Easy Steps to Add Frozen Fruits and Vegetables to Your Deli Menu

As consumer demand for quick, flavorful, and globally inspired prepared foods continues to grow, delis are under increasing pressure to keep up. Today’s customers expect more than just sandwiches and salads—they want hot sides, grab-and-go meals, and fresh-tasting variety, all day long.

But for many deli operators, the reality is tighter kitchen space, smaller teams, and limited prep time. So how can you expand your menu without overextending your staff or sacrificing quality?

The answer lies in your freezer. High-quality frozen foods and vegetables—like the ready-to-use tropical products from MIC Food Group®—offer delis an easy, reliable, and cost-effective way to boost offerings and keep customers coming back.

Here’s how to get started.

Why Delis Are Turning to Frozen Foods

More and more delis are incorporating frozen ingredients into their hot case and cold deli programs—and for good reason. Frozen foods are no longer seen as second-best to fresh. In fact, modern freezing technology like Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) preserves flavor, color, and nutrients while delivering unmatched consistency and convenience.

With MIC Food Group®, you get frozen tropical fruits and vegetables that are:

• Harvested at peak ripeness

• Pre-cooked and ready to heat

• 100% natural with no preservatives

• Portion-controlled and easy to store

This translates to labor savings, minimal prep, and reliable flavor—exactly what deli operators need in today’s fast-paced foodservice environment.

Step 1: Choose the Right Frozen Ingredients

Focus on Versatile Items

When adding frozen items to your deli menu, start with ingredients that can do double (or triple) duty.

• Sweet Plantains: Serve them as a side dish, add them to protein bowls, or use in breakfast offerings. Their natural sweetness complements savory proteins and appeals to a broad audience.

• Yuca: This starchy Latin-Caribbean staple is ideal for vegetarian dishes or hearty meat pairings. Yuca offers a rich, comforting flavor that can be seasoned or tailored to match your brand.

• Sweet Potatoes: A fan favorite in both traditional and modern dishes, frozen sweet potatoes bring flexibility to your kitchen. Use them in grain bowls, as a warm side dish, or roasted in deli wraps. Their natural sweetness and vibrant color make them a standout ingredient for year-round menu innovation.

MIC Food Group® makes it easy with products that come pre-peeled, pre-cut, and pre-cooked—or IQF, so you can use exactly what you need and reduce waste.

Prioritize Heat-and-Serve Simplicity

The best frozen ingredients are the ones that save you the most time. Look for products that are ready to heat and serve, or require only minimal assembly. MIC Food Group®’s frozen plantains, yuca fries, and other tropical sides can go from freezer to service with little to no additional prep.

This simplicity is ideal for delis working with small teams or cross-trained employees. Your staff can spend more time merchandising and engaging with customers, and less time slicing and sautéing.

Step 2: Create Menu-Ready Applications

Build Signature Deli Sides

Signature sides are a great way to stand out—and frozen foods make it easy to get creative without adding kitchen complexity. With just a few housemade touches, you can turn a heat-and-serve item into a unique deli favorite.

Try ideas like:

• Sweet Plantains with Chipotle Aioli

• Yuca Fries with Cilantro Garlic Sauce

• Sweet Potato Fries with Maple Sriracha Dip

Use your signature sauces or spice blends to bring personality to each dish and keep customers curious to try something new.

Add to Ready-to-Go Meals

Customers love the convenience of grab-and-go meals, especially those that offer something beyond the standard sandwich. Use frozen vegetables and sides to build complete meals that are easy to assemble and reheat.

For example:

• Latin Bowl: Roasted pork, sweet plantains, and yuca mash

• Tropical Chicken Plate: Grilled chicken, pineapple rice, and boniato wedges

• Vegetarian Trio: Black beans, grilled vegetables, and sweet plantains

These combinations are fast to prepare and easy to rotate based on availability and demand.

Rotate Seasonal or Limited-Time Offers

Want to test new flavors or feature regional dishes without committing to large fresh produce orders? Frozen products are perfect for seasonal LTOs or themed menu days. Because they’re stored frozen, you can control when and how much you use—giving you more flexibility with your inventory and creativity.

Step 3: Train Your Staff for Efficiency

One of the major benefits of frozen, pre-prepped foods is the reduced need for extensive staff training. Since most MIC Food Group® products are heat-and-serve or require only minimal handling, your team can get up to speed quickly—even if they’re new or cross-training from another department.

Use portioning tools or clear packaging instructions to streamline the back-of-house workflow. When staff are confident and efficient, your deli operation runs more smoothly—and consistently.

Step 4: Merchandise for Maximum Appeal

It’s not just about what you make—it’s how you present it. Frozen tropical sides and vegetables add visual appeal and menu interest when merchandised thoughtfully.

Use These Tips to Attract Attention:

• Bright Colors: Sweet plantains bring vibrant color to any hot case or cold deli display.

• Clear Signage: Label dishes with descriptors like “100% Natural,” “No Preservatives,” “Tropical Flavors,” or “Gluten-Free” to educate and entice customers.

• Sampling: If your location allows, offer small trend-forward, globally-inspired options, like yuca or boniato.

The more customers experience the taste and quality of these frozen products, the more likely they are to try them—and come back for more.

Step 5: Partner with a Trusted Supplier

Choosing the right frozen food partner is key. MIC Food Group® has been supplying premium, value-added tropical foods to foodservice operators for over 30 years. Our products are trusted by delis, restaurants, healthcare kitchens, and schools for their taste, quality, and ease of use.

What Sets MIC Food Group® Apart:

• GFSI-certified facilities for safe, consistent production

• 100% natural ingredients with no artificial additives

• IQF and pre-cooked options that reduce labor and prep time

• Custom solutions including co-packing and private label options

We’re more than a supplier—we’re a solutions partner. Our team is here to help you explore product ideas, request samples, and find ways to optimize your deli offerings with ease.

Is Your Deli Menu Ready for a Frozen Food Upgrade?

Adding frozen foods and vegetables to your deli menu doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart choices and a trusted partner like MIC Food Group®, you can expand your offerings, save labor, and serve consistent, high-quality dishes your customers will love.

Whether you’re looking to create signature sides, offer new grab-and-go meals, or simplify prep behind the counter, our frozen tropical products are designed to help your deli thrive.

Ready to explore frozen tropical ingredients for your deli? Contact MIC Food Group® today to request samples and discover how we can support your success.