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 mayonnaise, became an instant hit for the company.
Since then, it has significantly built on that success. Around the world, its vegetarian menu is expanding rapidly, and the company has even tested completely plant-based locations in a few countries (though none in the U.S. yet).
Burger King
That said, American consumers aren’t missing out. In the past year, the chain has trialed vegan chicken burgers at select U.S. locations, with the Impossible Whopper still available nationwide. And, unlike some places (ahem, McDonald’s), Burger King fries are also completely vegan.
Here we’ve put together a vegetarian 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 show why the brand is quickly becoming a global leader in the plant-based fast-food space.
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 plant-based Whoppers, Vegan Royale and Vegan Nuggets, all of which contain plant-based meat from vegetarian butchers. But if you’re in the English city of Bristol in particular, you might find 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 Cribs Causeway spot until November 6. The menu includes 24 vegan burger items including a Bacon King, a vegan nugget, a plant-based Double Whopper, and vegan chili cheese bites. In addition, the chain has added three La Vegan Bacon Cheeseburgers to the menu at participating locations across the UK.
Burger King
Other countries where Burger King has tested 100-percent vegan or meat-free restaurants include Austria, Switzerland, Chile, Spain and, most recently, Israel. Also, 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 burger last June.
The growing range of vegan options at the chain is, in part, due to changing attitudes towards meat, as more people choose to be flexible or plant-based. But that’s a big part of the recent commitment to being more sustainable. In January 2022, it pledged to make half of its UK menu meat-free by 2030 to reduce its emissions.
Does Burger King have vegan chicken?
The U.S. may not have a fully plant-based Burger King yet, but it may soon have new vegetarian options nationwide. In August, the fast-food giant began trialling the Original Chicken Sandwich at its Cincinnati, OH location; Menu options, including an improbable chicken burger, are vegan if ordered without mayonnaise.
Burger King
Outside of the United States, Burger King has plant-based chicken on its permanent nationwide menu at various locations. For example, Belgium has veggie nuggets. Germany has plant-based long chicken and the UK’s Vegan Royale has a plant-based chicken patty.
Check your local restaurant’s menu to see if Burger King offers vegan chicken in your area.
What are Burger King vegan burgers made of?
Burger King has several 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 United States, the Impossible Whopper features Impossible Foods’ soy protein-based Impossible Burger. In the UK, Rebel Whopper is made with soy-based burgers from the Dutch brand Vegetarian Butcher, which also supplies its other European locations. In Chile, Burger King’s meat-free burgers are made with a pea protein patty from Chilean brand NotCo.
How to Order Vegan at Burger King US
The US is waiting for more vegan options on the Burger King menu, but until then, you still have plenty of choices. From lesser-known vegan French toast sticks to build-your-own sandwich options, here’s everything you need to know about ordering vegan at Burger King US.
Eats vegan foodie
1 French Toast Sticks
These sweet, egg-free French toast dippers usually fly under the vegan radar, but they’re one of the tastiest plant-based finds on BK’s menu. No modifications required – both sticks and syrup are verified vegan. The standard order comes with five crispy-at-doughy dippers, but you can also order a small side of three.
Burger King
2 Hash Browns
The humble hash brown is a reliable vegan staple across diners and drive-throughs. These fried potatoes are served as coin-shaped nuggets that are ideal for dipping and snacking. Note, the breakfast menu is only available until 10:30am.
Burger King
3 Impossible Hooper
Burger King ran into a big problem when this menu item first debuted in 2019 It could not keep up with demand Impossible Foods’ plant-based patty is stacked with all the classic Whopper toppings, including sliced tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles and diced onion, and is easily veganized with no mayo. Really hungry? Go for the Double Whopper, which is made up of two impossible patties.
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4 Build your own sandwich
An alternative way to modify your Impossible Whopper is to build your own burger. You’ll start with an impossible patty and a bun then get the chance 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 impress you. Order without cheese and you’re down to just lettuce and tomato. However, it does serve the purpose of adding some green to the meal if you’re after it. The salad doesn’t include dressing, so ask for a salt and pepper packet to spice 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 are vegetarian. For dipping, play it safe with ketchup or mustard.
Mutts
7 Motts Applesauce
Check out the King Jr. (or kids) menu for this familiar apple sauce cup. After BK discontinued the PB&J Jammwich, applesauce is the only plant-based item on Little Vegan’s menu.
For more vegan fast-food guides, read:
Tanya Flink is a digital editor for VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.