Vegan Options At Sweetgreen: Your Complete Guide

Sweetgreen is known for its fresh, seasonal ingredients and customizable meals that cater to a variety of dietary needs. 

While it’s not a vegan-exclusive restaurant, there are plenty of vegan options available—including salads, warm bowls, and build-your-own meals.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best vegan-friendly choices on the Sweetgreen menu, modifications for existing items, and how to create a fully plant-based bowl from scratch.

Exploring The Vegan Menu at Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen makes it easy to customize meals, which means many vegetarian dishes can be adjusted to fit a vegan diet. 

While the Shroomami Warm Bowl and Hummus Crunch Salad come vegan by default, many other options can be adapted with simple substitutions.

Let’s take a closer look at the top vegan-friendly choices on the menu.

Vegan-Friendly Salads

Sweetgreen is best known for its fresh, flavorful salads. While many contain animal products, a few can be ordered vegan with minor modifications.

1. Hummus Crunch Salad (Vegan as-is)

This satisfying salad requires no changes to fit a plant-based diet. It contains:

• Chopped romaine
• Shredded kale
• Shredded cabbage
• Red onions
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Olives
• Chickpeas
• Basil
• Za’atar breadcrumbs
• Pesto vinaigrette
• A generous scoop of hummus

2. Super Green Goddess Salad (Modified)

This salad can easily be made vegan with a simple dressing swap.

• Base and toppings are vegan-friendly
• Swap the Green Goddess Ranch for Pesto Vinaigrette or Lime Cilantro Jalapeño Vinaigrette
• Includes baby spinach, shredded kale, shredded cabbage, spicy broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, black lentils, chickpeas, and roasted almonds

3. Guacamole Greens (Modified)

A refreshing, avocado-packed salad with a quick protein swap.

• Replace roasted chicken with tofu or portobello mushrooms
• Includes avocado, tortilla chips, shredded cabbage, chopped romaine, spring mix, tomatoes, and red onions
• Served with lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette and a fresh lime squeeze

Vegan-Friendly Warm Bowls At Sweetgreen

If you’re in the mood for a heartier meal, Sweetgreen’s warm bowls offer the perfect solution.

1. Shroomami Bowl (Vegan as-is)

This warm, satisfying bowl comes fully vegan without modifications. It contains:

• Shredded kale
• Warm wild rice
• Raw beets
• Cucumbers
• Roasted sesame tofu
• Warm portobello mushroom mix
• Basil
• Sunflower seeds
• Miso sesame ginger dressing

2. Harvest Bowl (Modified)

A hearty, savory bowl that requires a few simple adjustments.

• Swap roasted chicken for tofu or portobello mushrooms
• Replace balsamic vinaigrette with a vegan dressing (like Miso Sesame Ginger)
• Order without goat cheese
• Includes roasted sweet potatoes, warm wild rice, shredded kale, apples, and warm almonds

3. Fish Taco Bowl (Modified)

This bowl offers bright, fresh flavors with a vegan-friendly twist.

• Swap the steelhead for tofu or portobello mushrooms
• Base includes warm quinoa, shredded cabbage, and arugula
• Topped with avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips
• Served with Sweetgreen hot sauce and lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette

Customization Tip: When ordering online, you can easily add or remove ingredients and request extra toppings to suit your taste.

Seasonal and Local Vegan Options

Sweetgreen focuses on seasonal ingredients, often offering limited-time salads, bowls, and toppings. 

These options change throughout the year and vary by location, but some popular vegan-friendly seasonal ingredients include:

• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Curry-roasted cauliflower
• Pickled carrots and celery

Check with your local Sweetgreen or their online menu for current seasonal offerings.

How to Build Your Own Vegan Bowl at Sweetgreen

If you want complete control over your meal, the build-your-own-bowl option allows you to create a fully vegan dish from scratch. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1: Choose a Vegan Base

Sweetgreen offers several vegan-friendly bases, and you can mix and match to create the perfect foundation:

• Chopped romaine
• Arugula
• Baby spinach
• Spring mix
• Shredded kale
• Warm wild rice
• Warm quinoa

Step 2: Add Vegan Toppings

Most of Sweetgreen’s toppings are naturally vegan. Here are some delicious options to choose from:

• Chopped pickles
• Olives
• Mint
• Apples
• Basil
• Raw carrots
• Chickpeas
• Cilantro
• Cucumber
• Raw beets
• Red onions
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Shredded cabbage
• Spicy broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Lentils
• Sunflower seeds
• Crispy rice
• Tortilla chips
• Za’atar breadcrumbs
• Toasted almonds

Step 3: Pick a Premium Topping

Premium toppings often include meat, cheese, or eggs, but there are still several vegan-friendly choices:

• Hummus
• Seasonal peaches
• Seasonal zucchini and yellow squash
• Hot roasted sweet potatoes
• Avocado
• Roasted tofu
• Warm portobello mushroom mix

Pro Tip: Seasonal ingredients rotate throughout the year, so always check the menu for new vegan-friendly options.

Step 4: Select a Vegan Dressing or Sauce

Sweetgreen offers a wide selection of vegan sauces and dressings. Be sure to avoid the Balsamic Vinaigrette and Honey BBQ Sauce, as both contain honey.

Vegan dressing options include:

• Balsamic vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette
• Miso sesame ginger dressing
• Pesto vinaigrette
• Spicy cashew dressing
• Sweetgreen hot sauce
• Fresh lime squeeze
• Fresh lemon squeeze
• Red chili

Tip: The Miso Sesame Ginger Dressing is one of the most popular vegan-friendly options.

Final Thoughts

Sweetgreen makes it easy to enjoy a healthy, plant-based meal. With fully vegan salads and warm bowls like the Hummus Crunch Salad and Shroomami Bowl, plus endless customization options, you can build a satisfying vegan meal with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

While Sweetgreen isn’t a vegan-exclusive chain, their focus on sustainability and fresh produce makes it a convenient option for anyone following a plant-based diet.

As always, be sure to double-check ingredient lists and preparation practices, especially if you are concerned about cross-contact with non-vegan items.

Frequently Asked Questions