Power Plants | The Latest in Plant-Based Food Trends

Trends

Each year, Canada is home to more and more vegans and vegetarians, especially as more Canadians consider the environmental repercussions of the meat and dairy industries, as well as other health benefits. What does that mean for you? Adding more plant-based items to your menu is going to attract more customers.

Here are some of our favourite ways to keep vegan and vegetarian customers coming back for more:

Plant-Based Cheese, Please! Cheese has been re-created using plant-based ingredients including soy, nuts, and even potatoes and carrots. And the latest is Aquafaba, which is the liquid in cans of chickpeas. The perk: it melts when heated much like dairy-based cheese.
Flip the Burger. Gone are the days of freeze-dried peas formed into patties. Plant-based burgers have come a long way in replicating the classic beef patty. Case in point: The ImpossibleTM Burger which is packed with plant protein, and the Beyond Meat Burger which is also soy- and gluten-free.
Eggs-cellent Alternatives. Whether you’re looking to make brunch more vegan-friendly or looking for egg-substitutes as binders in baked goods, you’ve got some options. Chia and flax seeds made a great plant-based binder when baking, and firm tofu can be used in quiche, lasagna, and other dishes.
Something Fishy. Seafood that’s more sustainable and has fewer allergy concerns? It’s here. Kelp-based fish sauce, shrimp made from seaweed, plant protein and other plant-based ingredients, and even ahi tuna rolls made with tomatoes.
Bring Home the Vegan Bacon. This is the one food that has caused many failed attempts at cutting meat from our diet. And now there are a few options that would tempt even the biggest bacon lovers, made from tempeh, mushrooms, beets, soy, and eggplant. Perfect for everything from brunch to BLTs.
Spread Your Vegan Wings! From pub classic to game-day, chicken wings are always a favourite. Now vegans and vegetarians can get in on the action. Some popular varieties are made from cauliflower, tofu, and seitan, a plant-based meat alternative with a stretchy meat-like texture. Vegan game on!
We All Scream for Plant-Based Ice Cream. We haven’t forgotten about dessert. Customers with dairy allergies or those concerned about the environmental impact of the dairy industry can now enjoy plant-based ice cream options made with ingredients ranging from bananas to coconut cream, oat milk to cashews.
Yup, Even Plant-Based Packaging. As concerns around single-use plastics escalate, new options are coming onto the market, made from organic matter and renewable vegetable sources.