How to Order Vegan at Applebee’s in 2026 (and What We Want Them to Add Next)
Applebee’s is pretty much everywhere, with over 1,500 locations across 11 countries. What’s not to love about a kicked-back, “neighborhood” vibe? Applebee’s is proof that you can find vegan options anywhere, but are they substantial? I’ll show you all the vegan options at Applebee’s, along with a few hacks.
Vegan Appetizers at Applebee’s
If you’re meeting up for appetizers and drinks, Applebee’s has a few vegan picks.
Brew Pub Pretzels
These giant soft pretzel sticks are vegan, but skip the beer cheese dip and honey mustard sauce. Ask for marinara sauce to dip instead.
Chips and Guacamole or Salsa
The chips on the appetizer menu are vegan. Instead of the white queso dip, which contains milk stolen from cows, order the guacamole or chipotle lime salsa.
Applebee’s Vegan Sides
Fries
Stick with the basics: Applebee’s basket fries and waffle fries are vegan.
Baked Potato
Ask for it without butter or sour cream, and the baked potato is vegan.
Steamed Broccoli
The side of broccoli can be ordered vegan if you ask for no butter.
House Salad
The house salad at Applebee’s can be made vegan by ordering it without cheese. Applebee’s offers two vegan salad dressings: Italian and Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette. We sure could go for some vegan ranch!
Bread Sticks and Marinara Sauce
Applebee’s bread sticks can be made vegan if you order them without the alfredo sauce or garlic butter. Instead, request marinara sauce to dip the breadsticks in.
Vegan Entreés at Applebee’s
Bowls
Applebee’s offers two bowls that are vegan if you order them without the meat.
Hold the chicken from the Southwest Chicken Bowl or the shrimp from the Tex-Mex Shrimp Bowl, and you get a big bowl of fresh greens, cilantro rice, pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa, and guacamole topped with chimichurri and tortilla strips. (This is a workaround—not a real vegan entrée. Applebee’s should add a bowl that’s vegan without modifications!)
Tip: You can also ask your server for the meat-free patty in the bowl instead of chicken or shrimp.
Did you know that shrimp, like all other animals, share a universal desire to live? Studies have shown that crustaceans like shrimp have central nervous systems that can generate pain sensations and release stress hormones that help alert them to certain dangers.
Burger
For now, you have to order a burger with a meat-free patty, no cheese, and the Brioche bun. A vegan as-is burger would make a world of difference for diners and animals!
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