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Buffalo Wild Wings Vegan & Vegetarian Menu Guide (2026)

Buffalo Wild Wings is famous for wings, beer, and game-day energy, but it is not the easiest place to eat if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet. Most of the menu is built around chicken, and almost every fried item is cooked in beef fat. Still, with a little planning, you can walk into any Buffalo Wild Wings location and order a meal that fits your diet.

This guide covers every vegan and vegetarian options at Buffalo Wild Wings in 2026, along with substitution tips, sauce choices, and the items you should avoid.

Before you visit, you can also check our Nutrition Calculator to see how your meal fits into your daily calorie goals.

Is Buffalo Wild Wings Vegan or Vegetarian Friendly?

Buffalo Wild Wings does not have a dedicated vegan or vegetarian menu. The restaurant is built around chicken wings, burgers, and shareable appetizers, so plant-based diners need to customize their order. The good news is that a few menu items are naturally plant-based or can easily be made that way with small changes.

The one thing every vegan and vegetarian guest should know first: almost all fried items at Buffalo Wild Wings are cooked in beef fat (beef shortening or tallow). This includes the French fries, tortilla chips, onion rings, and the standard Cauliflower Wings. If you avoid animal products strictly, this rules out most of the fried side of the menu unless a location agrees to bake an item instead.

Best Vegetarian Options at Buffalo Wild Wings

If you eat dairy and eggs but avoid meat, these are your safest picks:

Southwest Black Bean Burger

This black bean patty is the closest thing Buffalo Wild Wings has to a dedicated vegetarian entree. Order it without cheese and without the ranch or aioli sauce to keep it fully plant-based, or leave the cheese on if you eat dairy. It comes with fries by default, so ask for a side salad or carrots and celery instead if you want to skip the beef-fat fryer.

Mushroom Swiss Burger Swap

Some guests swap the black bean patty into the Mushroom Swiss Burger build for a heartier vegetarian meal with mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese.

Garden Side Salad

A simple, reliable option. It comes with white wine vinaigrette, which is dairy-free. Ask for no croutons and no cheese if you want a fully vegan salad, or leave the cheese for a vegetarian version.

Everything Pretzel Knots

These can work for vegetarians, but check with your server about the exact recipe, since some locations list egg as an allergen in the dough. Skip the beer cheese dip and honey mustard, and pair them with a plant-based dip instead.

Mac N Cheese

A comfort-food side that works well for vegetarians who eat dairy.

Classic Chicken Wrap (Without Chicken)

Ask for the wrap without chicken, cheese, and sour cream, and load it up with extra vegetables and a sauce of your choice. It is not on the menu this way, but most locations can build it.

Vegan Options at Buffalo Wild Wings

Strict vegans have fewer choices, mainly because of the shared fryers and beef-fat cooking oil. Here is what usually works:

Southwest Black Bean Burger – order with no cheese and no ranch or aioli. Swap the fries for carrots and celery or a side salad.
Garden Side Salad – with white wine vinaigrette, no cheese, no croutons.
Carrots and Celery Sticks – a safe, simple side.
Mandarin Oranges – a light, fruit-based side.
Classic Chicken Wrap (no chicken, no cheese) – customized with extra veggies and a vegan sauce.

What About Cauliflower Wings?

Cauliflower Wings look like an obvious vegan choice, but the standard version is fried in beef fat, which makes it unsuitable for vegans. Some locations will bake the Asian Zing Cauliflower Wings on request instead of frying them. This is not an official menu option, so availability depends on the restaurant and staff. Always call ahead or ask before you order, and remember that cross-contact with meat products is still possible in a shared kitchen.

Vegan-Friendly and Dairy-Free Sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings

Not every Buffalo Wild Wings sauce is plant-based. A few classic sauces, including Original Buffalo, Parmesan Garlic, and Thai Curry, contain milk. The Lemon Pepper sauces also contain dairy. When in doubt, ask your server for the current allergen guide, since recipes can change.

Generally safer, plant-based sauce choices include most of the vinegar-based hot sauces and several dry rubs, though some dry rubs may carry a “may contain milk” warning because of shared seasoning stations. For the most accurate, up-to-date list, check our full Sauces Guide or ask your server directly before ordering.

Items to Avoid If You Are Vegan or Vegetarian

French Fries and Tortilla Chips – fried in beef shortening, not vegan or vegetarian.
Standard Cauliflower Wings – fried in the same beef-fat fryer as chicken wings.
Onion Rings – also cooked in the shared beef-fat fryer.
Any traditional or boneless chicken wings – obviously not vegetarian or vegan.
Sauces with dairy – Original Buffalo, Parmesan Garlic, Thai Curry, and Lemon Pepper varieties.

Tips for Ordering Vegan or Vegetarian at Buffalo Wild Wings

Ask about the fryer. If frying oil or cross-contact with meat is a concern for you, ask if baked options are available.
Request sauce on the side. This helps you control exactly what touches your food.
Skip the default fries. Swap them for a side salad, carrots and celery, or mandarin oranges to avoid the beef-fat fryer.
Double-check dairy in sauces. Some sauces that sound plant-based, like Lemon Pepper, actually contain milk.
Call ahead for baked Cauliflower Wings. Not every location offers this, so it is worth confirming before you go.
Use the allergen guide. Recipes change over time, so always check the most current allergen information from the restaurant before ordering if you have strict dietary needs.

Buffalo Wild Wings Vegan and Vegetarian Menu at a Glance

Menu Item	Vegetarian	Vegan (with changes)
Southwest Black Bean Burger	Yes	Yes (no cheese, no ranch)
Garden Side Salad	Yes	Yes (no cheese, no croutons)
Carrots and Celery Sticks	Yes	Yes
Mandarin Oranges	Yes	Yes
Mac N Cheese	Yes	No
Everything Pretzel Knots	Check locally	Not recommended
Cauliflower Wings (fried)	No	No
Cauliflower Wings (baked, on request)	Ask location	Ask location
French Fries	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Buffalo Wild Wings have a vegan menu?

No, Buffalo Wild Wings does not have a dedicated vegan menu. Plant-based guests need to customize items like the Southwest Black Bean Burger or Garden Salad to make them fully vegan.

Are Buffalo Wild Wings Cauliflower Wings vegan?

No, the standard Cauliflower Wings are fried in beef fat. Some locations may bake the Asian Zing version on request, but this is not guaranteed everywhere.

Are Buffalo Wild Wings fries vegan?

No, the fries are cooked in beef shortening, so they are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians who avoid animal fat.

Is the Black Bean Burger at Buffalo Wild Wings vegan?

It can be, if you order it without cheese and without the ranch or aioli sauce. Always confirm current ingredients with your server, since recipes can be updated.

What sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings are dairy-free?

Several sauces are dairy-free, but a few popular ones like Original Buffalo, Parmesan Garlic, Thai Curry, and Lemon Pepper contain milk. Check with your server or the latest allergen guide for a full list.

Final Thoughts

Buffalo Wild Wings is not designed with vegan or vegetarian diners in mind, but it is possible to eat there with a bit of planning. Stick to the Southwest Black Bean Burger, Garden Salad, and simple sides, ask about baked Cauliflower Wings, and always double-check sauces for dairy before you order. For the most accurate and current details, always confirm with your local restaurant, since menus and recipes can change by location and over time.

Disclaimer: buffalowwingsmenu.com is an independent, fan-run informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Buffalo Wild Wings or Inspire Brands. Menu items, ingredients, and allergen information can change at any time and may vary by location. Always confirm directly with your nearest Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant before ordering, especially if you have a strict dietary requirement or food allergy.