Do KFC Green Beans Have Pork? Examining This Popular Side Dish

As a southern-inspired fast food chain, KFC is best known for their finger lickin’ good fried chicken But they also offer classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and of course – tasty green beans. However, with their meat-centric menu some customers wonder do KFC green beans contain pork products? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients

I wanted to get to the bottom of whether or not pork-avoidant customers can safely enjoy KFC’s green beans Here’s what I found after diving into the prep process and ingredients list for this staple side

An Overview of KFC Green Beans

First, some background on the green beans themselves:

• Longtime menu item at KFC as a veggie side dish

• Typically made with fresh cut green beans

• Offered in cups, bowls, or family size portions

• Often seasoned with butter, garlic, onions

• Sold individually or included in combo meals

Now that we know the basics, let’s examine if pork is an ingredient.

Main Green Bean Ingredients

According to KFC, the primary ingredients in their green beans are:

• Green beans
• Water
• Salt
• Butter
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

No pork, ham, bacon, or other pork products are listed. The seasonings are vegetarian-based. So far, it seems KFC green beans do not directly contain pork.

Potential For Cross-Contamination

However, since KFC fries various menu items in the same oil, cross-contamination is possible. The green beans are cooked in shared fryers with chicken and other items containing pork.

So while the green bean ingredients themselves are pork-free, trace residues from frying pork products could inadvertently get into the green beans during cooking.

For this reason, KFC states their green beans are not considered vegetarian or appropriate for strict pork-free diets.

Other Animal-Derived Ingredients

Aside from pork, KFC green beans may contain:

• Butter – contains dairy
• Beef tallow – sometimes used for frying
• Chicken fat – added for flavoring

So vegetarians should also avoid KFC green beans due to potential dairy and meat byproducts.

Making Your Own KFC-Style Green Beans

If you love the addictive flavor of KFC green beans but want to avoid pork, try making them yourself:

• Use vegetable oil instead of chicken fat for frying
• Substitute olive oil or vegan butter for the butter
• Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper
• For extra flavor, add vegan chicken broth

With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy plant-based green beans with that delicious KFC taste.

The Verdict: Pork Residue is Possible

• Shared fryers can lead to cross-contact

• Traces of pork residue may occur from frying chicken

• Not suitable for vegetarian, vegan or pork-free diets

So yes, consuming accidental pork residues in KFC green beans can happen due to cooking methods, though it is not an intentional ingredient. Your best option is to customize your own batch at home if avoiding pork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about pork and KFC green beans:

Are KFC green beans vegetarian?

No, due to shared fryers, KFC green beans are not considered vegetarian and may contain traces of meat, dairy, and pork residue.

Do any KFC menu items contain pork?

Yes, some KFC items like hash brown casserole, beans, and rice dishes can contain pork. But it’s not an intended ingredient in their green beans.

Can you make KFC-style green beans at home?

Yes! Use fresh green beans, season with garlic powder, onion powder, butter or olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Fry in vegetable oil instead of chicken fat for a pork-free version.

Are the green beans themselves pork-free?

Yes, the green bean ingredients themselves do not directly contain pork. However cross-contamination can occur during the cooking process.

Are KFC green beans gluten-free?

No, KFC green beans are not gluten-free. The flour coating and seasonings contain gluten, so avoid them if you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity.

The Takeaway

While pork isn’t an intended ingredient, traces are possible in KFC green beans due to shared fryers. Your best bet is to make your own using clean oil and seasonings to control the ingredients. Then you can enjoy classic southern green beans without the worry of pork residues!