Applebee’s is a great place to go for dinner and drinks. They have an impressive drink menu, but if you’re a vegan you’re probably wondering what you can eat in a place that primarily makes meat-based dishes like burgers, steak, and other non-vegan-friendly items.
There aren’t many vegan-friendly items on the menu at Applebee’s, but you can make some substitutions to come up with a few solid options. Applebee’s offers several vegan-friendly side dishes and sauces so you can mix and match to suit your preferences. Some vegan-friendly protein alternatives at Applebee’s include black beans and almonds, perfect for salads and wraps.
Applebee’s is transparent about their ingredients which means you don’t have to wonder if there is hidden honey or other non-vegan ingredients in things like sauces and dressings. To learn more about vegan-friendly modifications at Applebee’s, read on!
Contents
Tips & Tricks for Ordering Vegan at Applebee’s
- Avoid dressings and sauces not listed under vegan-friendly, which we’ll cover in this article.
- Ask for black beans and/or almonds for protein for salads and wraps. Applebee’s doesn’t have great options for vegan protein sources (not all locations have plant-based meat options), so beans and almonds are about as good as it gets.
- In addition to salsa, ask for guacamole to go with tortilla chips as an appetizer.
- Request that vegetables and breadsticks come without butter.
- Ask if you can have sautéed (in oil, not butter) mushrooms as an addition to salads – not all restaurants will honor special requests, but some will.
Non-Vegan Foods to Avoid at Applebee’s
- Any dish with meat, fish, eggs, or dairy
- Dishes with milk like cream-based soups and milkshakes
- Side dishes with dairy like mashed potatoes (milk) or mac’ and cheese
- Dressings and sauces not under the vegan-friendly list below
- All desserts
Vegan Options at Applebee’s
Appetizers
1. Chips and salsa
Chipotle Lime Salsa:
- Diced Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride)
- Tomatoes
- Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste)
- Water
- Onions
- Tomato Paste
- Jalapeno Peppers, Red Bell Peppers
- Dehydrated Onion
- Salt
- Cilantro
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Spices
- Citric Acid
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Lime Juice
- Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Spices
- Soybean Oil
- Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added To Prevent Caking
- Soybean Oil
- Cilantro
- Poblano Peppers
- Jalapeno Peppers
- Onions
- Natural Flavor
- Salt
- Spices
- Sugar
- Corn Maltodextrin
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Natural Flavors
- Yeast Extract
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Less Than 2% Each Calcium Silicate And Silicon Dioxide Added As Flow Agents
- Cilantro
White Corn Tortilla Chips:
- White Corn
- Water
- Phosphoric and Propionic Acid
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Food Grade Lime
- Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
- TBHQ And Citric Acid (Preservatives)
- Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent)
- Salt
- Sodium Thiosulfate
- Sodium Silicoaluminate
- Dextrose
- Potassium Iodide
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Yellow Prussiate Of Soda
Entrees
1. Oriental Chicken Wrap (omit the chicken and oriental dressing; inquire about subbing black beans and/or extra slivered almonds for protein)
Ingredients:
- Asian Greens
- Rice Noodles
- Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed And/Or Soybean)
- Rice Flour
- Water
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Salt And Dusted With Cornstarch
- Tortilla
- Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Water
- Blend Of Vegetable Oils (Palm Oil, Soybean Oil And Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil)
- Salt
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate
- Mono & Diglycerides
- Sodium Aluminum Phosphate
- Calcium Propionate & Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Aluminum Sulfate
- Fumaric Acid
- Corn Starch
- Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Calcium Sulfate
- Sorbic Acid
- Guar Gum
- Soybean Oil
- Monocalcium Phosphate
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil [Soybean, Palm And/Or Cottonseed], Enzymes)
- Sodium Metabisulfite
- Slivered almonds
2. Southwest Chicken Bowl (omit chicken; ask for extra black bean salsa)
Ingredients:
- Mixed Greens
- Cilantro rice
- Enriched Parboiled Long Grain Rice [Rice, Niacin, Iron (Ferric Orthophosphate), Thiamin (Thiamin Mononitrate), Folic Acid]
- Water
- Soybean Oil
- Cilantro
- Garlic (Garlic, Water, Citric Acid)
- Water
- Distilled Vinegar
- Spices
- Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Garlic Powder
- Sunflower Oil (Flow Agent)
- Pico de gallo
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Lime Juice
- Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Spices
- Soybean Oil
- Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added To Prevent Caking
- Soybean Oil
- Cilantro
- Black bean corn salsa
- Sweet Corn
- Cooked Black Beans
- Tomato
- Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Red Bell Pepper
- Red Onion
- Contains Less Than 2% Of Brown Sugar, Citric Acid, Dehydrated Vegetables (Onion, Bell Pepper, Garlic), Lime Juice Powder (Lime Juice Concentrate, Modified Food Starch, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid), Natural Flavor (Including Grill And Smoke), Olive Oil, Salt, Spices, Sugar, Yeast Extract, Tomatoes, Onion, Jalapeno Pepper, Salt, Garlic, Spices, Soybean Oil, No More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added As An Anti-Caking Aid, Lime Juice, Soybean Oil, Cilantro
- Guacamole
- Hass Avocado
- Salt
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Lime Juice
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Spices
- Soybean Oil
- Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added To Prevent Caking
- Cilantro
- Chimichurri sauce
- Soybean Oil
- Cilantro
- Garlic (Garlic, Water, Citric Acid)
- Water
- Distilled Vinegar
- Spices
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Salt, Xanthan Gum
- Tortilla strips
- Ground Corn Treated With Lime
- Water
- Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following: Preservatives [Sodium Propionate (Propionic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide), Methylparaben And Propylparaben]. Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, TBHQ And Citric Acid (Preservatives), Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent)
- Cilantro Lime Seasoning
- Salt
- Spices
- Sugar
- Corn Maltodextrin
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Natural Flavors
- Yeast Extract
- Jalapeno Pepper
- Disodium Inosinate
- Disodium Guanylate
- Less Than 2% Each Calcium Silicate And Silicon Dioxide Added As Flow Agents
Salads
1. Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad (omit chicken)
Ingredients:
- Mixed Greens
- Garden Tomato
- Red Onions
- Strawberries
- Sliced Almonds
- Balsamic Glaze
- Vinegar (Contains Sulfites)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Modified Corn Starch
- Water
- Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservatives
- Natural Flavor
- Sweet Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette
- Water
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Soybean Oil, Lemon Juice
- Distilled Vinegar
- Salt
- Garlic Including Dehydrated
- Lemon Flavedo (Lemon Peel, Sugar, Lemon Oil)
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Spice
- Xanthan Gum
- Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservatives
- Propylene Glycol Alginate
- Calcium Disodium EDTA Added To Protect Flavor
2. Oriental Salad (omit chicken and sub oriental dressing for a vegan alternative)
Ingredients:
- Asian Greens
- Rice Noodles
- Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- Vegetable Oil (Cottonseed And/Or Soybean)
- Rice Flour
- Water
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Salt And Dusted With Cornstarch
- Almonds
Dressings & Sauces
Applebee’s doesn’t have many vegan-friendly entrees, but you can choose from a variety of vegan sauces and dressings to complement the vegan options they do have!
1. Classic Hot Buffalo Sauce
Ingredients:
- Cayenne Red Pepper
- Water
- Distilled Vinegar
- Palm Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Salt
- Xanthan Gum
- Mono And Diglycerides
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Caramel Color
- Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservative
- Soy Lecithin
- Propylene Glycol Alginate
- Calcium Disodium EDTA Added To Protect Flavor
- Natural And Artificial Flavor
- Beta Carotene Added For Color
- Red #40
2. Extra-Hot Buffalo Sauce
Ingredients:
- Cayenne Red Pepper
- Aged Red Peppers
- Distilled Vinegar
- Water
- Palm Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Salt
- Garlic Powder,
- Xanthan Gum
- Mono And Diglycerides
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Caramel Color
- Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Soy Lecithin
- Propylene Glycol Alginate
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (Protect Flavor)
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Beta Carotene (Color)
- Red 40, Red Pepper
3. Sweet Asian Chili Sauce
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate)
- Red Pepper Bean Paste [Corn Syrup, Water, Brown Rice, Red Pepper Powder, Sea Salt, Spirits, Garlic, Soybeans, Glutinous Rice Flour, Soybean Cultured With Aspergillus Oryzae, Soybean Flour, Onion]
- Water
- Onions
- Mirin [Corn Syrup, Rice, Water, And Salt]
- Garlic
- Contains 2% Or Less Of Sesame Oil, Modified Food Starch, Spices, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid
4. Fat-Free Italian Dressing
Ingredients:
- Water
- Corn Cider Vinegar
- Distilled Vinegar
- Sugar
- Modified Cornstarch
- Salt
- Garlic
- Onion
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Red Bell Pepper
- Fruit Juice Added For Color
- Xanthan Gum
- Spice
- Carrots
- Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservatives
- Annatto Extract
5. Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- Water
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Distilled Vinegar
- Salt
- Garlic Including Dehydrated
- Lemon Flavedo (Lemon Peel, Sugar, Lemon Oil)
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Spice
- Xanthan Gum
- Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate Added As Preservatives
- Propylene Glycol Alginate
- Calcium Disodium EDTA Added To Protect Flavor
Sides
1. Breadsticks (no buttery garlic topping)
Ingredients:
- Flour (Wheat, Malted Barley)
- Water
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Contains Less Than 2% Of Each Of The Following: Yeast, Soybean Oil, Monoglycerides, Garlic Powder, Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Ascorbic Acid, Enriched Flour, (Wheat, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Enzymes, Calcium Propionate (Preservative), Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, TBHQ And Citric Acid (Preservatives), Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent)
2. Classic Fries
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Vegetable Oil (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Canola, Palm, Soybean, Sunflower)
- Modified Food Starch (Potato, Corn, Tapioca)
- Rice Flour
- Dextrin
- Salt
- Leavening (Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate)
- Dextrose
- Xanthan Gum
- Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
- TBHQ & Citric Acid (Preservatives)
- Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent)
- Fry Seasoning: Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Spices
- Soybean Oil
- Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added To Prevent Caking
3. Plain Baked Potato (no butter or sour cream)
Ingredients:
- Potato
- Soybean Oil
- Salt
- Sodium Thiosulfate
- Sodium Silicoaluminate
- Dextrose
- Potassium Iodide
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Yellow Prussiate Of Soda
4. Green Beans (no garlic buttery sauce)
5. Steamed broccoli
6. Side House Salad (omit cheese)
Ingredients:
- Salad Mix: Romaine Lettuce, Lettuce, Spring Salad Mix
- Diced Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Croutons: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Canola And/Or Sunflower Oil (With Rosemary Extract And Ascorbic Acid [To Preserve Freshness]), Yeast, Sugar, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Dextrose, 2% Or Less Of Corn Flour, Spice, Soybean Oil, Monocalcium Phosphate, Turmeric, And Paprika (As Spice And Coloring), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Enzymes
7. Applesauce
Smoothies
Applebee’s doesn’t provide the ingredients for their kids’ smoothies, but the allergen disclaimer says they are free of milk/dairy. Verify with your server if you want to be sure there aren’t any hidden non-vegan ingredients.
1. Mango Smoothie
2. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
3. Wildberry Smoothie
Find an Applebee’s Near You
Click here to find an Applebee’s restaurant in your area.
Similar Restaurants to Applebee’s
Related Questions
Are Applebee’s breadsticks vegan?
The bread used to make breadsticks at Applebee’s is vegan. However, the garlicky butter sauce isn’t vegan. Not all restaurants may be accommodating, but you can ask that your batch of breadsticks doesn’t have the garlicky butter sauce brushed on.
Are Applebee’s mashed potatoes vegan?
Applebee’s mashed potatoes contain milk, so they aren’t vegan. Their classic fries and plain baked potato are vegan and are great alternatives to mashed potatoes.
Is Applebee’s oriental dressing vegan?
The Oriental Salad is one of Applebee’s most popular menu items. Unfortunately, the oriental dressing isn’t vegan because it contains chicken and whey (dairy). You can make your own oriental dressing by asking for olive oil and soy sauce, though!
Is Applebee’s tomato basil soup vegan?
The tomato basil soup contains cream and chicken so isn’t vegan-friendly. None of the soups at Applebee’s are vegan because they all contain animal-derived ingredients, including the broth base.