20 Best Vegan Fast Food Options
Updated: Apr. 24, 2024
Plenty of chains have plant-based options. Here's the best vegan fast food to order next time you're out and about!
You can now find vegan fast food at a surprising number of chains, like Starbucks, Chipotle and, of course, Taco Bell. Here are the best plant-based foods on every menu.
Chipotle
Chipotle is a vegan fast food paradise, because the tortillas, vegetables, rice, salsas, chips and guacamole are all vegan. Both the black beans and the pinto beans are vegan, too. Load up a tortilla or burrito bowl with seasoned fajita vegetables, plenty of salsa, beans and soy-based sofritas for a quick meal.
And don’t forget about these Chipotle copycats when you can’t make it into the restaurant.
Our top vegan picks:
- Vegan Lifestyle Bowl
- Burrito with Sofritas
- Chips and Guac
Taco Bell
When ordering vegan fast food at Taco Bell, remember two keywords: al fresco. Ordering your meal al fresco means it will be topped with fresh salsa instead of sour cream and cheese. Most of the sauces are vegan too, so amp up with flavor with mild, hot, fire, diablo or breakfast salsa. Then whip up your own vegan queso so you never have to miss out on that cheesy flavor again.
Our top vegan picks:
- Bean Burrito (ordered al fresco)
- Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme (also al fresco)
- Cinnamon Twists
Burger King
When it comes to the best vegan fast food options, the King has you covered. Since Burger King rolled out its Impossible Burger, you can now enjoy a vegan Whopper. Just be sure to say no to mayo and cheese when ordering. Add a side of fries and apple pie for dessert for the ultimate treat.
Did you know that Impossible is one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite veggie burger options?
Our top vegan picks:
- Impossible Burger (without mayo or cheese)
- Impossible Whopper (again, no mayo or cheese)
- French Fries
- Apple Pie
Starbucks
Starbucks has been offering vegans tasty coffee and lattes with a variety of plant-based milks for years. Now they’re filling our bellies, too, with the Beyond Meat Breakfast Sandwich. Unfortunately, this offering still comes with egg and cheese, so ask your barista to leave those off. Pair with an almond milk latte (or another vegan Starbucks drink) and you’ll be going strong all day.
Our top vegan picks:
- Chickpea Bites and Avocado Protein Box
- Hearty Blueberry Oatmeal
- Oatmilk Latte
Subway
At Subway, it’s surprisingly easy to put together a delicious vegan meal with a few tweaks. Start with Italian bread or the signature wrap, as both options are vegan. Then load up on fresh veggies or indulge in a Beyond Meatball Marinara sub. (Just hold the cheese!)
Our top vegan picks:
- Beyond Meatball Marinara (ordered without provolone and Parmesan)
- Veggie Delight (ordered on standard Italian white bread)
Panera
Panera is already on our list of the best vegetarian restaurants, and they now have several vegan fast food options on the menu. Many of the sandwiches and salads can be made vegan by holding the meat and cheese. If you’re craving soup, stick with the Ten Vegetable Soup as it’s the only vegan one on the menu.
Our top vegan picks:
- Ten Vegetable Soup
- Tomato Basil Cucumber Salad
- Green Passion Smoothie
Qdoba
Qdoba may be one of the best fast-food restaurants with vegan options because so many of its ingredients are vegan. Enjoy any of the beans, rice, salsas or guac. Order the grilled fajita vegan bowl or make up your own!
Our top vegan picks:
- Grilled Fajita Vegan Bowl
- Rice and Beans
- Chips and Guac
Culver’s
While Culver’s biggest claims to fame are distinctly non-vegan (ahem Butterburgers and fried cheese curds), there are still a few vegan options to be had on the menu. So pull on up to the drive-thru and order these favorites.
Our top vegan picks:
- Crinkle Cut Fries
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Lemon Ice
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ didn’t use to offer many vegan recipes but that has changed. No matter what you’re craving for breakfast, you won’t have trouble finding a vegan option. Try a fresh bagel (cinnamon raisin, plain, everything and sesame are all vegan) or enjoy a slice of creamy avocado toast. For a heartier meal, grab the Beyond Breakfast Sausage sandwich without egg or cheese and pair it with a crispy hash brown.
Our top vegan picks:
- Beyond Breakfast Sausage on an English muffin (ordered without egg or cheese)
- Avocado Toast
- Hash Browns
Del Taco
Unlike other Mexican fast-food chains, Del Taco offers Beyond meat protein in its tacos and burritos. It’s simple to make swaps here because the entire menu is made-to-order. Add fresh avocado and salsa to your meal to amp up the healthy flavor.
Our top vegan picks:
- Beyond Avocado Taco
- Epic Beyond Original Mex Burrito
- Hash Brown Sticks
McDonald’s
McDonald’s offers a few vegan options on its menu but there isn’t a ton of variety. The garden salad can be ordered without cheese for a light lunch or snack. The fast-food giant now offers Beyond meat patties on its burgers. Keep in mind that these patties are cooked on the same grill as the beef ones though. And if you thought the fries were a safe choice, think again. They’re cooked with “natural beef flavor,” so you’re better off making your own oven fries at home.
Our top vegan picks:
- Garden Salad (ordered without cheese)
- Beyond Beef Hamburger
- A Coke (it just tastes better at McDonald’s!)
Carl’s Jr. and Hardees
When you just need a good old-fashioned burger and fries, head to Carl’s Jr. They now offer the Beyond Famous Star Burger, and the fries are vegan too. Feel free to sub in the Beyond patty in any of the burgers. Remember to hold the cheese, mayo and any additional sauces as well.
Our top vegan picks:
- Beyond Famous Star Burger (ordered without fiery sauce, cheese or mayo)
- Original Thickburger (ordered with a Beyond patty and no mayo)
- French Fries
Jamba Juice
For a plant-based paradise, head to Jamba Juice. They proudly display all kinds of vegan options, like plant-based smoothies and the Impossible Handwich (hold the cheese). It’s some of the best fast food out there, especially when you’re craving something light and fresh in the morning.
Our top vegan picks:
- Impossible Handwich (ordered without cheese)
- Apple ‘n Greens smoothie
- Peach Perfection smoothie
Panda Express
Panda Express has expanded its vegan fast food options in recent years, so it may be time to try it again. Both the white and brown rice are vegan, as are the chow mein dishes. They also have one of our favorite meat substitutes: tofu! Add a side of veggie spring rolls and you have a yummy, filling lunch any time.
Our top vegan picks:
- Eggplant Tofu
- Chow Mein
- Veggie Spring Rolls
KFC
If you’re headed to KFC for dinner, it’s probably a good idea to have a snack first. The Colonel clearly wasn’t vegan, as there are only a few side dishes on the menu without meat or dairy products. When ordering the corn, be sure to ask for it without butter.
Our top vegan picks:
- Green Beans
- Corn on the Cob
- Sweet Kernel Corn
Chick-fil-A
Sure, most of the items on Chick-fil-A’s menu include chicken, but you can still find a few vegan winners on there. Both the hash browns and waffle fries are vegan-friendly. The salads can be ordered without chicken or cheese—be sure to ask about the dressing though.
Our top vegan picks:
- Hash Browns
- Waffle Potato Fries
- Spicy Southwest Salad (ordered without chicken or cheese)
Wendy’s
While Wendy’s does not offer a vegan burger option, you can still make a meal there if you’re willing to get a bit creative. The baked potato is vegan as long as you hold the butter, sour cream and cheese. Add a garden salad (hold the croutons) and a mixed berry fruit cup for a light lunch. And be sure to steer clear of the fries, as they’re cooked in the same oil used to fry the fish fillets.
Our top vegan picks:
- Baked Potato (ordered without butter, sour cream or cheese)
- Garden Side Salad (ordered without croutons or dressing)
- Mixed Berry Fruit Cup
Auntie Anne’s
When you just need a quick snack while you’re out and about, don’t forget about Auntie Anne’s. They have a shocking number of vegan goodies including the original pretzels and pretzel nuggets. Or go for the cinnamon sugar pretzel if you’re craving something sweet. Ask the attendant for a pretzel that has not been handled in butter to be safe.
Our top vegan picks:
- Original Pretzels
- Pretzel Nuggets
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
White Castle
Vegan sliders anyone? White Castle now offers its tasty little sliders with an Impossible patty instead of beef. Be sure to order it without cheese and ask for an unbuttered bun when ordering. Then load up on your favorite vegan sauce and enjoy!
Our top vegan pick:
- Impossible Slider (ordered without cheese)
Baskin Robbins
You may not think of Baskin Robbins when searching for vegan fast food, but this dairy hot spot has introduced some truly delicious vegan offerings in recent years. The vegan coffee caramel chunk is loaded with rich flavor, and you can never go wrong with a vegan chocolate chip cookie dough.
Our top vegan picks:
- Vegan Coffee Caramel Chunk
- Non-Dairy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Non-Dairy Chocolate Extreme
Originally Published: August 08, 2021
