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Culver’s Vegan Options

Wondering if fast food chains such as Culver’s offers vegan options? Well, you’re in the right place! In this article, we will go over Culver’s vegan options and give you some tips on how to order them. Keep reading to learn more!

Culver's Vegan Options

Culver’s is a famous fast food chain in the United States with over 823 locations. The company is known for fried items, butter burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, cheese curds, and french fries. For dessert, the restaurant offers varieties of shakes, fresh frozen custard, ice cream, and more!

What is a Vegan Diet?

Veganism is a way of living that avoids animal products. Vegans do not eat or use animal products or by-products such as meat, eggs, poultry, honey, and dairy. They also don’t wear or use leather, fur, wool, or silk. A vegan diet typically consists of bread, pasta, and other grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans.

A vegan diet is a plant-based, animal-free diet that has many positive benefits. For example, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. It is also more environmentally friendly than other diets because it uses less water and land than a typical Western diet. Veganism is linked to longer life expectancy and better quality of life for those who follow it too.

Culver’s Vegan Friendly Options (Vegan Menu Items 2023)

Culver’s might be known for their butterburgers and fried items, but you can still order vegan items. These items are listed on Culver’s allergen website and they are vegan-certified!

Here is a list of Culver’s vegan options:

Crinkle-Cut Fries

Culver's Crinkle Fries

Crinkle french fries at Culver’s are always quite delicious. They’re hot and crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle. A paper bag of these is what you need on a cold winter’s day–or any other time when you’re feeling a bit chilly! With so many of Culver’s sauces primarily being vegan-friendly, now you can go dip-crazy with your choice of sauce.

Side Salad (Add Extra Veggie)

Side Salad

If you want something light, delicious, and vegan? Then you can order their side salad without the croutons. You should also leave out the cheese and opt for vegan-friendly dressings such as sesame ginger, French, and raspberry vinaigrette.

Dinner Roll

Dinner Rolls

The dinner roll is made from ingredients like wheat flour, corn syrup, soybean oil, etc. They are sure to give you a taste of your childhood in school lunches. If you want more calories then this is perfect for you.

Lemon Ice

Lemon Ice Vegan

Since all custard based desserts are not vegan, you can still order their Lemon Ice. A refreshing smoothie is a perfect way to enjoy a day of outdoor adventures. It is a safe and natural guilt-free dessert solution for people with lactose intolerance. It is made of Greek yogurt, lemon, vanilla, honey, and mint. You can add blueberries, raspberries or strawberries to balance out the tangly lemonade taste. Or peanut butter, Oreo crumbs and crushed nuts for a sweet-mix texture.

Green Beans

Vegan Green Beans

Another vegan friendly dish is Culver’s Green Beans. You have to order it without the butter. Alternatively, you could go for a dairy free dressing like sesame ginger on the side for some extra flavor.

Steamed Broccoli

Steamed Broccoli

Steamed broccoli is one of Culver’s menu items that are most suitable for vegans. It is light, simple, and extremely healthy.

Garden Fresco Salad (Without Cheese)

Garden Fresco Salad

This salad can be ordered without the cheese and croutons. You can pair it with dressings such as sesame ginger, French, and raspberry vinaigrette. You can add some extra toppings like dried cranberries, slices of fresh strawberry, and cashews.

Applesauce

Mott's Applesauce

For those craving something sweet, creamy, and also vegan-friendly, this side option is perfect for you. Culver’s applesauce is is a great source of vitamin C and it’s also free of sodium and cholesterol.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet potato fries are one of the most popular on Culver’s specialty menu item. They’re available for a limited time only during the “fall season”.

Vegan-Friendly Condiments

Here are all of Culver’s condiments:

  • Ketchup
  • Bbq Sauce
  • Yellow Mustard
  • Picante Sauce
  • Steak Sauce
  • Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce

Lemon Ice Cooler

Lemon Ice Cooler

This is a healthy and refreshing slushy that’s made with real lemonade. You can blend it with as raspberry, strawberry, or mango if you want.

Waffle and Cake Cone

Ice cream

Another sweet treat to nibble on is waffles and cake cones. They are both dairy and egg-free, just make sure to avoid any custard options.

So, there you have it. These items are your best options when you’re vegan. According to Culver’s Allergen website, these items do not contain eggs, dairy, or other animal products.

Culver’s History

Culver’s is a fast food restaurant chain founded in Sauk City, Wisconsin in 1984 by husband and wife team Craig and Lea Culver. The chain is known for its “ButterBurgers” and frozen custard desserts.

The idea for the restaurant originated when Craig and Lea were running a small tavern in Sauk City. They noticed that many of their customers were looking for a quick, high-quality meal that they could take home to their families. They decided to convert their tavern into a fast food restaurant and named it “Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers.”

The first Culver’s restaurant was a small, modest operation, but it quickly gained popularity due to its delicious food and friendly service. In the early 1990s, the company began to expand beyond Wisconsin and opened restaurants in neighboring states.

Culver’s menu includes a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups, as well as their signature ButterBurgers and frozen custard desserts. The ButterBurgers are made with 100% fresh, never frozen beef and are served on a lightly buttered and toasted bun. The frozen custard is made daily with real cream and eggs, and is available in a variety of flavors.

In addition to its menu items, Culver’s is known for its commitment to community involvement and customer service. The company has a strong presence in the communities in which it operates and frequently sponsors local events and initiatives.

In the 2000s, Culver’s continued to expand and opened restaurants across the United States. Today, the chain has over 700 locations in 25 states, making it one of the largest fast food chains in the Midwest. Despite its growth, Culver’s has remained true to its roots and continues to focus on high-quality food and excellent customer service.

In recent years, Culver’s has also expanded its menu to include healthier options such as salads and grilled chicken sandwiches. The company has also introduced a loyalty program, “Culver’s Fan Club,” which allows customers to earn points and redeem them for rewards.

How To Deal with Cross-Contamination For Vegans

Cross-contamination is a common concern for vegans, as it can be difficult to avoid coming into contact with animal products, especially when eating out at restaurants or at other people’s homes. However, there are steps that vegans can take to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and ensure that their food is completely plant-based.

Prepare Food at Home

One of the most effective ways to prevent cross-contamination is to prepare food at home, where you have control over the ingredients and cooking process. This includes making sure that you have separate cooking utensils, cutting boards, and storage containers for vegan and non-vegan food. It’s also a good idea to use separate areas of the kitchen for preparing vegan and non-vegan food, and to thoroughly clean all surfaces and utensils after preparing non-vegan food to avoid any residual contamination.

Specify Your Dietary Needs

When eating out or at other people’s homes, it’s important to communicate your dietary needs clearly and ask about the ingredients used in the food. Many restaurants and caterers now offer vegan options, but it’s still a good idea to ask about cross-contamination risks, such as shared fryers or grills. If you’re unsure about the ingredients in a dish, it’s better to err on the side of caution and choose a different option.

Read Labels and Food Ingredients

Another way to reduce the risk of cross-contamination is to carefully read labels on packaged foods. Many products, especially processed and packaged goods, may contain animal-derived ingredients that are not immediately obvious, such as gelatine or whey.

By reading labels carefully, you can make informed decisions about which products are suitable for a vegan diet. It’s also a good idea to educate yourself about common animal-derived ingredients and how they may be listed on labels.

For example, “lard” is a type of animal fat that is often used in baked goods, and “casein” is a milk protein that may be found in some processed foods. By knowing what to look for, you can make sure to avoid these ingredients and minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Culver’s Vegan Options Frequently Asked Questions

Are the onion rings at Culvers vegan?

No. Culver’s onion rings contain milk. The batter of the onion rings contains milk.

Is Culver’s mashed potato vegan?

Unfortunately, Culver’s mashed potatoes are not safe. It is made with milk.

Are pretzel bites vegan at Culver’s?

No. Culver’s pretzel bites are not a vegan option. According to the allergen menu, it contains dairy. It also comes with a side of cheese sauce that contains a non vegan ingredient: milk.

Are Culver’s veggie burgers vegan-friendly?

Unfortunately, the veggie burger is not a vegan burger. The burger veggie patty is made of roasted chickpeas, mushrooms, corn, peppers, and Wisconsin cheeses. The new harvest veggie burger is grilled and also buttered.

Final Thoughts: Culver’s Vegan Options

Overall, eating at Culver’s might not be the best decision, especially if you’re on a diet. There aren’t many alternatives available there. Even though Culver’s options are limited, they are nevertheless good and worth trying. I would definitely drive to Culver’s just to order their delicious salad, fries, and waffle cones.

If you’re interested in trying other fast-food chains. We also have guides with other restaurants like Burger King, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Shake Shack, and Wendy’s. These chain restaurants offer options for different types of diets. We have a full article of guides about their vegan, keto, and gluten-free options and also tips on how to order them, make sure to check them out. I hope you find this article helpful. Thanks for reading!

Culver's Vegan

Farrah Carter

Sunday 6th of November 2022

Do they offer vegan-friendly ice cream toppings?