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Are French Fries Vegan? Find Out The Answer With Nutrition Experts In 2024
Updated on
- Written by Krista Bugden, Professional Health Writer
Medically reviewed by
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
On a hot summer day, a good batch of french fries from the local food truck is a treat many crave and enjoy. Yet, when following the vegan diet, some foods may contain hidden animal ingredients. Often, fast food fries are an easy go-to when unsure about other items on the menu. But are french fries vegan? How do you know?
The vegan diet[1] poses many restraints, with most consuming primarily fruits and veggies. Generally, vegans don’t consume any food that comes from an animal, including additions like animal fat. Inevitably, this requires caution for some food products. So, in this article, we will look at whether fries are vegan or not and what else you should know.
Are French Fries Vegan Friendly?
Typically, french fries are vegan. However, some fries may be made using beef tallow or fat. This is why it’s important to check with the restaurant or look at the label and ingredient list.
Can Vegans Eat French Fries?
Vegan food is becoming more and more available across the globe. Many fast-food restaurants even sell vegan burger alternatives. But what about their french fries? Can vegans eat french fries?
Unfortunately, many popular fast food brands list “natural beef flavor” as one of the ingredients, meaning they aren’t vegan-friendly. However, other popular restaurants, on the other hand, appear to contain vegan-friendly ingredients. This means that some fries are vegan, but not all. This means vegans must use caution when selecting fries off the menu.
If french fries have been made in beef fat or beef tallow, which they occasionally are, vegans risk accidentally consuming animal-sourced foods. Yet, homemade fries or chip wagon fries often are made with vegetable oils, such as corn oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, which are vegan-friendly. Plus, many fast food places use vegetable oils, making their fries vegan-friendly.
In terms of vegan sauces, many non- Mayo-based sauces are usually vegan-friendly. Some examples include ketchup, marinara sauce, which is typically made from tomato, garlic powder, onion powder, and other herbs, red ranch sauce, and the classic BBQ sauce, also called smoky q sauce at some establishments.
When Are French Fries Not Vegan?
Unfortunately, some fast food chains make their french fries in beef tallow or beef fat. With the uncertainty regarding whether or not french fries are vegan, many vegans opt for vegan meal delivery or vegan meal replacements. These foods are guaranteed to be vegan, posing no risk.
Checking the ingredient list for animal derivatives is always a good idea for frozen french fries. This will provide you with the information you need to determine whether or not the product is vegan. Most often, vegan fries, specifically, are labeled as such. At restaurants, you can also inquire about how the fries are made or research the restaurant yourself.
French Fries – How Are They Made?
French fries derive from potatoes.[2] The potatoes are washed, peeled, and sliced into sticks. The surface starches are removed by soaking the potato sticks in cold water. After this, they are fried.
The frying process can occur in one or two phases. Generally, the two-stage process is used for fast food french fries for ample flavor and ease. The two stages are typically the same: fries are fried in hot fat or vegetable oil. The first stage partially cooks the potato sticks, and the second stage fully cooks them, making them ready to eat.
While deep frying is common, fries can also be prepared in air fryers[3] or the oven. In most cases, pre-made or fast-food french fries are frozen between stages one and two for transportation and storage. Once cooked, french fries are salted, or spices are added, along with sauces or ketchup.
Varieties Of French Fries
French fries come in many shapes and sizes. At home, many individuals opt to make french fries as potato wedges, which are thicker versions. If we look at various fast food chains, other options offered include:
- Natural cut fries, which are the regular thin sliced french fries.
- Breakfast hash browns, which are usually served in the morning.
- Waffle potato fries, which resemble the shape of the traditional waffle.
- Nacho fries, which often come with cheese and other toppings.
- Curly fries, which are known for their spice and curled appearance.
- Homestyle fries, which are often crunchy and include potato skin.
On top of this, potatoes come in many forms, such as mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and more. French fries are also frequently served alongside meat products, which aren’t vegan-friendly and often include fried chicken, burgers, or fish. Yet, again, vegan meal alternatives like plant-based burgers can replace these meat portions.
The Takeaways
Most fries are vegan-friendly, which is why many vegans opt for them when unsure about other food items on the menu. However, not all fries are vegan. Some are made using animal or milk derivatives. Thus, double-checking with the restaurant or their online ingredient list is always a good idea.
When following a vegan diet, it can also be difficult to effectively consume adequate nutrients[4] due to the restrictive nature of this way of eating. Taking vitamins and minerals or using green powders may help fill some of these nutritional gaps. It may also be a good idea to pay close attention to protein sources as many vegans may not get enough protein eating fruits, vegetables, and grains alone.
Lastly, if you’re eating just fries or seasoned potatoes, you can easily keep track of the ingredients used. However, be mindful of the sauces you might use, as they may include hidden animal-based products. If you have any questions about the vegan status of classic fries, consider meeting with a registered dietitian nutritionist to address your concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
French fries are usually vegan unless made with animal products like beef fat or milk derivatives.
French fries aren’t vegan when they are fried in animal fat, usually beef tallow. Because of this, vegans need to check how the fries are made before buying or consuming them.
This depends on the fast food restaurant. Some fries include beef tallow or fat as ingredients. Some fries are also made using the same oil as animal-based products. It’s always best to do your own research or ask the restaurant directly if the fries derive from animal products.
Since fries aren’t always vegan, you can opt for other vegan options, like vegan burgers. Today, many restaurants are vegan-friendly, offering a selection of vegan meals and snacks.
Usually, hashbrowns are vegan. Yet, this may depend on how they are made. Some may be made using animal products. Because of this, it’s important to check the ingredient list or check with the restaurant about what is used in the frying process.
French fries are made from potatoes, sliced, and then fried, usually twice.
+ 4 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Marrone, G., Guerriero, C., D Palazzetti, Paolo Lido, Marolla, A., Francesca Di Daniele and Noce, A. (2021). Vegan Diet Health Benefits in Metabolic Syndrome. [online] 13(3), pp.817–817. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030817.
- King, J.C. and Slavin, J.L. (2013). White Potatoes, Human Health, and Dietary Guidance. [online] 4(3), pp.393S401S. doi:https://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003525.
- Dong, L., Qiu, C., Wang, R.-C., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., Liu, J., Yu, H. and Wang, S. (2022). Effects of Air Frying on French Fries: The Indication Role of Physicochemical Properties on the Formation of Maillard Hazards, and the Changes of Starch Digestibility. [online] 9. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.889901.
- Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi, Halloran, A., Rippin, H., Artemis Christina Oikonomidou, Theodoros Dardavesis, Williams, J., Kremlin Wickramasinghe, Breda, J. and M. Chourdakis (2021). Intake and adequacy of the vegan diet. A systematic review of the evidence. [online] 40(5), pp.3503–3521. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2020.11.035.
Written by:
Krista Bugden, Professional Health Writer
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
