Denver-based Smashburger is testing a jackfruit-based veggie burger at locations in New York, New Jersey and Colorado through April 25.
The Plant-Based Classic Smash Burger was created in partnership with jack & annie’s, an alternative meat brand also based in Colorado.
Unlike some commercially-made faux burgers, this one uses a natural plant as the No. 1 ingredient. The jackfruit is blended along with other whole food ingredients that are minimally processed.
“This partnership [with jack & annie’s] felt like a natural next step in Smashburger’s journey to offer more diverse and clean plant-based options for our guests, while still delivering the premium, top-quality menu items our fans know and love,” Carl Bachmann, president of Smashburger, said in a statement.
Smashburger currently has a meatless black bean burger on its menu, along with a wide selection of beef and turkey burgers and chicken sandwiches. The jackfruit patty can be swapped in for any of those proteins for a surcharge of $2.
Customers ordering the Plant-Based Classic Smash Burger get it topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pickles, Smash Sauce and ketchup on a toasted bun, creating a vegetarian burger. Vegans need to omit the cheese. But vegetarians wouldn’t want to substitute the jackfruit patty in Smashburger's BBQ Bacon Cheddar Burger or Avocado Bacon Club Burger, as both use regular applewood smoked bacon.
A Classic Smash Burger made with Certified Angus beef goes for about $8.50 in New York City; ordered with a jackfruit patty, it will run around $10.50.
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