Kentucky Fried Chicken, known as KFC, is a famous American fast food chain that was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1930. Its headquarters are in Louisville, Kentucky, the United States. The first franchise of the chain was opened on Sept. 24, 1952, in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Pete Harman. KFC is known for its finger-licking good fried chicken that has been sold since the Great Depression (1929–1939).
KFC has expanded internationally, opening multiple locations in countries including Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom in the 1960s and even China in 1987. Since then, KFC has expanded its menu to meet customer demand. They started offering items other than chicken products, like sandwiches, wraps, French fries, and salads. Most of their food items are not vegan-friendly. However, they also cater to customers with specific dietary restrictions by providing KFC vegan options.
In 2019, the company selected locations in the U.K. and started to experiment with vegan and KFC vegetarian options. They have partnered with Beyond Meat, a company that produces plant-based meat alternatives. For a limited time, Beyond Fried Chicken was offered at restaurants in the US. Eventually, it will be permanent in the U.S.
KFC Vegan Options
KFC is a chain of fast food restaurants in the world and the best place to get fried chicken, coleslaw, and biscuits. They have amazing sides for their chicken meals like mashed potatoes, macaroni, and cheese, corn on the cob, green beans, cornbread, and more.
They have a variety of other meals like burgers, wraps, and sandwiches that are finger-licking good with just the right amount of spice recipe for your taste. They are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and offer online ordering so you can order ahead and pick up your meal on the go when you need it.
Veganism is a lifestyle choice that rejects the consumption and use of animal products. This means no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, honey, or any other animal by-products. Vegans do not consume food that has been produced using animals or animal parts in any form.
Both the environment and our health benefit from a vegan diet. A fantastic method to promote animal welfare is to consume vegan meals. It also has reduced obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart disease incidences. And for this reason, an increasing number of people are thinking about adopting a vegan diet.
This diet does not require you to give up your favorite fast-food restaurant like KFC. So, here is a list of KFC menu items that are vegan-friendly:
Baked Beans
Baked beans are a favorite food of many people, but some may not be aware that these delicious beans are 100% vegan. Baked beans are free from animal products and include simple ingredients such as sugar, salt, tomato paste, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Vegan Burger
KFC, the world’s most recognized chicken restaurant chain, is making waves this week with its newest menu addition: a vegan burger (plant based chicken patty). It is made with a soy protein patty that has the same taste and texture as a traditional beef burger.
Vegan Nuggets
KFC is testing out a vegan version of their popular nuggets. The nuggets are made with Quorn and they come with a dipping sauce. Because of their partnership with Beyond Meat, they created these nuggets. The sauces you can opt for are Ketchup and hot sauce for your dipping. In the US, only a few locales provide these nuggets; nevertheless, it is accessible everywhere in the UK.
Sweet Kernel Corn
Sweet Kernel Corn is a kind of corn produced in the United States. It differs from conventional maize in that it has a significantly sweeter flavor. The term “Sweet Kernel” alludes to the fact that these kernels are sweeter than conventional kernels and are offered at KFC. It comes with butter that you have to omit!
KFC Fries
In the United States, their fries are fried with the same fryer as the fried chicken nuggets(plant-based). Also in Canada, the fries and daring plant-based chicken are cooked in the same fryers so you don’t have to worry. You can always verify these and ask upon ordering to make sure it’s safe.
House Side Salad
House Side Salad is a meal option that provides customers with a healthy alternative to fried chicken. The House Side Salad has been around since the early 90s and contains kale, cabbage, carrots, cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing. Make sure to omit the croutons and cheese!
Green Beans
It may not be a favorite, but it’s a healthy option. KFC’s green beans are fresh, salty, and delicious. They’re a great side dish, as well as a healthy substitute for fried food.
Vegan Sauces
Vegan sauces are a great alternative to traditional sauces that contain eggs, milk, and other animal products. These sauces are soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO and they’re perfect for those on restricted diets. Here is a list of vegan-friendly sauces at KFC:
- Ketchup Packet
- Strawberry Jam
- Sweet N Tangy Sauce
- Grape Jelly
- Summertime BBQ Sauce
- Marzetti Light Italian Dressing
- Lemon Juice Packet
Tips for Ordering Vegan at KFC
Ordering a vegan meal at KFC might be difficult, so here are some recommendations for your next visit.
Avoid the renowned chicken from KFC. You should choose plant based chicken nuggets or plant based chicken sandwiches or nuggets if you visit a restaurant that serves these.
You can assemble your veggie wrap. Order a tortilla wrap, Baked Beans, and Home Side Salad. You can add the sauces listed above to add some flavor.
KFC offers a wide variety of drinks and all of them are safe for this diet. You can also opt for Baked Beans and Green Beans to pair it with.
Do you prefer a side of corn? You can opt for Sweet Kernel Corn, just be careful and omit the butter upon ordering.
They also have the KFC US app where you can order their food items and have them delivered to your doorsteps. You can also use this to check the ingredients of their items.
KFC Vegan Options FAQs
Does KFC have vegan options?
Yes. KFC offers vegan options to its customers, items such as fries, Green beans, Salads, and more.
Are KFC fries vegan?
KFC fries are not cooked in a meat-based oil making them part of KFC vegan menu. The potatoes are deep fried in vegetable oil, and then seasoned with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. Vegetable oil is one of the most common oils used in vegan cooking because it is made from natural ingredients.
What is KFC’s stance on veganism?
KFC is the largest chain of fast food fried chicken restaurants in the world and has a history of embracing new trends. The company is currently offering a plant-based burger at all of its U.S. stores, and it has been experimenting with more vegan options KFC to cater to the trend of health-conscious consumers.
What are the vegan options at KFC available now?
KFC is testing vegan options for chicken. They are currently adding a plant-based to their menu in select cities. Their vegan-friendly items include baked beans, vegan nuggets, home side salad, fries, plant-based burgers, and sweet kernel corn.
Are KFC mashed potatoes vegan?
Unfortunately, their mashed potatoes are not vegan. It contains milk and dairy.
Is KFC sauce vegan?
Unfortunately, KFC’s signature sauce is not vegan. It contains animal products so make sure to opt for sauces (like the ones listed above).
Final Thoughts
Overall, KFC has long been a standout among fast food establishments like Burger King, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell. For decades, KFC has provided a wonderful, basic chicken menu that has kept customers returning. With that stated, KFC is now jumping on the vegan bandwagon with the launch of new KFC vegan options. It is a positive move that will hopefully encourage others to adjust their diet. If you’re vegan and want to dine out, make sure to look into KFC’s vegan selections.
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, Wendy’s, and more. These chain restaurants also 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!
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