Jennifer Hanes MS, RDN, LD
Steakhouses can be rough for a vegetarian! Luckily, more and more meat-centric restaurants are adding intentional vegetarian options.
Texas Roadhouse is all about a fun, laid-back vibe.
Expect country music playing in the background, and don’t be surprised if the staff breaks out into line dancing while you’re there! It’s definitely not your typical quiet restaurant, but that’s part of the charm.
The upbeat atmosphere and their famously friendly service make Texas Roadhouse a go-to for big gatherings or family nights out.
Now, I haven’t been to a Texas Roadhouse in a few years because I’ve always struggled to find anything substantial to eat. Unfortunately, not even the fresh vegetable sides are guaranteed, and Roadhouse vegan menu options are even scanter.
But, who knows—maybe they’ve updated their menu in the last couple of years. That would be great, especially since it’s one of my husband’s favorite spots!
Do remember that some chain restaurants have regional differences in their menus, so make sure to double-check when you’re there.
Potential for cross-contact
For many vegetarians, avoiding cross-contact with meat products is important, especially at a place like Texas Roadhouse, where meat is front and center. It’s something I always keep in mind when dining out at steakhouses.
Items like the Cactus Blossom or Fried Pickles, for example, might be cooked in the same oil as chicken or other meats. If that’s a concern for you, it’s a good idea to ask your server about the fryer situation.
The same goes for items like sautéed onions or mushrooms—they’re typically cooked in butter, but you can always ask for them to be prepared in oil instead. It’s also worth checking if they’re cooked on the same grill as meat.
These little details can make a big difference when you’re trying to avoid cross-contact, so don’t hesitate to ask. In my experience, the staff is usually happy to help!
Fresh Baked Rolls
Ah, the famous Texas Roadhouse rolls—soft, warm, and served with that irresistible cinnamon butter. If you’re vegetarian, these rolls are a definite highlight. For my vegan friends, though, a heads up: they do contain dairy, so they’re off-limits.
The rolls are brought to your table as soon as you sit down, so it can be tempting to fill up on them before your meal even arrives. And honestly, I wouldn’t blame you—they’re that good!
Even though they aren’t vegan-friendly, vegetarians can enjoy these as part of the Texas Roadhouse experience. Just be prepared to share, because once that basket hits the table, they disappear fast!
Just for Starters
- Cactus Blossom – A giant, crispy fried onion, similar to a well-known steakhouse favorite.
- Fried Pickles – A classic Southern treat.
- The breading does contain milk in both of these, so they are not vegan-friendly.
- Rattlesnake Bites – Diced jalapenos and jack cheese, breaded and fried.
- Tater skins or cheese fries – Just ask to hold the bacon for a vegetarian option.
- Combo appetizer – Create a vegetarian fried feast by swapping out the wings for fried pickles.
Salads
- Grilled chicken salad – Ask for no chicken and no bacon.
- House salad – This is a straightforward house salad. For a vegan option, skip the egg and cheese and choose Italian dressing or oil and vinegar.
Country Dinners
- Country Vegetable Plate – You get to pick four sides, but choose wisely! See the details below for which sides to opt for.
Sides and Extras
- Baked Potato – A classic choice! Just ask for no bacon and skip the butter and sour cream to keep it vegan. The potatoes are generally cooked in oil, but it’s always good to double-check with your server just to be sure!
- *Edit October 3, 2023 – Some readers have expressed concerns that bacon grease might be used on the potatoes before cooking. I’ve checked both the Texas Roadhouse website and with my local restaurant, and there’s no evidence of this. However, regional practices can vary, so it’s best to ask your server or call ahead to confirm if you’re unsure.
- Various former employees have both substantiated and debunked this claim in some forums. This likely indicates that using bacon grease on potatoes is a regional decision.
- *Updated September 2024: There’s still no reliable evidence that Roadhouse uses bacon grease on their potatoes.
- Sweet potato – Avoid marshmallows if you’re steering clear of gelatin. You’ve got a choice of eight similar toppings; vegan options include brown sugar, cinnamon, and plain. Other toppings like butter and honey-cinnamon caramel aren’t vegan.
- Steak Fries – These are a safe bet for vegetarians.
- Mashed Potatoes – You can choose from various toppings such as gravy, sour cream, loaded, or plain. Keep in mind that some toppings might not be vegetarian-friendly, so check before ordering.
- Buttered corn – Unfortunately, this isn’t vegan.
- Steamed broccoli – Confirm with your server to ensure it’s vegan-friendly if needed.
- Steamed vegetables – The description is vague, but the picture suggests broccoli and carrots. Check with your server to be sure they’re prepared vegan-style.
- House salad – see above
- Seasoned Rice – Contains butter, so it’s not vegan.
- Sauteed Onions and Sauteed Mushrooms (separate menu items) – sauteed in butter
- Mac and cheese – The loaded version includes cheddar, bacon, and diced jalapeños. Simply ask to hold the bacon for a vegetarian option.
What would I pick?
It looks like there are definitely more vegetarian options at Texas Roadhouse than I remember from my last visit!
If I’m really hungry, I might go for the tater skins (no bacon) as an appetizer and then dive into the Country Vegetable Plate with sautéed onions instead of the baked potato.
For a vegan option at Texas Roadhouse, I’d recommend going with a plain baked potato or a sweet potato (just skip the marshmallows) paired with a side salad using vegan dressing and no cheese.
If you can confirm that the sides are vegan, steamed broccoli or mixed veggies would be great choices. And don’t forget to check if the mushrooms and onions can be sautéed in oil instead of butter for a bit more variety.
Customize to Make it Your Own
Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your order!
At Texas Roadhouse, you can customize quite a few items to better suit your vegetarian needs. For example, if you’re ordering a baked potato, ask for extra veggies like broccoli or sautéed onions on top for more flavor and nutrients. If you’re vegan, just make sure they’re cooked in oil, not butter.
You can also make the House Salad a heartier option by adding a side of steak fries (no bacon, of course) or pairing it with a bowl of steamed vegetables.
And if sweet potatoes are your thing, load them up with cinnamon and brown sugar. It’s a tasty way to satisfy your sweet tooth while still getting some fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Vegan Confirmation Tips
If you’re vegan, double-checking ingredients is critical at a place like Texas Roadhouse.
Many menu items that seem vegan at first glance might contain butter or other animal products.
For example, steamed broccoli or mixed veggies sound promising, but they’re often cooked with butter. A quick and simple way to confirm is to ask your server, “Are the vegetables cooked in oil or butter?” You can also request that they sauté or steam them in oil instead.
The same goes for the baked potato—while it can be made vegan, some locations might brush it with butter or even bacon grease before baking. It’s always worth asking, “Can you leave off the butter or oil and just serve it plain?” It might feel repetitive, but ensuring your meal aligns with your dietary preferences makes the experience so much better.
A little extra communication with the staff can go a long way toward ensuring that your meal is 100% vegan-friendly!
It’s nice to have a few options, isn’t it? If you have a favorite vegetarian dish at Texas Roadhouse, we would love to hear about it. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!
If you’re craving those Texas Roadhouse rolls or a hearty veggie plate but don’t feel like heading out, you can always check if Texas Roadhouse delivery is available in your area. It’s a convenient way to enjoy your favorites without leaving the house.
But maybe you need more general dining-out tips.
Is Cracker Barrel more your style? I’ve got a guide for that, too!
Jennifer Hanes MS, RDN, LD is a registered dietitian, mom, wife, and vegetarian in North Texas. She has dedicated Dietitian Jenn to be a source of information, ideas, and inspiration for people like her, vegetarians that live with people with different dietary beliefs and/or needs in a multivore household.
hey! I’m a vegetarian who works at texas roadhouse & their seasoned rice has chicken stock in it. same with the mashed potatoes. all the baked potatoes are cooked & soaked in bacon grease. sweet potatoes are not and good to eat if you are vegetarian.
Thanks for your input! I’m hearing different information from different Roadhouse employees. That’s why I updated the post a bit. It seems to me to be location specific, which is weird to me for a chain restaurant.
I will say I can pick out bacon grease in a heartbeat; I’ve never liked the flavor of it, even when I did eat meat. I’ve never tasted it on the potatoes at the location nearest to me.
This is definitely a case of ask first!
I have a great suggestion…IF YOU’RE VEGETARIAN DON’T BOTHER WITH ANY STEAK HOUSES! I’m vegan and don’t waste my time there.
That’s all well and good, and what I prefer. However, if I’m eating in a group, it isn’t always my turn to pick the restaurant…
Would you suggest vegetarians skip social interactions? Or go and not eat anything?
Why wouldn’t someone try to find something to eat there? I guess I just don’t understand your comment.
Or actually, I’d say I don’t agree with it. Your suggestion isn’t great, your tone is condescending, and you’re implying that your way is the only way. Enjoy dinner where you want and allow others to do the same.
The baked potatoes are rubbed in animal fat before baking.
as mentioned in a previous comment, this appears to be dependent on location. After the first comment mentioned this, I went back through their menu and then went looking through various forums.
None of the menus near me mention this, despite the claims made in the other comment. Some past employees report that they do use lard on the potatoes and others insist that they do not. My best guess is that the recipe alters depending on the location, and the prevalence of vegetarianism in the area.
I always strongly encourage people to ask their server if they have any concerns or questions.
Thanks for providing this information. It is so helpful! Our adult daughter is vegetarian, and I like to be sure she has options when meeting for dinner, lunch, or whenever. You make it easy! Thank you!
Thanks so much Sandi, both for leaving a comment and including your daughter’s food needs!
The baked potatoes and baked sweet potatoes are coated with bacon grease before baking, it’s on their menu.
In researching this article, I came across a lot of accounts that this varies based on location. My local menu does not include this information,as well as another location we’ve been to with friends. It’s also not listed in their interactive nutrition menu which lists out the ingredients.
But this possibility is why I always encourage people to ask questions at each individual location. This was a similar discussion when looking at Cracker Barrel’s menu as well.
I suspect, but can’t prove that locations in larger cities probably don’t use “hidden” animal-based ingredients because they have a higher likelihood of having a veg*n population.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I hope you found some other helpful information.