Everything Vegan at Applebee’s: Burgers, Bowls, and More

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar invites Americans everywhere to sit down with their families for an affordable meal and late-night appetizers. And let's not forget the unbelievably budget-friendly cocktail menu. But can vegans partake in the fun at Applebee's? In short, yes, but it takes some negotiating. This neighborhood grill has a long way to go until its menu can be classified as vegan-friendly, but plant-based diners can order a fulfilling meal to go with their one-dollar margarita.

American most infamous fast-casual chain is well-aware of its limited vegan and vegetarian options. Applebee's offers its customers a full guide to its vegetarian and vegan options, providing tips and tricks on how to optimize your plant-based meal. Despite its slim vegan offerings, there's a secret to ordering your plant-based dinner at Applebee's, and we are here to help.

Take note that the menu at every Applebee's is slightly different, but no matter where you are, the fast-casual chain will have a few plant-based options. Currently, Applebee's operates about 1,700 storefronts across 44 states, and with new partnerships and menu updates, it is getting easier for customers to order vegan. Here's how to order vegan at Applebee's.

This March, Applebee's revealed a game-changing menu item when it debuted the Impossible Cheeseburger nationwide, becoming the company's first permanent plant-based item. The Impossible Cheeseburger will feature a meatless burger patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and two slices of American cheese. For fully plant-based customers, the Impossible Cheeseburger can be ordered without dairy-based cheese. The Impossible patty can also be added to several other menu items when you substitute animal-based protein.

“We’re always looking to bring options to our menu for our guests who crave variety,” Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer at Applebee’s, said at the time. “With the introduction of the Impossible Cheeseburger, we’re giving our guests more delicious combinations to choose from when dining with us. And whether you’re craving one of our classic fresh, never frozen, Handcrafted Burgers, or the new Impossible Cheeseburger, you can’t go wrong. Come on by - we’ll save you a booth!”

Even though Applebee's will cater to your dietary preferences, note that the company cannot promise to avoid cross-contamination from animal-based products in the kitchen.

Even though it seems difficult to order vegan at Applebee's, choosing plant-based foods can have significant health benefits in the long run. Eating a mostly plant-based diet earlier in life can prolong life expectancy by over 10 years, whereas those who regularly eat red or processed meats have a 13 or 9 percent high risk of early death, respectively. Giving plant-based a try might seem intimidating at first, but the benefits are long-lasting.

One recent study also found that eating plant-based protein can protect your gut health, improving your overall well-being. So next time you visit Applebee's for an affordable family outing, try the Impossible Burger over the conventional cheeseburger because even the smallest plant-based change can help your overall health.