Vegan Options at Applebee’s (Updated 2026)

The vegan options at Applebee’s are looking good! They have a couple of appetizers, salads, bowls, an Impossible burger and a few sides.

We share all of their plant-based options (with modifications) below:

Vegan Options at Applebee’s

Appetizers

Pretzels (come in orders of two). These are from the Brew Pub Pretzels appetizer. Instead of having to pay the full price for the Brew Pub Pretzels, then having to say NO honey mustard or cheese dip, you can order just the Pretzels. You can ask for regular mustard or marinara sauce to dip (optional).
White Queso Dip & Chips*. Order with NO white queso. SUB with guacamole and/or chipotle lime salsa.
Crispy Pickle Fries* (limited time). Order with NO ranch dipping sauce. We’re not sure what the best SUB could be—maybe the marinara sauce? (ingredient list in FAQ)

Salad

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad. Order with NO chicken. SUB with an Impossible patty (optional–will cost a little extra). This salad also comes with a breadstick. Order the breadstick with NO garlic butter or dairy on top … the salad comes with fresh greens with garden tomatoes, red onions, sliced almonds, fresh strawberries and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Served with a lemon olive oil vinaigrette on the side.
House Salad. Order with NO cheese. Pick a vegan dressing below.

Vegan Sauces/Dressings

Marinara
Guacamole
Chipotle Lime Salsa
Italian Dressing
Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Irresist-A-Bowls

Southwest Chicken Bowl. Order with NO chicken. SUB with an Impossible patty (optional) … comes with fresh greens, cilantro rice, house-made pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa and guacamole. Topped with chimichurri, tortilla strips and a fresh lime wedge.

Burger

Impossible Cheeseburger. Order with NO cheese. The brioche bun IS vegan.

Pasta

Pasta Noodles with Marinara (off menu option). Specify NO butter or cheese. Add a side of steamed broccoli with NO butter (optional).
Breadsticks. Order with NO alfredo or garlic butter. SUB with marinara.

Sides

Baked Potato. Order with NO butter or sour cream. SUB with guacamole and/or chipotle lime salsa or add a side of black bean corn salsa.
Fries*
Waffle Fries*
Steamed Broccoli. Order with NO butter.

Applebee’s Disclaimer: “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.” You choose your level of comfort.

Note: VeggL is a US-based website. All info contained on our site (and app) is regarding US-based locations.

Applebee’s Vegan FAQ

What are the ingredients in Applebee’s Crispy Pickle Fries?

Applebee’s Crispy Pickle Fries are considered accidentally vegan and share fryer oil with animal menu items, just as everything fried at Applebee’s does. The ingredients are:

Pickle Fries (Cucumbers, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent), Lactic Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Turmeric And Polysorbate 80), Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More of the Following: Soybean, Corn And/Or Cottonseed Oil), Water, Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Modified Corn Starch, Tapioca Starch, Contains 2% Or Less of: Salt, Yellow Corn Flour, Dextrose, Sugar, Spices (Including Celery Seed), Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Aluminum Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Dried Garlic, Dried Onion, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Yeast, Lemon Oil, Disodium Guanylate & Disodium Inosinate, Citric Acid, Paprika Extract, Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, TBHQ And Citric Acid (Preservatives), Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent).

You choose your level of comfort. Order with NO ranch dipping sauce.

Are Applebee’s mashed potatoes vegan?

No. The Garlic mashed potatoes at Applebee’s contain butter.

Can I eat WFPB (Whole Food Plant Based) at Applebee’s?

Yes! Order a baked potato plain (not cooked with or topped with butter) with steamed broccoli (order eith NO butter) and salsa.

Are Applebee’s Fries Vegan?

The fries themselves are vegan, however, the fries at Applebee’s may be cooked in the same fryer as meat products.

Many vegans are willing to accept the fact that cross-contamination is going to be an issue with most things at restaurants, but we want to make you aware in case that’s a deal-breaker for you.

Our Picks

Jen’s Pick: The Strawberry Balsamic Salad with the Impossible Burger in place of chicken is very good… and filling! The pretzels, as an appetizer, are tasty as well.

Ryan’s Pick: Pretzels are a bit “doughy” but I liked them and would order again. The Impossible Burger was good; nothing overly exciting, but good. Waffle Fries were the star though–crispy, well seasoned, and beyond my expectations.