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Burger King logo (Photo by Wesley Shen on Unplash)
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Best Fast Food Vegan Options: Top Healthy Menu Items Most Recommended By Experts

August 5, 2023
by Janelle Davis

Plenty of fast food chains have plant-based options now. Vegan options at fast food restaurants have come a long way in the past few years. If you’re looking for a meal in a hurry, you may not know what these chains offer. We have uncovered the best fast food vegan options to spout out to the restaurant intercom. 

If you are vegan, you are well aware of the benefits it has for you, but did you know that the diet can also benefit your fur baby? Forget giving the dog a bone, pet dogs would be far healthier sticking to a vegan diet, according to a new study. Survey results suggest that “nutritionally sound” vegan diets may be healthier and less hazardous than conventional or raw meat-based diets. 

So, how many people are actually sharing this alternative diet with their pets? An online survey of 3,673 dog and cat owners worldwide reveals that while just six percent of pet owners are vegan, 27 percent of that segment are also raising vegan pets. In all, that number amounts to 1.6 percent of the 2,940 dogs in the survey and 0.7 percent of the 1,545 cats. The totals jumped to 10.4 percent of dogs and 3.3 percent of cats when it came to animals fed vegan meals occasionally. Plus, 35 percent of owners who followed traditional diets for their pets were also interested in switching to a vegan one. But 55 percent of that group says stipulations would need to be in place for such a dramatic change, including approval from their vet that cutting meat, fish, and dairy from their pet’s diet was healthy. They also would want to be sure that the new food was easily available.

To help satisfy your hunger in a pinch while continuing to enjoy drive-thru treats, StudyFinds has researched to find the best fast food vegan options. Our list contains the top recommendations across ten expert sources. Do you go to a different food chain for your favorite vegan option? Let us know which ones in the comments below!

Burger King sign
Burger King sign (Photo by Ismail Hadine on Unsplash)

The List: Best Fast Food Vegan Options, According to Foodies

1. Burger King

Burger King tops the list, most likely for their vegan burger option, The Impossible Burger patty. “If you don’t want it grilled on the same surface that cooks meat, they will microwave it upon request. Burger King has also begun testing Impossible chicken nuggets in the US in some locations and may soon be adding it to the menu nationwide,” says Vkind.

While the Impossible Burger is a great vegan option, you should order it with no cheese or mayo. “Vegans can also order a salad without cheese or dairy-based dressing. Breakfast is a bit easier, with vegan French toast sticks, hash browns, oatmeal (made with water), or an egg and cheese sandwich for vegetarians,” informs EcoWatch.

To complete your burger craving with the Impossible Whopper, your vegan meal is only finished when you accompany it with some fries and a soda. “I won’t sit here and pretend these fries have a leg up on McDonald’s, but they do have a notable lack of beef flavoring and a thick yet crispy texture that holds up well. This is the type of meal that begs for a fountain soda, so do the right thing and oblige,” offers Thrillest. 

2. Chipotle

Chipotle is a staple for all diets on college campuses and an integral part of the lives of millennials, Gen Z, and gym enthusiasts. “Its pinto beans, fajita vegetables, and Sofritas (braised poblano tofu, notable for being low-fat but full-flavored) have catapulted the brand onto the plates of people with diets of all kinds,” offers VegOut.

What’s great about Chipotle is that you can customize your burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos with Sofritas (spicy tofu), beans, rice, vegetables, and salsa. Veggies Abroad offers some specific vegan options, “Veggies: Load up your bowl, burrito, tacos, or salad with a variety of vegan-friendly vegetables such as grilled peppers and onions, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, and guacamole. Rice and Beans: Chipotle offers white or brown cilantro-lime rice and black or pinto beans, which are vegan.” 

Chipotle has the best burritos, which, fun fact, are inspired by the giant delicious ones sold in San Francisco’s Mission District. “Eating vegan at Chipotle is the easiest thing in the world. According to their website: ‘Vegans should avoid our meats, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, queso, sour cream, and chipotle-honey vinaigrette.’ That’s all there is to it!” offers vegan.com.

3. Taco Bell

Another fast food restaurant on the list that may surprise you is Taco Bell. The majority of the ingredients at Taco Bell are actually vegan. “This was one of my go-to fast-food restaurants when I first went vegan years ago because of this. Avoid the Doritos Locos shells since they are not vegan. You can also substitute any meat item for black or refried beans and tell them you want an item fresco style, and they’ll leave off the cheese and sour cream and replace it with their chunky vegan salsa,” informs Vkind. 

Taco Bell has long been a favorite of the veggie community! They have a vegetarian menu, where many items can be customized into vegan. Veggies Abroad lets us in on some specific orders: “Bean Burrito or Fiesta Veggie Burrito: Both can be made vegan by omitting the cheese and sour cream. Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: Can be made vegan by omitting sour cream and nacho cheese.” 

The majority of the vegan options at Taco Bell contain black beans, which are an excellent way to get in your protein. “Some of the best vegan dishes at Taco Bell we recommend trying are the black bean crunch wrap supreme, the black beans, and rice, or the veggie power menu bowl. All of these dishes are truly delicious, and are packed with nutrients to ensure that you get a full and healthy meal,” says Restaurant Clicks. 

4. Del Taco

Del Taco sets itself apart with an entirely separate vegan menu. VegOut provides an example of what you can order, “You can now proceed through the drive-thru and proudly proclaim, ‘I’ll have two Beyond Guacamole Tacos, one on corn, one on flour, with a side of Crinkle Cut Fries, please!'”

Mexican fast food caters to vegans best. Del Taco rolled out Beyond Meat tacos and burritos in 2019 and has not looked back. “Your decision-making skills will be put to the test here, but you will take the challenge on with aplomb. The Epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito is loaded with rice, beans, guacamole, pica de gallo, and crumbles of Beyond Meat and is surprisingly filling. Not only is it vegetarian, it’s actually certified vegan and boasts 44 grams of protein per burrito. Also, the guacamole is just perfectly fresh and zippy with lime. The cheese quesadilla is an old reliable and exactly what you’d expect; plus, you can order a full-size if you’re feeling particularly famished,” suggests Thrillest.

Del Taco knows what it’s doing when it comes to vegan dining. Unfortunately, they are not located all over the U.S. For those who live in California or one of the regions that host the Mexican fast food restaurant, then you’re in luck. Sorry, East Coast. “Because Mexican food is one of those cuisines that is notably vegan-friendly, it’s not much of a stretch for the chain to create several plant-based menu options, but we are always thankful anyway. For those looking for traditional meat flavors, check out Del Taco’s Beyond 8-Layer Burrito, or one of the Beyond Meat Taco Toppings. Our favorite, however, is the Epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito, equipped with 43 grams of plant-based protein,” says Tasting Table.

5. Dunkin Donuts

For a restaurant known for its coffee, you may be surprised by the vegan options Dunkin offers. “Dunkin’ has avocado toast and non-dairy milk choices that include oat, almond, and coconut milk to add to your coffee. Aside from the avocado toast, vegans can also order avocado & roasted tomato toast, bacon avocado tomato sandwich with no bacon, plain, cinnamon raisin, everything & sesame bagels with no cream cheese, an English muffin, and hash browns,” informs Vkind.  

In addition to vegan food options, you can also enjoy a vegan beverage at Dunkin. Dunkin’ Refreshers, fruit drinks, and teas are vegan. “All of the swirl syrups (minus the mocha swirl, peppermint mocha swirl, and brownie batter swirl) and the vanilla bean flavored syrup contain dairy. When ordering, make sure you say you want the syrup and not the swirl when ordering the vanilla or caramel-flavored syrups. Enjoy your breakfast alongside a beverage made with almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk,” offers EcoWatch.

The vegan go-to is Dunkin’s Beyond Meat breakfast sandwich. So, if you are looking for a vegan meal to order alongside your vegan beverage, this is the option to order. “Previously, you would have had to order your coffee black from Dunkin’ for it to be vegan-friendly, but since they added oat milk to the menu, drinking vegan at Dunkin’ has become a lot easier,” informs Restaurant Clicks. 

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

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