Subway is an easy place to get the exact vegan or vegetarian sandwich you want: even if the options aren’t anything out of this world.

While almost every Subway sandwich is centered around a meat, two vegetarian options are offered at almost every store: the Veggie Delight or a sub with a veggie patty. (Both options can be packaged as a sandwich or a chopped salad).

Writer’s Note 4/29/2025: This article was originally published in 2018 on my Meatless Fast Food blog, but I’m now bringing it to my current website Sakmann Sports News and Entertainment Blogs.net. Some data may be out of date, I’ll do my best to go through and modernize it.

If you’re opting for a traditional sub, be careful as not all the breads are vegan! Going through all of them:

Choosing a Bread (Or Not)

9-Grain Wheat: NOT VEGAN as it contains honey. If your diet only restricts meat and dairy intake, however, this would be an acceptable option.

Italian Herbs & Chesese: If the name didn’t give you enough of a hint, this bread is also NOT VEGAN with cheese baked into the crust. If you’re only vegetarian, this is probably the most unique option, adding some flavor to your sub.

Italian, Sourdough: Yes, these breads are vegan. It’s unfortunate that vegans are limited to two options at most stores, but local stores may offer additional vegan breads such as Roasted Garlic. If you’re unsure, be sure to check out nutritional info on Subway’s website prior to your visit. 

Wraps, a newer addition to Subway, are vegan. Flatbread sandwiches, which are healthier in terms of having less carbs, are not vegan, containing milk.

Finally, the “or not.” Skip bread entirely by opting for a chopped salad, which is charged as a 6″ Veggie Delight +$2.75. The salad is traditionally served with a lettuce base, but you can request spinach instead for a more nutritious filling.

The Veggie Patty: Not The Vegan Patty

While some stores, specifically on the West Coast, offer even more options in terms of the veggie patties, all Subway stores should have two options: veggie delight and veggie patty.

Personally: I’ve never tried the veggie patty, but I’d like to. Other vegetarian bloggers have posted positive reviews of it, and in some countries (Canada), the patty supposedly IS vegan.

But currently, in my home country of the United States, the patty does use egg products. The full ingredient list spans vegetables like mushrooms, corn, and carrots to soybean oil, milk protein and egg protein. Containing both these proteins, the patty is not vegan in the slightest, but a versatile option for vegetarians.

Filling Up Your Veggie Delight

So if you’re vegan, you’re relegated to the vegetables that Subway has to offer. Again, some stores can offer local options but the standard set includes:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Tomato
• Red Onion
• Cuccumber
• Pickle
• Jalepeno
• Banana Pepper
• Green Pepper
• Sweet Peppers
• Olives
• Guacamole (costs extra)

Even with “just” a veggie delight, there’s a variety of options and you can customize your sandwich however you’d like. I usually go heavy and include almost all the vegetables (save for olives) but I also enjoy more focused subs like lettuce-tomato-pickle-onion.

Finishing Touch: Choosing a Sauce

The sauce/dressing you choose can make or break the sandwich: both in terms of taste and keeping all the ingredients vegan. In order to do so, top your sub or salad with:

• Yellow or brown mustard
• Oil/Vinegar
• Vingarette
• Sweet onion sauce
• Fat-free Italian dressing
• Buffalo/hot sauce

This means you should avoid: Mayonnaise, Barbecue, Chipotle Southwest, and anything else your store might have.

While Options are Limited, Subway is a Reliable Vegan Option

As we’ve discovered, being vegan shuts a lot of the Subway menu off to you, including even the veggie patty. But that doesn’t mean you have to dine in monotone when eating at Subway. With a variety of vegetables, a few dressing options, and the option to go with a sandwich, wrap, or salad, Subway is a reliable option if you’re on the go and need vegan and/or vegetarian fast food.

For more, be sure to follow Vegan and Vegetarian Fast Food on Twitter!

Further reading: PETA’s guide to eating vegan at Subway

Header Photo Credit: Personal Photo taken in 2018