Raising the Stakes: Why We Took Our Time Launching Steak

We started Sweetgreen 17 years ago with one small restaurant and a big mission to redefine fast food. From day one, we set out to connect more people to local and fresh food that tasted delicious and was sourced from growers and farmers they could trust.  Today, we are proud to share a milestone in the Sweetgreen journey as we add beef to our menu for the first time with our Caramelized Garlic Steak. 

As we innovate our menu, we’ve always believed in listening to our customers to deliver more of what our guests want, which is why we’re excited to introduce this high-quality, tender cut of steak across our restaurants. 

Developed in the Sweetgreen test kitchen, the Caramelized Garlic Steak recipe features cuts of premium grass-fed, pasture-raised steak prepared with fine-dining techniques. To capture the savory flavor, the steak is seasoned with a garlic spice blend and roasted for a deep caramelized char on the outside and a juicy center on the inside.

You can order steak in any of our chef-crafted entrees, including the Steakhouse Chopped, Steak Kale Caesar, and Caramelized Garlic Steak protein plate, as well as have the option to add the new protein on any existing or custom item. We also saw steak as a natural addition to our menu as we expand our protein-focused, nutrient-dense, and hearty options. 

Why Grass-Fed, Pasture-Raised?

Because it matters. With a deep commitment to animal welfare and sourcing from farmers who rear their animals in the most carbon efficient manner, finding the Sweetgreen way to source steak in our restaurants took time, but we believe that doing it the right way is always worth the effort. 

During this journey, we focused on finding a set of partners to provide us with 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised steak. This means that the cow spent its entire life grazing on grass, just as nature intended. That means working with partners that are dedicated to doing the right thing,  and always looking for ways to improve. Grass-fed, pasture-raised steak is regarded as high quality, nutrient-dense and flavorful. It’s also one of the gentlest ways to raise cattle on the planet.

Advocates of grass-fed steak have principles and beliefs rooted in regenerative agriculture. Studies bring to light the environmental benefits of pasture-raised cows where grazing promotes enhanced land management, carbon sequestration, and contributes to soil health, making the land more resilient to flooding and drought while boosting nutrient content and flavor. 

The Future of Food

Our supply chain journey has always been focused on progress, not perfection and Sweetgreen has never shied away from a challenge. We believe that changing the food system starts with us driving constant incremental change across our food categories from produce & grains to animal proteins. This is just the beginning. With our passion and our growing scale, we believe we can continue building a more sustainable and delicious food system.