How to Order Vegan at In-N-Out Burger
If you’re vegan and craving a meal from In-N-Out Burger, you might wonder what’s on the menu for you. While In-N-Out isn’t exactly known for plant-based options, you can get a satisfying meal there in a pinch—if you know how to order. Although eating vegan at In-N-Out Burger only means a customized “burger” (without a patty) and a single crispy side, it is possible to have vegan-friendly food at this classic fast-food spot. You’ve just got to think outside the bun a little bit.
In-N-Out’s menu is famously simple (which sounds good, but is actually pretty bad), but with a few tips and tricks, you can enjoy a couple of options without animal products. We’ll go through how to order, what to avoid, and a few creative hacks for making your meal a bit more filling and delicious.
You can also explore our vegan fast food guides before you head out on the road or get an attack of the munchies. Searching for more vegan fast food burger options? How about taking a peek at our Arby’s vegan menu guide, Wendy’s vegan options, and all things vegan at Shake Shack? Keep reading and we’ll share everything you need to know about ordering at In-N-Out!
What Vegans Can Order at In-N-Out Burger
Although this Pacific Coast burger restaurant has a small step above McDonald’s, the step is seriously tiny. You have three vegan menu options at In-N-Out for banishing your belly hunger and that includes the beverage.
Here’s what we suggest:
Veggie “Burger” – Banish the word “burger” from your mind and envision a bun packed with fixings instead. At many fast food restaurants this option is pathetic, but at In-N-Out you may be surprised by how much they can pack into a burgerless bun. Lettuce, tomato, red onion, grilled onion, pickles, chillies, ketchup, and mustard. When I ordered this, the total cost was only $2.65.
Here’s how to order it: “I’d like a Veggie with no spread, and ketchup and mustard instead, both types of onion, add pickles, add chilies, and extra toasted.
Fries – At least there’s one item that is truly vegan. While it’s fun to eat a lot of fries, your stomach might not agree with you after a while. But, it’s something, right? Make sure to smother with ketchup and mustard for extra flavor. Or, a big dollop of homemade white bean hummus (if you remember to bring it with you).
Beverage – Choose from a chilled Coca-Cola product, a pink lemonade, or iced tea. If you’re craving something warm to drink, they do have hot tea and coffee on the menu.
NOTE: If you know that you’ll be visiting In-N-Out ahead of time, you can bring along your own favorite sauces, or even a prepared vegan burger (wrapped in foil) and slip it between the buns. BYOB takes on a whole new meaning when you’re vegan!
The total cost of a full meal with the veggie sandwich, fries, and a small drink came to $7.78—and we’re still in awe that this whole massive sandwich was only $2.65.
Does In-N-Out Have a Veggie Burger?
They do and they don’t. In-N-Out offers an item (not actually on the menu) that they call a “veggie burger” but, as usual, it’s only a bun filled with burger toppings. And, the worst part is that it’s not even vegan! They add a special sauce on top that is made with mayo, so this veggie “no-burger” must be ordered without the sauce.
If you order this, you’ll have a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion. So, basically, it’s a bun with tomatoes, lettuce, and a few onions. You even have to add your own ketchup and mustard.
Are the Fries at In-N-Out Burger Vegan?
Finally! Fully vegan fries at a fast food restaurant! Lucky for us, In-N-Out only offers one menu item that is deep fried—the fries. According to the In-N-Out informants, the fries are “Fresh, hand-cut potatoes prepared in 100% sunflower oil.” I bet you didn’t know that there are other ways to request your fries. You can ask for:
- Light – Lightly fried.
- Well – Deep fried and very crispy.
- Extra Light – Extra lightly fried with a softer center.
- Extra Well – Extra well fried and even more crispy.
- No Salt – No salt added.
- Extra Salt – More salt added.
- Famous Animal Style – This version has a layer of dairy cheese, a dollop of their famous spread, and grilled onions on top. You can always ask if they will just add grilled onions without the added animal products.
Vegan Condiments
Just two condiments? Only ketchup and mustard. That’s it.
Beverages
In-N-Out offers Coca-Cola products at all of their locations. They also offer milk and hot cocoa (neither having a plant-based option). Here’s a list of other vegan-friendly beverages to choose from:
- Signature Pink Lemonade
- Lite Pink Lemonade
- Iced Tea (sweet and unsweetened)
- Coffee
NOT Vegan at In-N-Out
Pretty much any choice you make at this burger joint is beef-centered or has a dairy derivative, so be prepared for disappointment. (You could always consider making a delicious vegan burger at home instead!)
- Milkshakes – All of their milkshakes are made with dairy milk. A simple substitution for dairy milk (or ice cream) could be oat, almond, or coconut milk. If many people ask In-N-Out, maybe they would consider adding a plant-based milk option.
- Grilled Cheese – If you’re vegetarian, this is an extra option for ordering. As with the milkshake, this savory sandwich (which is identical to the veggie “burger”, but with cheese slices added) could easily be created with vegan cheese since there are so many cheezy, plant-based choices on the market right now.
Helpful Hints When Ordering Vegan at In-N-Out
- Browse the In-N-Out menu before ordering.
- If ordering In-N-Out Burger 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 In-N-Out), it might be a better idea to go there directly to order.
- Check out their Nutritional Information and Allergen Information page to make sure that you are purchasing a vegan-friendly item. The menu items offered at In-N-Out don’t seem to change very often, but you may want to double check before you visit.
- Be careful when new and exciting seasonal products are offered at In-N-Out Burger. Double check the allergens and ingredients to make sure the item is vegan before purchasing
Creating a Kinder and More Accessible In-N-Out Vegan Experience
We suppose that it’s highly unlikely that In-N-Out will offer a plant-based burger or vegan grilled cheese in the future, but if Burger King and KFC can come up with vegan-friendly food, we’ll still keep hoping! There’s nothing stopping this bold, burger-centric fast food bistro from featuring an animal-free option for us, is there? In the meantime, we can always write to, call, or contact the managers of any location to make our requests. PETA has a petition that you can sign asking In-N-Out to offer a plant-based burger option.
Have you found any other In-N-Out options to be veganizable? Did you find something amazing that we missed? Let us know by tagging #worldofvegan and sharing your favorite vegan-at-In-N-Out creations with all of us!
How to Order Vegan at Other Fast Food Burger Chains
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This article is not sponsored and we are in no way affiliated with In-N-Out Burger. At the time of this 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 In-N-Out Burger and not listed or items listed here as vegan, which are no longer vegan. Take care to double-check.
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Leave a Comment
I’m vegan for 8 years now. As I read this page about In N Out, I noticed how rude the writer was putting down the restaurant for not having better options. I am %100 with not eating animal products but we don’t make change with her nasty attitude, especially putting down such a big restaurant.
If you want more people to follow your site, drop the self entitlement. We aren’t better because we’re vegan. Change is made when we stand in integrity, NOT PRIDE.
We appreciate your perspective and commitment to veganism for the past 8 years! Our intention was simply to highlight vegan options and encourage more compassionate choices. We will strive to make sure our content promotes positivity going forward. Thank you for sharing your feedback—it’s valuable in helping us improve!
Wondered about this chain (since it’s so popular in California, where I live).
Not much to recommend it, if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
Yes, their vegan options are pretty underwhelming. Fingers crossed they introduce some better options in the near future!