{"id":4274,"date":"2026-06-02T02:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T02:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/06\/02\/white-castle-adds-veggie-burger-to-menu-as-plant-based-eating-grows\/"},"modified":"2026-06-02T02:46:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T02:46:00","slug":"white-castle-adds-veggie-burger-to-menu-as-plant-based-eating-grows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4274","title":{"rendered":"White Castle adds veggie burger to menu as plant-based eating grows"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"f74e1f45-790b-4682-b9ca-78aec5e449fa\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"two veggie slides with cheese against orange background in product photo\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ca94149167b00bd335131e115b791c1adb667c4c\/0_450_4500_3600\/master\/4500.png?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">On Monday the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the launch of the Southwest Veggie Slider.<\/span> Photograph: White Castle<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f74e1f45-790b-4682-b9ca-78aec5e449fa\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">On Monday the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the launch of the Southwest Veggie Slider.<\/span> Photograph: White Castle<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">White Castle adds veggie burger to menu as plant-based eating grows<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Ohio-based slider chain introduces Southwest Veggie Slider permanently after customer feedback for meatless option<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/vegetarianism\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Vegetarians<\/a> have a new reason to celebrate: White Castle has added a permanent meat-free option to its menu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Monday, the Columbus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ohio\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Ohio<\/a>-based slider chain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260601343200\/en\/White-Castle-Introduces-Veggie-Slider-as-a-New-Permanent-Menu-Item\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">announced<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The new slider is served on White Castle\u2019s signature bun and topped with jalape\u00f1o cheese, though customers can substitute American or cheddar cheese if they prefer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The latest addition comes as the number of plant-based eaters continues to <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/changing-america\/sustainability\/3747206-vegetarianism-is-on-the-rise-especially-the-part-time-kind\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">grow nationwide<\/a>. 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%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cOur Cravers have been pretty vocal about wanting an alternative to traditional meat Sliders that doesn\u2019t compromise on flavor,\u201d Jamie Richardson, White Castle\u2019s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"e46b62ce-ba54-4110-b050-28acf7f21e8e\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-5 | 5\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-ak3j0c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/food\/2025\/sep\/12\/vegan-burgers-meat-vegetarian\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">Vegan burgers are losing the US culture war over meat: \u2018It\u2019s not our moment\u2019<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThat 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,\u201d Richardson added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">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\u2019s, a company known for its vegetarian frozen foods, as the base of the sandwich.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Despite the growing number of plant-based eaters across the country, sales of veggie burgers have declined amid a resurgence of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/01\/american-heart-association-dietary-guidelines-maha\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pro<\/a>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/06\/trump-proclamation-us-imports-argentine-beef\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">meat<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2026\/jan\/20\/rfk-jr-trump-meat-diet-guidelines-land\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sentiments<\/a> championed by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">New dietary guidelines announced earlier this year by the Trump administration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/01\/american-heart-association-dietary-guidelines-maha\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">encourage<\/a> increased protein intake from both animal and plant sources, along with the consumption of full-fat dairy products.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">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, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/food\/2025\/sep\/12\/vegan-burgers-meat-vegetarian\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">repositioning<\/a> its plant-based burger messaging to appeal to meat lovers rather than vegetarians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe\u2019re not here to win over the salad eaters. We\u2019re here for the meat stans,\u201d it website says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/food\/food\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Food<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/lifeandstyle\/vegetarianism\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Vegetarianism<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/food\/vegetarian\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Vegetarian food and drink<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/lifeandstyle\/veganism\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Veganism<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/ohio\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Ohio<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/food\/meat\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Meat<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=White%20Castle%20adds%20veggie%20burger%20to%20menu%20as%20plant-based%20eating%20grows&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/jun\/01\/white-castle-veggie-burger-menu?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fjun%2F01%2Fwhite-castle-veggie-burger-menu&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/jun\/01\/white-castle-veggie-burger-menu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Monday the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the launch of the Southwest Veggie Slider. Photograph: White Castle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4274"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4274\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}