Chili’s is a go-to spot for Tex-Mex cuisine, offering snackable apps and tasty meals with Southwestern flavor. If you’re craving spicy fajitas or chips and guac, this well-loved chain won’t disappoint. Although many Tex-Mex lovers jump straight to the cheesy quesadillas and chicken tacos, Chili’s is surprisingly vegan-friendly, offering a variety of dishes for vegans to enjoy. You won’t have to fill up on chips and guac while your friends chow down on their meals! With the editor’s picks, secret menu and vegan menu compiled by Vegan Unlocked, we can ensure that vegans will leave Chili’s happy and full of veggie-filled Tex-Mex!
The Vegan Unlocked Research Team analyzed all 160 items on the Chili’s menu. We came away with five delicious custom creations and a number of on-menu options.
Chili’s has a score of 4.3 out of 5 stars as a vegan-forward restaurant. It may not be known as a vegan mainstay, but it has its fair share of tasty plant-based options!
This score is calculated based on the amount of vegan offerings on Chili’s menu “as is” or with an easy substitution, a restaurant vegan customizability score and finally the amount of vegan options vs non-vegan options. Learn more about how Vegan Unlocked Ratings are calculated.
Secret Menu
Just because a restaurant isn’t advertised as vegan doesn’t mean that it has no options! Fortunately, the researchers at Vegan Unlocked have taken matters into their own hands, customizing several Chili’s dishes to craft delicious vegan meals. Some include extra sides while others sub out meat-based ingredients, but all are plant-based and delectable.
In the mood for something simpler? Scroll down to find the Chili’s vegan menu items and our editors’ top picks just below this section.
Vegan Oldtimer:
Although Chili’s intended this to be the classic burger, it’s surprisingly easy to turn it into a delicious vegan meal. Simply ask for it without the beef patty and add on avocado slices and jalapenos.
Spicy Asparagus or Broccoli Tacos:
For a veggie-packed meal, get the Spicy Shrimp Tacos with no shrimp and no queso blanco coleslaw. For the sides, go for black beans and either roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli.
Loaded Fries:
Make these sides into a full vegan meal! Order a side of fries, a side of guacamole, a side of black beans and fresh salsa. Put the beans, guac and salsa onto the fries and enjoy your meal.
Veggie Loaded Chips:
It’s hard to go wrong with DIY plant-based nachos. Get a side of bottomless tostada chips and salsa, a side of black beans, a side of steamed broccoli and corn on the cob. Put your beans and veggies on the chips and dig into your creation. Beans and Rice: Classic but delicious. Get a side of black beans and a side of Mexican rice for a simple, filling meal.
All Vegan Options on the Chili’s Menu
What are the vegan options on the Chili’s menu?
Meals
- Black Bean & Veggie Fajitas (with Avocado): This Tex-Mex classic is for vegans as much as anyone! Order it with no cheese, no sour cream, and no chipotle butter. Sub the black bean patty with extra beans and rice and you have yourself a flavorful meal.
- House Salad with Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette: For a healthy and tasty dish, order this salad with no cheese and no croutons. From the fresh veggies to the citrus vinaigrette, this meal is refreshingly delicious.
- Chipotle Chicken(less) Fresh Mex Bowl: Sub the chicken with black beans, and ask for no ranch, cheese or chipotle pesto. You’ll be left with a yummy meal containing pico, field greens, Mexican rice, tortilla strips, corn & black bean salsa, avocado and cilantro.
- Santa Fe Crispers(less) Salad with Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette: Another option if you’re in the mood for a salad, this one features pico, avocado, cilantro and tortilla strips. Just ask for no chicken, no ranch and no Santa Fe sauce.
Sides, Appetizers, Kids
- Bottomless Tostada Chips & Salsa
- Dip Trio w/Chips and Choice Of: guacamole/salsa
- Fresh Guacamole & Chips
- Fried Pickles (no Ranch Dressing)
- Side of Mexican Rice & Beans
- Corn on the Cob
- Fries
- Black Beans
- Mexican Rice
- Roasted Asparagus
- Steamed Broccoli
- Mandarin Oranges
- Sweet Corn on the Cob
Sauces, Add Ons, Toppings
- Add-on Avocado Slices
- Flour Tortillas
- Corn Tortillas
- Side Original BBQ Sauce
- Side House BBQ Sauce
- Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Honey Lime Vinaigrette
- Pickles
- Salsa
Editor’s Picks: What Are the Best Vegan Meals at Chili’s?
The Black Bean & Veggie Fajitas are the best bang-for-your-buck vegan meal at Chili’s. With rice, beans, avocado, veggies and tortillas, you’ll be full for the rest of the day.
The Chipotle Chicken(less) Fresh Mex Bowl is Chili’s most flavorful vegan option, loaded up with pico de gallo, salsa and cilantro. Add the House BBQ Sauce to bring it to another level!
The healthiest option is the Spicy Asparagus or Broccoli Tacos, packed with veggies and protein.
Note: Vegan Unlocked is a tool dedicated to helping people find plant-based options. We are not an allergen resource, and want to encourage our friends with allergies to proceed with caution. We cannot control and don’t always know when cross contamination takes place. See Chili’s allergen menu here. As far as cross-contamination of vegan foods with animal products, this is completely up to your comfort level as an individual. Read our stance on cross contamination here.
Frequently Asked Chili’s Questions
Are Chili’s chips vegan?
Yes, Chili’s chips are vegan! However, they are cooked in a fryer that’s also used for non-vegan foods.
Are Chili’s Southwest Egg Rolls vegan?
Unfortunately, this appetizer is not vegan-friendly, as it contains chicken, jalapeno Jack cheese, and avocado-ranch.
Are Chili’s Fried Pickles vegan?
These crispy and addicting pickles are in fact vegan! However, the fryer used for them does fry non-vegan foods as well. Make sure to sub one of Chili’s vegan sauces for the non-vegan Ranch dressing that comes with these.
You can find out more information on the Chili’s menu by visiting their website here.
Dining at Chili’s soon?
Be sure to tag Vegan Unlocked and share your vegan meal or custom creation to be entered into our monthly giveaway!
Chili’s vegan menu was brought to you by…
Lydia Greene
Lydia Greene is a freelance writer with a passion for food and travel. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking in the woods near her home in Portland, Oregon, cooking up a tasty meal or dreaming up her next adventure.
Cristina Garrido
Cristina is a vegan cook and recipe developer. She’s worked in several vegan kitchens, as a collaborator for different cooking blogs and now works as a consultant helping restaurants interested in making their menus more vegan-friendly. She’s passionate about cultural foods and culinary innovations. Her non-food related interests include thrifting, sustainability and exploring her new adoptive country, Portugal.
