Leveraging summer food trends is a great way to ramp up your sales. From seasonal ingredients to food movement trends, here are a few ideas to help you heat up traffic in the next few months.

Reducetarianism/Plant-Based

Meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans aside—this food movement is inclusive, practical, and great at stretching your restaurant’s inventory budget, too. Reducetarianism is the goal of reducing certain food consumption to improve health and sustainability in the world.

Similar to a flexitarian lifestyle (only consuming meat and dairy a couple times a week without abstaining completely), the emphasis is on making vegetables, fruits, and other plant-based foods, such as tofu, tempeh, and veggie proteins the stars of the entrée. Because of this concept, some meat, dairy, and egg products are shifting to quality cuts and partnering with producers that meet the demands for animal wellness and sustainable practices.

The cutting-edge Performance protein process, PathProven®, helps ensure that brands like Braveheart Beef® and Allegiance® Pork are responsibly sourced. Bay Winds® Seafood is all-natural and sourced from sustainable locations worldwide. And the Green Origin® plant-based protein brand features simple, clean ingredients with premium flavors and textures.

Turmeric trend

The health benefits of turmeric have long been recognized, dating back to early eastern medicine. With its anti-inflammatory properties and high antioxidants, it’s no surprise that turmeric has gained such popularity.

Turmeric is now found in teas, lattes, juices, and smoothies, as well as in soups, fruit salads, traditional chicken dishes, and curry sauces. Combine a little summer culinary creativity with this wellness powerhouse, and your restaurant may become the trendsetters with this budget-friendly spice.

Chile Peppers

Infuse your summer specials with the intensity that today’s guests desire with chile peppers. Some of the peppers rising in popularity this season include chiltepin, habanero, serrano, chipotle, ancho, poblano, and adobo.

Fresh, smoked, or dried, peppers are a versatile, affordable way to spice up your menu. But be sure to store them at a cool temperature separate from other produce to avoid premature spoiling.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverage trends are on fire this summer, particularly with patrons in their 20’s who are steering away from high-alcohol consumption.

Consider getting creative with notes of lemon, pomegranate, and peach for these drinks, pairing them with appetizers or even entrées for an increased price point. Highlight seasonal ingredients, as well, to create that sense of urgency for a limited drink special.

Passion Fruit

Passion fruit has been labeled the fruit of 2022, with steadily increasing usage on restaurant menus over the last few years.

Its versatility is a factor—passion fruit can be used in a variety of beverages, from teas, cocktails, milkshakes, and even coffee (think of that pink drink craze). Some interesting menu ideas include Pineapple Passion Fruit Sangria, Passion Fruit Vinaigrette, or Passion Fruit Lemonade.

Cucumbers

It doesn’t seem fair to label cucumbers as a trend, because considering their affordability, availability, and health benefits, they’re a favorite most years. However, cucumbers get another nod this year, as the focus on healthy and sustainable foods is at the heart of 2022 summer trends.

Beyond cucumber salad (which should never be overlooked), other customer favorites will include cucumber sandwiches, tzatziki sauce, cucumber relish, and watermelon cucumber smoothies.

Stay in Style

If some of these summer trends aren’t a good fit for your restaurant’s brand, it’s hard to go wrong with the classics.

Mint, coconut milk, tomatoes, watermelon, peaches, lemon, basil, zucchinis, and corn are practical ingredients that can bolster your range of creativity and help you to maximize average check totals throughout the summer.

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