Olive Garden Vegan Menu Options

Finding vegan options at Olive Garden is more doable than many people expect. You may be thinking that there are no plant-based alternatives for any meal. Are the pastas prepared with eggs, the breadsticks brushed with butter, and all of the sauces swimming with sausages? Good news, dear friend! Not only is it possible, but pretty tasty and mostly plant-based, too!

You’ll find vegan-friendly picks across the menu, from starters to pasta and sides. We’ll share easy ordering tips, simple swaps, and things to watch for when choosing sauces and toppings. Little changes can make a big difference when ordering. Though the pickings are slim and not exactly spectacular, you will certainly find enough to eat.

If you follow our dining tips, your dinner is sure to be both filling and delicious.

Vegan Appetizer Options at Olive Garden

Eating vegan at Olive Garden is easier than it sounds. These appetizer options are simple, tasty, and easy to order with a few small tweaks.

1. Breadsticks

Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks are surprisingly vegan-friendly! These golden-brown delights are made with simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and salt. Enjoy the soft, pillowy texture and garlic-infused goodness without any dairy or animal products.

2. Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden’s Minestrone Soup is a hearty and satisfying vegan option. Filled with a medley of vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful tomato-based broth, this soup is delicious and also free from animal products. This classic Italian soup is warm and comforting.

3. House Salad (order without croutons or dressing; add oil and vinegar)

For a refreshing and vegan-friendly option, choose the Olive Garden House Salad. Simply skip the croutons and traditional dressing, opting instead for a drizzle of oil and vinegar. Packed with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and other fresh veggies, you’ll have a healthy and satisfying option for lunch or dinner.

Vegan Pasta at Olive Garden

There is pasta for every preference! Choose from angel hair, fettuccine, rigatoni, small shells, or the classic spaghetti!

Note of Caution – The gluten-free rotini contains eggs!

Vegan Sides at Olive Garden

The vegan side options at Olive Garden aren’t fancy, but they’re easy, dependable, and nice to have on the table. Steamed broccoli keeps things simple, while grapes add a little sweetness.

• Steamed Broccoli
• Grapes

Dairy-Free Sauces at Olive Garden

Olive Garden has a few dairy-free sauces that make ordering vegan much easier. Marinara, tomato sauce, and simple options like olive oil and vinegar are easy go-tos for adding flavor without overthinking it.

• Marinara
• Tomato
• Olive Oil
• Vinegar

Vegan-Friendly Beverages

Quench your thirst with several refreshing vegan beverages at Olive Garden:

• Fountain Drinks
• Lemonades
• Flavored Iced Teas
• Brewed Tea/Iced Tea
• Coffee

NOTE: Olive Garden also offers assorted alcoholic beverages, but the options differ from one location to the next and also from state to state. Please double-check your options on Barnivore.com and in our vegan beer, wine, and liquor guide.

Plant-Based Kids Meal

Unfortunately, there is only one vegan kids’ meal option—pasta with tomato sauce. But, at least there are a few past shapes to choose from, two sauces, and four sides.

• Pasta Shapes – Fettuccine, shells, or spaghetti
• Sides – Steamed broccoli, fries, grapes, or extra pasta
• Sauce – Tomato or marinara sauce
• Drink – See list above

BYO Vegan Suggestions

If you still have your heart set on dining out at Olive Garden (but don’t think you’ll be completely satisfied), here are some savvy tips to help boost your meal:

• Pack on the Protein – Bring your own beans, vegan meatballs, or plant-based protein with you. Cook a portion beforehand and bag it up to have with your pasta meal—our Veggie Meatball recipe would be perfect!
• Bring Your Own Vegan Dressing – If you don’t vibe with olive oil and vinegar, bring your own dressing (like our creamy dill dressing, vegan french dressing, or Asian-Inspired Dressing) to dribble on your salad. Sadly, the house dressing is not vegan at Olive Garden. 
• Add Some Vegan Cheese – Choose your favorite plant-based cheese to carry into the restaurant. Our Guide to Vegan Cheese is a huge help if you can’t decide.
• BYO Vegan Dessert – Much like The Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, and TGI Friday’s, Olive Garden has yet to make any of their desserts vegan, aside from the raspberry sauce. If everyone else is planning on diving into dessert, definitely sneak in a snack for yourself. Try our No-Bake Caramel Squares and Super-Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies—they’re small, so delicious, and easy to stash in your pocket!

Frequently Asked Questions