The Best Vegetarian Options at In-N-Out

If you are new to being vegan or vegetarian you may feel that you are missing out on the burgers that you once enjoyed. If you are have always been vegan or veggie then you may want to get in on the burger action to see what all of the fuss is about.

With so many people turning to a plant-based diet there is now more choice for vegetarians and vegans, especially when it comes to fast food and burgers. 

One fast-food chain that is beginning to embrace vegetarian food is In-N-Out Burger. In N Out Burger is a popular restaurant for burger-lovers and can be found along the West Coast of the USA.

There are over 300 outlets with more opening every day due to its famous burgers, shakes, and fries.

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Vegan Options at In-N-Out 

In-N-Out does not have much in the way of vegan options as the majority of their menu consists of beef patties. They do have a veggie burger and, of course, fries but after that, there is little in the way of vegan options.

Even some of the sauces are not vegan friendly with choices limited to the standard ketchup and mustard. You can, however, enjoy a drink with friends if you want to just pop in but not eat.

Vegan groups and campaigners, such as PETA are calling for more vegetable options and vegan options at In N Out but there is no sign of that coming to fruition as yet. There have been petitions by lovers of vegan burgers as it is believed that a fast-food chain of this size should cater to a growing number of vegans.

While some petitions reached over 30,000 signatures burger lovers are still waiting for In N Out to create a great vegan burger. 

Despite the lack of vegan options at In N Out, there are a few items on the menu that are vegan-friendly and there is a good veggie burger for vegetarians. 

We take a look at the veggie burger in detail and the vegan options available at In N Out burger. While ingredients are not posted their website does have a list of allergens so you can check for the main ingredients that are often a dietary choice for people.

In N Out Veggie Burger

The In N Out veggie burger is similar to a vegetarian sandwich as it does not consist of a patty like most burgers. The main In N Out burgers (with beef or chicken patties) come with a variety of sauces but the veggie burger simply contains mustard spread and ketchup.

The veggie burger comes in a bun with lettuce, onion, tomato so all in all it is a healthy vegetarian-friendly option but not the most exciting of meals. A note to say that the buns contain gluten and wheat so if you have an intolerance or an allergy the buns would not be suitable.

If you are a vegetarian who eats cheese you can also add a slice of cheese to your burger for additional taste. 

If you want to make the In N Out veggie burger vegan you can ask for no spread to be added and just add extra ketchup so that your burger is not too dry. 

Additional Vegetarian Options

As the veggie burger is more like a sandwich you may want to make it more exciting by adding extra ingredients. The following items are vegetarian-friendly and can be added to the In N Out veggie burger:

Onions

By changing the onions on your burger you can liven it up. As a standard, the veggie burger comes with fresh onions but there are a few options for you to choose from.

You can enjoy the fresh sliced or change to raw chopped, grilled chopped, or whole grilled onions. You can add as many of these options as you like depending on how you feel.

We like the additional taste of grilling the onions, especially when they caramelize a little. Choosing a whole slice of grilled onion also adds an extra texture in place of an actual patty.

Yellow Chillies

You can add yellow chilies to give your In N Out veggie burger a bit of a kick. You can choose from whole or chopped yellow chilies, depending on how daring you are.

Yellow chilies add an extra zing to the veggie burger without being too intensely hot like a red chili. If you don’t want to risk having chilies on your burger itself then you can as for a side order of chilies to eat as you like. 

Toasted Bun

When you order a burger at In N Out you can choose how you have your bun. Your bun can be toasted, double toasted, or non-toasted depending on your taste.

We enjoy the double toasted option as it adds another texture and can make it feel different than a standard vegetable sandwich. No worries if you want a softer bun, you can simply ask it to be served without it being toasted.

If you opt for cheese on your veggie burger you can ask for your bun to be toasted with your American cheese so that it has a gooey grilled cheese texture. 

In N Out French Fries

While the In N Out veggie burger is pretty standard and nothing to write home about, their fries are delicious. These fries are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans, which is music to the ears of those who enjoy a solely plant-based diet.

We have double-checked with In N Out and they confirm that their fries do not contain any animal products or animal by-products. You will need to check at each chain, though, as to whether the oil that they use to fry the fries is not contaminated with any animal products.

Some plant-based dieters may not mind the cross-contamination that occurs when food is cooked but some vegans will be very strict. If you are vegetarian then this is something you may want to consider but may not necessarily be too bothered about. 

Light or well done

The fries at In N Out are made from freshly prepared hand-cut potatoes that are fried in sunflower oil. To confirm, the fries do not contain any milk or eggs or any other animal by-products.

One great aspect of In N Out is that you can choose how your fries are cooked; from light to well done. The way you want your fries cooked is completely up to you but we have to say the well-done fries have a delightful crispness to them and they taste great in In N Out ketchup.

If you do choose the lighter option you will still find that they are crispier than most fast-food chains, such as McDonald’s or KFC.

In N Out Sauces

In-N-Out Burger is famous for its mayonnaise-based spread but as it contains eggs it is not suitable for vegans, only vegetarians. The only vegan-friendly sauce options at In N Out is mustard and ketchup, which is a shame but as ketchup and fries is a classic combination it should not cause too much stress.

You can ask for mustard or ketchup to be added to your veggie burger if you do not want the mayonnaise spread. 

Drinks

As you can see, the vegan and vegetarian options at In N Out burger are very limited, with just a veggie burger and fries being the most substantial options. You will find, however, a good selection of drinks to choose from if you want to skip food and just enjoy a drink while your friends eat from the main menu.

A lot of people head to In N Out for their great milkshakes. If you are vegetarian you can enjoy the milkshakes but if you are vegan and you want to avoid all animal products then you can enjoy a drink from a selection of soft drinks.

The soft drinks on offer include:

• Coca Cola
• Diet Coke
• Lemonade
• Dr. Pepper
• 7UP
• Iced tea
• Root beer
• Minute Maid light lemonade

If you are vegan you can also enjoy coffee at In N Out burger as long as you do not add any standard milk. You can, instead, enjoy plant-based milk such as soy and almond milk on request.

If you are vegetarian you can enjoy a milky coffee.

Summary

While we wait for In N Out burger to develop a good vegan burger and a wider range of veggie and vegan options you are limited in what you can eat. A simple veggie burger that is more like a sandwich is your only real option alongside fries.

Without the mayo-based spread, you can enjoy both of these options if you are vegan. You can also enjoy simple sauces and fresh cold drinks to wash your food down.