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Applebee’s has a decent amount of vegan options for a restaurant that isn’t fully vegan.
They have added an Impossible burger to their menu, and there are adjustments you can make to create a main salad and pasta dish. They also have some bowls and appetizers that you can adjust to be vegan!
Before we get into the vegan options at Applebee’s, keep in mind that cross-contamination with animal products is likely to occur at any restaurant that isn’t fully vegan.
Menu items that contain sugar may also not be vegan by some people’s standards, as sometimes sugar is filtered through bone char.
Here is the vegan disclaimer from Applebee’s:
Applebee’s defines vegan as not containing any animal products or byproducts including meat, rennet, gelatin, eggs, dairy, or honey. Because we have multiple sources of animal products in our shared cooking and prep areas, including common fryer oil, we are unable to guarantee that any menu item be completely free of animal products or byproducts.
Also note that ingredients and menu items can change at any time, so double check with your server when ordering.
If you are comfortable with the risks mentioned above, keep reading for all the vegan options at Applebee’s.
Vegan Options at Applebee’s
Appetizers
As they are, none of the Applebee’s appetizers are vegan, but some can be made vegan with some adjustments.
- Brew Pub Pretzels – Order without beer cheese dip or honey mustard. Order with marinara instead to keep it vegan.
- Guacamole Dip or Salsa & Chips – This is a variation of the White Queso & Chips or Spinach & Artichoke & Chips. You can get guacamole or salsa instead of white queso or spinach and artichoke dip. Confirm with your server that the guacamole does not contain dairy. Also note that the chips may be fried in the same oil as animal products.
- Breadsticks with Marinara – Note that the Alfredo Sauce for dipping is not vegan, so order with marinara sauce instead. Also make sure you tell your server you are vegan and ask for no butter on your breadsticks.
Salads
None of the salads are vegan as they are, but you can make adjustments to the salads below.
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad – Of course order this without the chicken. You can substitute an Impossible patty for the chicken, then break it up and mix it into the salad. For dressing, choose between the Italian Dressing and Lemon Oil Vinaigrette.
- House Salad – Order with no cheese. Choose between Italian Dressing and Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette.
Note: Salads are served with a signature Breadstick. Make sure you tell your server that you do not want butter on your Breadstick.
Pasta
None of the Applebee’s pasta dishes are vegan, but you can make your own dish because they have vegan noodles and the marinara sauce is vegan!
- Noodles with Marinara – Instead of meat in your pasta, ask for an Impossible patty if you'd like a substitution.
Note: Pastas are served with a signature Breadstick. Make sure you tell your server that you do not want butter on your Breadstick.
Irresist-A-Bowls
- Southwest Chicken Bowl - Order without the chicken. Get an Impossible patty instead of chicken.
- Tex-Mex Lime Shrimp Bowl - Order without the shrimp. Get an Impossible patty instead of shrimp.
Burgers
- Impossible Burger with Brioche Bun – Make sure you order without cheese.
Sides
- Baked Potato – Order without butter or sour cream. You can get it with a side of black bean corn salsa or guacamole instead. Double check with you server that the guacamole is dairy-free.
- Fries – May be cooked in the same oil as items containing animal products.
- Waffle Fries - May be cooked in the same oil as items containing animal products.
- Steamed Broccoli – Ask for no butter.
Sauces, Dips, and Dressings
- Marinara
- Guacamole
- Chipotle Lime Salsa
- Black Bean Corn Salsa
- Italian Dressing
- Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette
Kids
As is, the kids menu at Applebee’s does not contain any vegan main meal options. You could as for a kid-sized bowl of noodles and marinara sauce.
The following vegan sides for kids are available:
- Applesauce
- Broccoli – Ensure there is no butter.
- Fries – May be cooked in the same oil as items containing animal products.
The following vegan beverages for kids are available:
- Apple Juice
- Grape Juice
- Orange Tangerine Juice
Juices may contain sugar that is filtered through bone char.
None of the kids Sundaes or Shakes are vegan.
Kids Fruit Smoothies:
- Mango
- Strawberry Banana
- Wildberry
Ask your server if any of the smoothies contain honey and also double check that they don’t contain dairy. Ingredients can change at any time.
Beverages
- Coffee and tea – Without cream or milk.
- Red Bull
- Lemonades
- Fruit Smoothies: Mango, Strawberry Banana, and Wildberry
- Iced Teas
- Sodas
The beverages listed above will be considered vegan to plenty of vegans who aren’t super strict. If you are not okay with consuming artificial colors or sugar that may be processed with bone char, stick to drinking water, black coffee, or tea at Applebee’s.
Also confirm with your server that the smoothies do not contain any dairy or honey, as ingredients can change at any time.
Applebee’s Vegan FAQs
Are Applebee’s Fries Vegan?
The fries at Applebee’s do not contain animal ingredients and they are cooked in vegan oil. However, meat and other menu items that contain animal products are also cooked in the same oil so there is cross-contamination.
Some vegans will be okay with this because cross-contamination will always be a risk at restaurants. But if this is an issue for you, avoid the fries.
Does Applebee’s Have Vegan Pasta?
Applebee’s does not have a vegan pasta dish on their menu, but you can make your own! They do have vegan noodles and the marinara sauce is vegan, so you can order a simple pasta with marinara. Tell your server your don’t want any butter or cheese.
You can even get an Impossible patty with your pasta as a meat substitute.
Make sure you also ask that your breadstick does not have butter on it.
Does Applebee’s Have a Vegan Burger?
Yes! Applebee’s now serves an Impossible Cheeseburger. To make this vegan, simply ask for no cheese.
Are Applebee’s Onion Rings Vegan?
No. The onion rings at Applebee’s contain milk.
Are Applebee’s Breadsticks Vegan?
The breadsticks at Applebee’s are brushed with butter, but you can ask your server to omit the butter. For dip you can ask for marinara sauce.
Note that salads and pasta dishes come with a breadstick, so remember to tell your server no butter if you order one of these items.
Does Applebee’s have a vegan soup or sandwich?
No, none of the soups or sandwiches at Applebee’s are vegan.
Does Applebee’s have a vegan dessert?
There are no vegan desserts at Applebee's.
