Chick-fil-A is known for their signature chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. Their most popular sauces include Chick-fil-A sauce, Polynesian sauce, and barbecue sauce. These creamy and tangy sauces are loved by many and are a big part of what makes Chick-fil-A’s menu so craveable.
However, Chick-fil-A’s sauces are not vegan or even vegetarian. They contain dairy ingredients like milk, whey, and cheese. This means people with dairy allergies or following plant-based diets cannot enjoy Chick-fil-A’s sauces. Many vegans and vegetarians want to know if there is a vegan alternative to the famous Chick-fil-A sauce.
What is in Chick-fil-A’s sauce?
Chick-fil-A sauce contains a blend of honey mustard, barbecue, and ranch flavors. The ingredients according to the Chick-fil-A website are:
| Soybean Oil |
| Water |
| Egg Yolks |
| Vinegar |
| Sugar |
| Mustard |
| Salt |
| Spices |
| Onion Powder |
| Garlic Powder |
| Natural Flavor |
| Honey |
| Whey |
| Corn Starch |
| Xanthan Gum |
| Cellulose Gum |
| Disodium Phosphate |
| Lactic Acid |
As you can see, the Chick-fil-A sauce contains egg yolks, whey, and milk ingredients. Whey comes from milk during the process of cheese making. This means the sauce is not vegan or vegetarian.
Key non-vegan ingredients
The main non-vegan ingredients in Chick-fil-A sauce are:
– Egg yolks
– Whey
– Milk components like lactic acid
For a sauce to be vegan, it must not contain any animal products or byproducts. Eggs and dairy ingredients like whey and milk make the sauce off-limits for vegans.
Are any Chick-fil-A sauces vegan?
Unfortunately, none of Chick-fil-A’s sauces are currently vegan. Here is a breakdown:
Chick-fil-A Sauce
As discussed above, contains egg yolks, whey, and milk ingredients.
Barbecue Sauce
Contains milk and whey.
Polynesian Sauce
Contains egg yolks and whey.
Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
Contains egg yolks, whey, and honey. Honey is not vegan.
Zesty Buffalo Sauce
Contains yogurt, a dairy ingredient.
Garden Herb Ranch Sauce
Contains milk, cheese, and whey.
Creamy Salsa Sauce
Contains whey and milk derived lactic acid.
So all of Chick-fil-A’s signature sauces contain at least one non-vegan ingredient, mostly centered around dairy components.
What do vegans order at Chick-fil-A?
Chick-fil-A does offer some vegan-friendly options that can be customized:
Waffle Fries
Chick-fil-A’s waffle fries are fried in refined peanut oil and do not contain any animal products. Vegans can enjoy waffle fries as a side.
Kale Crunch Salad
The kale crunch salad offers fresh kale and nut blend without cheese or dressing. Vegans can get this salad without chicken. The salad alone is vegan.
Fruit Cup
The fresh fruit cup with sliced strawberries, blueberries, and other seasonal fruit is vegan. It makes a nice sweet treat.
Hash Browns
Hash browns fried in oil are a tasty vegan breakfast item or side.
Icedream Cone
Chick-fil-A serves Dole soft serve, which is dairy-free. The icedream cone makes for a vegan dessert.
So while the sauces aren’t vegan, there are ways vegans can enjoy some of the flavors of Chick-fil-A. The waffle fries are especially popular, pairing nicely with a homemade vegan sauce.
How to make a vegan Chick-fil-A style sauce
Because all of Chick-fil-A’s sauces contain animal products, vegans have had to come up with homemade hacks. Here are some tips for making a vegan sauce with a similar tangy, sweet, creamy flavor:
Base
Use vegan mayonnaise as a base. Vegan mayo provides creaminess and texture.
Acidity
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for some tang. Lemon juice also works.
Sweetener
Incorporate agave or maple syrup to balance out the acidity.
Flavor
Include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Thickness
Whisk in a sprinkle of cornstarch dissolved in water to thicken.
Creamy texture
Blend in a spoonful of creamy peanut butter or cashew butter.
Herbs
Chopped parsley adds freshness. Dried dill and chives add seasoning.
Umami
A dash of soy sauce, liquid aminos, or nutritional yeast boosts savoriness.
Spice
A pinch of cayenne pepper kicks it up a notch.
Here is an example recipe:
| 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise |
| 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar |
| 1 tbsp maple syrup |
| 1 tsp garlic powder |
| 1 tsp onion powder |
| 1 tsp smoked paprika |
| 1/2 tsp salt |
| 1/2 tsp pepper |
| 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water |
| 1 tbsp peanut butter |
| 1 tsp lemon juice |
| 1 tbsp chopped parsley |
| 1 tsp nutritional yeast |
Whisk everything together until smooth and creamy. Adjust flavors as desired. Drizzle over waffle fries, nuggets, or a veggie sandwich.
Where to find vegan Chick-fil-A style sauces
While Chick-fil-A currently does not offer any vegan sauces, some brands sell bottled vegan sauces with a similar flavor profile:
J&D’s Foods Chick*n Sauce
This vegan condiment mimics Chick-fil-A’s signature sauce. It contains sunflower oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and spices.
The Vegetarian Butcher Chick*n Sauce
This brand’s creamy sauce has hints of mustard, BBQ, and ranch flavors. It’s egg and dairy free.
Sauce Stache Chick*n Style Sauce
Sauce Stache makes their sauce with garlic, lemon, onion, and savory seasonings. It’s 100% plant based.
Hampton Creek Just Ranch
While not a direct dupe, Just Ranch offers that creamy, herby flavor of ranch with non-GMO pea protein instead of dairy ingredients.
You can also find various copycat recipes online from vegan food bloggers and chefs. Or try your hand at making your own delicious vegan Chick-fil-A style sauce at home.
Vegan chicken options
To complete the vegan Chick-fil-A experience, pair your sauce with vegan chicken. Here are some options:
Quorn Vegan Nuggets
These meatless nuggets taste and chew like the real thing. They are made with mycoprotein instead of chicken.
Beyond Meat Chicken Tenders
Beyond Meat’s plant-based tenders shred and soak up sauce nicely. Find them in the frozen aisle.
Morningstar Chik’n Nuggets
Morningstar Farms makes classic crispy vegan nuggets ideal for saucing and dipping.
Alpha Foods Chik’n Patties
Use these patties to make your own vegan chicken sandwich. They’re loaded with plant protein.
Sweet Earth Chickenless Strips
Sweet Earth’s crispy strips mimic chicken flavor and texture without the meat.
So while Chick-fil-A currently lacks vegan options, you can re-create the chicken and sauce flavors at home. Then you don’t have to miss out on all the saucy, crispy goodness. A side of waffle fries optional!
Is a vegan Chick-fil-A sauce coming?
There is hope that Chick-fil-A may offer a vegan sauce one day. As plant-based eating goes mainstream, brands are feeling pressure to accommodate. Competitors like McDonald’s and Burger King already launched vegan burgers and plant-based options.
Chick-fil-A has started selling salads, grilled nuggets, and other options without breaded chicken that vegetarians can customize. So the company recognizes the demand for meatless and dairy-free fare.
The rise of realistic vegan chicken products from companies like Beyond Meat also makes it easier to mimic the Chick-fil-A experience. A vegan Chick-fil-A sauce seems like the logical next step.
Fans continue to ask Chick-fil-A directly for vegan sauce options on social media and other platforms. The more requests they get, the more likely Chick-fil-A is to develop an inclusive sauce.
If sales of current vegetarian menu items do well, that also shows Chick-fil-A the business case for plant-based options. Voting with your dollars is key.
Of course, vegan sauces may still be a long way off given Chick-fil-A’s traditional values and ties to dairy farming. But awareness and demand for vegan options will likely influence the chain eventually.
Advocating for change
Vegans have a few options to encourage Chick-fil-A to consider vegan sauces:
– Write polite emails requesting vegan sauces
– Leave comments on social media asking for dairy-free sauce choices
– Tag Chick-fil-A in vegan sauce recipe photos to showcase demand
– Order current vegan options like salads and waffle fries
– Provide feedback in customer satisfaction surveys
– Contact corporate and franchise owners directly with concerns
The more interest Chick-fil-A sees, the more they may be compelled to fill the vegan sauce gap. Plus they can see competitors benefiting from similar options.
Conclusion
Chick-fil-A’s signature sauces like Chick-fil-A sauce, Polynesian, barbecue, and ranch all contain milk, eggs, honey, or other animal derived ingredients.
Unfortunately, none of their menu sauces are currently vegan. But vegans can order waffle fries, salads without chicken, and other sides.
Homemade vegan hacks mimic the tangy, creamy flavors of Chick-fil-A sauce. Some bottled brands also offer vegan versions.
Pair these sauces with vegan nuggets and patties. Then you can enjoy the flavors of Chick-fil-A without the animal products.
In the future, if enough customers request it, Chick-fil-A may develop an inclusive vegan sauce. But for now, DIY recipes satisfy the craving.
So while there’s no vegan Chick-fil-A sauce sold in restaurants yet, vegans have plenty of ways to create the experience for themselves. The plant-based market will likely compel Chick-fil-A to meet demand sooner or later.