What is Dairy Free at Jimmy Johns? A Complete Guide

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 65% of the global adult population has a reduced ability to digest lactose, making dairy-free options a necessity for many. If you're wondering what is dairy free at Jimmy Johns, you'll be pleased to know that many menu items, particularly sandwiches and sides, can be easily modified to fit a dairy-free diet with just a few simple requests.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the specific dairy-free menu items, customizable sandwiches, and ingredients available at Jimmy John's, including bread, condiments, and sides. It also provides clear instructions on how to place a dairy-free order and highlights potential cross-contamination concerns.

Key Points

Easy Customization: Many Jimmy John's sandwiches can be made dairy-free by simply omitting the cheese, such as The Pepe (#1) or The Veggie (#6).
Check the Condiments: While Hellmann's® Mayo is dairy-free (but contains egg), avoid all ranch and creamy dressings, which contain milk.
Know Your Sides: Regular, Jalapeño, and BBQ Jimmy Chips, along with the Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle, are safe choices. Avoid Salt & Vinegar chips and all cookies.
Beware of Cross-Contamination: For severe allergies, be mindful that Jimmy John's uses shared slicers for meats and cheeses. Inform staff of your allergy and consider ordering an Unwich to minimize risk.
Leverage Safe Spreads: The Avocado Spread is a creamy, dairy-free topping that can enhance your sandwich without compromising your diet.
Consult Official Resources: The most up-to-date allergen information is available on the Jimmy John's official website, which should be checked for the latest ingredient details.

Navigating Dairy-Free Sandwiches at Jimmy John's

While Jimmy John's is not a dedicated dairy-free restaurant, its menu features a surprising number of items that are naturally free of dairy or can be easily modified. The key to a successful dairy-free meal is customization, primarily by omitting cheese and avoiding certain creamy sauces. The standard breads, including the French and Sliced Wheat, are typically dairy-free, as is the Unwich, which uses a lettuce wrap.

Dairy-Free Sandwiches with Minor Modifications

Many of Jimmy John's signature sandwiches can become dairy-free with one simple request: 'no provolone cheese'.

The Pepe (#1): Ask for no provolone cheese.
Vito® (#5): Request no provolone cheese.
The Veggie (#6): This is a great choice, just be sure to omit the provolone cheese. The avocado spread is naturally dairy-free.
The Italian Night Club® (#9): A hearty choice, but requires you to ask for no provolone cheese and no mayo.
Beach Club® (#12): This turkey and avocado sub is a fantastic option when ordered without the provolone cheese and mayo.

Naturally Dairy-Free Sandwiches

A few sandwiches on the menu are inherently dairy-free, but always confirm the preparation process, especially regarding cross-contamination.

Turkey Tom® (#4): This classic sub is made with turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, but the mayo contains eggs, not dairy.
Big John® (#2): Featuring roast beef, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, this is another straightforward dairy-free choice.
Totally Tuna® (#3): The tuna salad contains eggs, but no dairy. Ensure no cheese is added.

Comparison of Dairy-Free Sub Components

Knowing what to add to your sandwich is as important as knowing what to remove. Here's a quick comparison of dairy-free and dairy-containing components.


Item Category	Dairy-Free Options	Contains Dairy	Notes
Breads	French Bread, Sliced Wheat Bread, Unwich (Lettuce Wrap)	All cookies and brownies	Cross-contamination risk with cheese on slicers
Proteins	Turkey, Roast Beef, Ham, Bacon, Salami, Capocollo	Provolone Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Egg Patty	Shared slicers used for all meats and cheese
Condiments	Yellow Mustard, Oil & Vinegar, Oregano-Basil, Avocado Spread	Hellmann's® Mayo, Kickin' Ranch® Sauce, Caesar Dressing, Basil Pesto (seasonal)	Mayo is egg-based, not dairy-based. Check current menu for seasonal items.
Veggies	Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Pickles, Jimmy Peppers®, Jalapeños	N/A	Fresh vegetables are a safe, dairy-free choice.
Sides	Regular Jimmy Chips®, Jalapeño Jimmy Chips®, BBQ Jimmy Chips®, Thinny Chips®, Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle	Salt & Vinegar Jimmy Chips®, Fudge Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie	The Salt & Vinegar chips are not dairy-free. Always check side options.

Essential Ordering Tips and Cross-Contamination Precautions

For those with severe dairy allergies, cross-contamination is a serious concern. The following section provides guidelines to minimize risk while ordering.

How to Place Your Order

Be specific: Clearly state your dietary needs when ordering, especially if you have a severe allergy. For example, “I have a dairy allergy, please make my sandwich with no cheese.”
Order an Unwich: This is the safest bet for minimizing contact with bread that has touched cheese.
Request clean tools: For severe allergies, ask the staff to change gloves and use fresh, clean tools for your order. While they have cleaning protocols, a specific request can increase safety.
Use the avocado spread: This is a great, dairy-free alternative to mayo or creamy sauces.

Potential Cross-Contamination

Jimmy John's uses shared equipment for preparing all sandwiches. The slicer, in particular, is used for both meats and cheeses, though they do have a cleaning protocol between batches. If your allergy is severe, this may not be sufficient. Consider ordering items that require less preparation or that are pre-packaged to reduce exposure. The pre-packaged Avocado Spread is a good example.

Sides and Drinks

Beyond sandwiches, there are several simple and safe choices for sides and drinks. Regular, Jalapeño, and BBQ chips are typically dairy-free, unlike the Salt & Vinegar chips. The jumbo kosher dill pickle is a reliable choice. Most fountain drinks and bottled water are also safe. Avoid all cookies and brownies, which contain dairy.

Conclusion: Enjoying a Dairy-Free Meal at Jimmy John's

With a bit of planning and clear communication, enjoying a dairy-free meal at Jimmy John's is straightforward. By focusing on customizable subs like The Veggie (with no cheese), Turkey Tom, and Big John, and utilizing safe components like the Unwich, French bread, avocado spread, and specific chips, you can create a satisfying meal. Remember to inform staff of any severe allergies to ensure the best possible experience, and always consult the official allergen information on the company's website for the most current details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, both the French bread and Sliced Wheat bread at Jimmy John's are considered dairy-free. The Unwich, a lettuce wrap, is also a dairy-free alternative.

Several sandwiches can be made dairy-free by asking for 'no cheese'. The Turkey Tom (#4) and Big John (#2) are naturally dairy-free (besides the egg-based mayo). The Vito (#5), The Veggie (#6), and Beach Club (#12) are dairy-free with the removal of provolone cheese.

Most are, but not all. Regular, BBQ, and Jalapeño Jimmy Chips, as well as Thinny Chips, are dairy-free. The Salt & Vinegar Jimmy Chips and all cookies and brownies contain dairy and should be avoided.

Yes, Jimmy John's uses Hellmann's® Mayo, which contains egg but is dairy-free. However, it is not vegan. For a vegan and dairy-free option, use the avocado spread instead.

Dairy-free sauce options include yellow mustard, oil and vinegar, and avocado spread. Avoid Kickin' Ranch® and any creamy dressings, which contain milk.

While Jimmy John's uses a shared slicer for meats and cheeses, you can request that staff change gloves and use fresh tools for your order. For maximum safety, consider ordering an Unwich.

Yes, Jimmy John's catering offers options for customizing sub platters. Clearly specify that you need dairy-free sandwiches and list the specific subs that need the cheese and mayo removed.