Popeyes, a New Orleans style fast-food restaurant, is a favorite for those looking for fried chicken, rice and beans, biscuits and crispy fries. Unfortunately, there are very few vegan options at Popeyes. But are the fries vegan at least? What are the vegan options at Popeyes? Read on to find out more.
Are Popeyes Fries Vegan?
Well, not really. The French fries themselves are vegan, but there is no clear answer on what they are fried in. Some sources say they are fried in animal fat. Other sources say they are fried in palm oil.
What's a vegan to do?! If you're plant-based or have a vegan family member, your best option is to stay away from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. It is very unclear what their food is actually cooked in. On their website they state the following:
"Not all palm oils are created equal when it comes to environmental impact. Popeyes® now sources palm oil (both directly sourced and for all branded food products with greater than 1% palm oil or palm kernel oil as an ingredient)which is RSPO Mass Balance certified or covered by RSPO certification and credits for its entire menu globally, per the brand’s. The commitment to contribute to the production of certified sustainable palm oil is part of Popeyes® ambition to support deforestation-free supply chains."
However, just because they are using palm oil, it doesn't mean that they don't also use beef tallow as they used to (and possibly still do). Even if they are using a vegetable oil, there is certainly cross contamination with the other foods they fry them together with. What is challenging is that Popeyes isn't extremely clear about what's in their products. They do not publish the ingredient list of their food items on their website. What they do post is the allergen list which is helpful in seeing what contains dairy and Egg.
Vegan Options at Popeyes
Breakfast Options
There are very few breakfast options that do not contain animal ingredients.
- Grits
Lunch or Dinner Options
So the fries are out, but are there Popeyes lunch or dinner menu items that are not made with animal products? There are a couple, but nothing that will make a vegan meal.
- Baguette - All their sandwiches contain meat and dairy but the baguette itself is vegan.
- Corn on the cob without butter
- Jalapenos
Their mashed potatoes and cole slaw are vegetarian, but certainly don't fit in with a vegan diet with the included dairy. What about the green beans? They contain dairy as well. How about the rice and beans? Nope - they contain animal ingredients. Onion Rings? No, they contain egg and milk. Hashbrowns? They don't include dairy but they also don't state what they are fried in. Like their fries, I'd assume they are fried in animal fat. Coleslaw? Surprisingly it doesn't contain milk but it does contain egg.
Drink Options
There are many drink options that are vegan.
- Coffee (breakfast)
- Orange Juice (breakfast)
- Coke
- Diet Coke
- Sprite
- Fanta Straberry
- Fanta Orange
- Hawaiian Punch
- Mountain Dew
- Pepsi
- Diet Pepsi
- Dr. Pepper
- Unsweetened Tea
- Sweet Tea
Signature Sauces
There are also a few sauces that are vegan. Of course, ketchup is a vegan sauce as well.
- BoldBQ
- Sweet Heat
- Cocktail
Vegan-Friendly Fast Food Chain?
While fast food restaurants in the United States seem to be finally adding vegan options to their menus (more than just a salad or fries, please), Popeyes is lagging far behind. A restaurant where the only things vegans can eat are bread, grits and possibly corn isn't a place where you want to eat. Even KFC, their fried chicken competitor, has more options including beans, potato wedges, salad and a couple more.
Are there fast food places that have more vegan foods? The good news is other places have many more options. Burger King has several vegan items. It has the Impossible Whopper (a vegan burger) and their French fries and hash browns contain vegan ingredients (although sadly not their onion rings).
Taco Bell is incredibly vegan friendly. Their beans do not contain any meat products and can be subbed in menu items in place of meat. Also, you can find a vegetarian option and order it "fresco style". They then take out the dairy and the item becomes vegan. To read more about ordering vegan foods at Taco Bell, check out their website.
Does Popeyes Have A Vegan Burger?
In the US, unfortunately no. However, in 2021 the first Popeyes opened in the UK with plans to have their own vegan burger. Instead of using an Impossible patty or one by Beyond Meat, they have their own patty with creole flavoring. Hopefully, the Popeyes in the United States will follow the UK and have a vegan burger soon!
Popeyes History
Popeyes began in Louisiana in 1972 with a different name, Chicken on the Run. It was renamed to Popeyes in 1976. It specializes in fried chicken and other kinds of southern comfort food. Think rice and beans, biscuits and grave, and fried fish. While there are Popeyes in over 30 countries around the world, the nutritional information and ingredients are just for the Popeyes in the United States.
FAQ
Are Popeyes red beans and rice vegan?
No, unfortunately the red beans and rice contain pork and are not vegan.
Are Popeyes fries vegan?
While the fries themselves are vegan, it is not clear what they are fried in. There are some reports that they're fried in beef tallow so it's best to stay away from them.
Is there a vegan Popeyes chicken sandwich?
Unfortunately, no there is not a vegan chicken sandwich at Popeyes as of yet.
Summary
Sadly, if you're vegan I would stay away from Popeyes' fries and Popeyes in general. While the fries themselves are vegan, Popeyes is not transparent with what their food is fried in. They have very few menu items that do not contain animal products. If you stop at a Popeyes, your only choices would be grits, bread, and possibly corn on the cob. It's pretty difficult to make a meal from those choices.
They could make a few changes and really be more inclusive. Their rice and beans without meat would be an excellent option for vegans. Or since they're all about chicken, how about vegan chicken strips. Perhaps one day they'll be more accommodating, but for now your best bet is to find a different place to eat that has more options.
Are you wondering about other chain or fast-food restaurants? Check out:
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