Cook Out Vegan & Vegetarian Options (2026)
Honest answer: Cook Out is not a strong destination for vegans. There's no plant-based burger, no vegan shake, and most sides involve eggs or dairy. Vegetarians have more to work with — primarily the Cheese Quesadilla, fries, hushpuppies, milkshakes, and cheesecake.
Confirmed Vegan Items
- French Fries ($0.99 reg / $1.69 large) — no animal ingredients in the recipe, but cooked in shared fryers with breaded chicken/onion rings. Strict vegans should know this.
- Bottled water ($1.49)
- Unsweet tea ($0.99 large) — fresh-brewed black tea, no dairy or sweetener.
- Most fountain sodas — Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, etc.
- Lemonade — confirm at your location (some lemonades contain honey).
Vegetarian (but not Vegan) Items
- Cheese Quesadilla ($2.49) — cheese and tortilla, vegetarian friendly.
- Hushpuppies (12 pc.) ($0.99) — contains egg and dairy in the batter.
- Onion Rings ($1.99) — battered, contains egg.
- Corn Dog ($0.99) — note: the corn dog itself contains beef or pork sausage. Not vegetarian. (Listed for clarity.)
- All milkshakes ($3–$4) — dairy-based ice cream, not vegan but vegetarian.
- NY Cheesecake slice ($1.99) — dairy and egg.
How to Customize Orders for Vegan Diets
- Order any wrap "no chicken, no cheese, no ranch" — you'll get vegetables and tortilla. Cook Out doesn't have many vegetable mix-ins, so this is sparse.
- Order a Cheese Quesadilla "no cheese" — basically a folded plain tortilla.
- Skip the milkshakes and floats entirely.
- Ask for fries from a fresh fryer (some locations will accommodate).
What to Avoid (Non-Obvious Animal Ingredients)
- Hushpuppy batter contains egg and milk.
- Onion ring batter contains egg.
- Coleslaw contains mayonnaise (egg).
- Buns may contain milk solids and L-cysteine (often animal-derived).
- BBQ sauce on Out West Style burgers is generally vegan, but confirm at your location.
The Realistic Vegan Order at Cook Out
If you're vegan and traveling with friends who want Cook Out, plan on a side of fries plus a bottled water or unsweet tea. That's roughly it. For a genuine vegan meal, consider nearby chains with Beyond Burger or Impossible Whopper options. Cook Out's strength is char-grilled beef and hand-dipped dairy ice cream — not a category the chain has chosen to compete in for plant-based diners.
Related: Allergen info · Nutrition · Full menu