The Crucial Regional Difference: US vs. International Menus
One of the most important things to understand when ordering vegan at Domino's is the major variation in menu items across different countries. While locations outside the United States, such as those in the UK and Australia, often have dedicated vegan options with plant-based cheese, US locations do not offer vegan cheese. The approach to ordering a vegan meal at Domino's is therefore completely different depending on your location, and requires careful attention to ingredients and customization.
Building a Vegan Pizza in the US
For diners in the United States, building a vegan pizza is a customized experience based on a cheeseless veggie pie. By carefully selecting your crust, sauce, and toppings, you can create a satisfying meal. It's also crucial to be explicit with your order to avoid non-vegan additions like garlic butter on the crust.
Choosing a Crust
- Thin Crust: The Thin Crust is the most reliable vegan option at Domino's in the US. It does not contain milk or honey and is the recommended choice for a plant-based pizza base.
- Other Crusts: You must avoid the Handmade Pan crust, which contains dairy. The Brooklyn Style and Hand Tossed crusts can sometimes be vegan, but ingredients may vary by location and supplier, so it's best to confirm locally. The Gluten-Free crust also contains milk and is not vegan.
Selecting a Sauce
Domino's offers several vegan-friendly sauces to add flavor to your custom creation:
- Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce: The standard pizza sauce is vegan and a safe bet.
- BBQ Sauce: This tangy sauce can be used as a base instead of tomato sauce.
- No Sauce/Olive Oil: You can also opt for no sauce and request a light olive oil drizzle, ensuring you confirm it is not the butter blend.
- Sauces to Avoid: The Alfredo and Garlic Parmesan White Sauces are not vegan, nor is the Hearty Marinara pizza sauce.
Loading Up on Toppings
All of the vegetable toppings at Domino's are vegan, providing plenty of options to make your pizza flavorful and hearty. Piling on multiple vegetables can help compensate for the absence of cheese.
Here are some of the vegan vegetable toppings available:
- Banana Peppers
- Black Olives
- Diced Tomatoes
- Green Peppers
- Jalapeños
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Pineapple
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Spinach
Exploring the International Vegan Menu
Customers in regions outside of the US often have a much easier time ordering vegan due to dedicated menu items. The UK market, for example, has seen a significant expansion in its vegan offerings over recent years.
UK and Other Regions
Many international Domino's locations, particularly in the UK and Australia, offer a plant-based cheese alternative and specific vegan pizzas. The UK has a fully dedicated vegan menu featuring pizzas like:
- Vegan Margherita: Topped with vegan cheese and Domino's own tomato sauce.
- Vegan Vegi Supreme: Features vegan cheese and an assortment of fresh veggies like onions, peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, and tomatoes.
- Vegan PepperoNAY: A vegan pepperoni-style pizza with vegan cheese.
These pizzas are made with a special vegan-friendly crust that is either classic or Italian style.
Vegan Options Beyond Pizza
Even if you are not in the mood for a pizza, Domino's offers a few other customizable vegan-friendly options.
Sandwiches
- Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich: The bread is vegan, but you must order it without cheese to make it plant-based. It is filled with spinach, onions, roasted red peppers, and banana peppers.
Pasta
- Build Your Own Pasta Bowl: You can create a vegan pasta bowl by choosing the pasta (which is animal-free) and pairing it with the Robust Inspired Tomato Sauce and your choice of three vegetable toppings.
Sides & Dips
Many sides and dipping sauces are vegan-friendly, but again, this varies by country. Below is a comparison table outlining options in the US versus the UK.
Comparison Table: US vs. UK Vegan Options
| Feature | Domino's US | Domino's UK |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan Cheese | No | Yes |
| Vegan Crusts | Thin Crust only | Vegan Classic, Italian Style |
| Vegan Pizzas | Custom-built, no cheese | Dedicated vegan pizzas with cheese and plant-based meats |
| Vegan Dipping Sauces | Garlic, Hot Buffalo, Italian, Robust Inspired Tomato | Plant-based Garlic & Herb, BBQ, Frank's RedHot |
| Other Vegan Menu Items | Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich (no cheese), custom pasta | Plant-Based Nuggets, Potato Wedges |
Navigating Cross-Contamination
It is important for those with severe allergies to be aware that Domino's operates busy kitchens with shared surfaces and utensils. While a conscious effort can be made to minimize contact, there is always a risk of cross-contamination. If you have a serious allergy, consider discussing preparation protocols with the store or using caution when ordering.
Conclusion: The Vegan Domino's Experience
Knowing what's vegan at Domino's pizza requires a little forethought, particularly for customers in the United States where a custom order is the only path to a plant-based pie. However, for those in regions like the UK or Australia, a delicious vegan pizza with dairy-free cheese and plant-based meat options is as simple as selecting a dedicated menu item. Regardless of your location, paying attention to the details—including crust, sauce, and specific ingredient lists—can make all the difference. While the vegan options can be limited in some areas, the ability to build a personalized, plant-based meal from a major chain is a positive step forward for nutrition and dietary inclusivity. For additional information on vegan fast-food options, authoritative resources like PETA can be helpful.
