Applebee's Vegan Options (Vegan Menu 2023)

Applebee’s is known for its casual dining atmosphere and American-style food, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The chain is also known for its “Neighborhood Drink of the Month” promotions, which feature a different cocktail at a discounted price every month.

Applebee’s has a reputation for their big portions and affordable prices. They also offer a variety of options for different dietary restrictions and preferences, like gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. In this article, we will go through Applebee’s vegan options and vegetarian items, and give tips on how to order them!

Vegan Guide: Ordering Vegan at Fast Food Chains

Eating vegan at fast food chains is becoming increasingly popular due to the growing awareness of animal welfare and health benefits associated with plant-based diets.

Here are some tips on how to order vegan at fast-food chains:

Research Ahead of Time

Before heading to the fast food restaurant, do a quick online search to see if the chain has any vegan options listed on its menu. Many chains now have nutrition and ingredient information available on their websites, making it easy to see what options are suitable for vegans.

Ask for Customizations

Many fast food chains offer the ability to customize your order, so don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions or modifications to make a menu item vegan. For example, you can ask for a sandwich to be made with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun or to hold the cheese and mayo.

Look for Plant-Based Options

More and more fast food chains are starting to offer plant-based options like the Impossible Whopper or Beyond Meat burgers. Be sure to check the menu for these options and ask the staff if they have any vegan options not listed on the menu.

Get Creative

If there aren’t any obvious vegan options on the menu, you can often create your own vegan meal by ordering a combination of vegan sides. For example, you can order a side of fries, a side salad, and a beverage to make decent vegan meal options.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying vegan meal at a fast food restaurant. With a little bit of research and creativity, you can find options that fit your dietary needs.

Applebee’s Vegan Options

The chain has recognized the growing demand for plant-based options and has made a commitment to providing a variety of choices for those following a vegan diet.

Applebee’s define vegan as menu items that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients such as meat, rennet, gelatin, eggs, dairy, or honey.

While their menu might not be as extensive as that of other restaurants, it’s still possible to find delicious and satisfying vegan meals at Applebee’s.

Here is a list of vegan options at Applebee’s:

Vegan Appetizers

Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip (without beer cheese dip or mustard, add marinara sauce)
White Queso Dip & Chips (omit the white queso and add guacamole or pico de gallo instead)

Vegan sauce options:

Marinara
Guacamole
Chipotle Lime Salsa

Vegan Salads

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad (without the chicken)
House Salad (no cheese)

Vegan dressings:

Italian Dressing
Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Tip: Replace the meat or seafood in any salad with an Impossible patty.

Pasta

Breadstick(s) with Alfredo Sauce (without alfredo and garlic butter, replace it with marinara)

Tip: Pasta noodles and Marinara sauce are vegan. Replace the meat or seafood in any salad with an Impossible patty.

Irresist-A-Bowls

Southwest Chicken Bowl (without the chicken)
Tex-Mex Lime Shrimp Bowl (without the shrimp)

Tip: Replace the meat or seafood in any salad with an Impossible patty.

Handcrafted Burgers

Impossible Cheeseburger (without the cheese)

Note: The Brioche Bun is made vegan!

Sides

Baked Potato (no butter or sour cream)
Fries
Waffle Fries
Steamed Broccoli (no butter)
Lettuce Cup

Drinks

Brewed Hot Tea
Fresh Brewed Coffee
Fresh Brewed Decaf Coffee
Chocolate Shake
Strawberry Shake
Vanilla Shake
Red Bull
Blackberry Lemonade
Blue Raspberry Lemonade
Dragon Fruit Lemonade
Kiwi Lemonade
Mango Lemonade
Passion Fruit Lemonade
Peach Lemonade
Pomegranate Lemonade
Raspberry Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade
Mango Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Strawberry Colada Smoothie Swirl
Strawberry Mango Smoothie Swirl
Blackberry Iced Tea
Dragon Fruit Iced Tea
Kiwi Iced Tea
Mango Iced Tea
Passion Fruit Iced Tea
Peach Iced Tea
Pomegranate Iced Tea
Raspberry Iced Tea
Strawberry Iced Tea
Brewed Iced Tea
Sweet Tea
Bottled Water
Perrier Sparkling Water

Note: Verify with your local Applebee’s location if they have a separate fryer dedicated to their fries. As they have various sources of meat products in their shared cooking and preparation areas, such as common fryer oil, we cannot ensure that any menu item is entirely free of animal products.

Does Applebee’s has Vegetarian Menu Items?

Yes, not only Applebee’s vegan options but there’s also a vegetarian Menu. The menu includes many delicious and nutritious dishes that can be tailored to fit your dietary needs.

Appetizer

Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip with Dijon Honey Mustard (no beer cheese dip)
Crunchy Onion Rings with Honey BBQ Sauce
Neighborhood Nachos (no beef or queso blanco)

Salads

Crispy Chicken Tender Salad (no chicken)
Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad (no chicken)
Oriental Chicken Salad (no chicken)
House Salad
Blue Cheese Dressing
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing
Honey French Dressing
Italian Dressing
Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette
Mexi Ranch Dressing
Thousand Island Dressing

Applebee’s Pasta

Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce (no alfredo, substitute marinara)

Irresist-A-Bowls

Southwest Chicken Bowl (no chicken)
Tex-Mex Lime Shrimp Bowl (no shrimp)

Handcrafted Burgers

Impossible Cheeseburger
Whisky Bacon Burger (opt for Impossible patty, no bacon)
Quesadilla Burger (opt for Impossible patty, no bacon)

Sandwiches & More

Chicken Fajita Roll-Up (no chicken, add black bean corn salsa)
Bacon Cheddar Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no chicken, no bacon)

Sides

Baked Potato
Fries
Waffle Fries
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlicky Green Beans
Steamed Broccoli
Crunchy Onion Rings
Signature Cole Slaw

Desserts

Sizzlin’ Butter Pecan Blondie
Triple Chocolate Meltdown
Sugar Dusted Donut Dippers (no powdered sugar)

History of Applebee’s

Applebee’s is a casual dining restaurant chain in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by Bill and T. J. Palmer in Decatur, Georgia. The first restaurant was called T.J. Applebee’s Rx for Edibles & Elixirs. The chain’s name was changed to Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in 1986 to reflect the casual, family-friendly atmosphere and menu offerings. In the 1990s, the company expanded rapidly and became one of the largest casual dining chains in the United States.

In 2007, the company was acquired by DineEquity, Inc., the parent company of IHOP. Under DineEquity’s ownership, the chain has undergone several changes, including a shift in focus towards a more bar-centric atmosphere and menu offerings.

In 2017, the chain closed around 135 locations and further closures are announced in the following years. However, the chain continued to open new locations as well. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the restaurant industry, and many Applebee’s locations were temporarily closed. Despite this, the chain continues to operate and has adapted to the new normal by offering takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vegan options are available at Applebee’s?

Applebee’s vegan options include salads, pasta dishes, Impossible burger (vegan burger), sandwiches, and sides. You can also ask to substitute an Impossible patty for meat or seafood in any salad.

Does Applebee’s use a separate fryer for their fries?

It is best to check with your local Applebee’s location as they use multiple sources of animal products in their shared cooking and preparation areas, including common fryer oil for cross-contamination. So, they may or may not have a separate fryer for their fries.

Can I request a vegan dressing at Applebee’s?

Yes, you can request a vegan dressing at Applebee’s. Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette and Italian Dressing are some options that are vegan.

Are the desserts at Applebee’s vegan-friendly?

Currently, Applebee’s does not offer any vegan-friendly desserts. The sugar dusted donut dippers can be ordered without powdered sugar.

Are the appetizers at Applebee’s vegan-friendly?

The brew pub pretzels and crunchy onion rings are vegan-friendly, but the beer cheese dip and honey BBQ sauce should be avoided when ordering vegan at Applebee’s. The Neighborhood Nachos can be ordered without beef or queso blanco.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Applebee’s offers a variety of vegan menu options to choose from, including appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and sides. While they may have limitations in terms of preparation and shared cooking areas, they have taken steps to provide plant-based alternatives such as the Impossible patty and offering a variety of sauces and dressings. Applebee’s is really making an effort to cater to a wider audience and to provide more options for those following a vegan diet.