Smashburger gives vegetarians two real meatless patties, a black bean burger and a jackfruit patty, so you get an actual burger instead of a side salad.
Last verified: 2026-07-24
Smashburger: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review
Smashburger is built around smashed beef patties, but it carries two meatless options that hold up as real mains: a black bean patty and a 100% jackfruit plant-based patty. That’s more than most burger chains offer, even though nothing on the menu is formally marked vegetarian. The catch is a handful of hidden animal ingredients that catch people off guard. Founded in Denver in 2007, the chain built its identity around the smashing technique, not around plant-based eating, which makes the two meatless patties more notable.
What to order at Smashburger
The Black Bean Smash, also sold as the Veggie Smash, is a house black-bean patty you can build on the Classic, Multi-Grain, or Spicy Chipotle bun. The Jack & Annie’s jackfruit patty is formulated to be vegan and became a permanent menu item in February 2024. A side garden salad without cheese, plus toppings like lettuce, tomato, raw onion, pickles, jalapeños, and avocado, are all vegan-friendly additions.
What to watch out for
The Black Bean Smash contains egg and cheese baked right into the patty, so it’s vegetarian, not vegan, despite the plant-based branding. The jackfruit patty itself is vegan, but the bun and grill it’s cooked on aren’t automatically, so the assembled burger isn’t guaranteed vegan. Fries, tots, sweet potato fries, and Haystack onions are all fried in beef tallow, which rules them out for both vegetarians and vegans.