10 Ways NYC and NJ Restaurant Kitchens Are Using Wholesale Pre-Cut Vegetables

Did you know that only about 1 in 10 Americans consume the daily recommended number of vegetables? The American Heart Association recommends that the average adult should consume five servings of vegetables alone — and having precut wholesale produce certainly counts towards that recommendation. Plus, vegetarians or vegans make up at least six percent of the U.S population, so having veggie-based options on your menu is most certainly a must.

So how can you include a wide variety of precut vegetables in your menu items and on the plates of your guests?

In a recent blog, we outlined the benefits of purchasing wholesale pre-cut produce. And in this post, we’ll highlight ten of the best ways to use precut veggies in your menus.

So, what are some of the top ways to maximize precut vegetables? Here are 10 ways you use wholesale precut vegetables.

Stir-fries with pre-cut vegetables:

Pre-cut vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots can be easily added to stir-fry dishes for added color, crunch and nutrition. It’s a great dish that can easily be made vegetarian or vegan friendly. Or it can easily appeal to the carnivore by adding some steak or chicken or for the pescatarian adding some shrimp or salmon as a protein source. If your menu allows guests to make their own stir-fry bowl, having a wide array of pre-cut produce to choose from is not only appealing to them, but eases the burden of prep work on your staff and ensures your options are fully stocked.

Fresh salads completed with an array of pre-cut wholesale produce:

Pre-cut lettuce, spinach, and other greens make the base for salads, saving time on washing and chopping and keeping your presentation consistent. But you certainly can’t forget the delicious salad toppings like pre-cut onions, peppers, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. If you have a self-serve buffet or salad bar type setup in your business, the more options the better, at least for the dinner guest. So having pre-cut produce with popular and fresh salad toppings like cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrots, sliced olives, etc. will make for an appetizing display and one that saves your kitchen staff substantial time.

Make your next soup with fresh, pre-cut produce such as celery, onions, and carrots, oh my:

Pre-cut vegetables like onions, celery, and carrots are often staple ingredients in many soups for added flavor, texture, and one of those very important daily servings of vegetables. As soups often simmer for quite some time and are made in big batches, the more pre-chopped vegetables you can use, the more effective you can be. I’m sensing a delicious bowl of some hearty and heart-warming Minestrone soup may already be in the works.

Veggie-forward sandwiches and wraps:

Pre-cut vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and romaine can be added to sandwiches and wraps for added crunch and flavor. Pairing those sliced, diced, and chopped vegetables with a spread like hummus or Tzatziki with an optional protein can provide easy to assemble and delicious sandwiches and wraps especially for those on the go. Those buffalo chicken wraps wouldn’t be complete without some shredded carrots and chopped celery, and don’t forget the ranch or blue cheese.

Roasted, pre-chopped root vegetables for side dishes:

Pre-cut root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots can be roasted in the oven to create colorful and flavorful side dishes. Plus, root vegetables provide an excellent source of potassium, folate, fiber and vitamins A, B, and C. They can also make for a flavorful main if paired with a grain like quinoa or farro for a vegetarian approved meal. More pre-cut wholesale vegetable options mean more options for your menu and for your hungry customers.

Charcuterie-style veggie platters:

Charcuterie or food boards and displays come in all variations these days. There are even dessert boards for those of us with a sweet tooth. So why not make a pre-cut vegetable platter with all the accompaniments?

All the pizza topping options:

When it comes to pizza, toppings can be subjective and divisive. Some go for Hawaiian, others, meat-lovers, and some want to incorporate at least some vegetables to reduce the delicious carb loading guilt.

Pre-cut eggplant, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers are just some of the precut wholesale vegetables that can be used as toppings for delicious and consistent vegetable-centric pizzas. And interestingly enough, out of the top 10 most popular pizza toppings, half of them are vegetables with mushrooms, onions, black olives, green peppers, and spinach on the list.

Vegetable-centric pasta dishes:

Pasta primavera anyone? Or some ziti and broccoli, perhaps? Pre-cut vegetables like zucchini, squash, and eggplant can be sautéed, roasted or fried, and added to pasta dishes for added flavor and nutrition. Plus, you’ll be helping your diners to eat more of their daily serving of vegetables. It’s a win-win, especially when using fresh, pre-cut produce.

Omelets and frittatas with all the fillings:

Have breakfast or brunch on the menu? Or maybe you even have an omelet station for guests? Pre-cut vegetables like spinach, onions, and bell peppers make for the perfect omelet and frittata fillings for a nutritious and flavorful breakfast.

Plus, if you have an omelet station it will provide an eye-catching and colorful assortment of veggies to add for restaurant guests while saving the chef and your restaurant goer’s time. Don’t forget the cheese and meat options, too!

Veggie Focused Smoothies:

Many smoothies and juices today have more than just fruit. Celery, kale, cucumbers, and beets often make their way into these health food smoothies. Green juice anyone? Smoothies are often grabbed on the go by busy diners so having easily accessible precut produce options will cut down on the time your staff spends chopping vegetables and the time your guests wait in line, while increasing everyone’s satisfaction.

When it comes to the options and efficiency wholesale precut vegetables bring to the table (literally), there are no shortage of options. If you’re looking for a local supplier of pre-cut produce that offers a variety of producers you can trust, Riveria Produce may have just what you need to complete your menu and food supply options.

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