Vegan Options at McAlister’s Deli (Updated 2024)

McAlisters Deli Vegan Options

McAlister’s Deli has a couple of pretty good vegan options for a deli. Perhaps the best vegan-friendly menu item they have is the veggie chili which can be ordered in a regular bowl, or a bread bowl if you really want something to fill you up.

In addition to the veggie chili, you can create your own baked potato, salad or sandwich.


Vegan Options at McAlister’s Deli


Sandwich

  • The Veggie. SUB the 9-grain bread with your choice from our list below and SUB the mayo with spicy brown mustard or ask if you can use one of the vegan-friendly dressings–also listed below … comes with avocado, cucumber, roasted multicolored peppers, sliced red onion, spinach and tomato.

Sandwich Bread

  • Bread Bowl
  • Sliced Wheat
  • 6″ & 12″ Baguettes^
  • Ciabatta Bread^
  • Country White Bread^
  • Marbled Rye Bread^
  • Wheat Wrap^

^ These breads contain enzymes and natural flavors we have not confirmed the source of. You choose your level of comfort.

Sandwich Condiment

  • Spicy Brown Mustard

Sides/Chips

  • Applesauce
  • Fruit
  • Pickle Spear
  • Tomato and Cucumber Salad
  • Baked Lay’s Original
  • Lay’s Classic Potato Chips
  • Miss Vickie’s Sea Salt Potato Chips

Soup

  • Veggie Chili

Soup Garnishes

  • Bread Bowl
  • Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Crispy Onion
  • Green Onions
  • Jalapenos
  • Saltines
McAlister's Justaspud and Veggie Chili
Veggie Spud (no butter, no cheese sauce) with broccoli, green onion and diced tomato along with veggie chili in a bread bowl.

Craft Your Own Spud – aka Baked Potato

–> Be aware that you will be removing any sauce so consider adding the spicy brown mustard, maybe ask for a salad dressing on the side or order the veggie chili to top it with.

Start with JustASpud – a Baked Potato. Order with NO sour cream or butter packet. Then add any of the following options:

  • Black Olives
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Green Onions
  • Sliced Red Onion
  • Jalapenos
  • Avocado (cost extra)
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach (cost extra)
  • Tri-Colored Peppers

Or Start with a Veggie Spud – a Baked Potato with broccoli, roasted peppers, sliced red onion and spinach. Order with NO butter packet or cheese sauce. Then add any of the following options if you choose to:

  • Black Olives
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Green Onions
  • Jalapenos
  • Avocado (additional cost)

Salad

  • Garden Salad. Order with NO cheese or croutons. Choose your dressing from the list below … comes with cucumber and diced tomato on mixed greens.

Salad Dressings

  • Chili Lime Vinaigrette^
  • Fat Free Chipotle Peach^
  • Fat-Free Raspberry Pecan Vinaigrette^
  • Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinaigrette

^ These dressings contain natural flavors we have not confirmed the source of. You choose your level of comfort.

*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


McAlister’s Deli Vegan FAQ


McAlister's Deli
Photo Credit: jetcityimage – stock.adobe.com

Is McAlister’s Veggie Chili Vegan?

Yes! McAlister’s Veggie Chili is vegan. The ingredients are:

Soup, Vegetarian Chili [Pinto Beans, Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride, Kidney Beans, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Onions, Tomato, Vegetable Base (Carrot, Celery, Onion, Tomato, Corn Oil, Yeast, Potato Flour, Salt, Onion, Garlic, Flavoring), Green & Red Bell Peppers, Carrots, Garlic, Cornstarch, Salt, Chili Powder (Chili Pepper, Spices, Salt, Garlic), Spices, Cilantro, Natural Flavors, Pepper Sauce (Vinegar, Red Pepper, Salt)]

Is McAlister’s Deli Bread Vegan?

McAlister’s Deli offers a couple of vegan breads and even more accidentally vegan breads. Your options are the Bread Bowl and Sliced Wheat.

Your accidentally vegan choices are the 6″ & 12″ Baguettes, Ciabatta Bread, Country White Bread, Marbled Rye Bread and Wheat Wrap. We say accidentally vegan because we have not confirmed what the source of the enzymes and natural flavors are in the dough. You choose your level of comfort.

The 9-Grain bread is not vegan–it contains honey.

Is McAlister’s Deli Steamed Broccoli Side Vegan?

No. McAlister’s steamed broccoli side is broccoli with butter.

Are McAlister’s Deli Croutons Vegan?

No. The croutons are made with dairy.

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

Yes!! This place is a dream if your looking for potatoes & veggies!

  • Potato:
    • JustASpud (plain potato). Order with NO sour cream or butter packet.
    • Veggie Spud (broccoli, roasted peppers, sliced red onion and spinach). Order with NO butter packet or cheese sauce.
    • Top with your choice of black olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, sliced red onion, jalapenos and/or avocado (additional cost)
  • Garden Salad. Order with NO cheese or croutons.
    • In place of the cheese and croutons, you have the option to add additional veggies; sliced red onion, jalapenos, black olives, roasted multicolored peppers or for an additional cost, avocado.
    • The only oil-free vegan dressing available is the Fat Free Raspberry
  • Applesauce
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Pickle Spear
  • Spicy Brown Mustard

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Our Picks

Ryan’s Pick: I recently tried out the veggie chili in a bread bowl. The bread bowl and veggie chili are both good (not great) on their own. The bread is a little dryer than I expected, the veggie chili could use some more flavor in my opinion.

Having said that, the combo of the two is pretty good and it’s something I’d probably get again.

Jen’s Pick: I ordered the Veggie Spud (no butter, no cheese sauce) with broccoli, green onion and tomatoes. This was surprisingly more delicious than I thought it was going to be. They do a good job with baking their potatoes.

Pro Tip: Get the Spicy Brown Mustard to have a sauce for the potato.


More Links and Info:

  • Want to see McAlister’s full menu? Head over to the McAlister’s Menu Page
  • Information pulled directly from McAlister’s Allergen Menu and McAlister’s Ingredients List
  • Not seeing exactly what you wanted? We also have vegan guides for sandwich spots like Jason’s Deli and Subway as well as over 215 other popular chain restaurants on our Vegan Guides at Restaurants Main Page
  • Disclaimer: We do everything possible at VeggL to make sure all our Vegan Guides are as up-to-date as possible, but sometimes menus and menu items can change. VeggL is not responsible for incorrect or outdated information. Always check with your location and server to confirm items are vegan when ordering. If you notice something that needs to be corrected – please let us know!