Navigating the challenge of introducing vegan options in non-vegan settings can be daunting. To provide you with the best advice, we’ve gathered fifteen insightful tips from professionals ranging from nutritionists to CEOs. From investing in research and development to adding recognizable vegetarian dishes, this article offers a wealth of knowledge to help you successfully integrate vegan options into your menu.
- Invest in Research and Development
- Educate and Offer Popular Dishes
- Focus on Familiar Flavors and Staff Education
- Rephrase Vegan Dishes as Plant-Based
- Adopt a Collaborative Approach
- Prioritize Presentation of Vegan Dishes
- Create Familiar Vegan Dishes and Educate Customers
- Hold Vegan-Focused Sales Events
- Combine Inclusivity and Seamless Menu Integration
- Provide Flexibility in Food Choices
- Create Luxurious or Familiar Vegan Dishes
- Emphasize Pairing of Vegan Options
- Offer Familiar Flavors and Free Samples
- Highlight Health Benefits of Vegan Dishes
- Add Recognizable Vegetarian Dishes
1. Invest in Research and Development
Introducing vegan options in a predominantly non-vegan setting can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. One practical approach we adopt is focusing on the flavors and textures familiar to the non-vegan palate while being entirely plant-based. We aim to create delicious vegan alternatives that appeal to those who might be skeptical about veganism.
One tip that has worked exceptionally well for us is investing time and effort in research and development. By experimenting with various plant-based ingredients, culinary techniques, and flavor combinations, we’ve crafted vegan options that are as satisfying and indulgent as their non-vegan counterparts. For example, we have developed plant-based burgers that replicate the juiciness and taste of traditional beef burgers, using ingredients like mushrooms, black beans, and vital wheat gluten.
Isaac Robertson, Co-Founder and Nutritionist, Total Shape
2. Educate and Offer Popular Dishes
To present vegetarian options in a predominantly non-vegetarian setting, start by offering a few popular vegetarian dishes, such as a vegan burger, pasta dish, and dessert. Clearly label vegan dishes on your menu and have your staff prepared to answer questions about vegetarian food.
Educate your customers about the benefits of vegetarian food through in-store signage, online promotional posts, or even vegetarian cooking classes. Experimenting with different flavors and ingredients ensures your vegetarian food is delicious and satisfying.
Victor Cheung, Editor and Content Strategist, food-med.com
3. Focus on Familiar Flavors and Staff Education
Introducing vegan options in a predominantly non-vegan setting can be challenging, but it’s essential to make plant-based choices appealing and accessible to a diverse audience. One effective tip is to focus on flavors and familiar dishes.
By creating vegan versions of popular non-vegan meals that are both delicious and visually appealing, you can entice a broader range of customers. For example, crafting a flavorful vegan burger with all the traditional toppings or a creamy, plant-based pasta dish can be enticing even to those who aren’t exclusively vegan.
Additionally, educating the staff about vegan ingredients and preparation is crucial to ensure customers with dietary preferences or restrictions feel comfortable and well-served. By combining great taste, accessibility, and knowledge, it’s possible to make vegan options more inclusive and inviting in a predominantly non-vegan environment.
Rhianna Jones, Registered Nurse, CanXida
4. Rephrase Vegan Dishes as Plant-Based
Promote them as “plant-based” meals rather than vegan ones. People assume that veganism is an extreme lifestyle, and so they develop a mental block toward vegan dishes. In reality, these are merely plant-based or plant-only recipes.
In my experience, all it takes to encourage non-vegans to try vegan foods is to rephrase what you call them simply. They’re more inclined to indulge in meals that aren’t exclusive to a specific diet.
Nancy Mitchell, Registered Nurse and Contributing Writer, Assisted Living Center
5. Adopt a Collaborative Approach
As the Director of Marketing and Technology at JetLevel Aviation, I’ve encountered the challenge of introducing vegan options in a predominantly non-vegan setting. One effective tip that has worked well for us is “collaboration.”
Collaboration with both our culinary team and customers has been key. We involve our chefs and kitchen staff in developing appealing vegan menu items that align with our existing offerings. This approach ensures the transition to vegan options maintains the quality and flavor our customers expect.
Additionally, we actively seek customer input through surveys, taste tests, or feedback mechanisms. This collaborative approach generates enthusiasm for vegan options and helps us fine-tune our offerings to meet evolving tastes and preferences.
Fahd Khan, Director of Marketing and Technology, JetLevel Aviation
6. Prioritize Presentation of Vegan Dishes
The first interaction with food is visual. A well-presented dish is an invitation, a promise of a delightful culinary experience. I pay meticulous attention to the presentation when introducing vegan options in a non-vegan setting. I believe in creating visually stunning dishes that are a feast for the eyes before they delight the palate.
Organizing events for this purpose, where each vegan dish is presented as a piece of art, has been a successful strategy. It elevates the perception of vegan food from being just a healthy choice to a delightful experience.
The feedback from such events has always been overwhelmingly positive, with patrons appreciating the creativity, taste, and overall dining experience, paving the way for a more inclusive menu.
Dilruba Erkan, Consultant, Morse Code Translator
7. Create Familiar Vegan Dishes and Educate Customers
Introducing vegan options into a predominantly non-vegan environment necessitates a strategic approach to guarantee widespread appeal. A helpful tip is to emphasize flavor and familiarity. Create delectable vegan dishes that are redolent of non-vegan favorites.
In my dental office, for instance, we offer vegan alternatives to our traditional non-vegan refreshments. Instead of traditional chocolate chip cookies, we offer vegan chocolate chip cookies that are equally delicious. This strategy ensures that vegan options are accessible and appealing to all, including those who do not adhere to a vegan diet.
Explain the health and environmental benefits of veganism to your customers. Clear ingredient and preparation information can establish trust and encourage vegan product tryouts.
You can introduce vegan options in a largely non-vegan context by making them tasty, familiar, and instructive, satisfying various tastes and encouraging more sustainable dining.
Dr. Jennifer Silver, CEO, Owner and Dentist, Macleod Trail Dental
8. Hold Vegan-Focused Sales Events
We’ve been able to successfully add vegan options to a place where most of people aren’t vegan by holding sales events or themed nights around vegan food. From what we’ve seen, these events generate a lot of noise and energy, which draws a wide range of people, from vegans eager to try new foods to non-vegans wanting to try something new. We can surprise our customers with the tastes and creativity of plant-based food by serving them unique and tasty vegan meals at these times.
These events are a great way to show how versatile vegan foods are and to dispel any myths people may have about vegan food. They also allow us to talk to customers directly, which lets us get feedback and see how well our vegan options are received. As time has gone on, this method has not only brought us more customers but it has also helped make vegan options a normal and well-liked part of our menu.
Leonidas Sfyris, CTO, Need A Fixer
9. Combine Inclusivity and Seamless Menu Integration
Introducing vegan options in a predominantly non-vegan setting has been a rewarding challenge for me.
One practical tip is highlighting vegan dishes’ inclusivity and broad appeal. Instead of framing them as exclusively for vegans, emphasize their deliciousness and health benefits, making them attractive to a wider audience. I’ve found success by integrating vegan options seamlessly into the menu, using enticing names and vibrant descriptions to pique curiosity. Hosting tasting events or offering specials can also create buzz and encourage non-vegan customers to try these dishes.
This approach caters to the growing demand for plant-based options and positions vegan choices as appealing and accessible to all, fostering a more inclusive and diverse culinary experience.
Sai Blackbyrn, CEO, Coach Foundation
10. Provide Flexibility in Food Choices
Drawing from a personal experience, I once held an AED training session for a diverse group. To cater to everyone, I set up a “Customization Station” for snacks. Here, attendees could tailor their meals according to their dietary needs. It was a hit! My top tip is to offer flexibility. Giving people the autonomy to choose ensures everyone’s needs are met, making no one feel singled out.
Taimur Khan, Operations Manager, AED TRAINING
11. Create Luxurious or Familiar Vegan Dishes
I advise making something luxurious or sticking with a comfort food favorite. If you try to go for a middle ground, as most potlucks or similar food festivities do, then all someone will see is “that vegan dish” and likely think less of your offering. They see it as an “alternative” to the rest of the food.
Think of something like vegan mac and cheese, which takes a hearty dish everyone loves and improves it. Vegan sliders, hot dogs, chicken nuggets—something everyone will try thanks to the familiarity.
The other solution is to make your dish the absolute standout—something no one wants to leave without having sampled. Think of exotic dishes like Thai coconut curry, Moroccan vegetable tagine, or gourmet vegan sushi rolls. These dishes not only tantalize the palate with unique flavors but also highlight the diversity and richness of vegan cuisine.
Corey Donovan, President, Alta Technologies
12. Emphasize Pairing of Vegan Options
Emphasize how well the vegan option pairs with a drink or another food. You can bring wine that enhances the flavor of your dish, or have an exciting topping, garnish, or condiment.
For whatever reason, people can be skeptical of vegan food on its own, but when it’s combined with something else, suddenly, the novelty takes precedence. That process can cut through preconceived notions to allow greater enjoyment.
Michael Power, CMO, DTF Transfers
13. Offer Familiar Flavors and Free Samples
To introduce vegan options in predominantly non-vegan settings, it’s advantageous to highlight the universality of flavor.
A great approach is to focus on familiar flavors and dishes that resonate with broader audiences, ensuring vegan options don’t feel too foreign from non-vegan cuisine. Introducing universally loved dishes like burgers, pizza, or pasta with a vegan twist may persuade people who are reluctant to try vegan options to have a more open mind. You can also serve dishes that naturally lend themselves to being vegan, like curry or salad.
Offering free samples and hosting tasting events can also be beneficial, as this allows individuals to sample vegan options with minimal commitment and see how good they are. Delicious food is delicious food, and emphasizing flavor increases the likelihood of acceptance, even in predominantly non-vegan settings.
Jasper Stoddard, Marketing Coordinator, Achievable
14. Highlight Health Benefits of Vegan Dishes
Bringing vegan options into a non-vegan environment is akin to introducing a new genre at a music festival. It’s about harmony, not replacement. My winning strategy? Highlighting the health benefits without compromising on flavor. By providing dishes that are not just delicious but also nutritious it resonates with those who are health-conscious, making vegan options not just an ethical choice but a beneficial one.
Nooran Zafarmand, Co-Founder, Japamana
15. Add Recognizable Vegetarian Dishes
It violates their ethics for some vegans, but a little compromise can go a long way. Making a few solid vegan dishes to serve but adding alongside them something vegetarian and readily recognizable, like mac and cheese, can help bridge the gap between the vegans and the meat-eaters.
Christopher Olson, CFO, Surfside Services
Expert Strategies for a Seamless Vegan Transition: Tips & Tricks to Win Over Any Crowd
Navigating the maze of introducing vegan options in predominantly non-vegan settings can often feel like tightrope walking. But fear not! We’ve roped in a diverse panel of experts—from chefs to health professionals to business leaders—to offer you 15 game-changing strategies.
1. Make Research Your Best Friend
Expert Tip from Isaac Robertson, Co-Founder and Nutritionist, Total Shape:
Investing in research and development isn’t just for tech companies. Dive deep into flavors and textures that woo even the most skeptical meat-lover. The more research you put in, the more likely you are to produce vegan dishes that are hits, not misses.
2. Education + Popular Dishes = Win!
Expert Tip from Victor Cheung, Editor and Content Strategist, food-med.com:
Introduce vegan options already crowd-pleasers and then educate your patrons about the benefits. Imagine pairing a vegan burger with an information card highlighting its environmental impact or health benefits!
3. Nail the Flavors and Train Your Staff
Expert Tip from Rhianna Jones, Registered Nurse, CanXida:
The key to winning hearts is familiarity. Staff education is as crucial as the menu itself. Train your team to answer questions and offer suggestions, turning them into plant-based advocates.
4. It’s All in the Name
Expert Tip from Nancy Mitchell, Registered Nurse and Contributing Writer, Assisted Living Center:
Rephrase “vegan” dishes as “plant-based.” This simple wordplay can make your offerings seem more accessible to those who might be on the fence about trying them.
5. Collaboration Is Your Secret Weapon
Expert Tip from Fahd Khan, Director of Marketing and Technology, JetLevel Aviation:
Collaborate with everyone—from your kitchen staff to your customers. Involve your culinary team in crafting the menu and ask your patrons for their opinions. This creates a sense of communal ownership and enthusiasm.
6. First Impressions Count
Expert Tip from Dilruba Erkan, Consultant, Morse Code Translator:
An attractive plate is like a siren call to your taste buds. Special presentation nights can help cast vegan dishes in a more artistic, appealing light.
7. Familiarity is Key, Education is Queen
Expert Tip from Dr. Jennifer Silver, CEO, Owner and Dentist, Macleod Trail Dental:
Make your vegan options mirror familiar favorites. Also, education shouldn’t just be limited to your staff; enlighten your customers about why they should consider these options.
8. Special Events Create Buzz
Expert Tip from Leonidas Sfyris, CTO, Need A Fixer:
Vegan Nights or plant-based weekends can generate enough curiosity to bring people through your doors. This can also provide a platform for direct customer feedback.
9. Make Veganism Universal
Expert Tip from Sai Blackbyrn, CEO, Coach Foundation:
When you make vegan options appealing to a broad demographic, you tap into the growing demand for inclusivity in food choices. Don’t just make a vegan section in your menu; integrate it throughout.
10. Flexibility is Golden
Expert Tip from Taimur Khan, Operations Manager, AED TRAINING:
Offer a “Customization Station” for your food. This tip, which comes from the healthcare sector, allows people to make choices that suit their dietary needs and preferences.
11. Go Luxurious or Go Home
Expert Tip from Corey Donovan, President, Alta Technologies:
Elevate your dish to an exotic experience or stick with tried-and-true comfort foods. Either route you choose, make sure your offering is a standout.
12. Perfect Pairings Make Perfect Sense
Expert Tip from Michael Power, CMO, DTF Transfers:
Show off how your vegan dish pairs beautifully with something else on the menu—like a specific wine or dessert. Suddenly, it becomes part of a broader experience, making it more appealing to skeptics.
13. Sample Away!
Expert Tip from Jasper Stoddard, Marketing Coordinator, Achievable:
Offer free samples or tasting events. When people can try a little bit of everything, they’re more likely to find something they enjoy.
14. The Health Card
Expert Tip from Nooran Zafarmand, Co-Founder, Japamana:
If your vegan dishes are also healthier alternatives, why not flaunt it? Many people are as interested in their health as they are in good food.
15. The Power of a Little Compromise
Expert Tip from Christopher Olson, CFO, Surfside Services:
Consider adding a vegetarian dish alongside your vegan options as a transition point for those not quite ready to take the full plunge into plant-based eating.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, event planner, or someone trying to expand the family dinner menu, these expert strategies will pave the way for a more inclusive, delicious, and sustainable food experience. Happy cooking!
