French fries, or chips as they’re often known in some countries, are one of the most popular snacks in the world. They’re commonly served with hamburgers, sandwiches, and other fast food.
If you’re wondering if French fries are vegan, the answer is yes and no. French fries are made with potatoes and oil, which both come from plants. However, some brands use animal products and by-products like beef tallow in their recipes.
Read on to learn more about French fries and whether or not they’re safe for vegans to eat.
What Are French Fries?
French fries are deep-fried potato strips. They are a popular food item in a variety of countries, including the UK, Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, and the United States.
French fries are made from potatoes that have been cut into long strips and fried until golden brown. The resulting crisp and crunchy snack is usually dark brown on the outside and soft on the inside.
You can eat French fries as a snack or as a side dish. Fast-food restaurants often serve them with ketchup and sometimes sprinkle them with salt, vinegar, or paprika.
Are French Fries Vegan?
The short answer is yes, but the long answer is that it depends on the type of French fries. French fries are traditionally made from potatoes and vegetable oil, both of which are safe for vegans to eat.
However, some brands may include animal products and by-products like beef tallow and chicken fat in their French fries. It makes some French fries unsuitable for people following a vegan diet.
If you’re following a vegan diet, make sure to ask your server if the restaurant uses animal products or by-products in their French fries before ordering. You should also make sure to look for a vegan label on frozen French fries before purchasing them from the grocery store.
And if you want a safer option, try making your French fries at home using only vegan-friendly ingredients.
SEE: The Delicious Meals Applebee’s Vegan Options Offers
Non-Vegan Ingredients in French Fries
Beef tallow
Some brands use beef tallow as their main frying oil when they make French fries. Beef, tallow, also known as beef fat, is a solid fat that comes from cows or sheep.
It has a higher melting point than oil, so it works well for deep frying foods like French fries and chicken fingers. Some restaurants also use it for other dishes, such as beef stew or roast beef dinners.
Lard
Lard is pork fat, and chefs often use it in fried foods like French fries. This is because it also has a high melting point than other oils. A few fast-food chains use lard as their frying oil, including Burger King and Wendy’s.
Milk solids
Fast-food restaurants sometimes include milk solids in their French fries to give them more flavor. If you’re unsure about the ingredients in your French fries, ask your server for more information before eating them.
Eggs
Some brands also include egg whites or whole eggs as an ingredient in breading or batter for deep-frying French fries.
Chicken fat
You can find this in French fries at fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and many other places. You can also find it in other fried foods.
SEE: The Complete List of Dunkin Doughnuts Vegan Options
Brands That Offer Vegan French Fries Options
Amy’s Kitchen
Amy’s Kitchen has been making all-natural foods since 1987, and the American Vegetarian Association certifies its products. This company makes a frozen variety of fries that come in bags of eight or twelve.
You can find them at many grocery stores across the country, including Whole Foods Market and Costco. They also sell non-frozen versions that you can prepare at home.
Earth Grown Foods
This brand makes vegan crinkle-cut fries without using animal products like beef tallow, eggs, or milk solids. Their fries come in bags of four to eight at many grocery stores across the country, including Whole Foods Market and Costco.
Chick-fil-A
Their fries are vegan, and they have several things on their menu that are also vegan. A few examples include their Polynesian sauce, English muffins, and grilled salad.
Arby’s
Their French fries are vegan, gluten-free, and contain no added salt or sugar. These French fries come in several flavors, including Sea Salt & Vinegar, Garlic Parmesan, Chili Lime & Cilantro, and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper.
Earth’s Best
Earth’s Best is another major grocery store brand that offers vegan french fries in its freezer section. These French fries contain real potatoes and have no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
Trader Joe’s
This grocery store chain offers several brands of vegan french fries in its freezer aisle. The Trader Joe’s brand also offers small bags of frozen french fries that come in three flavors: Sea Salt & Vinegar; Sweet Potato & Black Bean; and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper.
Burger King
Burger King is an American-based fast-food chain that makes a variety of different vegan options, including French fries. You can choose between original or seasoned fries, depending on your preference.
Del Taco
Del Taco sells vegan foods, most of which include French fries on the side. They’re also gluten-free, so they’re a good option for people with celiac disease or other allergies.
SEE: Read This to Find Out if Bagels Are Vegan
Why Should You Go For Vegan French Fries?
They aid in weight loss
Vegan French fries have fewer calories than regular fries. Regular French fries have about 300 calories per serving, while vegan ones contain around 200 calories per serving. This makes them ideal for those looking to lose weight or maintain their current weight levels.
They help prevent heart disease
Regular French fries contain animal fat, which can cause heart problems when you consume them regularly without exercising. Vegan French fries do not contain any animal fat, thereby helping to reduce the risk of developing heart disease in the future.
They reduce the risk of bowel diseases
Vegan French fries contain more fiber than regular French fries. Fiber helps keep our digestive system healthy, meaning you’ll be less likely to develop bowel diseases than if you were eating non-vegan bagels.
They taste better
Another reason why people choose vegan French fries over regular ones is that they taste better. Vegan fries contain organic ingredients that have been specially selected for their quality, taste, and texture.
This means that they will have a much better flavor than regular ones do. If you want delicious food that doesn’t compromise on health, then you should go for vegan French fries.
SEE: Walk Into These Restaurants to Eat Gluten-Free Fast Food for Breakfast
How to Tell if French Fries Are Vegan
Check the menu
Most restaurants list ingredients on their menus so that customers can know what a dish contains before placing an order with the server. If the fries contain animal by-products, check if they have anything else on the menu that is vegan-friendly.
Ask your server
If you’re unsure whether your favorite restaurant’s French fries are vegan, ask your server for more information. Most servers will be happy to answer your questions so that they can ensure that you’re satisfied with your meal.
Look at the ingredients list
This option is for when you’re buying frozen French fries from the grocery store. The ingredients list on a package of French fries will tell you all you need to know about whether or not the fries are vegan.
You should also look for the words “vegan” or “non-GMO” (which means they don’t contain genetically modified organisms) on the label.
SEE: How to Win a $500 Gift Card at Giant Foods
FAQs
What does it mean to be a vegan?
A vegan is a person whose lifestyle excludes all animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs and by-products such as gelatin, and honey. Vegans believe all animals deserve to live a life free of harm or exploitation by humans.
Veganism also applies to other aspects of life, including clothing choices, entertainment preferences, and even career choices.
Can you make French fries at home?
Yes, you can. If you have a deep fryer or an air fryer (which I highly recommend), then you can make your French fries at home. There are tons of recipes online for making homemade French fries, so try out some different ones until you find the perfect one.
Are French fries healthy?
Yes, they are. French fries are a great source of fiber, protein, iron, and vitamins. They also contain minerals like potassium, which help prevent high blood pressure.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to which type of French fries you’re eating. French fries are typically vegan, but some brands may include animal products and by-products such as lard and beef tallow.
If you follow a vegan diet, make sure you confirm that the ingredients in your French fries are vegan-friendly before ordering them or purchasing them from the grocery store.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Cheffist if you want to know more about vegan-friendly foods.
