Wendy’s may be best known for their juicy hamburgers and Frosty milkshakes, but the popular fast food chain actually offers various plant-based options for vegan and vegetarian customers looking for meatless menu items. From baked potatoes to salads and DIY veggie burgers, there are more choices than you may realize at Wendy’s.
Wendy’s Veggie Burger Review
While Wendy’s does not have an official veggie burger on their menu, you can create your own using ingredients they already offer. Here’s a review of the DIY veggie burger you can craft at Wendy’s along with some tips to maximize the flavor:
The foundation of the Wendy’s DIY veggie burger is their plain baked potato. You can customize it by requesting any toppings they have for baked potatoes, like broccoli, spinach, tomato, onion, cheese or sour cream. Next, place the loaded baked potato inside a bun of your choice and dress it like a burger with ketchup, mustard, pickles or lettuce.
When ordering, ask for extra firmness in the baked potato so it holds its shape better when eaten like a burger. Also request extra toppings on the side so you can layer them in the bun rather than having them mixed into the potato.
Overall, the DIY veggie burger makes for a filling and customizable meatless meal. While not as flavorful as a standalone veggie burger, it’s your best bet for a plant-based burger option at Wendy’s. Topping it with lots of vegetables and condiments helps enhance the taste.
Wendy’s Vegetarian Breakfast
Wendy’s now serves breakfast, opening up more options for vegetarians in search of a meatless morning meal. Here are some of the best bets on their breakfast menu:
Breakfast Potato
Wendy’s Breakfast Potato provides a hearty meatless start to the day. It features a baked potato topped with cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, salsa and sour cream. To make it vegetarian, simply request no bacon when ordering. The cheesy potato and salsa pair nicely for a satisfying veggie breakfast.
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
The Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is a warm bowl of whole grain oatmeal blended with diced apples and topped with cranberry raisins, dried cranberries and pecans. It comes pre-mixed with Brown Sugar and Maple syrup flavoring. This hot cereal packs 6 grams of fiber and makes for a wholesome, energizing breakfast without any meat-based ingredients.
Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, Hold the Meat
Wendy’s also allows you to customize their breakfast sandwiches, including the Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich which features a fresh-cracked egg, melty American cheese and Applewood smoked bacon on a toasted English Muffin. Simply ask for this sandwich without the bacon to instantly vegetarianize this menu item into an egg and cheese muffin ideal for breakfast.
So whether you’re craving something hot, hearty or handheld in the AM, Wendy’s breakfast menu has vegetarian-friendly options sure to satisfy.
Wendy’s Veggie Options
While Wendy’s doesn’t promote them very visibly, there are actually quite a few tasty meatless options you can order at the popular burger chain. Here’s a breakdown of the best bets for vegetarians dining at Wendy’s:
1. Baked Potatoes
A baked potato makes for a filling plant-based entrée, and Wendy’s offers them in 5 different sizes along with a variety of vegetable-based toppings like broccoli, butter, chives, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream. Build your own fully loaded veggie baked spud for a satisfying meatless meal.
2. Natural-Cut Fries
You can always count on Wendy’s for piping hot, salty fries. Choose their “Natural-Cut Fries” which are thick-cut Russet potatoes, lightly salted and never frozen. Get them plain or pair them with other vegetarian items like a baked potato or salad.
3. DIY Veggie Burger
As mentioned above, you can create your own improvised veggie burger at Wendy’s using a baked potato, bun and lots of vegetable toppings and condiments. While not a true veggie burger, it makes for a filling plant-based sandwich option. Load it up with all your favorite burger fixings.
4. Apple Slices
When craving a sweet treat, you can add a 4-piece order of Apple Slices to any Wendy’s order. These fresh apple wedges make for a crisp, refreshing meatless snack or side.
5. Taco Salad without the Chili
Wendy’s Taco Salad features their signature chili, but you can ask for this entrée without the meaty chili and keep components like the freshly prepared lettuce blend, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips. The flavorful cheese, veggies and spices still make for an appetizing plant-based taco salad.
Read More: Wendy’s Salad Menu
6. Apple Pecan Chicken Salad without the Chicken
Similarly, vegetarians can order Wendy’s Apple Pecan Chicken Salad and simply hold the chicken. The spring mix greens, diced apples, crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans, pomegranate vinaigrette and harvest crunch blend still make for a solid meatless salad option.
7. DIY Tortilla Wrap
Use any bread items, veggie toppings and condiments offered at Wendy’s to construct your own tasty meatless wrap stuffed inside a soft tortilla shell. There are lots of flavors and textures to play with to keep it interesting.
As you can see, despite being a burger-centric brand, Wendy’s provides more vegetarian and even vegan options than meets the eye. Take advantage of these menu hacks and ingredient swaps the next time veggie eaters in your group are looking for quick, meatless fast food options.
Tips for Customizing Meatless Meals at Wendy’s
While Wendy’s menu caters foremost to meat-eaters and burger-lovers, vegetarians can customize existing menu items in plant-based ways. Here are helpful tips for ordering meatless meals:
Substitute Ingredients
Many Wendy’s entrées feature meat as the key ingredient, but don’t fret. You can ask to substitute meat components with veggie-friendly ingredients offered on their menu. Some examples:
- Sub beans, potatoes or avocado for the hamburger patty in sandwiches and burgers
- Hold the bacon and sub in mushrooms or extra cheese for breakfast sandwiches
- Swap out chili with black beans or extra guac and salsa in items like baked potatoes and salad
Get creative mixing and matching toppings and ingredients to simulate the flavor and texture of meat with plant-based alternatives.
Read More: Wendy’s Breakfast Menu
emphasis Extra Vegetables
Wendy’s has a solid selection of vegetable toppings and extras. When ordering meatless menu hacks like a loaded baked potato or salad, emphasize extra veggies. Some delicious options include broccoli, spinach, lettuce, tomato, onion, mushrooms, guacamole and more. These additions enhance nutrition while adding lots of flavor.
Sauces & Seasonings
Don’t forget sauces and seasonings to spice up your meatless creations. Wendy’s offers condiments like salsa, barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce and sriracha to lend lots of flavor. Also consider spice blends like salt, pepper, garlic powder or chipotle seasoning. These transforms ordinary vegetables and sides into craveworthy plant-based plates.
Fill Up On Sides
Take advantage of Wendy’s side dishes to compile a satisfying vegetarian meal. Their menu features several veggie-friendly sides like apple slices, fries, baked potatoes loaded with toppings, salads and dipping sauces. Pair a few shareable sides with a customized entree for a filling fast food experience minus the meat.
Satisfying Vegan Options at Wendy’s
Vegans abstain from all animal products, including dairy and eggs. While the choices are narrower, here are fully plant-based Wendy’s orders to consider:
Chipotle Black Bean Burrito
Choose the beef burrito on Wendy’s value menu and ask to sub in chipotle black beans for the meat. Request no cheese or sour cream to keep it vegan. The fluffy tortilla stuffed with beans, rice, salsa and vegetables makes for an affordable filling vegan meal.
Baked Potato Veggie Stack
As outlined previously, you can craft a DIY veggie burger at Wendy’s with creative use of their baked potato plus veggie toppings. Go bunless and veganize this further by stacking your loaded baked potato with extra produce between two lettuce leaves instead of a bun.
Apple Pecan Salad
Simply order Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad without the chicken and blue cheese crumbles, and you have yourself a vibrant fully plant-based salad with apple, nuts and vinaigrette dressing over fresh greens. Add potato or avocado chunks to make it a heartier veggie meal.
Oatmeal Breakfast
Choose hot oatmeal instead of eggs if you visit Wendy’s for breakfast. Their Maple Oatmeal contains no animal products and gives you whole grain energy to start your day. Ask for extra fruit like apple slices or raisins if you desire something sweet. Say no to milk and butter topping options.
Fries and Apple Slices
If you’re craving a simple snack or side, enjoy Wendy’s Natural Cut Fries and Apple Slices. This pairing makes for filling vegan fuel with crispy fried potatoes and fresh juicy fruit wedges. Dip them in ketchup, barbecue sauce or sweet honey mustard.
So while Wendy’s is synonymous with beefy burgers, vegans can certainly survive a meal there with the right customizations and menu manipulations. Lean on fiber-rich plant-based options like beans, potatoes, vegetables, apples, oatmeal and other fruits. The possibilities may be limited but nutrient-dense vegan eats exist at Wendy’s.
FAQ’s
Does Wendy’s do vegan?
Yes, Wendy’s offers some vegan customizations like black bean burritos, salad without chicken or cheese, and oatmeal without milk.
Does Wendy’s have veggie food?
Wendy’s has non-meat options like baked potatoes, salads, and apple slices that vegetarians can order.
Can vegetarians eat Wendy’s fries?
Yes, Wendy’s natural-cut french fries are vegetarian-friendly and safe for vegetarians to eat.
Are Wendy’s burger buns vegan?
No, Wendy’s standard burger buns contain milk and eggs so they are notcompatible with a vegan diet.
Final Words
For a major fast food chain, Wendy’s offers a decent assortment of vegan and vegetarian menu options. From building your own baked potato veggie burger to customizing breakfast sandwiches without meat to loading up on salad bar fixings and apple slices, plant-based eaters can find satisfying meals at Wendy’s with a little creativity and customization.
The key is knowing what veggie-friendly ingredients they offer and how to substitute or omit meat components from certain menu items like salads, breakfast sandwiches and tacos. While not featuring a dedicated veggie burger, Wendy’s provides enough tools and toppings to DIY your own hearty plant-based burger.
So next time the entire crew is craving some quick drive-thru fare but you want to stick to your vegan or vegetarian diet, don’t write off Wendy’s. You have more options than you think thanks to produce-packed potatoes, salads, breakfast bowls and build-your own sandwich possibilities. Just plan your order carefully, ask for required substitutions and additions, and enjoy being able to eat fast food without compromising your dietary preferences.
