Going vegan sometimes requires planning ahead, especially when eating out.
Luckily, many popular restaurant chains have added vegan options to their menus in recent years, including Burger King.
Also, some vegan options have been around for a long time. However, they are not necessarily labeled as vegan, which can make it difficult for people following a vegan diet to discern what to order.
This article reviews 6 vegan options available at most Burger King locations, along with some other potentially vegan products.
1. Impossible whopper
Burger King was one of the first well-known fast food chains to include the vegan Impossible burger patty in their daily menu.
The Impossible Burger Patty is made entirely from plants. It contains soy and potato protein as well as coconut and sunflower oil. For the meat-like taste, heme iron is used, which is obtained through the fermentation of genetically modified yeast extract (1).
Sold at Burger King as the Impossible Whopper, it's topped with tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, pickles, and onions. To be sure it's vegan, don't ask for mayonnaise or vegan mayo.
After public criticism of the Impossible Patty being cooked on the same grill as beef patties, Burger King's website now advises that you can request a "non-cook method" to ensure your whopper is completely meat-free.
The Impossible Whopper offers the following nutritional profile (2):
- Calories:630
- Protein:25 Gramm
- Total Fat:34 Gramm
- Saturated fats:11 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:58 Gramm
- Fiber:4 Gramm
- Cholesterol:18 mg
- Sodium:1.080 mg
- Zucker:12 Gramm
Note that cholesterol is only found in animal products. If you order this whopper without mayonnaise, the cholesterol will be removed.
This burger is high in sodium, which is almost half the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) value, which is set at a maximum of 2,300 mg for adults. Eating too much sodium on a regular basis can raise your blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease (3,4).
Also, while it's a good source of protein, it also contains a decent amount of fat, a third of which comes from the saturated fat in coconut oil.
The effects of saturated fat on heart health are controversial, but coconut oil appears to increase HDL (good) cholesterol (5).
Still, efforts to lower heart disease risk by raising HDL cholesterol have not been successful, and due to its high saturated fat content, it is advisable to limit consumption of coconut oil (6).
SUMMARY
The Burger King Impossible Whopper, ordered without mayonnaise, is completely plant-based. However, note that it is high in sodium and fat, both of which you should limit in your diet.
2. Hash Browns
An easy breakfast option, these nugget-shaped hash browns are made with potatoes fried in vegetable oil.
A small portion of Burger King Hash Browns has the following nutritional composition (2):
- Calories:250
- Protein:2 Gramm
- Total Fat:16 Gramm
- Saturated fats:3,5 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:24 Gramm
- Fiber:3,5 Gramm
- Cholesterol:0 mg
- Sodium:580 mg
- Zucker:0 Gramm
Even though they're vegan, they're unlikely to keep you full for long, so consider pairing them with something else. And while they're a good source of fiber, they're low in protein to fill you up and nearly a quarter of your daily sodium (3).
SUMMARY
Burger King's Hash Browns are potatoes fried in vegetable oil and a vegan-friendly breakfast option. They are a good source of fiber and contain a lot of sodium.
3. French Toast Sticks
Offered as a breakfast option, the French toast sticks come in a pack of three or five sticks and a breakfast syrup that's rated vegan-friendly.
Unlike typical French toast recipes, these sticks aren't made with eggs, milk, or butter.
An order of three French Toast Sticks from Burger King provides the following nutritional values (2):
- Calories:230
- Protein:3 Gramm
- Total Fat:11 Gramm
- Saturated fats:2 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:29 Gramm
- Fiber:1,5 Gramm
- Cholesterol:0 mg
- Sodium:260 mg
- Zucker:8 Gramm
While this breakfast option is vegan, it also contains a lot of sugar.
One order contains about 32 calories from added sugar. That's almost one-third of the American Heart Association's 100-calorie-per-day guideline for adult women, or one-fifth of the 150-calorie-per-day limit for men (7).
SUMMARY
French Toast Sticks contain a significant amount of added sugar, but are a vegan option on Burger King's breakfast menu.
4. Classic french fries
Burger King classic fries are made with vegetable oil and are suitable for a vegan diet. This may come as a pleasant surprise to vegan consumers, since McDonald's fries contain natural beef flavoring and milk (8).
Ask for ketchup or mustard for a vegan-friendly dip.
A medium serving of Burger King Classic French Fries has the following nutritional information (2):
- Calories:385
- Protein:5 Gramm
- Total Fat:17 Gramm
- Saturated fats:3 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:53 Gramm
- Fiber:4 Gramm
- Cholesterol:0 mg
- Sodium:570 mg
- Zucker:0,4 Gramm
This portion of french fries contains a significant amount of sodium, accounting for almost a quarter of the RDI (3).
It's also a major source of calories and fat without providing many other beneficial nutrients. Therefore, from a health perspective, it is best if you combine it with another food.
SUMMARY
Unlike the fries of many other fast food chains, Burger King's classic fries are vegan. Note that from a health standpoint, a single serving contains a lot of sodium, fat, and calories.
5. Side dish garden salad
While this salad alone probably won't satisfy a large appetite, it can be made vegan by asking to omit the shredded cheese.
The Burger King Side Garden Salad has the following nutritional composition (2):
- Calories:322
- Protein:5 Gramm
- Total Fat:32 Gramm
- Saturated fats:6,5 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:5 Gramm
- Fiber:1 Gramm
- Cholesterol:22 mg
- Sodium:340 mg
- Zucker:4 Gramm
Keep in mind that by skipping the shredded cheese, you're reducing the fat, calories, and protein, and eliminating the cholesterol.
It may also help to know that apart from cheese, this salad only contains tomatoes and lettuce. So you can refine it with your own vegan dressing or other ingredients if you want.
SUMMARY
Removing the cheese from the side salad at Burger King makes it a vegan option, although you'll likely need to pair it with another item to create a filling meal.
6. Mott's Applesauce
It may not be enough for one meal, but the applesauce is well suited as a vegan side dish to a larger meal.
Burger King's Mott's Applesauce has the following nutritional values (2):
- Calories:50
- Protein:0 Gramm
- Total Fat:0 Gramm
- Saturated fats:0 Gramm
- Total carbohydrates:13 Gramm
- Fiber:1 Gramm
- Cholesterol:0 mg
- Sodium:0 mg
- Zucker:11 Gramm
Although the apple sauce is vegan, it is not filling. Still, it can be a good complement to another vegan product.
And while it contains more sugar than French Toast Sticks, Mott's applesauce doesn't contain any added sugar.
SUMMARY
Mott's Apple Sauce is a naturally vegan side dish option. It's not a standalone meal, but pairs well with a larger meal at Burger King.
7. Other potentially vegan options
While not listed on Burger King's official US menu, the popular fast food restaurant has a few other vegan options.
Some potential vegan dishes to look out for or ask about at Burger King are:
- Oatmeal prepared with water or non-dairy milk
- PB&J Jamwich from the children's menu
- Whopper Jr. without the meat and mayo, which is a veggie sandwich with tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, pickles, and onions
- Veggie Bean Burger, found on the Burger King menu in the UK
If you're wondering if other menu items are vegan or can be made vegan, it's best to contact the Burger King location of your choice directly.
SUMMARY
There are other vegan options depending on the local menu. In addition, Burger King offers a vegan bean burger as a regular menu item in the UK, but it is not available in the United States.
The bottom line
When you eat vegan, you have to plan a bit when you go out to eat. Thankfully, many popular fast-food chains, including Burger King, offer vegan options.
While the vegan options at Burger King aren't exactly healthy, as they can be high in sodium, fat, or sugar, it can be helpful for vegans to have menu items that match their dietary needs.
Vegan options at most Burger King locations include the Impossible Whopper, hash browns, classic fries, French toast sticks, garden salad, and Mott's applesauce. Depending on location, other vegan products may also be available.
More on the subject:
- Impossible Burger vs. Beyond Burger: Which is Better?
- 10 beste Smoothie King Smoothies
- The 8+ best veggie burgers
- Vegan Meat Substitutes: The Ultimate Guide
FAQs
Are Burger King fries vegan 2022? ›
French Fries
A vegan staple is french fries and Burger King's are exactly that! Their fries are cooked in 100% vegetable oil and cooked to perfection. Surprisingly, these delicious fries contain 13 ingredients according to an article by Food Beast.
It couldn't keep up with the demand. The plant-based patty by Impossible Foods is stacked with all the classic Whopper toppings including sliced tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, and sliced onions, and is easily veganized by asking for no mayo.
Is the new plant-based Whopper vegan? ›Why Has Burger King Made the Rebel Whopper Non-Vegan? The official line from Burger King is that the burger is not and never was intended for vegans or vegetarians. Instead it was created for those wanting to reduce their meat consumption, either for health or ethical reasons.
What meat is vegan Whopper? ›Plant-Based Whopper®
The Plant-Based Whopper is made up of a flame-grilled, soy-based patty, topped with tomatoes, fresh cut lettuce, vegan mayo, pickles, a swirl of ketchup, and sliced onions on a soft sesame seed bun.
Yes! Burger King's buns are suitable for vegans!
What's the difference between Rebel Whopper and vegan Whopper? ›Vegetable patties tend to be lower in total fat and saturated fat, but higher in sodium compared to mock-meat and real meat patties. For example, the Vegan Whopper Cheese Burger contains two veggie patties instead of the CSIRO-designed mock-meat patty used in the Rebel Whopper.
What is the impossible burger at Burger King? ›The Impossible King: Featuring a flame-grilled Impossible patty made from plants topped with American cheese, sliced white onions, crunchy pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a toasted sesame seed bun.
Is Burger King apple pie vegan? ›In fact, Burger King has a surprising number of vegan-friendly eats to pick from, so you can chow down on everything from apple pie to French fries, and more.
Is there anything vegan at Burger King? ›The bottom line
Vegan options at most Burger King locations include the Impossible Whopper, hash browns, classic fries, French toast sticks, garden side salad, and Mott's applesauce. Other vegan items may be available depending on the location.
Burger King vegan menu
The Plant-Based Whopper and Chicken Royale are regular additions, but these are sometimes made on the same grill as meat or with non-vegan sauces. You should always check with your server before ordering.
What's in the Impossible Whopper? ›
What is the Impossible Whopper patty made of? The Impossible Whopper patty is made from plants. The main ingredients are soy and potato protein, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and heme.
Is the veggie bean burger in Burger King vegan? ›Our vegetable patty, topped with fresh-cut lettuce, juicy tomatoes, ketchup and vegan mayo all served on a toasted sesame seed bun. Meals are served with a drink only.