Vegan at Applebee’s? Yes, but with modifications…

Applebee’s Grill & Bar began as a family-owned restaurant in 1980 in Georgia, named “TJ Applebee’s RX for Edibles & Elixirs.” A mouthful, but also a popular establishment until the concept was sold in 1983, when it changed its name to “Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill“. Franchises began to take over in 1986, with Applebee’s rising to popularity in the 1990s and becoming a worldwide restaurant in 1993, following its subsequent expansions to Canada, the Middle East, Latin America, and China.

You’d think that with all the expansions and growth, Applebee’s would have at least one vegan menu item that requires no modifications, but alas, even in 2025, we have come prepared to ask for substitutions and removals, and brace for confusion and questions from wait staff. I recently visited my local Applebee’s to see how simple it is to take advantage of their ‘2 for $25’ as a vegan. My sister was my other half of the ‘ 2 for’, as unlike Chili’s, where a single diner can select any app and main for just $10.99, at Applebee’s, the value menu is targeted at duo diners, with one app and 2 mains for a total of $25. However, if you take advantage of the value meal as a vegan, you have to do some modifications and substitutions, adding $3 for the swap of an Impossible Burger, making it actually ‘2 for $28’ or ‘$31’ depending on whether your second diner is also vegan.

Since I was committed to trying the ‘2 for $25’ deal, I limited myself to that smaller menu. To start, I asked to sub the Spinach & Artichoke Dip for guac, as the chips and salsa it comes with are vegan-friendly, but not the dip (it’s dairy-based). For the main, I selected their Big Bangin’ Burger, but substituted with an Impossible patty, and asked for NO cheese and NO jalapeño bacon sauce. Yes, the Brioche Bun is vegan, as is the buttery topping used for toasting!¹ I stuck with French fries for my side, and also ordered a blended Watermelon Margarita, which does not come with the deal, but when at Applebee’s! The burger was a tasty rendition of a classic, the chips and guac are always a satisfying starter, and the fries were crispy, well-seasoned, and my favorite part of the meal. The modifications and substitutions I requested were ultimately well-received. Still, the sub of guac for the dip did cause some initial confusion. I’ve been having these conversations with wait staff for years, but I can understand that it’s not always a comfortable situation. If you are still a little unsure when it comes to ordering vegan at a non-vegan establishment, it helps to come prepared with your requests ready, let them know it is a dairy or allergy concern, and if you are still a little anxious, call before you come to make sure your requests can be accommodated. I want you to feel empowered to speak up for yourself and not let these interactions deter you from ordering vegan.

Whether you’re tagging along for a family dinner or in a vegan food desert, I’ve compiled a list of all the vegan-friendly fare at your neighborhood Applebee’s Grill & Bar. Please note that Applebee’s is not a vegan restaurant, so cross-contamination can occur as they do cook on shared equipment, but as always, please alert staff of any allergy concerns. This being said, Applebee’s has two features on their website for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone with allergies to utilize that I think are innovative and resourceful. One is their Applebee’s Vegetarian and Vegan Menu Guide that I used as a basis for my screenshot-friendly guide, and the other is their Ingredient Search. Applebee’s offers an extensive ingredient catalog search for every item on their menu, from toppings to sauces, making double-checking for allergy concerns easy as ever! See below for the guide to ordering vegan at Applebee’s.

Applebee’s Vegan 2 for $25 with Modifications

• Appetizer: Modified Spinach & Artichoke Dip with no modification, this comes with: creamy spinach and artichoke dip topped with Parmesan cheese. Served with freshly made white corn tortilla chips and our chipotle lime salsa.
  • Modification: Ask for NO Spinach & Artichoke Dip, sub guacamole
• Main: Modified Big Bangin Buger with no modification this comes with: a juicy all-beef patty topped with two slices of American cheese and our new sweet and spicy secret sauce made with jalapeños and bacon. Served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles on a Brioche bun. Yes- the Brioche Bun is vegan!
  • Modification: Sub Impossible Patty (+$3) and ask for NO cheese and NO Jalapeño Bacon Sauce

Applebee’s Vegan Appetizers with Modifications

• Modified Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip with no modification, this comes with: soft, Bavarian-style pretzel sticks are ready to dip in BLUE MOON® white Cheddar beer cheese and honey Dijon mustard.
  • Modification: Ask for NO beer cheese dip and NO honey mustard, sub marinara or salsa
• Modified White Queso Dip & Chips with no modification, this comes with: Melty white queso served with freshly made white corn tortilla chips.
  • Modification: Ask for NO white queso, sub guacamole
• Modified Spinach & Artichoke Dip with no modification, this comes with: creamy spinach and artichoke dip topped with Parmesan cheese. Served with freshly made white corn tortilla chips and our chipotle lime salsa.
  • Modification: Ask for NO Spinach & Artichoke Dip, sub guacamole
• Modified Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce with no modification, this comes with: five golden-brown breadsticks, each brushed with a buttery blend of garlic and parsley, and served with a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce for dipping.
  • Modification: Ask for NO Alfredo Sauce and NO garlic butter, sub marinara sauce

Applebee’s Vegan Mains with Modifications

• Modify any Pasta– all noodles are vegan.
  • Modification: Sub sauce for marinara, sub an Impossible patty for the meat/seafood. Remove any additional ingredients as needed, like NO parmesan topping
• Modified Southwest Chicken Bowl with no modification, this comes with: grilled chipotle lime chicken on fresh greens and cilantro rice with house-made pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa and guacamole. Topped with chimichurri, tortilla strips and a fresh lime wedge.
  • Modification: Ask for NO chicken, sub an Impossible patty for the meat/seafood
• Modified Tex-Mex Lime Shrimp Bowl with no modification, this comes with: grilled chipotle lime shrimp on fresh greens and cilantro rice with house-made pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa and guacamole. Topped with chimichurri, tortilla strips and a fresh lime wedge.
  • Modification: Ask for NO shrimp, sub an Impossible patty for the meat/seafood
• Modified Impossible Cheeseburger w/o Cheese, Yes- the Brioche Bun is vegan! with no modification, this comes with: a delicious Impossible® Burger Made from Plants for those who crave meat, topped with two slices of American cheese. Served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a Brioche bun. Served with classic fries.
  • Modification: Ask for NO cheese.
• Modify any Burger
  • Modification: Sub Impossible Patty and ask for NO cheese. Remove toppings as needed

Applebee’s Vegan Salads with Modifications

• Modified Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad with no modification, this comes with: tart, fresh and flavorful, fresh greens tossed with garden tomatoes and red onions. Topped with grilled chicken, sliced almonds, fresh strawberries and a drizzle of balsamic glaze and sweet lemon olive vinaigrette on the side. Served with a golden brown signature breadstick brushed with buttery garlic and parsley.
  • Modification: Ask for NO chicken, sub an Impossible patty for the meat/seafood. Ask for NO garlic butter on the breadstick.
• Modified House Salad Yes- the croutons are vegan!² with no modification, this comes with: fresh greens topped with a blend of Cheddar cheeses and tomatoes.
  • Modification: Ask for NO cheese, and choose either Italian Dressing or Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Applebee’s Vegan Sides with Modifications

• Baked Potato (Ask for NO butter and NO sour cream, ask for a side of black bean corn salsa)
• Seasoned Broccoli (Ask for NO butter)
• Flour Tortilla
• Fries
• Waffle Fries
• Breadsticks with Alfredo Sauce (Ask for NO Alfredo Sauce and NO garlic butter, sub marinara sauce)

Applebee’s Vegan Sauces and Dressings

• Marinara
• Guacamole
• Chipotle Lime Salsa
• Chimichurri Sauce
• Italian Dressing
• Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette

1. Brioche Bun Ingredients: Brioche Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat, Malted Barley, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Flour (Wheat, Malted Barley), Sugar, Yeast, Palm Oil, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% Of Each Of The Following: Cultured Wheat, Vinegar, Natural Flavors, Soybean Oil, Guar Gum, Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid, Corn Flour, Spice (Turmeric, Paprika), Dextrose, Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Dextrin, Triglycerides. Topping: Water, Pea Protein, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Butter Alternative: Liquid And Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Soy Lecithin, TBHQ And Citric Acid (Preservatives), Artificial Color, Dimethylpolysiloxane (Anti-Foaming Agent). ↩︎
2. Croutons Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Canola And/Or Sunflower Oil (With Rosemary Extract And Ascorbic Acid [To Preserve Freshness]), Yeast, Sugar, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Dextrose, 2% Or Less Of Corn Flour, Spice, Soybean Oil, Monocalcium Phosphate, Turmeric And Paprika (As Spice And Coloring), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Enzymes. ↩︎

Applebee’s Location: 2449 Claribel Rd, Riverbank, CA 95367

Applebee’s

Applebee’s Vegetarian and Vegan Menu Guide