Vegetarian Food Trends

If there’s one movement which has undeniably grown within the food and drink scene over the past couple of years, it’s the growth in popularity and accessibility of vegetarian food. Young people are switching to vegetarian diets for health reasons, environmental reasons and thanks to an increasing compassion for animals and their welfare. The world of vegetarian food has become more and more exciting and flavoursome, thanks to the exploration of plant-based foods and the growing culture of vegetarianism in the UK. Eating less meat is good for the planet but also good for our health, and compromising on meat by no means means compromising on flavour. Here are some exciting vegetarian food trends to watch out for in 2018!

More Creative Veggie Burgers

Whether you’re a meat eater or a vegetarian, there’s no comfort meal quite as satisfying as when you sink your teeth into a burger. However, a few years ago, veggie burgers and in fact a lot of vegetarian dishes in general were relatively limited to portobello mushrooms and not a lot else. 2018 will see the variety of vegetable based burgers on offer rival any made with meat. From halloumi burgers to falafel, delicious and unique vegetable patties to a host of condiments and bun options to bring your burgers to life - a vegetarian burger will no longer be considered a boring option! check out our chickpea and coriander burger with barbecue sauce

Jackfruit Boom

Jackfruit is something we’ve seen booming in the vegetarian food scene thanks to its versatility and delicious texture - something that lends itself particularly well to veggie ‘pulled pork’ dishes. Jackfruit can be prepared so that it’s almost completely indistinguishable from meat, offering a truly delicious dish that can be spruced up with a variety of different herbs and spices. Expect to see a lot more jackfruit creeping into vegetarian menus up and down the country in 2018.

Lots of Lentils

Lentils are somewhat of a superfood when it comes to a vegetarian diet. Not only are they incredibly versatile, lending themselves to a host of different dishes across a range of different food styles, but they are incredibly filling, super easy to cook and oh so delicious too. Lentils are also a huge source of fiber, which means not only are they veggie and delicious, but they’re great for you too! Lentils are a great way to bulk cook and ensure you’re sticking to healthy eating and making your meals last. have a look at our lentil lasagne

Smoothie Bowls

Smoothie bowls are not only absolutely perfect for perking up your Instagram feed thanks to their glorious aesthetic, but also a huge and ever-growing trend to watch out for in 2018. Smoothie bowls involve blending your favourite fruit with yogurt, coconut water or ice to create the smoothie section, and then layering it with various fruits, nuts and seeds to create your perfect topping. It’s a nutritious, refreshing and filling dish that is making its way onto the breakfast menu of many establishments. Definitely worth a try on your next breakfast venture this year!

Mexican Madness

Mexican cuisine is renowned for its explosive flavours that tantalise the taste buds - which is exactly why it’s been such a popular emerging choice in the word of vegetarian cuisine. Thanks to the loud and proud seasonings, spices and flavours utilised in a lot of classic Mexican dishes, substituting meat for vegetables and other vegetarian products can create a delicious dish which will be every inch as satisfying as the traditional meat-based original. Expect to see lots of vegetarian restaurants embracing Mexican dishes, and inviting their warmth and spice onto their menus in the coming year. Try our lime, avocado and kidney bean burritos

Vegetarian cuisine is only going to get more diverse and exciting thanks to the increasing publicity surrounding the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle both for personal and environmental reasons, and even adopting a vegetarian lifestyle once a week is a great step towards doing your bit to help the planet. Which of these vegetarian trends are you most excited about? Are there any trends you think will be popular in 2018 that we’ve missed?