Are Buffalo Wild Wings Sauces Vegan? A Guide to Plant-Based Options

As of a 2024 allergen guide, many Buffalo Wild Wings sauces are free of animal ingredients, but the risk of cross-contact in a shared kitchen remains a concern. Determining which Buffalo Wild Wings sauces are vegan can be tricky, as the company does not certify any menu item as strictly vegan. This guide will help you navigate the menu to find suitable plant-based options.

Quick Summary

Several Buffalo Wild Wings sauces and dry seasonings, including Asian Zing, Mango Habanero, and Sweet BBQ, are free of animal-derived ingredients, but cross-contamination in shared kitchen spaces is always a risk. Diners must check the allergen guide and communicate directly with staff for the safest experience.

Key Points

• Many Sauces Are Vegan: Options like Asian Zing, Sweet BBQ, and Mango Habanero are made with plant-based ingredients.

• Cross-Contamination is a Major Risk: Buffalo Wild Wings uses shared fryers containing beef shortening, which can contaminate items like cauliflower wings and fries.

• Always Check and Communicate: Recipes can change, and the company offers no certifications, so always verify ingredients and preparation methods with your server.

• Watch Out for Creamy and Honey Sauces: Avoid sauces with parmesan, ranch, or honey, as they contain animal products.

• Safe Menu Strategy Exists: Combine a vegan sauce with a non-fried item, such as a side salad with white wine vinaigrette, for a safer experience.

• Consult the Allergen Guide: Use the official BWW allergen guide on their website as a primary reference before dining.

Navigating the Vegan Menu at Buffalo Wild Wings

Dining out as a vegan, especially at a chain known for meat like Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW), requires careful consideration. While the company makes it clear that they cannot guarantee any menu item is free of allergens or animal products due to shared cooking spaces, many of their signature sauces are made with plant-based ingredients. Understanding which sauces are typically vegan is the first step toward enjoying a meal there without compromising your diet.

Vegan Sauces and Seasonings at BWW

Several of Buffalo Wild Wings' sauces and dry seasonings are free of animal products, according to various vegan resource websites and recent reports based on allergen information. When selecting a sauce, remember that recipes can change, so it's always best to verify with a server or check the most current allergen guide available on their website.

• Asian Zing: This popular sauce combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with ingredients like ginger and chili peppers, containing no animal products.
• Blazin'® Knockout: For those who crave extreme heat, this intensely hot sauce is also vegan.
• Caribbean Jerk: A Caribbean-inspired sauce with a sweet and spicy profile that is safe for vegans.
• Chipotle BBQ Seasoning: This dry rub, with its smoky and spicy barbecue flavor, does not contain animal ingredients.
• Desert Heat Seasoning: A flavorful, lemon-pepper infused dry seasoning that is vegan.
• Hot: One of the classic options, this simple hot sauce is free of animal products.
• Jammin' Jalapeño: A spicy and tangy sauce with jalapeño flavor that is suitable for a vegan diet.
• Mango Habanero: Combining sweet mango and spicy habanero, this sauce is a solid vegan choice.
• Salt & Vinegar Seasoning: A simple yet classic tangy and salty dry rub.
• Sweet BBQ: This classic barbecue sauce option is a safe bet for vegans.
• Teriyaki: A sweet and savory sauce that is typically vegan.
• Wild: A hotter version of their classic buffalo sauce that is generally vegan-friendly.

Non-Vegan Sauces to Avoid

It's just as important to know which sauces are not vegan. Many of the creamy or buttery sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings contain dairy, eggs, or other animal-derived products. The most significant sauces to avoid are those containing Parmesan garlic, creamy buttermilk, or honey.

• Honey BBQ: The presence of honey, an animal product, makes this sauce non-vegan.
• Honey Garlic: Similar to Honey BBQ, this sauce contains honey.
• Mild and Medium: While some sites claim these are vegan, the bottled versions often contain egg yolk or artificial flavors derived from animal products, making them unsuitable for strict vegans. Always check the most recent in-store guide.
• Spicy Garlic: Like the medium sauce, this often contains egg yolk and other non-vegan ingredients.
• Creamy Buttermilk Ranch: This dressing and sauce is explicitly dairy-based.
• Blue Cheese: Contains dairy and is not vegan.
• Nashville Hot: Some sources indicate this may contain non-vegan ingredients.
• Orange Chicken: Similar to Nashville Hot, the ingredients can be uncertain.

Cross-Contamination and Preparation Concerns

Beyond the ingredients of the sauces themselves, vegans must be aware of potential cross-contamination. Buffalo Wild Wings is transparent about its limitations, stating they cannot guarantee any menu item is free from allergens or animal products. This is due to shared cooking and preparation areas, including fryers.

• Beef Tallow Fryers: A major issue for vegans is that BWW fries many items, including fries and cauliflower wings, in beef shortening. This means that even if a sauce is vegan, pairing it with fried items makes the dish non-vegan.
• Shared Grills: For items like the black bean burger (which may contain dairy/egg and is no longer confirmed vegan in all versions), they may be cooked on a grill with meat products. Always ask if a veggie patty can be baked or prepared separately.
• Manual Request: The best practice is to always inform your server of your vegan diet and ask for items to be baked instead of fried, or for dressings and sauces to be confirmed as safe. Communication is key to a safe dining experience.

Vegan and Non-Vegan Sauces at BWW: A Comparison

Sauce/Seasoning	Vegan-Friendly	Not Vegan	Potential Cross-Contamination	Key Ingredient Difference
Asian Zing	Yes	No	Yes (if used on fried items)	Made with plant-based ingredients
Sweet BBQ	Yes	No	Yes (if used on fried items)	A standard, plant-based barbecue sauce
Mango Habanero	Yes	No	Yes (if used on fried items)	Free of dairy or other animal products
Parmesan Garlic	No	Yes	Yes (contains dairy)	Contains dairy products like cheese
Medium Buffalo	No	Yes	Yes (contains egg yolk)	Contains egg yolk and other potential animal products
Honey BBQ	No	Yes	Yes (contains honey)	Contains honey, an animal product
Caribbean Jerk	Yes	No	Yes (if used on fried items)	No animal ingredients present
Wild Buffalo	Yes	No	Yes (if used on fried items)	Generally vegan, check current guide
Ranch Dressing	No	Yes	N/A (dressing)	Contains dairy products

Conclusion: Your Best Strategy for Vegan Sauces

So, are Buffalo Wild Wings sauces vegan? The answer is a qualified "yes, some are." A number of their sauces and seasonings are made with plant-based ingredients, making them suitable for a vegan diet. The most important factor for a truly vegan experience at BWW, however, is to be aware of the preparation methods. The use of shared fryers with beef tallow poses a significant risk of cross-contamination for any fried items. For the safest meal, stick to sauces like Asian Zing, Sweet BBQ, or Mango Habanero paired with non-fried options. Always confirm the current allergen guide with your server before ordering, as recipes can change without notice. By doing your homework and communicating clearly, you can still enjoy a flavorful meal at Buffalo Wild Wings that aligns with your vegan lifestyle.

Potential Vegan Food and Ordering Strategy

To minimize risk and maximize enjoyment, follow these steps:

1. Review the most current allergen guide online before visiting, specifically checking for egg and dairy warnings.
2. Order sauces on the side to control how they are used.
3. Specify that you are vegan and ask for baked options to avoid cross-contamination from the beef tallow fryers.
4. Pair vegan sauces with safe items like side salads (no cheese/croutons) with white wine vinaigrette, or the occasional baked soft pretzel (request no butter and no queso).

This approach allows you to enjoy the variety of flavors BWW offers while staying true to your vegan principles.

• Buffalo Wild Wings Official Allergen and Preparation Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Buffalo Wild Wings sauces are vegan?

Several sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings are vegan-friendly, including Asian Zing, Sweet BBQ, Mango Habanero, Caribbean Jerk, and the dry seasonings Salt & Vinegar, Desert Heat, and Chipotle BBQ.

Why are some BWW sauces not vegan?

Some sauces contain animal-derived ingredients such as honey (in Honey BBQ), dairy (in creamy options like Parmesan Garlic and Ranch), or egg yolk (found in some versions of the Mild, Medium, and Spicy Garlic sauces).

Are BWW fries vegan if they are not fried with wings?

No, Buffalo Wild Wings typically cooks all fried items, including their French fries, in beef shortening. This makes them non-vegan due to the animal fat used in preparation.

Can I get the cauliflower wings baked instead of fried?

Some locations may be able to bake the cauliflower wings upon request to avoid contamination from the beef tallow fryer, but you must ask your server to confirm if this option is available.

Is the black bean burger at Buffalo Wild Wings vegan?

No, the black bean burger patty at Buffalo Wild Wings contains both eggs and dairy, making it unsuitable for a vegan diet. Additionally, it may be cooked on a shared grill.

Are BWW dry rubs vegan?

Most of the dry rubs at Buffalo Wild Wings are vegan, including Chipotle BBQ and Desert Heat. However, you should check the official allergen guide for specific details, as some may contain non-vegan flavorings.

What is the safest vegan meal option at Buffalo Wild Wings?

For a safe vegan meal, you could order a side salad without cheese or croutons, with the white wine vinaigrette, and a side of celery and carrots to dip in a confirmed vegan sauce like Asian Zing or Mango Habanero.