Wendy's US Meatless Burger Status in 2025
As of 2025, Wendy's has no nationally available meatless burger on its permanent menu in the United States. This contrasts with competitors like Burger King, which successfully launched and maintained its Impossible Whopper nationwide. Wendy's has explored meatless options in the past, but these trials were limited and ultimately discontinued. The most recent notable trial was a Spicy Black Bean Burger, tested in select markets in 2021. This decision appears to be a strategic one, focusing on different menu innovations rather than a mainstream plant-based burger patty like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods.
History of Wendy's Meatless Burger Trials
- Spicy Black Bean Burger (2021): The most recent trial was a black bean patty featuring a blend of beans, chickpeas, grains, and vegetables. It was tested in cities like Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville for a limited time. The patty itself was vegan when ordered without cheese and mayonnaise.
- Original Black Bean Burger (2015): An earlier version was tested, featuring a black-bean patty on a multigrain bun with cheese and ranch sauce, though it was not widely rolled out.
How to Order a Meatless Meal at Wendy's in the US
Since a standard meatless patty isn't available, customers must get creative. Wendy's prides itself on menu customization, which allows for several workaround options.
DIY Veggie Sandwich
One of the most popular ways to create a meatless burger-like experience is to build your own veggie sandwich:
- Order the cheapest hamburger on the menu, such as a Jr. Hamburger.
- Ask the staff to omit the beef patty, cheese, and mayonnaise.
- Request extra veggie toppings, which typically include lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion.
- Enhance the flavor by adding free vegan-friendly sauces like ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce.
- For a heartier sandwich, some people add their French fries directly inside the bun.
Other Plant-Based Menu Items
While a true burger is off the table, several other menu items can be ordered meatless or customized to be vegan:
- Baked Potatoes: A plain baked potato is a solid, filling option. Ensure you request no butter, cheese, or sour cream. You can add toppings like chives, avocado, or salsa.
- Salads: Most salads can be modified to be meatless, but require several removals. The Garden Side Salad, for example, can be made vegan by removing the cheese and croutons. For other salads, like the Southwest Avocado Salad, you must ask to remove the chicken, bacon, cheese, and any non-vegan dressing. The Pomegranate Vinaigrette is a vegan dressing option.
- Fries: Wendy's natural-cut French fries are cooked in vegetable oil and do not contain animal ingredients in the US. However, cross-contamination with meat products is possible due to shared fryers.
- Breakfast Potatoes: The seasoned homestyle potatoes offered during breakfast hours are a vegan-friendly option.
International Meatless Burger Options at Wendy's
Wendy's approach to meatless options varies significantly outside of the United States. Many international Wendy's locations feature dedicated vegetarian and plant-based burgers, some of which are permanent menu items. The availability of these items depends on the country's market demand and local sourcing.
Comparison of Wendy's Meatless Options (US vs. UK)
| Feature | United States (2025) | United Kingdom | Other Regions (e.g., Georgia) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | No permanent, national meatless burger. | Features permanent menu items like the Veggie Stack. | Has offered limited-time plant-based burgers, such as one with Beyond Meat. |
| Patty Type | Only offers vegetables and sides for custom builds. | Offers a vegetable, grain, and spice patty. | Used branded patties like Beyond Meat in limited offers. |
| Standard Build | DIY veggie sandwich (bun with toppings). | Comes with cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. | Build can vary, but generally comes with standard veggie toppings. |
| Vegan Status | Can be made vegan with multiple customizations. | Requires modification to be vegan (e.g., remove mayo, cheese). | Vegan status depends on the specific build and ingredients. |
| Additional Veg Options | Custom salads, baked potatoes, fries, apple bites. | Wraps (like Halloumi), Halloumi fries, baked potatoes, fries. | Can include wraps and custom salads, depending on location. |
Conclusion: Navigating Wendy's for Meatless Meals
For those asking "does Wendy have a meatless burger?", the answer depends on your location. In the United States as of 2025, there is no permanent, pre-made meatless burger on the menu. Instead, diners must use a combination of menu items and customization to build their own vegetable-based sandwich. This involves ordering a bun with no meat, cheese, or mayo, and loading it with toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion, plus some of the vegan-friendly sauces. Alternatively, the baked potato, salads (with modifications), and fries provide other meatless options. In contrast, Wendy's in some international markets, including the UK, provides dedicated and consistently available meatless options like the Veggie Stack. So, while the US menu lacks a formal meatless burger, a plant-based meal is still achievable with some informed ordering.
