Carl’s Jr.: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Carl’s Jr. has no vegetarian or vegan main on its US menu right now. The Beyond Famous Star, a plant-based burger the chain ran nationally starting in 2019, was pulled from most locations in early 2024 and is gone from the menu and website by 2025.

What to order at Carl’s Jr.

Your move is building your own. Order any burger without the meat patty on a plain or sesame bun, both listed dairy-free, and load it with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and jalapeños. Add guacamole to make it more filling. For sides, the Natural-Cut French Fries, CrissCut Fries, and breakfast Hash Rounds are all vegan on their ingredients. Some locations are dual-branded with Green Burrito and add rice and pinto beans to the mix.

What to watch out for

Every fried item here cooks in oil shared with meat, so ask about cross-contact if that matters to you. The Fried Zucchini and Jalapeño Poppers are vegetarian, not vegan, since the batter uses egg and milk and the poppers are filled with cheese. Onion rings are battered too, and the recipe is worth confirming at the counter. Keep the cheese and mayo off your patty-less burger if you’re avoiding dairy and egg, and don’t count on finding the Beyond Famous Star even if a franchise near you kept it longer than most.