Vegan Options at Texas Roadhouse (2024) Ordering Guide

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: March 20, 2024
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Texas Roadhouse is famed for its juicy steaks and free peanuts, but what can you expect to find at this popular restaurant chain if you are a vegan?

From my experience as a certified personal trainer, this is not the most vegan-friendly place.

We’ll go over all the possible vegan options at Texas Roadhouse to help you scrape up a hopefully satisfying vegan meal.

Quick Summary

  • To dine vegan at Texas Roadhouse, patrons can choose from limited options like sauteed onions in vegetable oil, corn without butter, and apple sauce.
  • Vegan salads at Texas Roadhouse can be customized without eggs, cheese, and croutons, offering a fresh and light dining option.
  • According to a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, adopting plant-based diets can significantly reduce the risks of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, with obesity rates in some U.S. areas at 39% and increasing by 5% annually.
  • I think that Texas Roadhouse could greatly benefit from expanding its vegan menu to cater to the growing number of plant-based diners.

Ordering Vegan at Texas Roadhouse

Close up shot of a cooked green beans

During my last visit to Texas Roadhouse, I discovered that the main course option for vegans is quite limited, with the Country Veg Plate being the primary choice. That's why I've learned to get creative with the sides to make a more fulfilling meal.

And that’s all folks.

What you can do is order up to 4 sides and one salad with this Country Veg Plate, which sounds a tad more encouraging.

So, let’s see what kinds of vegan sides you can pair with your veggie main course.

1. Vegan Sides

Texas roadhouse vegan sides: corn, vegetables and cooked rice

From my experiences dining at Texas Roadhouse, I've learned not to expect a wide range of vegan options at this meat-centric restaurant. However, I've been pleasantly surprised a few times by finding some vegan-friendly sides that I could enjoy.

The list looks promising at first glance, but when you take a closer look, you’ll notice that even the simplest, potentially vegan sides include some kind of animal products.

For example, all of the potato items at Texas Roadhouse are cooked with animal products.

This is what the current (non)-vegan offer looks like:

  • Baked potatoes - not vegan (covered with bacon grease)
  • Sweet potatoes - these are also drenched in bacon grease, making them unfit
  • Mashed potatoes - not vegan, unless ordered without cheese and bacon
  • Steak fries - if you can deal with the fact that they share a fryer with chicken, then you can order some fries at Texas Roadhouse
  • Seasoned rice - it’s cooked in chicken stock, so it’s a no for vegans
  • Green beans - even the green beans are cooked in ham broth
  • Sauteed mushrooms - typically fried in animal fat
  • Sauteed onions - ask for it to be fried in vegetable oil
  • Corn - it works, but only if ordered without the butter
  • Cup of chili - it’s free from animal ingredients, but it’s not exactly a meal
  • House salad - minus the cheese, croutons, or eggs
  • Fresh vegetables - ask for it without butter
  • Apple sauce - finally a vegan option!
  • Fresh vegetables - make sure to order the steamed version without the butter
  • Free peanuts - Texas Roadhouse is famous for their free peanuts welcoming customers at each table, but unfortunately, this doesn’t make a substantial meal

This leaves us with a cup of chili, apple sauce, and some peanuts, which are not menu options that can keep you full and satisfied.

According to many studies from the National Center for Biotechnology information website, consumption of peanuts or peanut oil is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may improve serum lipid profiles, decrease LDL oxidation, and exert a cardio-protective effect [1].

2. Vegan Salads

A closeup shot of a salad

Sadly, even the House Salad at Texas Roadhouse is not entirely free from animal ingredients.

However, you can ask the staff to make it without the croutons, eggs, and cheese.

Here’s what one of Texas Roadhouse representatives says about vegan options at their restaurants:

’’I am so sorry to bear the bad news, but unfortunately, we really have no vegan options. We could provide a salad with oil and vinegar with add ons like tomatoes or onions, corn with no butter, veggies with no butter, and applesauce. We do have a veggie plate option where you can pick 4 side items’’

- Texas Roadhouse Representative

So it seems that the only vegan salad dressing is the oil and vinegar combo.

According to another study found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, patients with obesity and diabetes will benefit from a plant-based diet that includes a moderate amount of fruits and vegetables and minimal low-fat animal products [2].

3. Vegan Meal Ideas at Texas Roadhouse

Vegan meals on a table

If you are okay with the fries being fried in the same oil as meat, then you can call them vegan-friendly.

If not, then your safest bet is to order some steamed veggies, corn without butter, and spice them up with salt and pepper.

To complete your makeshift plant-based dish at Texas Roadhouse, you can order the salad with the basic vinegar and oil dressing.

Pro tip - bringing your own container of nutritional yeast would make everything much more satisfying.

4. Vegan Drinks

I've found that enjoying a margarita can be a delightful way to complement the limited food choices. Their vegan-friendly drinks, like margaritas and sodas, have often been my go-to during these visits.

Aside from that, all sodas and most beers are vegan-friendly, so you can at least relax and enjoy sipping on your ice-cold drink. Of course, coffee and tea without milk is another vegan-friendly possibility.

5. Other Potentially Vegan Options

There aren’t many vegan options at Texas Roadhouse aside from the ones mentioned so far. When it comes to desserts, aside from the apple sauce, there is nothing that could be a good match for a plant-based diet.

Are the Rolls Vegan at Texas Roadhouse?

Texas Roadhouse's rolls close up image

No, the rolls at Texas Roadhouse are not vegan, as they contain eggs and brushed-on butter.

So, there goes another potentially vegan menu item at Texas Roadhouse. If you were hoping that Texas Roadhouse’s Cactus Blossom and Fried Pickles are vegan, you’ll be disappointed to learn that these contain buttermilk in the batter.

FAQs

Are the Potato Products at Texas Roadhouse Vegan-Friendly?

No, the potato products at Texas Roadhouse, including baked and sweet potatoes, are not vegan-friendly due to the use of bacon grease in their preparation.

What Vegan-Friendly Beverages Does Texas Roadhouse Offer?

Texas Roadhouse offers vegan-friendly beverages such as margaritas that are typically vegan-friendly, but it's advisable to confirm their vegan status with the staff.

How Often Does Texas Roadhouse Update Its Vegan Options?

Texas Roadhouse may update its vegan options periodically, so it's important for vegan diners to check for the latest offerings.

What Tips Should Vegans Follow When Dining at Texas Roadhouse?

The tips that vegans should follow when dining at Texas Roadhouse are asking about ingredients and preparation methods to ensure a vegan-friendly meal.

So, How's Texas Roadhouse for a Vegan?

Well, not so great, especially when compared to other similar types of restaurants.

Even the veggies at this steakhouse are spiked with animal products.

Do you think it’s time for Texas Roadhouse to launch more plant-based menu items?

Have you tried any Texas Roadhouse vegan options? Let us know what you think in the comments below.


References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4711439/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
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About The Author

James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Education: University of Hertfordshire
Lives in: London, England, United Kingdom
Learn more about our editorial policy

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