Does Sweetgreen Have Dairy-Free Options? A Comprehensive Guide

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

Sweetgreen was founded on a mission to inspire healthier communities by connecting people to real food, and this commitment extends to those with dietary restrictions. A significant number of their menu items are naturally dairy-free, and many others can be easily modified, which directly answers the question: does Sweetgreen have dairy-free options? Yes, and this guide will show you how to navigate the menu with confidence.

Quick Summary

Sweetgreen offers numerous dairy-free options, but pre-built meals often require simple modifications like removing cheese or ranch. Customers can easily build custom bowls using a wide array of safe ingredients and dressings.

Key Points

Easy Modifications: Most pre-built bowls and salads at Sweetgreen can be made dairy-free by removing cheese and swapping dressings.
Build Your Own: The safest and most flexible way to ensure a dairy-free meal is to build a custom salad or bowl from the wide selection of safe ingredients.
Check Dressings: Many of Sweetgreen's vinaigrettes and the Spicy Cashew dressing are dairy-free, but Caesar and most creamy ranch dressings are not.
Ingredient Awareness: Be mindful of hidden dairy in items like Salami and avoid all cheese toppings, including feta, cheddar, and goat cheese.
Cross-Contamination: While options are plentiful, those with severe dairy allergies should note Sweetgreen's policy on shared kitchen spaces and potential cross-contamination.

Navigating the Sweetgreen Menu for Dairy-Free Choices

Sweetgreen's menu is celebrated for its fresh, plant-forward ingredients, making it a relatively friendly destination for those following a dairy-free diet. The key to a successful dairy-free meal is a combination of knowing which pre-set menu items to modify and understanding how to build a fully customized bowl or salad from scratch. While the restaurant utilizes shared kitchen spaces and cannot guarantee a complete lack of cross-contamination for severe allergies, careful ordering can lead to many delicious, dairy-free meals.

Modifying Pre-Built Warm Bowls, Plates, and Salads

Many of Sweetgreen's signature items can be made dairy-free with simple adjustments. It's crucial to specify "no cheese" and substitute certain dressings, generally avoiding standard Caesar, Blue Cheese, Chipotle Crema, and ranch, as well as cheese ingredients. Popular items like the Harvest Bowl and Chicken Pesto Bowl can be made dairy-free by removing cheese. The Guacamole Greens salad is naturally dairy-free, while others like the Buffalo Chicken Salad require substituting dressing and removing cheese. For the Steakhouse Chopped, request "no cheese" and "no ranch".

Building Your Own Dairy-Free Meal

Creating a customized salad or bowl offers the most control for a dairy-free meal. All leafy greens and grain bases are dairy-free. Most proteins, including chicken, steak, salmon, and tofu, are safe, as are hard-boiled eggs. The majority of vegetable toppings are dairy-free; crispy rice (contains nuts), crispy onions (contains wheat), and toasted almonds offer crunch. Opt for dairy-free vinaigrettes or cashew-based dressings.

Dairy-Free Dressings and What to Avoid

Sweetgreen provides several dairy-free dressings. The Pesto Vinaigrette is confirmed vegan and dairy-free. Other safe options include Lime Cilantro Jalapeno Vinaigrette, Spicy Cashew Dressing (contains nuts), Miso Sesame Ginger Dressing, Red Wine Vinaigrette, and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Dressings containing dairy that should be avoided are Caesar, Chipotle Crema, Green Goddess Ranch, and Blue Cheese Dressing.

Dairy-Free vs. Dairy-Containing Sweetgreen Items


Item Category	Dairy-Free Options	Items to Avoid (Contains Dairy)
Pre-Built Bowls	Shroomami Bowl, Fish Taco Bowl (check for sauces), Harvest Bowl (no cheese), Chicken Pesto Bowl (no cheese)	Elote Bowl (seasonal, contains cheese), bowls with standard Caesar or ranch dressings
Pre-Built Salads	Guacamole Greens, Hummus Crunch Salad, Super Green Goddess (sub dressing), Buffalo Chicken Salad (no cheese, sub dressing)	AvoCobbo (contains blue cheese dressing), Caesar-based salads, Garden Cobb (contains cheese)
Dressings	Pesto Vinaigrette, Spicy Cashew, Miso Sesame Ginger, Lime Cilantro Jalapeno Vinaigrette	Caesar, Blue Cheese, Green Goddess Ranch, Chipotle Crema
Proteins	Roasted Chicken, Blackened Chicken, Roasted Tofu, Hard-Boiled Egg	Salami
Cheeses	No cheese options contain dairy	White Cheddar, Feta, Goat Cheese, Parmesan

Conclusion: A Reliable Option for Dairy-Free Dining

Sweetgreen is a very accommodating option for dairy-free diners with careful ordering. Building your own meal or modifying signature dishes allows for a wide variety of flavorful and healthy options. Always communicate dietary needs clearly, especially for severe allergies, considering the cross-contamination policy. Sweetgreen can be a regular part of a dairy-free diet with proper guidance.

For more detailed information on ingredients and allergens, you can visit the Go Dairy Free website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some salads like the Guacamole Greens are naturally dairy-free. Many others, such as the Harvest Bowl and Chicken Pesto Bowl, can be made dairy-free with simple modifications, like removing cheese and selecting a different dressing.

Dairy-free dressings include the Pesto Vinaigrette, Spicy Cashew Dressing, Miso Sesame Ginger Dressing, Lime Cilantro Jalapeno Vinaigrette, and the basic olive oil and vinegar options. You should avoid the Caesar, Green Goddess Ranch, Blue Cheese, and Chipotle Crema dressings.

Sweetgreen does not have a dedicated dairy-free menu but provides detailed allergen information for all menu items. You can find this information on their website or app and can also view it on third-party sites like Go Dairy Free.

Yes, Sweetgreen's Spicy Cashew Dressing is dairy-free. It is a creamy, flavorful alternative to dairy-based sauces.

Yes, customizing a bowl or salad is the most reliable way to create a dairy-free meal. You can select your base, protein, toppings, and a safe dressing to build a meal that perfectly fits your dietary needs.

Some, but not all, pre-packaged snacks are dairy-free. For instance, the Hu Cashews + Vanilla Bean Hunks and Siete Sea Salt Potato Chips are dairy-free, but the Crispy Rice Treat contains milk.

Yes, it is a possibility. Sweetgreen uses all major allergens in its kitchens and cannot guarantee that food is completely free of any allergen. They advise against ordering from their restaurant if you have a severe allergy.

No, Sweetgreen has confirmed that their pesto vinaigrette is scratch-made and dairy-free.