There’s a new slider in the castle, and it doesn’t want any beef.

White Castle is expanding its menu with the permanent addition of the Southwest Veggie Slider on June 15. The meat-free slider, a first for the chain, boasts a Dr. Praeger’s vegetable-based patty made from sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, onions and carrots, coated in a crispy brown rice crust.

It’s seasoned with smoky chipotle and sweet barbecue flavors and comes topped with jalapeño cheese on White Castle’s signature slider bun, though customers can swap in American or cheddar cheese if they prefer. The slider starts at $2.49, depending on location, and joins the chain’s lineup alongside its beef, chicken and fish offerings.

The new menu item was developed after customer feedback revealed strong demand for a flavorful meat-free alternative, the company said Tuesday in a news release. Consumer research conducted last year identified the ingredients and flavors customers wanted most in a nonmeat slider before selecting the Dr. Praeger’s patty as the foundation for the product.

“Our Cravers have been pretty vocal about wanting an alternative to traditional meat Sliders that doesn’t compromise on flavor,” Jamie Richardson, White Castle’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “That prompted our menu innovation team to prioritize finding a craveable alternative, and we believe the Southwest Veggie Slider delivers on that in a big way.”

The launch is part of White Castle’s push for new menu offerings. Last year, the company added its Crispy Chicken Slider, its first permanent core menu item since 2022, and has also tested several limited-time products, including Cheddar Smoked Sausage Sliders and Pretzel Nibblers.

To promote the new item, White Castle will offer members of its Craver Nation Rewards program a limited-time combo deal in July featuring two Southwest Veggie Sliders, small fries and a small soft drink for $5.