7 Healthy(ish) Vegan Fast-Food Meals You Can Get for Under $10

Fast food is a cornerstone of the Standard American Diet. According to YouGov, one in four Americans eats fast food more than once a week, and another 35 percent consume it several times a month. While fast food is rarely associated with health—due to processed burgers, fries, and fried snacks high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt—it’s undeniably budget-friendly. Affordability is a key reason why so many people rely on it. You can currently get a McChicken meal from McDonald’s for just $5, for example.

RELATED: These Vegan French Fries Are the Best Thing at the Drive-Thru

Still, buried among the usual suspects, like processed beef burgers, onion rings, and nuggets, are some surprisingly healthier options that won’t break the bank. 

7 healthier fast-food options (vegan and budget-friendly)

Below, we’ve rounded up a few fast-food meals you can grab for under $10, from salads to burritos.

1 Veggie Grill by Next Level’s Smokey Mushroom Tacos, $8.95 

Veggie Grill currently has 17 locations across the US, in destinations like Portland, OR, as well as Hollywood and Pasadena in Los Angeles. While its menu features plant-based twists on fast-food classics, like Golden Fries and Beyond Burgers, it also offers healthier treats, too. The Smokey Mushroom Tacos, for example, are loaded with marinated mushrooms, guacamole, and pickled organic onions. 
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2 Panera Bread’s Mediterranean Greens With Grains, $9.99

Panera Bread is technically a fast-casual chain, not fast-food, but because it’s quick and convenient, we’re including it on this list. Most of its menu doesn’t cater to customers seeking out plant-based food, but you can find tasty, budget-friendly, nutritious options at Panera if you make a few simple changes. The Mediterranean Greens With Grains salad, for example, is totally plant-based without the feta.
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3 Subway’s 6-Inch Veggie Delite, $7.39

Subway is one of the most popular fast-food joints in the US. Per Statista, 45 percent of restaurant chain customers say they’re a fan of the sandwich chain. If you’re among them, and are looking for a quick, healthy option that won’t cost more than $10, opt for Subway’s six-inch Veggie Delite sandwich (without the cheese). Choose Hearty Multigrain as your bread and load it up with all your favorite whole foods, including avocado, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and more.
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4Taco Bell’s Bean Burrito, $1.89

The most budget-friendly option on this list comes from Taco Bell: the $1.89 Bean Burrito. (Prices may vary by location; some Reddit users have reported paying more.) Without the cheese, it can be made entirely plant-based. It’s also relatively nutritious, thanks to fiber- and mineral-rich refried beans and diced onions. Just keep an eye on the sodium content, as refried beans can be quite salty.
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Next Level

5 Next Level’s Signature Burger, $9.95

Like Veggie Grill, much of Next Level’s menu—available at its 10 locations in New York, Texas, Oregon, and beyond—features fast-food favorites like meaty burgers and loaded fries. However, these offerings are generally more nutritious than those from major fast-food chains. (The bacon, for instance, is made with nutrient-dense tempeh.) For a more wholesome option, try the Signature Burger, which includes a house-made organic quinoa and mushroom patty topped with organic avocado.
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Starbucks

6 Starbucks’ Spicy Falafel Pocket, $3.95

While Starbucks is technically a coffee chain, we’re including it—like Panera—for its quick, convenient approach to both food and drink. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that offers some nutritional value, the Spicy Falafel Pocket is a solid choice. It features smashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, and pickled onions.
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7Whataburger’s Garden Salad (No Chicken or Cheese), $6.49

Like many fast-food chains in the US, Whataburger’s menu is heavy on processed meat and fries. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, healthier option, the Garden Salad is available and can be ordered without chicken or cheese. 
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