It’s probably not going to come as a surprise to learn that a restaurant with “dairy” in the name doesn’t have a huge number of vegan options. But Dairy Queen isn’t completely off-limits for vegans!
The Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is an exciting look at what Dairy Queen could bring to the menu. In addition to this, there are some sides and slushies for vegans to enjoy.
Let’s explore exactly what vegans can eat at Dairy Queen.
Exploring the Dairy Queen Vegan Menu
Dairy Queen doesn’t have much in the way of vegan options, but there are some! Let’s see what’s around.
Vegan Ice Creams And Frozen Treats
We’re all hoping for a vegan-friendly Blizzard, but it’s not here yet. However, there are some vegan sweet treats that you can enjoy.
- Non-Dairy Dilly Bar. The Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is a plant-based treat bar made of a coconut cream protein instead of ice cream, coated in vegan chocolate. It’s only available at select Dairy Queen locations.
- StarKiss Frozen Treat Bar. A star-shaped frozen treat bar made using fruit juices. The StarKiss Frozen Treat Bar is only available at select locations.
Fingers crossed, the exploration of vegan proteins with the Dilly Bar means more vegan options might be on their way!
Even though the selection is small, the vegan-friendly frozen treats at Dairy Queen are pretty good. This is why we hope they expand the range!
Vegan Smoothies And Slushies
The Blended Beverages and the DQ Orange Julius’ aren’t available in vegan-friendly versions just yet.
However, there are some frozen treats you can enjoy (beyond bottled soda).
- Misty Slush. A refreshing slushy drink made by blending ice with fruit syrups. The Misty Slush is available in 5 standard flavors: cherry, mango, strawberry kiwi, lemon-lime, and blue raspberry. Flavors may vary by location.
- Summertime Sunset Twisty Misty Slush. A limited edition flavor of Misty Slush drinks, Summertime Sunset contains a mixture of mango, strawberry, and kiwi.
The Summertime Sunset Twisty Misty Slush is a limited edition, so it won’t be around forever. But it may be replaced with other limited edition flavors, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for new menu items.
Dairy Queen also used to sell a series of “light smoothies.” These were smoothies made without yogurt and consisting of only fresh fruit. They were vegan-friendly, but they seem to have been removed from the menu.
The light smoothies might still be available at Dairy Queen, or you might be able to request them at select locations. However, we can’t guarantee you’ll have any luck.
Vegan Food At Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen doesn’t serve a huge amount of vegan-friendly food. The food menu is primarily hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. If you want, you can ask for a hamburger without a beef patty served with extra salad.
However, some of the sides are vegan-friendly or vegan-adaptable! And the sides are pretty good, so you should be able to find something that might not fill you up, but can fight hunger.
- Fries. They might not be the star of the menu, but the Dairy Queen fries are pretty good! They’re hot, crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and very tasty. The fries are vegan as-is.
- Pretzel Sticks. The Pretzel Sticks are soft and topped with salt. Ask for no zesty queso sauce. You might be able to substitute a vegan salad dressing for the queso.
- Hash Browns. Hashbrowns are only available during breakfast at Dairy Queen, which is served from 7 am until lunch.
- Side Salad. You get to choose your own dressing with the Dairy Queen side salad, so make sure to request a vegan one! The salad comes with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and red cabbage.
- Banana. From the kid’s menu.
- Applesauce. A carton of Musselman’s unsweetened apple sauce, found on the kid’s menu.
Dairy Queen offers a range of salad dressings. They typically use Marzetti brand salad dressing. Vegan options include:
- Asian Sesame Dressing.
- Fat-Free California French Style Dressing.
- Light Italian Dressing.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette.
While these appear to be the most common dressings, we can’t guarantee that every Dairy Queen location has the same options. Before ordering a dressing, ask your server about the vegan options.
Dairy Queen isn’t a vegan restaurant, so it doesn’t have separate zones for preparing and cooking vegan food. Because of this, cross-contamination is a risk. It’s up to you to decide your comfort level.
Final Thoughts
Dairy Queen doesn’t have much in the way of vegan options, which doesn’t come as a big surprise. After all, it literally has “Dairy” in the name.
Most of the sweet treats are made with milk, and the rest of the menu features a lot of meat!
But there are a few things on the Dairy Queen menu that are vegan-friendly. And hopefully, it’s the start of more vegan dishes in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dairy Queen Serve Dairy-Free Blizzards?
Not yet, but we can keep our fingers crossed! Dairy Queen doesn’t offer dairy-free blizzards but it does serve vegan Dilly Bars. These are made with coconut cream protein.
Does Dairy Queen Sell Vegan Smoothies?
Dairy Queen smoothies contain a blend of yogurt and fruit, so they aren’t suitable for vegans. DQ used to sell “light smoothies” which only contain fresh fruit, but these are no longer on the menu.
Are Dairy Queen Onion Rings Vegan?
No, Dairy Queen onion rings are not vegan. They’re made using whey, which is derived from milk.
