Vegan Options at KFC (Updated 2024)

KFC toyed with us too many times for us to believe that they will be bringing us back any great vegan* options; however, you do have a few if you happen to stop by.

Be aware though, they are all sides.

If you happen to be curious what the timeline was on the testing for KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken, we share more info in the FAQ below.

Let’s see what all of your vegan options are:

Vegan Options at KFC

Homestyle Sides

BBQ Baked Beans … contain sugars, corn syrup, caramel color & natural flavors we have not confirmed if vegan.
Corn on the Cob
Green Beans … contain MSG
Secret Recipe Fries* … contain MSG
Sweet Kernel Corn

Salad

House Side Salad. Order with NO Croutons and with the Marzetti Light Italian Dressing … comes with lettuce and tomatoes.

Desserts

Apple Turnover … contains high fructose corn syrup and palm oil

Dipping Sauces and Condiments

Ketchup
Grape Jelly Packet
Strawberry Jam Packet
Lemon Juice Packet

Ask your location about the hot sauce. If they have it, it might be vegan. We have not been able to verify this yet.

Kids Meal Applesauce

Musselman’s Applesauce

* The fries may share a fryer. Ask your location if this is a concern for you. As with any restaurant that is not 100% vegan or does not offer a designated cooking space for their vegan options, cross-contamination can occur and fryers/grills may be shared with animal products. You can choose what your level of comfort is with these potential issues.

Vegan KFC FAQ

Vegan Options at KFC — Beyond Chicken seemed to get plenty of “demand” when they ran their test in Smyrna, Ga. in 2019!

Are KFC fries vegan?

The secret recipe fries themselves at KFC are vegan. However, make sure to check with your location if they share a fryer if you are concerned with cross-contamination.

Here are the official ingredients for KFC’s Secret Recipe Fries:

Sea Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Salt, Dextrose, Vegetable Powders (Onion, Carrot, Tomato), Tricalcium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Spices, Soybean Oil, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Paprika Extract (color), Turmeric Extract (color). Potaoes, Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola, Cottonseed, And/Or Sunflower), Bleached Wheat Flour, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Rice Flour, Durum Wheat Semolina, Dextrin, Salt, Degermed Yellow Corn Meal, Cornstarch, Leavening ( Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Xanthan Gum, Annatto Extract Color, Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate (To Maintain Natural Color).

Yes, those are the ingredients just for the fries. This doesn’t change the fact that they are still vegan, but we were a bit shocked when we learned this and thought it was something we should share with you as well.

Is the Beyond Fried Chicken at KFC vegan?

The ingredients of the Beyond Fried Chicken itself are vegan; however, the frying process does share a fryer with animal products, specifically chicken. You choose your level of comfort in deciding if this is vegan for you.

This item is no longer on the menu.

What Happened to KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken?

We were actually lucky enough to be a part of KFC’s testing of Beyond Chicken in 2019. It happened at the KFC in Smyrna, Georgia–just 10 minutes from our house.

In January 2022, KFC launched Beyond Fried Chicken nationwide, but it only lasted for a limited time and while supplies lasted. In March 2022, we were no longer seeing it on menus.

We share more information on our KFC Beyond Fried Chicken Review (The Good & The Bad).

Does KFC still offer Potato Wedges?

No. In the spring/summer of 2020, KFC removed their Potato Wedges and rolled out the new Secret Recipe French Fries.

In doing our research, we see many people are not happy about the discontinuation and have been voicing their opinions on social media.

Is KFC’s Cole Slaw Vegan?

Short answer, no, it’s not. For the long answer, check out our in-depth look at KFC’s Cole Slaw.

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Our Picks

Ryan’s Pick: We went for the Beyond Chicken event in Marietta, GA. Had the Beyond Boneless Wings and Potato Wedges. The Wings themselves were good, but not something to get overly excited for. The idea of KFC offering a vegan option like that is still pretty awesome though.

Jen’s Pick: For those of you that were KFC fans prior to being vegan, their Beyond Fried Chicken is spot on. I was reminded when trying it that I was not a big fan of KFC, except for their sides, so I would go with a side.

And to be honest, their wedges were my favorite which are no longer an option.