Updated February 2022! Butter is big at this international seafood shack. They also defy longstanding culinary rules, and drench many of their fish dishes in cheese and/or creamy sauces. Nevertheless, Red Lobster has quite a few dairy-free options, both on the menu and with simple custom order requests. We have them all detailed below, along with allergen notes and a petite vegan menu guide.
Dairy-Free Menu Guide to Red Lobster with Allergen & Vegan Notes
Be aware of special order requirements in parentheses () next to the menu items, and see the Heads Up notes to help fill in the blanks. Please note that this guide is for the U.S. locations. Options may vary in other countries. We’ve included a few notes for Canada, but there might be additional differences.
Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: Red Lobster covers their back by simply labeling all menu items with “cross contamination” potential. We have labeled all non-dairy items below which contain egg, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, or soy. For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.
Fryer Note: Red Lobster uses shared fryers. If concerned about potential cross contamination with milk, ask your server about the preparation of any fried items before ordering.
Starters
- Signature Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
Heads Up! The Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Calamari, and Mussels do contain milk.
Salad
Heads Up! The menu salads at Red Lobster are all served with cheese and dairy-based dressings, but you can custom order a salad with a dairy-free dressing and grilled chicken or salmon.
Dairy-Free Salad Dressings: French, Honey Mustard (contains egg), Thousand Island (contains egg)
Bowls
- Sesame-Soy Salmon Bowl (contains gluten, soy)
Pasta
- Kung Pao Noodles with Chicken, Crispy Lobster, or Crispy Shrimp (contains gluten, soy, tree nuts)
Heads Up! It isn’t on the menu, but Red Lobster reportedly has a dairy-free Marinara Sauce. You might be able to custom order a dairy-free pasta marinara, if desired. In Canada, the Crispy Lobster does contain milk.
Indulgent Classics
- Atlantic Salmon, Grilled, Broiled, or Blackened
- Bay Scallops, Broiled (contains soy)
- Rainbow Trout, Grilled
- Wild-Caught Flounder, Broiled (contains soy)
- Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (contains gluten)
Heads Up! The Steamed Lobster, Snow Crab Legs, and Steaks can be custom ordered without dairy. Speak with your server.At Canadian locations, the Fish & Chips are made without milk, but in the U.S. they do contain milk. The Coconut Shrimp and Walt’s Shrimp contain milk in both countries.
Sides
- Baked Potato (no toppings)
- Coleslaw (contains egg)
- Fresh Broccoli
- Quinoa Rice (contains soy)
- Sea-Salted Fries
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts (contains gluten, soy)
Heads Up! In Canada, the Rice at Red Lobster contains milk.
Kids Menu
- Chicken Tenders (contains gluten)
Heads Up! The Petite Maine Lobster Tail can be custom ordered without dairy. Ask your server.
Condiments
- Cocktail Sauce
- Ketchup
- Pico de Gallo
- Tartar Sauce (contains egg)
Red Lobster Vegan Menu Guide
- Baked Potato (no toppings)
- Fresh Broccoli
- Quinoa Rice
- Sea-Salted Fries
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Cocktail Sauce
- French Dressing
- Ketchup
- Pico de Gallo
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, food sourcing, and restaurant protocols are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure they can accommodate your situation. This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Each location of a chain restaurant has different management and staff, and some might have different owners. This means differences in processes, ingredients used, menu options, and food sourcing can occur. Always verify the safety of your order for your needs at your current location.
Where to Find Red Lobster
They have over 700 locations worldwide. The menu items might vary across countries. The above list is from their U.S. information, which is where the majority of their restaurants are located. See the website below for addresses, hours, and contact information.
Website: www.redlobster.com (for Canada: www.redlobster.ca)
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1 Comment
I have been to two locations in my state and had good experiences both times. While there isn’t a lot on the menu that is available, they make up for that in great customer service. The allergen menu shows the items without any alterations. For example, the side salad is shown as having dairy in it. I was confused, and almost didn’t have a salad the first time. When the server went to get the salad, he realized that it must have been the crouton, and put them on the side. I was impressed. When I went to a second location, the server let me know that they could get me the broccoli without butter. That is very helpful. I recommend them.