Back in 2019, Burger King was one of the first national chains to add the plant-based Impossible Burger to its menu. The famous Impossible Whopper, which can be ordered vegan without the mayonnaise, became an instant hit for the company.
Since then, it has built on that success significantly. Around the world, its vegan menu is rapidly expanding, and the company has even trialed entirely plant-based locations in a few countries (albeit none in the US yet).
Burger King
That said, American consumers aren’t missing out. In the past year, the chain has trialed vegan chicken burgers in select US locations, plus the Impossible Whopper is still available nationwide. And, unlike some places (ahem, McDonald’s), Burger King fries are totally vegan, too.
Here we’ve put together a vegan guide on how to eat plant-based at Burger King in the US. But first, let’s take a look at some of the options available elsewhere, all of which demonstrate why the brand is quickly becoming a global leader in the plant-based fast-food space.
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Does Burger King have vegan options?
The amount of vegan options on the Burger King menu depends on where you are.
Across the UK, for example, you can order the Plant-based Whopper, the Vegan Royale, and Vegan Nuggets, all of which feature plant-based meat from the Vegetarian Butcher. But if you’re specifically in the English city of Bristol, you can find even more plant-based options on the menu.
The fast-food giant is hosting its second UK plant-based pop-up (the first was in London in April 2022) at its Cribbs Causeway spot until November 6. The menu includes 24 vegan items, including a Bakon King, a Vegan Nugget Burger, a Plant-Based Double Whopper, and Vegan Chilli Cheeeze Bites. Plus, the chain added three La Vie vegan bacon cheeseburgers to the menu at participating locations throughout the UK.
Burger King
Other countries where Burger King has trialed 100-percent vegan or meat-free restaurants include Austria, Switzerland, Chile, Spain, and just recently, Israel. Plus, in Germany, the fast-food chain began offering a vegan version for every meat option on its menu earlier this year. And in France, it added vegan bacon to its Veggie Steakhouse Burgers last June.
The chain’s growing range of vegan options is, in part, due to changing attitudes around meat, as more people choose to become flexitarian or plant-based. But it’s also a big part of its recent commitment to be more sustainable. In January 2022, it even pledged to make half of its UK menu meat-free by 2030 in a bid to lower its emissions.
Does Burger King have vegan chicken?
The US may not have a fully plant-based Burger King yet, but it could be getting new vegan options nationwide soon. In August, the fast-food giant started trialing the Original Chik’n Sandwich in select Cincinnati, OH locations; the menu option, which features an Impossible Chicken burger, is vegan if ordered without the mayonnaise.
Burger King
Outside of the US, Burger King has plant-based chicken on its permanent nationwide menu in several locations. Belgium, for example, has Veggie Nuggets. Germany has the Plant-based Long Chicken, and the UK’s Vegan Royale also contains a plant-based chicken patty.
Check the menu at your local restaurant to find out if Burger King offers vegan chicken in your area.
What are Burger King vegan burgers made of?
Burger King has several different partnerships with plant-based meat suppliers around the world, so not all of its vegan burgers are made with the same ingredients.
Burger King
In the US, the Impossible Whopper features Impossible Foods’ soy protein-based Impossible Burger. In the UK, the Rebel Whopper is made with soy-based burgers from Dutch brand Vegetarian Butcher, which also supplies several of its other European locations. In Chile, Burger King’s meat-free burgers are made with Chilean brand NotCo’s pea protein patties.
How to order vegan at Burger King US
The US may be waiting for more vegan options to arrive on the Burger King menu, but until then, you still have plenty of choices. From the little-known vegan French Toast Sticks to the build-your-own sandwich option, here is everything you need to know to order vegan at Burger King US.
Vegan Foodie Eats
1 French Toast Sticks
These sweet, egg-free French toast dippers typically fly under the vegan radar, but they are arguably the most delicious plant-based find on BK’s menu. No modifications are needed—the sticks and the syrup are both verified vegan. The standard order comes with five crispy-yet-doughy dippers, but you can also order a smaller side of three.
Burger King
2 Hash Browns
The humble hash brown is a reliable vegan staple across diners and drive-thrus alike. These fried potatoes are served as coin-shaped nuggets which are ideal for dipping and snacking. Keep in mind, the breakfast menu is only available until 10:30am.
Burger King
3 Impossible Whopper
Burger King ran into a major issue when it first debuted this menu item in 2019. 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. Really hungry? Go for the Double Whopper, which is made with two Impossible patties.
@nymphvegan/Instagram
4 Build your own sandwich
An alternate route to making modifications to your Impossible Whopper is to build your own burger. You’ll start with an Impossible patty and a bun then have the opportunity to customize your perfect handhold. Vegan-friendly toppings include all the staples: mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions.
Canva
5 Garden Side Salad
To be honest, this bowl of greens won’t wow you. Order without the cheese and you’re down to just lettuce and tomatoes. However, it serves its purpose of adding a bit of green to a meal if that’s what you’re after. The salad does not include dressing, so ask for a salt and pepper packet to zhush it up.
Burger King
6 Classic fries
Go ahead and order fries with your veganized Impossible Whopper. Like the vast majority of fast-food potato products, they’re vegan. For dipping, play it safe with ketchup or mustard.
Mott’s
7 Mott’s Applesauce
Look to the King Jr. (or the kid’s) menu for this familiar applesauce cup. After BK discontinued the PB&J Jammwich, the applesauce is the only plant-based item on the menu for little vegans.
For more vegan fast-food guides, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
