still appealing to those customers who are simply looking for a great-tasting meal.
Of course, all of today’s hottest trends—including spicy flavors, global inspiration, convenience, and uniqueness—can be applied to the plant-forward handhelds category with similar success and customer appreciation. It can be as easy as replacing a popular item that uses meat with a versatile plant-based protein and your menu will appeal to more customers than ever before.
But, as always, what’s most important is delivering something that tastes great in a way that’s easy and convenient for your kitchen. That’s why Conagra Foodservice is happy to offer the products, insights and inspiration that make it easy to craft the irresistible sandwiches, burgers and wraps that today’s plant-forward customers are seeking out.
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Summer is a great time to revitalize your menu with plant-centric dishes and we have just the thing to help make it even better! Save big on our biggest brands and products from now until the end of August.
By the numbers
of consumers say they eat meatless meals at least once a week1
of consumers consider plant-based protein just as healthy as animal-based2
of the population limits their meat consumption in some way3
The quick dish
Creating a signature plant-forward sandwich may be closer than you think! You’re likely already stocking ingredients like tomato, onion, lettuce, peppers, pickles and avocados—the most common vegetables and fruits found on sandwiches.4 So, taking a closer look at both the short- and long-term growth of plant-forward “mains” can serve as a guide to finding the best fit for your menu—incorporating some on-trend ingredients, utilizing familiar staples you already have on hand and creating something new with minimal labor or back-of-house stress.
Brand focus
Conagra has popular brands and convenient products that make it easy for you to serve up the delicious dishes customers appreciate, featuring the plant-based menu offerings they demand.
Chef tips
Alternative proteins in sandwiches and wraps don’t have to be bland or boring; there are plenty of formats and flavors that are sure to spice up your offering. We invite you to explore these tips and tricks from the Conagra Foodservice team to help elevate your next plant-forward sandwich.
Take it to the streets. Global street foods are portable and easy to consume and can add a bit of adventure to menus. Try taking your next sandwich to the streets by sauteing up some Gardein® Plant-Based Be’f Strips in a blend of La Choy® Teriyaki Sauce and barbecue sauce, served up bánh-mì-style on a toasted baguette topped with pickled veggies.
Spice up their life. Today’s consumers love a more nuanced approach to spicy flavors, ranging from a mild kick to blazing hot. Why not show customers that, with the right seasoning, a plant-based sandwich can deliver the same delicious flavor as more traditional offerings using something like Gulden’s® Spicy Brown Mustard?
Wrap it up. Wraps are simple to prepare and can be easily adapted to all dayparts. Try an Udi’s® Gluten Free Tortilla stuffed with Gardein® Original Plant-Based Breakfast Saus’ge, eggs, cheese and avocado for a breakfast burrito, or use Gardein® Plant-Based Chick’n Strips tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce and wrap it up with cheese, lettuce and ranch for lunch.
Bring on the BBQ. Gardein® Plant-Based Be’f Tips are a great substitute for traditional meat when smoking. Use Earth Balance® Original Spread mixed with your BBQ sauce to create a wet rub. Smoke, shred and toss in more BBQ sauce and serve on a toasted bun with some coleslaw, Vlasic® Pickle Chips and crispy onions.
Bold flavors are big. Make your plant-based burger menu irresistible! Liven up your grilled Gardein® Plant-Based Veggie Burger with curry sauce and a spicy mango chutney. Or toss a Gardein® Plant-Based Black Bean Burger in a ginger and teriyaki glaze and top with miso caramelized onions.
Plant-forward sandwiches and wraps customers will look forward to
Conagra Foodservice products are designed to make it easy to embrace plant-forward sandwich trends with delicious recipes customers will come back for again and again.
Grilled Chick’n Lettuce Wraps
Tender Gardein® Plant-Based Chick’n Strips are marinated in a vibrant blend of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, curry, cumin, cilantro and ginger, grilled and wrapped up in crispy, fresh lettuce cups with peanuts, carrot, cucumber, La Choy® Asian-Style Crunchy Noodles and sides of Sweet Dipping Sauce (featuring La Choy® Sweet & Sour Sauce) and Peanut Sauce (made with La Choy® Soy Sauce). View Recipe
Farmer’s Chick’n Wrap
Start with corn fresh off the cob, grill it with onion and toss with RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and salt for a delightful roasted corn salsa. Wrap it up in a warm tortilla with fried Gardein® Ultimate Breaded Plant-Based Chick’n Tenders and a layer of fresh baby spinach for a plant-forward, on-the-go offering. View Recipe
Adobo Mojo Oyster Mushroom Cuban
Combine the vibrant Cuban flavors of adobo mojo with the meaty deliciousness of shredded king trumpet mushrooms placed atop marinated kohlrabi, covered in Swiss cheese and topped with Vlasic® Dill Pickle Chips and Gulden’s® Bold Yellow Mustard, all served on toasty, pressed French rolls. View Recipe
Gardein® Plant-Based Be’f Torta with Chimichurri Cauliflower Rice
Fill a bolillo roll with perfectly seared Gardein® Plant-Based Be’f Tips tossed in warm roasted red pepper sauce. Garnish with pickled red onions and serve with a side of unforgettable chimichurri-seasoned “rice,” made with caramelized Bird’s Eye® Riced Cauliflower. View Recipe
Operator spotlight
Whether they specialize in plant-forward offerings or are just expanding their menu, operators across the nation have had great success enticing new and old customers with handheld items that cater to diverse dietary desires.
Citizen Eatery, Austin You know you’ve got a winner when you can name a menu item simply the “Breakfast Sandwich”… a scrambled mung bean “egg” covered with vegetarian sausage crumbles, gravy, tomato and arugula on a maple-butter bun.
Burgerlords, Los Angeles The Heatseeker Burger brings a bit of heat and a lot of delicious with a house-made vegan patty, American cheese, serrano pepper slaw, pickled jalapeños, pimento cheese and garlic aioli.
Brasa, Minneapolis A great example of incorporating a plant-forward option to a meat-filled menu, the Yeah Vegan Sandwich starts with barbecue tofu and tops it with refried beans, ranch-dressed greens and tomato with a side of tortilla chips.
Chick-fil-A The national chain’s Cauliflower Sandwich has been successful among existing and curious customers alike. This plant-forward option is made from a whole cauliflower filet breaded in signature seasoning and served on a toasted buttery bun with two dill pickle chips, just like their original chicken sandwich.