Vegetarians, rejoice: you can now eat at White Castle without having to explain yourself. On Monday, the Columbus, Ohio-based slider chain announced the permanent addition of the Southwest Veggie Slider, a meat-free option that features 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. It comes on White Castle’s signature bun and is topped with jalapeño cheese - though if you’re feeling rebellious, you can swap in American or cheddar.
The move comes as plant-based eating continues its slow creep into the American mainstream. Recent surveys indicate that 6% of the U.S. population now identifies as vegetarian or vegan, with some estimates pushing that figure as high as 10-15%. That’s a lot of people who’ve been standing awkwardly in line while their friends order Sloppy Joes.
“Our Cravers have been pretty vocal about wanting an alternative to traditional meat Sliders that doesn’t compromise on flavor,” said Jamie Richardson, White Castle’s chief marketing officer, in a statement. Translation: the vegans were getting loud. The company says the slider was developed in response to customer feedback, ultimately selecting a patty from Dr Praeger’s, the frozen-food company that has been feeding vegetarians since before it was cool.
But here’s the twist: despite the growing number of plant-based eaters, veggie burger sales have actually declined amid a pro-meat resurgence championed by the Trump administration. New dietary guidelines encourage increased protein intake from both animal and plant sources, plus full-fat dairy - because apparently we need permission to eat cheese. Even Impossible Foods has repositioned its messaging to target “meat stans” rather than salad enthusiasts. “We’re not here to win over the salad eaters,” its website declares. So White Castle’s veggie slider is arriving just in time for a cultural war over what goes between two buns.