Buffalo Wild Wings is a place most people know for its chicken wings, sports on TV, and a fun vibe. But if you’re vegan, you might think there’s nothing there for you. After all, wings are made from chicken, and that’s definitely not vegan. But today I guide you to all vegan options at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Don’t give up yet, though! Even at a spot like this, there are some vegan options at Buffalo Wild Wings you can try if you’re careful and know what to ask for.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about eating vegan at Buffalo Wild Wings. We’ll cover appetizers, sides, main meals, sauces, and even some tips to make your visit better. Let’s dive in.
Understanding Vegan Options
A vegan diet excludes all animal products. At Buffalo Wild Wings, this means avoiding items with meat, dairy, eggs, and sometimes honey. Some menu items can be modified to fit a vegan diet.
Modifying Menu Items at BWW for Vegans
Many restaurants are happy to accommodate dietary requests. At Buffalo Wild Wings, you can ask for modifications such as:
- Requesting no cheese or creamy dressings.
- Asking for dressings or dips on the side.
- Confirming that fries and other sides are cooked in vegetable oil.
Always speak with your server to ensure your meal meets vegan standards.
Let’s understand all items step by step with vegan ingredients only:
Some easy to recognize vegan options:
| Vegan Menu Item | Price (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Traditional French Fries | $3.99 |
| Garden Salad | $4.99 |
| Onion Rings | $4.50 |
| Buffalo Cauliflower | $8.99 |
| Side Celery Sticks | $2.99 |
Vegan Appetizers and Sides at BWW
Let’s start with the smaller stuff – appetizers and sides. These can be a good way to put together a meal if you’re vegan.
Everything Pretzel Knots
The Everything Pretzel Knots are a tasty appetizer that a lot of people like. Normally, they come with beer cheese and honey mustard, but those have dairy and honey, so they’re not vegan.
Here’s the trick: ask for the pretzel knots with no sauce at all. You might also want to check with the staff to see if they brush butter on them to make the seasoning stick. If they do, ask if they can skip the butter. To make it more fun, you can dip them in a vegan sauce like salsa or guacamole (more on sauces later).
Carrots and Celery Sticks
This one’s super simple. You can order carrots and celery sticks, which are just raw veggies. They’re vegan on their own, but they usually come with dips.
Stick to vegan ones like guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo. Stay away from ranch or anything creamy – it’s got dairy in it.
Garden Side Salad
A salad is always a safe bet at most restaurants, and Buffalo Wild Wings has a garden side salad. To keep it vegan, tell them to leave off the cheese and pick a dressing that doesn’t have dairy or eggs.
The White Wine Vinaigrette is a good choice – it’s vegan and adds some flavor. Double check about croutons, too, because some might have dairy or eggs, though they’re not always listed on the menu.
Rice
Plain rice is another easy option. It’s just rice, nothing fancy, and it’s vegan as long as they don’t cook it with butter or broth (which isn’t usual here). You can add a vegan sauce to spice it up if you want.
BWW Vegan Main Meal Options
If you want something more filling than just sides, there are a couple of things you can try. You’ll need to customize them, though.
Black Bean Burger
Some Buffalo Wild Wings locations have a black bean burger patty, and in certain spots, it’s vegan. But here’s the catch – it’s not the same everywhere. You have to ask at your location to make sure the patty doesn’t have eggs or dairy in it.
If it’s vegan, order it without cheese or ranch, and get it on a challah bun (which is usually vegan, but confirm just in case). Add some vegan toppings like lettuce, tomato, or avocado smash to make it tastier.
Custom Wrap or Sandwich
Another idea is to build your own wrap or sandwich. Take something like the Grilled Chicken Wrap and tell them to leave out the chicken, cheese, and sour cream.
Load it up with veggies like lettuce and tomato, and add a vegan sauce. Make sure the wrap or bun is vegan – the challah bun is a solid choice, but ask to be sure. It might not be a huge meal, so maybe add guacamole or a side to fill it out.
BWW Vegan Sauces and Seasonings
One thing Buffalo Wild Wings is famous for is its sauces and seasonings. Good news: a bunch of them are vegan.
Vegan Sauces
Here’s a list of sauces you can use without worrying about animal stuff:
- Sweet BBQ
- Teriyaki
- Blazin’ Carolina Reaper (super spicy)
- Mango Habanero
- Wild
- Hot
- Medium
- Mild
- Spicy Garlic
- Jammin’ Jalapeno
- Asian Zing
These are all safe for vegans and give you tons of flavors to play with, from sweet to super hot.
Vegan Dry Seasonings
If you like a dry rub instead of a wet sauce, these seasonings are vegan too:
- Desert Heat
- Buffalo
- Chipotle BBQ
- Salt & Vinegar
- Lemon Pepper
One sauce to avoid is Garlic Parmesan – it’s got dairy in it, so it’s not vegan. Always good to double check with the staff, but these ones should be fine.
Tips for Ordering Vegan at Buffalo Wild Wings
Ask for Modifications
If a dish is not vegan by default, ask if it can be modified. For example, remove cheese from salads or choose a different dressing.
Confirm Ingredients with Staff
It is important to speak with the restaurant staff about how food is prepared. Confirm that fries are not cooked in animal fat and that sauces or dressings do not contain dairy.
You can check full Buffalo Wild Wings Menu with all information here:
Conclusion
Buffalo Wild Wings isn’t the first place you’d think of for vegan food, and honestly, it’s not the best spot if you’re plant based. The menu’s heavy on meat and dairy, and the beef shortening in the fryers rules out a lot of stuff.
But if you’re stuck going there with friends or just want to give it a shot, you can make it work. Things like pretzel knots, a custom salad, or even a black bean burger (if you’re lucky) can get you through. Pair them with some of their awesome vegan sauces, and you’ve got something decent.
Just be ready to ask questions and tweak your order. It’s not perfect, but with a little effort, you can still enjoy a night out without breaking your vegan streak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there vegan options at Buffalo Wild Wings?
Buffalo Wild Wings is known for wings and sauces, which are not fully vegan. However, you can customize some sides like fries and salads to create a partially vegan meal.
Is Buffalo Wild Wings a good option for vegans?
Buffalo Wild Wings is not fully vegan. It offers few customizable vegan options, so it may not be the best choice. Vegans should check menus and ask for modifications.
Are Buffalo Wild Wings fries vegan?
No, fries aren’t vegan because they’re fried in beef shortening, which comes from animals.
Is the black bean burger vegan at Buffalo Wild Wings?
Sometimes! It depends on the location – ask if it’s vegan, then order it without cheese or ranch.
Can you get vegan sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings?
Yes, sauces like Sweet BBQ, Teriyaki, Mango Habanero, and Hot are vegan – just avoid Garlic Parmesan.
Are the cauliflower wings vegan at Buffalo Wild Wings?
No, cauliflower wings aren’t vegan since they’re fried in beef shortening, not safe for vegans.
Does Buffalo Wild Wings have vegan drinks?
Yes, sodas, iced tea, lemonade, and most alcoholic drinks are vegan, just check for honey in cocktails.
