Whether or not you must eat in a rush, have screaming youngsters within the backseat, otherwise you’re simply having cravings, quick meals serves its function. In recent times, vegan meat merchandise have been built-in into various standard chains—some only for a restricted time, however others have turn out to be menu mainstays and are nonetheless going sturdy.
So, if you happen to’re popping by a drive-thru window in want of one thing to fill you up, don’t maintain up the road scanning the menu—depend on this information to order with confidence at your favourite fast-food eating places within the US.
However first, let’s check out what vegan quick meals really is, in addition to the advantages of selecting plant-based subsequent time you order a fast feast to-go.
What’s vegan quick meals?
For many years, meat and dairy have dominated fast-food menus. Except for fries and soda, just about all the things else has at all times included animal merchandise. In some locations, like McDonald’s, even the fries aren’t vegan.
Burger King
However in 2018, that began to alter. Quick-food chains like White Fort teamed up with plant-based meat manufacturers to create new vegan fast-food choices—and in 2019, Burger King adopted go well with. White Fort’s Unimaginable Slider was finally discontinued in 2025, however Burger King’s Unimaginable Whopper remains to be obtainable.
At the moment’s vegan fast-food objects carefully resemble their meaty counterparts, solely the beefy patties or hen strips are made with plant-based meat as an alternative of typical meat.
However meat alternate options aren’t important. You may also get choices like salad bowls, burritos, or tacos, all of which nonetheless depend as quick meals, however might solely embrace plant-based, whole-food components like beans and different greens.
Is vegan quick meals wholesome?
How wholesome your vegan fast-food meal is is dependent upon the components. A burrito bowl filled with beans and greens, for instance, is at all times going to be much more nutritious than a burger and fries. However if you happen to’re consuming the latter, it’s probably you’re not selecting it for well being causes, and that’s greater than okay (not each meal is about well being, in any case).
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That stated, a vegan burger and fries are nonetheless more likely to be higher for you than their animal-based counterpart. Processed meat is linked with the next danger of coronary heart illness, and it’s been categorised as a carcinogen by the World Well being Group.
Then again, analysis has steered that plant-based meat is more healthy for us and the planet. One evaluate revealed in 2022 examined 43 research referring to plant-based meals and concluded that they have been higher by way of human well being and the setting than their animal-based counterparts.
The place are you able to get vegan quick meals?
Whereas there may be nonetheless progress to be made (McDonald’s is critically lagging behind by way of plant-based choices within the US), the vegan fast-food market is rising.
In accordance with one report, it might even hit a price of greater than $55 billion by 2031. This implies it’s simpler than ever to seek out vegan choices within the nation’s favourite fast-food chains.
Tips on how to order vegan at fast-food eating places
In the event you’ve received cravings to fulfill, we’ve rounded up our high hacks for ordering vegan in fast-food shops all over the place, from Del Taco to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.
Del Taco
1 Del Taco
Up to now, Del Taco partnered with Past Meat to create a delegated vegetarian and vegan menu. Choices included burritos and tacos stuffed with Past Beef crumbles. Sadly, these are not obtainable—however that doesn’t imply vegans must go hungry.
The chain’s Crinkle Lower Fries and Hash Brown Sticks are vegan, and different vegetarian objects will be made solely plant-based with a number of modifications. Modify the 8 Layer Veggie Burrito with out the cheese and bitter cream, and seize the Crunchtada Tostada with out the cheese.
Auntie Anne’s
2 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Little-known vegan fast-food truth: Auntie Anne’s Authentic, Cinnamon Sugar, and Candy Almond pretzels will be veganized by ordering them with out the butter. This course of takes an additional 5 minutes, but it surely’s price it for a scorching, delicate mall pretzel.
Burger King
3 Burger King
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner—Burger King has vegan choices coated. Within the morning, go for the French Toast Sticks served heat with a aspect of maple syrup. In the course of the day, quell your burger craving with the Unimaginable Whopper (ask for no mayo) and a aspect of fries. For a complete have a look at BK’s menu, try our vegan information to consuming plant-based at Burger King.
Chipotle
4 Chipotle Mexican Grill
There are numerous build-your-own choices with Chipotle’s choices! You possibly can customise your individual bowl, burrito, salad, or tacos with a plethora of vegan components—together with beans, lettuce, cilantro-lime rice, veggie fajitas, and fan-favorite Sofritas—the chain’s signature spicy braised tofu. When doubtful, depend on Chipotle, and hold our vegan information to Chipotle helpful whenever you open your cell ordering app.
Bareburger
5 Bareburger
This chain has critically stepped up its vegan sport lately. What started as a partnership with Unimaginable Meals sprouted into a completely developed vegan menu—full with vegan cheese and plant-based buns. Bareburger’s intensive menu options whole-food vegan burgers; Past Sausage heroes, an Unimaginable Chopped Cheese, meatless hen nuggets, falafel bowls, and extra.
Canine Haus
6 Canine Haus
Greatest recognized for his or her scorching canine, Canine Haus affords a number of plant-based fast-food favorites. Select between an Unimaginable Burger (maintain the cheese and secret sauce), Unimaginable Brat, and Unimaginable Slider (ask for no mayo and skip the cheese). When ordered on a French roll or lettuce-wrapped, these choices are completely vegan-friendly. The chain additionally carries Unimaginable Nuggets for hungry kiddos. Canine Haus’ tots, candy potato fries, and common fries are additionally truthful sport.
Taco Bell
7 Taco Bell
Like its competitor Del Taco, this fast-food Mexican chain was early to leap on the vegan bandwagon. Taco Bell has beforehand launched a vegan Crunchwrap and vegan Nacho Fries, however just for a restricted time. At the moment, the chain affords a reasonably intensive vegetarian menu that’s simply veganizable, simply bear in mind to make use of a number of modifications.
Substitute the cheese, ranch sauce, bitter cream, and basically any dairy-based condiment on most vegetarian objects—ask for contemporary pico de gallo and further beans instead of these components. Add potatoes to customise different favorites together with the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme, Veggie Bowl, and easy Beans and Rice bowl. It doesn’t matter what you order, seize a aspect of by chance vegan Cinnamon Twists for dessert. When doubtful, learn our information to ordering vegan at Taco Bell.
Shake Shack
8 Shake Shack
This fan-favorite chain has critically upped their vegan choices. For lunch, order the Veggie Shack sans cheese, crispy onions, or the signature Shack Sauce—you’ll want to ask for a lettuce wrap or gluten-free bun, because the potato roll is just not vegan-friendly. Pair with a aspect of fries for a satiating meal.
Fatburger
9Fatburger
In 2017, Fatburger put the Unimaginable Burger on its menu. Since then, the chain’s vegan choices have solely expanded. Order the basic Unimaginable Burger with out mayonnaise and you’ll want to request dairy-free cheese (a uncommon choice in mainstream chains). For dessert, select between chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and Maui Banana shakes, all made with Craig’s Vegan Ice Cream.
Subway
10Subway
In the event you’re in quest of a 12-inch sub or filling salad in a pinch, Subway has you coated. The chain’s plethora of toppings (assume crimson onions, jalapeños, avocado, bell peppers, spinach, crimson wine vinegar, and past) make customization straightforward. Load up a salad along with your favourite fixings. For one thing just a little extra filling, Subway’s Veggie Delite and Veggie Patty subs will fulfill your starvation. Try our vegan information to Subway for extra ordering ideas.
Panda Specific
11Panda Specific
Like a number of of the chains on this listing, Panda Specific likes to flirt with veganism. The restaurant chain has beforehand partnered with Past Meat to launch Past the Authentic Orange Rooster, a vegan tackle Panda’s well-known orange hen. The restaurant first launched this vegan choice in 2021, and since then, it’s disappeared from the menu a number of occasions … solely to return once we least count on it.
On the time of writing, Panda doesn’t supply the coveted vegan meat. However plant-based diners can nonetheless get their fill of chow mein, steamed white or brown rice, and tremendous greens. Some areas even carry Eggplant Tofu, a scrumptious dish of browned tofu, eggplant, crimson bell peppers, and candy and spicy sauce. Get the lowdown on ordering vegan at Panda Specific with our full information.
For much more vegan quick meals, learn:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews in addition to a author and runner dwelling in Orange County, CA.
