White Castle adds veggie burger to menu as plant-based eating grows

Vegetarians have a new reason to celebrate: White Castle has added a permanent meat-free option to its menu.On Monday, the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the launch of the Southwest Veggie Slider, featuring a crispy brown rice crust and a smoky chipotle- and barbecue-inspired veggie patty made with sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, onions and carrots.The new slider is served on White Castle’s signature bun and topped with jalapeño cheese, though customers can substitute American or cheddar cheese if they prefer.The latest addition comes as the number of plant-based eaters continues to grow nationwide. Recent surveys suggest that Americans who identify as vegetarian or vegan now account for at least 6% of the population, with some estimates placing the figure at 10-15%.“Our Cravers have been pretty vocal about wanting an alternative to traditional meat Sliders that doesn’t compromise on flavor,” Jamie Richardson, White Castle’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.“That prompted our menu innovation team to prioritize finding a craveable alternative, and we believe the Southwest Veggie Slider delivers on that in a big way,” Richardson added.According to White Castle, the new product was developed in response to customer feedback on a meatless option. White Castle ultimately selected a veggie patty created by Dr Praeger’s, a company known for its vegetarian frozen foods, as the base of the sandwich.Despite the growing number of plant-based eaters across the country, sales of veggie burgers have declined amid a resurgence of pro-meat sentiments championed by the Trump administration.New dietary guidelines announced earlier this year by the Trump administration encourage increased protein intake from both animal and plant sources, along with the consumption of full-fat dairy products.As meat consumption gains momentum across the US, plant-based companies have been forced to reckon with the cultural shift, with Impossible Foods, for example, repositioning its plant-based burger messaging to appeal to meat lovers rather than vegetarians.“We’re not here to win over the salad eaters. We’re here for the meat stans,” it website says.