What Fries Are Not Vegetarian? Surprising Hidden Animal Ingredients

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 survey, around 4% of the U.S. population identifies as vegetarian, yet many unknowingly consume animal products in their french fries. While potatoes are inherently plant-based, the preparation methods and flavorings used by some fast-food restaurants can make what fries are not vegetarian, containing ingredients like beef flavoring, tallow, or milk derivatives.

Quick Summary

This article explores the hidden animal-derived ingredients found in certain fast-food fries, outlining specific restaurant chains to avoid. It details the use of beef tallow, natural beef flavoring, and milk derivatives, providing clarity for vegetarians and vegans.

Key Points

Hidden Ingredients: Some fries contain animal-derived products like beef tallow, lard, or milk derivatives in the flavoring.
Fast-Food Culprits: Chains like Popeye's, Checkers & Rally's, and Steak 'n Shake use animal fats, making their fries non-vegetarian.
McDonald's US: In the United States, McDonald's fries contain 'natural beef flavor' with milk derivatives and are not vegan.
Cross-Contamination Risk: Even with vegetable oil, shared fryers can lead to cross-contamination, making fries unsuitable for strict vegetarians.
How to Verify: Always ask restaurant staff about their cooking oil and whether they use separate fryers for vegetarian items.
Homemade is Safest: The only way to guarantee 100% vegetarian fries is to prepare them at home using plant-based oils.

Unexpected Animal Ingredients in French Fries

Many assume that french fries, made from potatoes, are a safe vegetarian option. However, the food industry often adds animal-derived ingredients for flavor, texture, and preservation. These non-vegetarian additions are not always obvious and can be present in the cooking oil, coatings, or flavorings applied during processing.

The Use of Beef Tallow and Lard

Historically, many fast-food chains fried their potatoes in beef tallow to achieve a rich flavor and extra-crisp texture. While a shift to cheaper vegetable oils occurred in the 1990s due to health concerns, some restaurants have either returned to this practice or never left it. Tallow is rendered beef fat, while lard is rendered pork fat. For vegetarians, any product cooked in these fats is considered non-vegetarian, regardless of whether the final product contains visible meat.

Restaurants Known to Use Animal Fats:

Popeye's: The Cajun fries at Popeye's are fried in beef tallow, making them unsuitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Checkers & Rally's: These franchises use a milk powder coating on their fries before frying them in animal lard, which is unacceptable for vegetarians and vegans.
Steak 'n Shake: The COO of Steak 'n Shake has explicitly stated that they use beef tallow for their fries to achieve a specific flavor profile, with a message for vegetarians to dine elsewhere.
Outback Steakhouse: Certain items, including their fries, are cooked in beef tallow, making them off-limits for vegetarians.
Smashburger: Like Outback, Smashburger fries are fried in beef tallow and are therefore not vegetarian.

Natural Beef Flavoring and Other Additives

Perhaps the most famous example of hidden animal ingredients is McDonald's in the United States. Despite switching from beef tallow to vegetable oil, the company controversially continued using a "natural beef flavor" to maintain its signature taste. This flavoring contains derivatives of both wheat and milk, which come from animal sources. This is a crucial distinction for vegetarians and especially vegans.

A closer look at McDonald's ingredients:

U.S. McDonald's Fries: Contain "natural beef flavor," which includes milk derivatives.
International McDonald's Fries: Ingredients can vary significantly by country due to different food regulations and customer preferences. For example, UK locations use a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil blend, making their fries suitable for vegans.

The Problem of Cross-Contamination

Even when a restaurant claims to use vegetable oil for its fries, cross-contamination is a significant issue. Many restaurants use a shared fryer for both meat-based items (like chicken nuggets or fish) and non-meat items. For many vegetarians and most vegans, this level of cross-contact with animal products is unacceptable.

Fryer cross-contamination risk is high at restaurants that serve:

Fried chicken
Fish fillets
Chicken nuggets
Corn dogs
Onion rings (often fried in the same oil as meat)

How to Verify if Fries are Vegetarian-Friendly

If you are uncertain about a restaurant's frying practices, your best option is to ask a staff member. Be specific and ask what type of oil is used and if it is shared with any meat or fish products. Some conscientious restaurants may have separate fryers dedicated solely to vegetarian options.

Comparing Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Fries


Feature	Non-Vegetarian Fries	Vegetarian/Vegan Fries
Primary Cooking Fat	Beef tallow, animal lard, or shared oil with meat.	100% vegetable oil (e.g., canola, soybean, sunflower).
Flavoring Additives	"Natural beef flavor" (often contains milk or other animal derivatives), chicken or fish broth.	None, or flavorings are clearly stated as plant-based.
Coatings	Can include milk powder, egg wash, or other animal products for texture.	Typically use plant-based starches or no coating at all.
Cross-Contamination	High risk due to shared fryers with meat and fish products.	Fryer is dedicated solely to non-meat items, eliminating cross-contamination.
Primary Goal	Maximize a specific, recognizable flavor profile, often a legacy of older cooking methods.	Serve a universally acceptable item, accommodating a wider range of dietary needs.

Conclusion

The assumption that all french fries are vegetarian is a common and often incorrect one. Hidden animal-derived ingredients and cross-contamination are prevalent issues, particularly in fast-food settings. For vegetarians and vegans, understanding the specific practices of each restaurant is essential for avoiding animal products. Asking questions, checking ingredient lists online, and being aware of the common culprits like beef tallow and 'natural beef flavor' are the most effective strategies. While some chains have moved towards fully vegetarian options, vigilance remains key.

A homemade alternative

To be absolutely certain your fries are vegetarian, making them at home is the safest bet. You can use a dedicated fryer or bake them in the oven using plant-based oil. Here's a great vegan french fry recipe to get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some french fries are not vegetarian because they are cooked in animal fats, like beef tallow or lard, or because they are coated with or seasoned using animal-derived ingredients, such as milk powder or natural beef flavoring.

No, McDonald's french fries in the U.S. are not considered vegetarian. They contain a 'natural beef flavor' that includes hydrolyzed milk as a starting ingredient, which is an animal derivative.

Several popular chains, including Popeye's (beef tallow), Checkers & Rally's (lard and milk powder), and Steak 'n Shake (beef tallow), serve non-vegetarian fries due to their cooking methods.

Beef tallow is rendered beef fat. Some restaurants use it as their primary cooking oil because it imparts a distinct, rich flavor and creates a crispier texture. Any food fried in beef tallow is not considered vegetarian.

The risk of cross-contamination occurs when vegetarian items, like fries, are cooked in the same fryer oil as meat or fish products. This transfers trace amounts of animal products, which is a concern for many vegetarians and vegans.

Not necessarily. While the oil itself may be plant-based, the fries could still be pre-processed with animal-derived flavorings or coatings. Additionally, cross-contamination from a shared fryer can make them non-vegetarian.

The best way to ensure fries are vegetarian is to ask the restaurant staff about their cooking practices, specifically what oil they use and if it's a dedicated fryer. Checking a restaurant's online allergen or ingredient guide is also a reliable method.