Did you know that there are more than 660,000 restaurants in the United States? Whether you have a restaurant, a food truck, or anything else, you might be wondering how you can get ahead of the competition. Plant-based foods are all the rage right now.

If you can't keep up with these trendy meals, you might fall behind. In this article, we have some ideas for plant based menu items that will create repeat business. 

What is considered plant-based? Plant-based involves food that is derived from plants, such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. It excludes any animal products and byproducts like eggs, meat, cheese or gelatin.

Keep reading and learn more with these spring menu ideas for restaurants.

Black Bean Burger

One of the most popular options you will find on many menus is the black bean burger. This burger is exactly what it sounds like; instead of meat, black beans are used. They are often mixed with other chopped-up vegetables to improve the texture and flavor. Common ingredients include radishes, onions, and garlic.

You can fry the black bean burger as you would any meat burger. This meat alternative can be a classic addition to your vegetarian restaurant menu. While it might not fit into a list of plant-based breakfast ideas, it is great for lunch and dinner.

You can pile bean burgers up with a variety of toppings, like jalapenos, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles. Favorite toppings and condiments help create delicious burgers that your health-conscience diners will enjoy. You can also use other types of beans if you want to give the burger a different flavor or appearance.

Buffalo Cauliflower

Cauliflower is the new king of the plant-based food world. You won't come across a vegetarian menu that doesn't have at least one cauliflower dish on it. Cauliflower has a unique texture and mild flavor, making it perfect for transforming dishes that were once only available as a meat option. It is a dense and hearty plant that you can prepare in different ways.

One of the most popular ways to prepare it is to turn it into a kind of buffalo "chicken." You can chop up and season bite sized pieces of cauliflower to look just like buffalo chicken poppers.

All you need to do is put on the right seasoning. The cauliflower will easily absorb the seasoning and turn a delicious, spicy orange. You can then saute it, bake it, or prepare it in other ways. Once you cook the cauliflower, its natural flavors will become toasty and delectable. No one will be able to resist this option once it lands on your menu. You can enhance the experience with some blue cheese or ranch dip on the side.

Celery sticks may be a nice side to go with it, as they can offset the spice.

Plant-Based Pizza

Everyone loves pizza, but not everyone can eat it. Some people may not be able to eat bready pizza crust, or they may not want to. Some pizzas may have lots of meaty toppings or meat mixed into the tomato sauce.

If you want to opt for a healthier, plant-based alternative, consider pizza with a cauliflower crust. If you blend cauliflower finely enough, it will become very similar to flour. This allows you to create all the plant-based pizza dough that you want.

Since cauliflower has a mild flavor, it won't interfere with the taste of the pizza. It will also have a similar texture to traditional pizza crust. You can then experiment with the toppings.

Many plant-based pizza lovers add toppings like basil, spinach, corn, mushrooms, olives, and peppers. You can use all the tomato sauce you want if you don't bring meat into the mix. You can also experiment with vegan “cheese” made of soy, cashews, and other plants.

Spicy Vegetable Stir-fry

If you think that your customers would prefer something spicy, why not try a vegetable stir-fry? Stir-fries are great because you can throw a bunch of different vegetables into a pan and the result will always be delicious.

Popular vegetables in a stir-fry are onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. These vegetables will retain their crunch while also absorbing whatever flavors you add. You can make the flavor memorable by creating a sweet and spicy sauce with soy sauce, mirin wine, chili powder, and ginger.

Adding a bit of garlic and jalapenos or other hot peppers will enhance the flavor. Serve your delicious creation over white or brown rice for a filling and delicious meal.

Savory Tofu "Beef" Stew

To satisfy those who are in the mood for something savory, consider this dish. Tofu is often used as an alternative to beef in stews and other recipes. This is because cooked tofu is firm in texture and is very versatile. Tofu takes on any flavor you combine it with. This makes it perfect to add to a spicy stew. You can add potatoes and other vegetables to make the stew more filling. Season your stew well and customers will enjoy the healthy protein that tofu has to offer.

Conclusion

There are many plant-based options you can serve in your restaurant. You can experiment with a vegetable stir-fry, cauliflower steak, black bean burgers, and more. Nuts, tofu, pea protein, and beans are all great vegan, plant-based sources of protein.

Your customers will love these plant-based alternatives and will surely come back for more. Are you ready to give your restaurant a boost? Check out the products we have to offer.