How to Order Vegan at Popeyes (Plant-Based and Dairy Free Options)

Raise your hand if you’re waiting for a crisp and delicious vegan chicken menu item to be offered at any fast-food location! Arms are getting tired while animal-free appetites are still left unappeased. On that note, what can we expect to find that’s vegan at Popeyes?

Popeyes is renowned for its special Creole fried chicken, but it’s no secret that the plant-based revolution has swept across the country (and world!) and Popeyes has not quite risen to the occasion. While we’d love to say that Popeyes has something truly special in store for vegan food enthusiasts, you’d be sadly disappointed if you found out the truth.

It’s not quite time to throw in the towel when it comes to Popeyes’ vegan options. Perhaps some savory plant-based proteins and innovative twists on classic favorites are on the horizon. For now, let’s get down to business and find any signs of plant-powered deliciousness on the Popeyes menu.

How to Navigate the Popeyes Menu

Standing in front of a fast food menu can be daunting even when you’re not vegan. And, even more so, if you’re at the drive-up where time flies even faster when you’re frustrated. This quick and easy “cheat sheet” will help with the decision making process if you’re hungry and having trouble thinking. Since there are only a few possibilities at Popeyes restaurant, this will be a very short list.

• Main Meal: grits (made with water) or baguette (slathered in sauce, perhaps?)
• Side: corn (no butter) and an order of jalapenos
• Beverage: coffee, tea (hot or iced), fountain sodas, lemonade, or orange juice
• Dessert: applesauce

Does Popeyes Have a Vegan Burger?

If you’re living in the UK, you can grab their vegan bean burger with creole seasoning, if it’s still on the menu. If you’re in the US, you’ll not be so lucky. Their red bean-based patty is served with lettuce, tomato, and a special sauce (using tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, and parsley). It’s unclear whether this meat-free and dairy-free burger will stay on their main menu or if the company intends to offer a similar option in the US. We’ll have to wait and see!

Vegan Options at Popeyes in the US

Obviously, the vegan options are far from outstanding. Let’s be honest, these are simply foods or drinks that are accidentally vegan. Let’s hope this super short list will be lengthened in time to include a savory, crispy plant-based chicken sandwich or dairy-free, meat-free nuggets. Or, at the very least, french fries fried in an animal-free oil.

Popeyes Breakfast and Sandwiches

• None, sadly

Popeyes Sides

• Baguette (available at select locations)
• Corn on the Cob (without butter, available only when requested and not on the main menu)
• Grits (made with water, available at select locations for breakfast)
• Jalapenos

Beverages

• Coffee
• Orange Juice
• Coca-Cola Products
• Pepsi Products
• Hawaiian Punch
• Tea (Sweet or Unsweetened)
• Minute Maid Lemonades (seasonal)

Sauces and Toppings

• BoldBQ
• Cocktail
• Ketchup
• Sweet Heat

Desserts

• Applesauce

Kid’s Meals

Sadly, it’s the same for kiddies as it is for adults. (Except for maybe the jalapenos.) It wouldn’t be a great idea to take your child to Popeyes if they’re even the tiniest bit hungry. All of you will be fussy without any good choices for food.

• Baguette
• Grits (made with water)
• Corn on the cob (no butter)
• Applesauce
• Orange juice, lemonade, or soda

Popeyes Q&A

What’s NOT Vegan at Popeyes

In this case, it’s pretty much everything. Which, sadly, is true of most fast-food chicken restaurants, like KFC. Some of the less obvious food items include:

• Fries and hash browns are deep fried in beef tallow (or a mixture of beef tallow and palm oil).
• The Beans and Rice are cooked with pork.
• Biscuits and mashed potatoes are made with dairy.
• Tartar and creamy horseradish sauces have contain eggs.
• Mardi Gras mustard and coleslaw both contain egg.
• Cinnamon apple pie contains milk.

Historic Vegan Moments in Popeyes History

• November 20, 2021 – UK Popeyes creates its own vegan burger with creole flavoring and sauce. Crossing our fingers that this burger will make it over to the US and other parts of the world.

Fascinating Facts about Popeyes

• Popeyes’ Chicken & Biscuits was named after the character Popeye Doyle, played by Gene Hackman, on “The French Connection”, not Popeye the Sailor. The chain was originally called, “Chicken on the Run.”
• A dessert was created in both China and Korea Popeyes restaurants that offers their Red Beans and Rice with pineapples, sliced strawberries, marshmallows, gummy bears, and a cherry and served over ice to create a unique and sweet-savory slush combination.
• Popeyes was founded in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1972. The restaurant’s Southern roots heavily influenced its menu, featuring dishes like jambalaya, red beans and rice, and Cajun fries alongside their famous chicken.
• After initially opening up restaurants in the US, Popeyes has since opened restaurants in more than 30 countries, including Canada, China, India, and Brazil.
• One of the most famous spokespersons for the Popeyes brand was Annie, played by actress Deidrie Henry. Annie was known for her catchphrase, “Love that chicken from Popeyes.”

Helpful Hints When Ordering Vegan at Popeyes

• Browse the Popeyes’ menu before ordering.
• If ordering Popeyes online or through a delivery service, make sure you clearly specify any substitutions you would like. If you’re worried that your request may not be honored (or seen by the server at Popeyes), it might be a better idea to go there directly to order.
• Check out the Nutrition Information PDF to make sure that you are purchasing a vegan-friendly item. Keep in mind that the menu items offered at Popeyes do get added or drop off each year.
• Double-check the allergens and ingredients via the Popeyes’ website to make sure the item is vegan before purchasing.

Creating a Kinder and More Accessible Popeyes

What are the chances of Popeyes’ vegan chicken tenders or wings? Any hope of a dairy-free dessert? It would be fantastic if Popeyes planned to expand its vegan offerings. Their UK Creole Sandwich has glimmer of hope, though it’s unknown whether any other country will catch a glimpse. It would be amazing if more plant-based foods could make it on the menu sooner rather than later. Let’s cross our fingers for that day, friends!

Since more and more popular fast food chicken and fry restaurants are debuting new and exciting vegan-friendly options every day, we hope that the competition will be fierce enough for more plant-based foods to flourish. Don’t you feel it’s about time that all restaurants have at least one fully vegan meal on the menu? We certainly do!

Your voice truly matters and we’re not just saying it! We hope you’ll use your voice to make a difference and ask for more vegan-friendly options! You can always write to, call, or contact the managers of any location to make your requests. What are your all-time favorite items on the new vegan menu at Popeyes? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

More Fast-Food Restaurant Guides to Explore

• Wondering about vegan fast-food chicken options? Check out these Vegan at KFC and How to Order Vegan at Chik-Fil-A guides for suggestions before setting off.
• Got Veggie Burgers on the brain? It might be a good idea to see if you can grab one at Wendy’s, Burger King, Five Guys, In-n-Out Burger, Red Robin, or McDonald’s!
• If you’re in the mood for a dairy-free treat, you’ll find more than enough options at Ben & Jerry’s, Cold Stone Creamery, and Dairy Queen!
• Don’t forget to take a peek at our Ultimate Fast Food Guide for any and all vegan on-the-go options!

Have you found any other Popeyes’ menu options to be veganizable? Did you find something incredible that we missed? Let us know by tagging #worldofvegan and sharing your favorite vegan-at-Popeyes creations with all of us!

At the time of writing this vegan options at Popeyes article, the foods mentioned above are vegan. Since restaurants constantly update their menus and add or take away items, please keep this in mind when ordering your food. There may be new items that are vegan at Popeyes and not listed or items listed here as vegan, which are no longer vegan. Take care to double-check.