The enigma surrounding Burger King’s Impossible Whopper and its vegan status has persisted since its launch in the fall of 2019. Many curious individuals following a vegetarian or vegan diet have pondered whether this iconic burger can indeed be considered vegan. The answer, to be fair, is somewhat nuanced.
The Impossible Whopper can be considered vegan, but it necessitates specific modifications and an awareness of the likelihood of cross-contamination unless special instructions are given during preparation.
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What is the Impossible Whopper Made Of?
Before we delve into the details, let’s briefly examine the star of the show: the Impossible Burger itself. The Impossible Burger is a soy-based product that features coconut oil and sunflower oil in its composition, making it entirely vegan-friendly. For a comprehensive list of ingredients used in the Impossible Burger, you can refer to their website.
Impossible Whopper Modifications
The standard Impossible Whopper comes with the Impossible Burger, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mayo. To align it with a vegan diet, it’s imperative to exclude the mayo when ordering your Whopper. Additionally, even though it’s not meant to contain cheese, you might consider specifying “no cheese” to avoid any potential issues.
Cross-Contamination
One issue that often sparks debate within the vegan community is the question of cross-contamination concerning the Impossible Whopper.
The Impossible Whopper shares the same grill as all the other grilled items at Burger King, including meat products. Here’s our take on this matter:
If the notion of your food coming into contact with meat or sharing cooking surfaces with it disgusts you to the point where you wouldn’t order an Impossible Whopper, that’s entirely understandable, and your choice is respected.
However, we still consider the Impossible Whopper vegan despite the cross-contamination concern. Why? Because ordering an Impossible Whopper doesn’t harm animals. Furthermore, supporting such menu items demonstrates demand, which can lead to the continued availability of plant-based options. For these reasons, we regard the Impossible Whopper as a vegan choice. In fact, it’s a regular order for some of us.
Special Order?
For those who wish to support this vegan option at Burger King but are uncomfortable with the idea of their food sharing a surface with meat, there’s an alternative. It has been reported that you can request an Impossible Whopper to be cooked in the microwave instead of on the grill. While we can’t vouch for the taste, it’s an option worth exploring.
Are the Fries at Burger King Vegan?
Yes, Burger King’s French fries are unquestionably vegan. They are prepared in a dedicated fryer exclusively for potatoes, with hash browns being the only other item sharing the fryer. While cross-contamination is always a possibility in non-vegan restaurants, the dedicated fryer for fries makes them a reliable vegan choice.
What Else is Vegan at Burger King?
Apart from the Impossible Whopper and French fries, the vegan options on Burger King’s menu are somewhat limited. During breakfast hours, you can enjoy French toast sticks and hash browns.
Outside of breakfast, there’s a Garden Salad available without cheese or croutons, and applesauce, which appears to be designed for the kid’s menu.
Burger King used to offer Dutch apple pies that were a sweet, sugary delight, but they were removed from the menu for reasons unknown.
For a comprehensive overview of all the vegan options at Burger King, consult our Burger King Vegan Options Guide.
Final Thoughts
While the Impossible Whopper may not be the perfect vegan food, it’s a significant step in the right direction for a fast-food restaurant primarily known for burgers and fries. Its enduring presence on the menu for nearly three years indicates that there is indeed demand for plant-based options. In many ways, the popularity of the Impossible Whopper has paved the way for the burgeoning vegan fast food options you see on menus today.
The Impossible Whopper might not be flawless, but it’s a testament to the changing landscape of fast food and the growing demand for plant-based choices. For more insights and culinary adventures, explore Crooked Beverage Co. and savor the possibilities.