Cracker Barrel Breaks it Down for this Dairy-Free Menu Guide

Cracker Barrel, a popular restaurant chain, has garnered attention from dairy-free individuals due to their extensive allergen list. However, it is important to note that experiences may vary from location to location. While we cannot guarantee your experience, we have compiled a comprehensive dairy-free menu guide based on their menus, allergen information, and corporate guidance. This guide includes precautions, allergen notes, gluten-free options, and even a separate vegan menu.

Grill & Fryer Note

Cracker Barrel acknowledges the potential for cross-contamination with all top allergens for items prepared on the grill or in the fryer. They utilize soybean oil for frying, and some fried items may contain milk. Additionally, butter is used to season certain grilled items. If cross-contamination or the use of butter is a concern, it is advisable to call ahead and inquire if your specific location can accommodate your request for separate clean equipment and the omission of butter or other dairy products in your order.

Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: All items listed below are made without peanuts and tree nuts. Unless otherwise noted in the title or parentheses, all items are also made without egg or gluten. Some items may contain soy due to the cooking oil. For individuals following a vegan diet, please refer to the Vegan Menu Guide provided at the end of this article.

Breakfast

Egg Sandwich (see side options below) (contains gluten)
French Toast (no butter) (contains egg, gluten)
Momma’s French Toast Breakfast (no butter) (contains egg, gluten)
Old Timer’s Breakfast (no biscuits & gravy; see side options below) (contains egg)
The Cracker Barrel’s Country Boy Breakfast with Ham (no biscuits & gravy; see side options below) (contains egg)

Heads Up! When ordering breakfast items, it is crucial to specify that you require eggs without dairy and ensure that your order is not prepared with or served with dairy butter. Some locations may allow the substitution of dry Sourdough Bread or Multigrain Toast instead of Biscuits & Gravy with the egg breakfasts. Dairy-Free Breakfast Toppings include 100% Pure Natural Syrup, Strawberry Syrup, Blueberry Syrup, Sugar-Free Syrup, and Low-Sugar Fruit Spread.

Breakfast Sides & Meats

Fried Apples
Tomato Slices
Coarse Ground Grits
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Bacon – Thick-sliced
Catfish Fillet – Fried or Grilled
Chicken Tenders – Grilled
Country Ham
Impossible Sausage Made From Plants
Multigrain Toast (contains gluten)
Smoked Sausage Patties
Spicy Chicken Sausage
Sugar Cured Ham

Heads Up! It is important to ensure that your location does not add a pat of dairy butter to your grits or fried apples. Additionally, the Hamburger Steak and Sirloin Steak are seasoned with garlic butter. Depending on the location, it may be possible to custom order these items without dairy. The Hashbrown Casserole, Biscuits, Sawmill Gravy, Country Fried Steak, and Hand Breaded Fried Chicken Tenders also contain milk.

Barrel Bites

Country Fried Pickles (without ranch) (contains gluten)

Soup

Heads Up! All soups at Cracker Barrel contain milk, including the Vegetable Soup, Noodle Soups, and Chili.

Salads ‘n More

Country Vegetable Plate (see Sides below for options)
Homestyle Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken (no cheese, no croutons)
House Salad (no cheese, no croutons)

Dairy-Free Dressings: Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette, Honey Mustard (contains egg)

Burgers & Sandwiches

Homestyle Chicken BLT with Grilled Smoky Southern Chicken Breast (contains egg, gluten)
The Barrel Bacon Burger (no cheese) (contains egg, gluten)
The Barrel Burger (no cheese) (contains egg, gluten)

Heads Up! The BLT is reportedly made with a dairy-free bun. Ensure the dairy-free bun is used when ordering a burger. Additionally, make sure to verify that no butter is used in grilling or toasting.

Lunch & Dinner Entrée Meats

Catfish Fillet – Fried or Grilled
Country Ham
Friday Fish Fry (contains gluten)
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Meatloaf (contains egg, gluten)
Roast Beef (contains gluten)
Southern Fried Chicken (see Fried Chicken note below) (contains gluten)
Sugar Cured Ham

Heads Up! When ordering lunch and dinner entrees, it is important to note that these items are often listed with sides and sometimes sauces that contain dairy. Select dairy-free sides and sauces (all listed below) for your order, and ensure there is no butter used in the preparation. The Biscuits and Corn Muffins do contain dairy, but it may be possible to substitute another dairy-free side or Sourdough Bread. The Sirloin Steak and Hamburger Steak are seasoned with garlic butter, but it may be possible to custom order them without milk. The Fried Shrimp, Pot Roast, Maple Bacon Grilled Chicken, Homestyle Chicken, Fried Chicken Tenders, and “Chicken Fried” meats also contain milk.

Fried Chicken: According to Cracker Barrel, the Southern Fried Chicken (NOT the Homestyle or Chicken Fried Chicken) is made without milk. However, there have been reports from readers suggesting otherwise. It is advisable to exercise caution and request to see the ingredients before ordering.

Kids’ Menu

Grilled Chicken Tenders with BBQ Sauce or Honey Mustard Sauce
Country Vegetable Plate (see Sides below)
Kid’s Milk Straw (but bring your own dairy-free milk!)

Heads Up! On the Cracker Barrel menu, these items are often listed with sides and sometimes sauces that contain dairy. Select dairy-free sides and sauces (all listed below) for your order, and ensure there is no butter used in the preparation. The Biscuits and Corn Muffins do contain dairy, but it may be possible to substitute another dairy-free side or Sourdough Bread.

Lunch & Dinner Sides

Baked Potato (no butter, no toppings)
Baked Sweet Potato (no butter, no toppings)
Beans n’ Greens (may contain egg garnish)
Bowl of Pinto Beans
Bowl of Turnip Greens (contains egg garnish)
Breaded Fried Okra (contains gluten)
Coarse Ground Grits
Cole Slaw (contains egg)
Country Green Beans
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Fresh Steamed Broccoli (contains gluten)
Fried Apples
Steak Fries
Sweet Whole Baby Carrots
Whole Kernel Corn

Heads Up! The vegetable items listed above are supposed to be made without dairy butter. However, it is important to confirm with the staff that they are not using butter in cooking rather than following the corporate recipe.

Sauces

BBQ Sauce
Honey Mustard Sauce (contains egg)

Dessert

Chocolate Moonpies (sold pre-packaged)

Heads Up! There are rumors that Cracker Barrel’s pecan pie is dairy-free. It is recommended to confirm in-store before ordering.

Cracker Barrel Vegan Menu Guide

Vegan Breads

Sourdough Bread
Multigrain Toast

Vegan Breakfast

Fried Apples
Tomato Slices
Coarse Ground Grits
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Impossible Sausage Made From Plants

Vegan Lunch & Dinner

Country Vegetable Plate (see Sides below for options)
House Salad with Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette (no cheese, no croutons)
Baked Potato (no butter, no toppings)
Baked Sweet Potato (no butter, no toppings)
Breaded Fried Okra
Coarse Ground Grits
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Fresh Steamed Broccoli
Fried Apples
Steak Fries
Sweet Whole Baby Carrots
Whole Kernel Corn

Vegan Sauce & Garnish

BBQ Sauce
Kid’s Milk Straw (but bring your own dairy-free milk!)

Heads Up! Some readers have reported that certain Cracker Barrel locations use bacon grease or lard to cook their Beans and Turnip Greens. It is advisable to inquire if these items can be prepared in a vegan-friendly manner.

This Post is for Informational Purposes Only

Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, food sourcing, and restaurant protocols are subject to change at any time. It is always recommended to thoroughly read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before placing an order. Make sure they can accommodate your specific situation. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice.