Jack in the Box Vegetarian Options 2025

I’ve noticed these posts are quite helpful, and I totally get it. Sometimes, we’re running around, barely managing to eat, and other times, we just want something greasy and fast to get through the day.

While I don’t advocate fast food as the foundation for your diet, a meal from a drive-thru here and there won’t wreck your health either.

While fast food isn’t something I’d recommend as a staple, the occasional meal from the drive-thru isn’t going to wreck your health.

Jack in the Box is a popular spot, though it’s never been one of my favorites. Honestly, I’ve always found the cult following around their tacos a little strange.

That said, Jack in the Box offers some vegetarian options and has even experimented with vegan options. However, I haven’t seen any updates from the company about how those experiments went, so it’s a bit of a waiting game for now.

As a reminder, I put together these posts about vegetarian options using my available resources. This generally means lots of reading on the Internet and scouring their websites for intel.

Just a quick note: I put these posts together based on what I can find through research—lots of reading online and digging through websites. Menus can vary by location, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local spot if you have any concerns.

For these sandwiches, you can always add a slice of cheese or another fried egg if you want more protein. You can even toss in some veggies like tomatoes or jalapeños for a bit of extra flavor.

The sandwich combos include a sandwich, a hashbrowns, and a coffee.

If you’re vegan, though, the options are pretty limited. The hashbrowns are safe, but and a lot of the breads and buns contain milk. The sourdough bread seems to be the exception, but always double-check since ingredients can vary.

Unfortunately, Jack in the Box doesn’t offer many vegetarian or vegan sandwich options right now. The only one on the menu is the Sourdough Grilled Cheese, and the only customization is adding an extra slice of cheese. That’s not exactly groundbreaking.

That said, there have been some promising market research in certain locations. A few spots in California, Arizona, and Nevada tried Impossible Burgers and an Unchicken Sandwich. But as of now, there’s no news on whether these tests were successful or if they’ll roll out to more locations.

The last mention I found of the Impossible Burger was back in 2022, and for the Unchicken Sandwich, it was even earlier, in 2020. So, it doesn’t seem likely that these options will hit menus nationwide anytime soon.

Update April 2025: There’s still no word on whether these veggie options will be added to the menu, so it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer—or maybe forever—for them.

I have to admit that before I started researching this article, I had no idea there was a rumor floating around that Jack in the Box tacos are vegan. This is absolutely NOT true.

I’m not sure where this myth originated, but one theory is that the presence of soy in the taco meat led some folks to get a little too excited. Honestly, it feels like one of those urban legends that just took off without any solid backing.

Yes, the taco meat does contain soy, but it also includes beef and chicken. Just because soy is in the mix doesn’t mean it’s a vegetarian or vegan product. So, if you’re looking for plant-based options here, you’ll want to steer clear of those tacos!

There are a few options here.

• Classic Grilled Jack Wrap – Specify no chicken. Lettuce, cheddar, pickles, and sauce in a tortilla that might hold you over for a while. They also have a spicy version. See if you can add some beans for more protein.
• Fries – You’ve got options here, too! Whether you prefer seasoned curly fries, shoestring fries, or a mix of both, they’re all vegan.
• Onion Rings – Heads-up—these are not vegan.
• Stuffed Jalapenos – These come filled with various cheeses and are battered and fried.
• Apple Sauce

Jack in the Box uses canola and soy oil in their fryers but doesn’t separate animal and vegetarian products. It’s up to you to decide if that works for your dietary choices!

If you’re looking for salad options, you can go with either the Garden Salad or the Southwest Salad—just remember to request no meat.

Both are decent choices, but I’d lean toward the Southwest Salad since it includes black beans, adding some protein and fiber. You could even ask if they can substitute the chicken with more beans for a heartier option.

The side salad is vegetarian as is.

As I write this, Halloween is just around the corner, and Jack in the Box has rolled out a couple of seasonal desserts: the Basic Witch Shake and Pumpkin Croissant Bites. Keep in mind that these treats will likely change with the seasons and holidays.

Other dessert options include chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes, Oreo shakes, mini churros, chocolate cake, and plain cheesecake.

While all of these desserts are vegetarian, none are vegan.

All of their sauces appear vegetarian unless they specifically mention meat, such as Creamy Bacon Mayo.

However, very few options are vegan.  From what I can tell, your options are the balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing, Franks® Red Hot® Buffalo dipping sauce, soy sauce, and Sweet ‘N Sour dipping sauce.

If I were to visit Jack in the Box, I’d probably go for the Southwest Salad without the chicken. This option provides a good mix of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, essential for feeling full and satisfied after a meal.

Depending on my hunger level, I might add a small order of onion rings or fries to that as well.

Dining at fast food restaurants can make it challenging to find a balanced meal. For vegetarians, the biggest struggle often lies in getting enough protein. For one meal, you may just choose to let go of this.

However, you can still seek options that include cheese, eggs, or beans. Most fast food chains, including Jack in the Box, typically offer at least a side salad and a carb option.

Your choices here are more limited. Here are the vegan options at Jack in the Box, all in one spot:

• Hashbrowns
• Sourdough bread
• Fries
• Apple Sauce
• French toast sticks
• Garden or Southwest salad – Specify no meat (sub with beans for protein). Specify no cheese and no croutons. Opt for the balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
• Vegan Sauces and Dips: Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing, Franks® Red Hot® Buffalo dipping sauce, soy sauce, and Sweet ‘N Sour dipping sauce.

*Fast food should be enjoyed in moderation. If you don’t end up with a salad, be more intentional to include some fruits and veggies in your meals throughout the day.

*I’ve gathered vegetarian options based on what’s available online, but if you have concerns about potential animal products, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.

*Menus (and recipes) can vary by location, so it’s always a good idea to check your local offerings.

I hope this helps if you ever find yourself in a rush and suddenly hungry or if you’re feeling nostalgic for a favorite restaurant from before you stopped eating meat.

Remember, that the foundation of nutrition hierarchy is THAT you eat, not WHAT you eat.  Ignoring your hunger can do more harm than grabbing a quick meal now and then.

So next time you find yourself at Jack in the Box, keep in mind that even a small salad or some hashbrowns can fit into your day. Listen to your body and enjoy your meal without guilt.

I have lots of articles about eating out as a vegetarian and trying to add more routinely!