The symbol of a little girl with her red hair in pigtails and a freckled face is known worldwide as an American fast food chain. Wendy’s is best known for its square patties and extensive flavors of frosties, which have helped many pull through a busy day or a long drive. However, with its most popular items containing meat and dairy, it’s hard to imagine that vegans will find much to eat at this well-loved chain. To ensure that this isn’t true, Vegan Unlocked has done the research for you! Using our secret menu, editor’s picks, and vegan menu, any vegan can find a bite to eat at your local Wendy’s.
The Vegan Unlocked Research Team analyzed all 120 items on the Wendy’s menu. We came away with one custom creation and a few on-menu options as well.
Wendy’s has a score of 0.7/5 stars, placing it into the Little To No Vegan Options category. We’ll be blunt with you: this is one of our lowest-scoring fast food chains in the United States. It’s certainly not a first choice for a vegan meal. But if you’re in a pinch, we’ve got your back.
This score is calculated based on the amount of vegan offerings on Wendy’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
Even at restaurants like Wendy’s whose vegan options are few and far between, a seasoned vegan can piece a meal together by thinking outside the box. A chain who specializes in burgers and frosties may not scream veganism, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a few options to enjoy when we’re on the go. The Vegan Unlocked research team is a pro when it comes to this and has used their skills to customize a delicious vegan meal to order at Wendy’s.
Looking for some simpler options? Scroll on to find Wendy’s vegan menu items and our editors’ top picks just below this section.
Veggie Sandwich
Veggies on a soft bun with a side of dill chips makes a snackable vegan meal. Get Dave’s Single on a premium bun with no meat, no cheese and no mayo. Add on avocado and crunchy dill chips for extra deliciousness. Okay, so it’s veggies on a bun! These are the kinds of things vegans had to eat “back in the day” before Beyond and Impossible took off and were picked up by so many fast food chains. Again, it’ll do in a pinch!
All Vegan Options on the Wendy’s Menu
What’s vegan on the Wendy’s menu?
Meals
- Southwest Avocado Salad: A classic salad complete with tasty dressing and a crunchy topping! Get the Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad with no cheeses, no chicken, no bacon. Sub ranch dressing with pomegranate vinaigrette and add sweet onions and roasted pecans.
- Apple Pecan Salad: Another yummy vegan go-to, order the Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with no blue cheese and no chicken. You’re left with crisp red and green apples, sweet cranberries, roasted pecans, Wendy’s signature lettuce blend and pomegranate vinaigrette.
Sides, Kids
- Seasoned potatoes
- Apple bites
- French fries
- Plain baked potato
- Jr. Cheeseburger (no meat, no cheese, add tomato, lettuce, pickles, sweet onions, ketchup and mustard)
- Junior Fries
Editor’s Picks: What Are the Best Vegan Meals at Wendy’s?
The modified Southwest Avocado Salad is the most classic vegan meal, featuring everything a classic veggie salad should contain.
The customized Veggie Sandwich is the most filling vegan meal at Wendy’s.
The modified Apple Pecan Salad is the best vegan meal at Wendy’s, delicious and full of fruity flavors.
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 Wendy’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 Wendy’s Questions:
Are Wendy’s fries vegan?
Yes, Wendy’s fries are vegan!
Does Wendy’s have a vegan burger?
Sadly, Wendy’s does not have a vegan burger yet. This restaurant is slow to the times!
Does Wendy’s have vegan breakfast?
Wendy’s breakfast potatoes and apple slices are vegan. It’s no tofu scramble. But it’ll hold you over on a road trip!
You can find out more information on dining at Wendy’s by visiting their website here.
Dining at Wendy’s soon
Be sure to tag Vegan Unlocked and share your vegan meal or custom creation to be entered into our monthly giveaway!
Wendy’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.
