Wondering what to have for lunch this week? Starbucks Canada has introduced new lunch offerings with protein-rich and vegan choices that are quick and convenient. Because Canadians are increasingly searching for healthier and more diverse food options, Starbucks has responded with new menu items that offer the choice of meat or vegan sources of protein, and are filled with crisp veggies and balanced flavours. I’ve heard of some people enjoying these with additional protein from websites similar to https://xwerks.com/products/xwerks-lift, this would only be for the hardcore weight lifters among us though. The four new items on the menu are: Baby Greens and Brown Rice Protein Bowl with Toasted Sesame Dressing; Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl with Chile Vinaigrette; Egg and Cheese Protein Box with Apples and Grapes; and Butter Chicken Wrap with Jasmine Rice. I tried 3 out of the 4 new items and here are my thoughts:
Disclosure: All food and drinks in this review was complimentary. Opinions are my own.
Baby Greens and Brown Rice Protein Bowl with Toasted Sesame Dressing
This salad bowl is the first certified vegan dish at Starbucks and it certainly made me feel nourished. It includes edamame, red cabbage, beets, sliced apples, red peppers, and sunflower seeds for that extra bit of crunch. Priced at $8.95 per bowl, I thought the portions were quite reasonable. All the ingredients tasted fresh and crispy and the dressing was very tasty and had some tangy flavours.
Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl with Chile Vinaigrette
For those wanting some more meat in their lunch, Starbucks has the Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl with Chile Vinaigrette – complete with fresh greens, crisp tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, jicama, paprika, and topped with feta for that extra creamy punch. The dressing was also very good and for $8.95 per bowl I felt like the portions of meat versus everything else was also reasonable. This particular bowl had a bit more of a spicy flavour to it.
Butter Chicken Wrap with Jasmine Rice
The Butter Chicken Wrap with Jasmine Rice surprised me but in a good way. I’m a huge butter chicken fan and consume it in the more traditional sense (with rice and naan on the side). The Butter Chicken Wrap was pretty good though the flavours are a bit different and didn’t quite scream out butter chicken to me. The wrap includes Tandoori chicken, masala, cabbage, carrot and mint chutney wrapped in piadina – all for $6.75 per wrap. I think the flavours are more like a sweet chicken curry than the actual butter chicken, per se. For me, the most enjoyable part was the jasmine rice which was warm and comforting!
Overall Impression
I thought the lunch additions to the Starbucks menu were good overall. My favourite was the Baby Greens and Brown Rice Protein Bowl with Toasted Sesame Dressing and I recommend it.