Burger King isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of vegan food. In fact, it’s probably one of the last things.
But with the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, more and more fast-food chains are offering vegan options.
To make sure you only eat foods that align with your ethical values, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production methods of Burger King. Here’s what I found.
Is Burger King Vegan?
The answer is yes . . . and no. While there are some vegan options at Burger King, such as the Impossible Whopper, French Toast Sticks, Hash Browns, and Classic Fries, there are also many non-vegan items on the menu.
For example, the regular Whopper contains meat, as do the chicken sandwiches and nuggets. And while the salads don’t have any meat, they do contain dairy products like cheese, mayo, and Ranch dressing.
You can get a few vegan menu items at Burger King. There are a few things to note, however.
First, the Impossible Whopper comes standard with mayonnaise, which is not vegan. You will need to ask for it without the mayo to make your burger truly vegan.
Second, the burger is cooked on the same griddle as meat patties, so there is a small risk of cross contamination. However, Burger King does try to minimize this by enforcing strict food safety protocols.
So, while there are some vegan options at Burger King, it’s not particularly the most vegan-friendly fast-food chain. But if you are on the go and in a pinch, there are some decent options to choose from.
Is Burger King Cruelty Free?
Burger King is cruelty free. Ever since 2001, Burger King has adopted new guidelines that its egg and meat suppliers should follow to ensure that the animals used for their products are treated humanely.
This includes mandatory stunning of cattle and pigs before they are slaughtered, as well as extra wing room, water, and fresh air for the chickens. Surprise inspections by Burger King auditors are also conducted at poultry farms to make sure these standards are met.
While Burger King has not yet made a switch to 100% plant-based options, it has made strides in the right direction and implemented cruelty-free changes across the board.
What Are the Ingredients of a Vegan Burger at Burger King?
While the ingredients in the Impossible Whopper may vary by region, these are the common ingredients in a vegan burger at Burger King:
- Vegan patties
- Sesame seeds
- Lettuce and tomato
- Onions
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mayo
- Vegan buns
Using these ingredients, the vegan burger at Burger King is just as tasty and satisfying as the meat-based burgers on the menu.
So, although Burger King isn’t necessarily vegan friendly overall, you can still enjoy some of their menu items.
Let’s break down each ingredient of a vegan burger at Burger King.
Vegan patty
The patty is usually the star of the show in any burger, and the same is true for a vegan burger. The patty is what gives the burger its “meaty” taste and texture. At Burger King, the vegan patty is made by the Impossible Foods company and is 100% plant based. It is made of soy protein, potato protein, coconut oil, and other plant-based ingredients.
Impossible foods initially conducted tests on animals to determine if their vegan patties were suitable for human consumption. However, after they’ve proven that their patties are safe for human consumption, Impossible Foods no longer conducts tests on animals.
Sesame seeds
These are mostly used as a garnish on top of the burger patty, but they also add a nice nutty flavor to the sandwich. This ingredient is completely vegan and can be found in other vegan-friendly foods, such as tahini or sesame oil.
Lettuce and tomato
These are the usual fixings for any burger, whether it’s meat based or plant based. Lettuce is a great source of fiber and also adds some crunch to the sandwich. And tomatoes are a juicy, flavorful addition to any burger. Both of these ingredients are vegan friendly.
Onions
Onions add flavor and crunch to the sandwich. They can be cooked or raw, depending on your preference. Onions are vegan friendly.
Pickles
Pickles are a common topping on burgers and they add a nice tangy flavor to the burger. They are also vegan friendly.
Ketchup
A staple of any burger, ketchup is a great way to add sweetness and tanginess to the sandwich. Burger King uses Heinz Ketchup, which is vegan friendly and cruelty free.
Mayo
Mayonnaise is not vegan or cruelty free because it’s made with egg. However, Burger King can make your sandwich without it. You just need to specify that you do not want mayo when you order vegan options at Burger King.
Vegan buns
Just like the patty, the bun is a key component of any burger. Burger King offers a vegan-friendly option in its sesame seed bun, which is vegan friendly and does not contain any dairy or animal products.
Why Is Burger King Impossible Whopper Vegan?
The Burger King Impossible Burger is vegan because it is made with plant-based ingredients, including soy protein, potato protein, coconut oil, and other plant-based ingredients.
The bun Burger King uses does not contain the usual dairy or animal products, so it’s also vegan friendly. The only thing that is not vegan in this plant-based whopper is the mayo, which you can request be left off your sandwich.
You can also request to have your burger cooked in a microwave if you are worried about cross contamination on the griddle.
Is Burger King Side Garden Salad Vegan?
The standard Side Garden Salad is not vegan because it contains cheese and croutons, which are usually made with dairy products. However, you can ask for the salad without the cheese and croutons to make it vegan friendly.
The salad comes with a vinaigrette dressing, which is usually not vegan. However, Burger King does offer a balsamic vinaigrette dressing that is vegan.
So, to make the Side Garden Salad vegan, you will need to request it without the cheese and croutons, and with the balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Are Burger King French Toast Sticks Vegan?
Yes. The Burger King French Toast Sticks do not contain any dairy or animal products, not even egg, so they are vegan.
They do contain sugar, which may or may not be vegan, depending on how it’s processed. At the time of publication, the sugar Burger King uses is vegan friendly, but it’s important to check with your local store to make sure they are using vegan-friendly sugar.
Are Burger King Hash Browns Vegan?
Yes. Burger King Hash Browns are vegan because they only contain potatoes and vegetable oil. They are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Burger King Fries Vegan?
Yes. The Burger King Classic Fries are vegan because they only contain potatoes and vegetable oil. They are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Burger King Vegan Chicken Nuggets Vegan?
Yes. The Burger King Vegan Chicken Nuggets do not contain any dairy or animal products. These vegan nuggets are made with wheat and soy, so they have a similar texture to chicken nuggets. They are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Burger King Onion Rings Vegan?
Unfortunately, the Burger King Onion Rings contain whey, so they are not vegan. Whey is a dairy protein derived from milk. Burger King Onion Rings are not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Burger King Vegan Royale Vegan?
Yes. The Burger King Vegan Royale contains only plant-based ingredients. Even the mayo in this burger is vegan friendly.
Is Burger King Dutch Apple Pie Vegan?
Burger King discontinued the accidentally vegan Dutch Apple Pie in 2020. It did not contain any animal products.
Other Vegan-Friendly Fast Food Chains
Burger King is certainly trying to up its vegan game, but they are not the only fast-food chain with delicious plant-based recipes and vegan options. In fact, there are a number of fast-food brands that offer vegan-friendly options:
Final Words
Burger King is one of the many fast-food chains that are starting to offer plant-based options.
Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is a great option for vegans because it is made with plant-based ingredients. With a vegan patty and vegan buns, this veggie burger is sure to satisfy any fast-food craving you have while sticking to your vegan diet.
You just have to make sure you get it without mayo and ask for it to be cooked in the microwave, not on the same grill as meat patties, if you’re concerned about cross contamination.
As usual, it’s crucial that you check a food’s ingredients list to be sure it is safe for vegan consumption.