There are more Subways in the world than any other restaurant. This is comforting in the fact that no matter where you are, it’s very likely there’s a sub shop nearby with plenty of vegan options. We dove into the US menu to find all the vegan options—from the standard Veggie Delite to the vegan-friendly regional specialties. Use this guide to learn what’s vegan (hello, sweet onion teriyaki) and what’s surprisingly not (avoid the 9-Grain wheat bread) before you place your next Subway order.
What’s vegan at Subway?
There are two reliably vegan-friendly menu items offered at Subway locations nationwide: the Veggie Delite sandwich and the Veggie Delite salad. While the chain has previously offered items made with vegan meat, these were limited-time launches and are currently no longer available in the US.
Subway
In 2019, Subway made headlines when it launched Beyond Meatball subs across the US and Canada. The excitement was ultimately short-lived, as the sub has yet to reappear on US menus.
Luckily, in 2021, Subway committed to developing more vegan options after the chain faced controversy surrounding its tuna—which a lawsuit claimed was in fact a “mixture of various concoctions … made from anything but tuna.” And while the chain has since upgraded its vegetarian veggie patty to omit animal ingredients (more on that below), we have yet to see additional plant-based offerings.
Vegan options at Subway
While we wait for more vegan offerings to land on Subway’s menu, check out these plant-based options to help you build the ultimate sub. Vegans, beware: seek sustenance elsewhere during the AM hours. There are no vegan breakfast options at this sandwich shop.
Subway
1 Bread
At Subway, it begins with bread. Choose between Artisan Italian (white) and Hearty Multigrain.
Subway
2 Condiments
The condiments at Subway can transform a rather bland sandwich into a handhold you’ll actually enjoy. Vegan-friendly options include:
- Yellow mustard
- Oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Sweet onion teriyaki
- Black pepper
- Sea salt
The options expand even more when looking at the regional variety. At the time of writing, your local sub shop could carry barbecue sauce as well.
Subway
3 Sandwiches and wraps
At any Subway, vegans can always depend on the Veggie Delite. Make your sandwich substantial by piling on as many vegetables as you like (banana peppers, black olives, green peppers, onions, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickles, spinach, and jalapeños) and amp up the flavor with Subway’s vegan-friendly condiments.
Beyond this vegetable-loaded sandwich, Subway offers a Veggie Patty sub that is suitable for vegans per the chain’s updated menu guidelines. While Subway has long offered this patty as an add-on, it originally contained eggs and dairy, but as of 2021, Subway has upgraded its Veggie Patty with the help of Dr. Praeger’s. Fair warning: in the US, the plant-based patty isn’t available at all locations.
Prefer a wrap? Order a Veggie Delite or Veggie Patty wrap and specify you’d like a plain wrap.
Subway
4 Salads
The reliable vegan salad at Subway is essentially a breadless Veggie Delite sando served in a bowl. Ask your sandwich artist to load up on the veggies and don’t skimp on the avocado. Any of the vegan condiments listed above can be used as a dressing. If your shop offers the plant-based Veggie Patty, opt for the Veggie Patty salad for a little more sustenance.
Lays
5 Sides and drinks
Subway carries a variety of Lay’s brand chips and GoGo Squeez squeezable applesauce to supplement its vegan patrons’ meals. Just be sure to steer clear of the cheese-flavored Doritos and Sunchips. And unfortunately, the cookies are not vegan.
The chain also offers a wide variety of vegan-friendly fountain drinks. Options include Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Honest Kids juice boxes, Gatorade, Simply Orange Juice, and more.
For more vegan fast-food guides, read:
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
