Cookout Allergen Menu 2026 | Safe, Delicious & Worry-Free Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan Options

Eating at Cookout with food allergies requires planning. This guide helps you identify which menu items contain common allergens and how to order safely.
Cookout doesn’t publish a dedicated allergen menu online. Ask staff at any location for ingredient details or nutrition facts.

Cookout menu items may contain these nine major allergens:

1. Wheat and gluten
2. Milk and dairy
3. Eggs
4. Soy
5. Peanuts
6. Tree nuts
7. Fish
8. Shellfish
9. Sesame

Most items contain wheat, soy, or dairy. Cross-contamination happens because Cookout uses shared fryers and grills.

Hamburger Patty (No Bun)	None (verify locally)	$3.49	250
Grilled Chicken Sandwich (No Bun)	Soy (marinade)	$4.99	320
Cheeseburger (No Bun)	Dairy	$3.99	350
French Fries	Soy, shared fryer risk	$2.19	300
Cajun Fries	Soy, shared fryer risk	$2.39	330
BBQ Sandwich	Wheat, Soy	$4.99	400
BBQ Plate	Wheat, Soy, Milk, Eggs	$5.99	500
Hot Dog	Wheat, Soy	$1.99	320
Corn Dog	Wheat, Soy, Eggs	$1.99	340
Hushpuppies	Wheat, Soy, Milk, Eggs	$1.99	330
Quesadilla	Wheat, Soy, Milk	$1.99	400
Chicken Nuggets	Wheat, Soy	$1.99	350
Onion Rings	Wheat, Soy	$2.69	350
Char-Grilled Hamburgers	Wheat, Soy	$3.99	350

Milkshake Flavor	Allergens	Price	Calories
Vanilla	Milk	$3.99	555
Chocolate	Milk	$3.99	600
Strawberry	Milk	$3.99	580
Banana	Milk	$3.99	590
Peanut Butter	Milk, Peanuts	$3.99	650
Peanut Butter Fudge	Milk, Peanuts	$3.99	765
Banana Nut	Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts	$3.99	610
Walnut	Milk, Tree Nuts	$3.99	630
Oreo	Milk, Wheat, Soy	$3.99	820
Oreo Mint	Milk, Wheat, Soy	$3.99	853
M&M	Milk, Soy	$3.99	650
Reese’s Cup	Milk, Peanuts	$3.99	660
Caramel Fudge	Milk	$3.99	677
Peach Cobbler	Milk	$3.99	580
Banana Pudding	Milk	$3.99	615

All milkshakes contain dairy. Cookout doesn’t offer dairy-free alternatives. Shared blending equipment creates cross-contact risk with nuts and gluten.
Note: Regular shakes cost $3.99 when ordered individually. You can upgrade your tray drink to a milkshake for $1.00-$1.60 extra depending on location.

Proteins Without Buns

Char-grilled burger patties work when ordered without buns. Grilled chicken breast comes plain without breading. Hot dogs without buns also work.
Some locations may offer lettuce wraps. Ask your location about this option.

Sides and Cross-Contamination

French fries don’t contain gluten ingredients. However, Cookout fries them alongside breaded chicken and corn dogs.
If you have celiac disease, avoid all fried items. Coleslaw may work depending on dressing ingredients. Verify at your location.

Gluten-Free Condiments

Ketchup, mustard, and mayo are gluten-free. Most BBQ sauces work. Some specialty sauces may contain wheat.

Drinks and Shakes

Fresh-brewed tea, Coca-Cola drinks, Cheerwine, and bottled water contain no gluten. Most plain milkshakes work.
Oreo and cookie-based flavors contain wheat. Verify before ordering these varieties.

1. Main Items Without Cheese
2. Order burgers or chicken without cheese. Skip cheddar-style burgers. Most grilled proteins work plain.
3. Hot dogs contain no dairy unless you add cheese. BBQ sandwiches work if you skip cheese and creamy coleslaw.

Dairy-Free Sides

1. French fries and cajun fries contain no dairy. Onion rings may use dairy in batter at some locations.
2. Hushpuppies contain milk. Coleslaw dressing often contains dairy. Plain chili typically works.

Items to Skip

1. All milkshakes contain real milk and ice cream. Cookout doesn’t offer plant-based alternatives.
2. Avoid cheese fries, cheddar bites, quesadillas with cheese, BLT sandwiches with mayo, BBQ plates with dairy sides, and ranch wraps.

Does Cookout Have Dairy-Free Milkshakes

No. All 40+ flavors use real milk and vanilla ice cream. No almond or oat milk options exist.

Where Eggs Hide

1. Eggs appear in buns, wraps, and mayo-based sauces. Corn dogs contain eggs in batter. Many dressings use egg yolks.
2. BBQ plates may include egg-containing coleslaw. Hushpuppies also contain eggs.

Egg-Free Ordering Tips

1. Request burgers without mayo or creamy sauces. Ask for lettuce wraps instead of buns. Skip coleslaw unless verified egg-free.
2. Beef patties, grilled chicken, and plain hot dogs don’t contain eggs.

Do Cookout Milkshakes Have Eggs

1. Some flavors contain egg-based ingredients. Most fruit and chocolate flavors don’t contain eggs.
2. Cross-contact remains possible due to shared equipment. Verify with staff about specific flavors.

Cook Out Allergen Chart (2025 Overview)

Menu Item Group	Dairy	Eggs	Soy	Wheat / Gluten	Peanuts	Tree Nuts	Fish	Shellfish	Sesame
Milkshakes	✓	×	✓	×	⚠	⚠	×	×	×
Cheese Fries	✓	×	✓	✓	×	×	×	×	×
Burgers (Cheddar-Style)	✓	✓	✓	✓	×	×	×	×	⚠
Cheesecake Add-ons	✓	✓	×	✓	×	×	×	×	×
Buns & Wraps	×	✓	✓	✓	×	×	×	×	✓
Coleslaw & Dressings	⚠ (mayo/buttermilk)	✓	⚠	✓	×	×	×	×	×
Sauces & Marinades	⚠ (creamy sauces)	×	✓	⚠	×	×	×	×	✓
Fried Items (Fries, Onion Rings)	⚠ (shared fryer)	×	✓	✓	×	×	×	×	×

Common Soy Sources

1. Soy appears throughout Cookout’s menu. Frying oil is typically soy-based. Buns contain soy lecithin or soybean oil.
2. Marinades and sauces often include soy. BBQ sauce and some dressings contain soy ingredients.

Soy in Fried Foods

1. French fries, onion rings, and hushpuppies cook in soy oil. Breaded chicken contains soy in coating.
2. Shared fryers spread soy across menu items. Avoid fried items if highly sensitive.

Lower-Soy Options

1. Plain grilled meats without marinades work better. Order burgers without buns and sauces.
2. Drinks like tea, Cheerwine, and bottled water don’t contain soy. Some milkshakes may be soy-free.

Plant-Based and Allergen Concerns

Cookout doesn’t offer plant-based proteins or veggie burgers. Limited options exist for those avoiding animal products due to allergies.

Dairy and Egg-Free Items

French fries contain no dairy or eggs but cooked in shared fryers. Side salads without cheese or dressing work. All fountain drinks, tea, and bottled water are safe.

Items with Hidden Animal Products

Hushpuppies contain milk and eggs. Onion rings may contain dairy. Coleslaw uses egg-based mayo. Buns often contain dairy and eggs.

All milkshakes contain dairy with no plant-based alternatives available.

All Cookout milkshakes contain dairy. Many flavors add peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, or soy. Shared blending equipment creates cross-contact risk.

High-Risk Nut Flavors

1. Contains Peanuts: Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Butter Cup, Reese’s Cup, Butterfinger
2. Contains Tree Nuts: Walnut, Banana Nut, Pecan Pie (seasonal)
3. Contains Both: Banana Split, Snickers

Gluten-Containing Flavors

1. Contains Wheat: Oreo, Oreo Mint, Cookie Dough, Brownie, Cheesecake (graham crust), any flavor with cookies or cake

Soy-Containing Flavors

1. Contains Soy: M&M, Oreo, Oreo Mint, most candy-based flavors

Safer Shake Choices

1. Fruit-Based (Dairy Only): Strawberry, Banana, Blueberry, Peach, Pineapple, Cherry, Watermelon
2. Chocolate Varieties (Dairy Only): Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Caramel Fudge, Mocha
3. Seasonal (Dairy Only): Pumpkin, Eggnog, Peppermint

Note: Even “safe” flavors risk cross-contact from shared equipment. Avoid all shakes with severe nut allergies.

Burgers and Sandwiches

1. Contains: Wheat (buns), Dairy (cheese), Soy (seasonings), Eggs (mayo)
2. Modifications: Order without buns for gluten-free. Skip cheese for dairy-free. Request no mayo to avoid eggs.

Chicken Items

1. Contains: Wheat (breading), Soy (marinade), Dairy (some sauces)
2. Safer Choice: Plain grilled chicken without bun or sauce.

Hot Dogs and BBQ

1. Contains: Wheat (buns), Soy (sauce and seasonings)
2. Note: BBQ sauce may contain gluten and soy. Plain hot dogs work for many diets.

Sides

1. French Fries: Soy oil, cross-contamination risk
2. Hushpuppies: Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, Soy
3. Onion Rings: Wheat, Soy, possible Dairy
4. Cajun Fries: Soy oil, seasoning
5. Cheese Bites: Wheat, Dairy, Soy

Wraps

1. Contains: Wheat (tortilla), Soy, Dairy (ranch/cheese), Eggs (mayo)
2. All wraps contain gluten. Most include dairy and eggs in sauces.

Drinks

1. Allergen-Free: Tea, Coca-Cola products, Cheerwine, bottled water
2. Contains Dairy: All milkshakes and floats
3. Contains Gluten: Some shake flavors with cookies or cake

1. Inform staff about your allergies when ordering. Ask specific questions about ingredients and preparation.
2. Order items without buns, cheese, or sauces to reduce allergen exposure. Request lettuce wraps when available.
3. Verify your order before leaving. Check that modifications were followed correctly.
4. For severe allergies, consider whether Cookout’s shared kitchen environment meets your safety needs.

High-Risk Items

1. Skip these if you have serious food allergies:
2. All fried foods (shared fryers), milkshakes (cross-contact), wraps (multiple allergens), BBQ plates (complex ingredients), specialty burgers (many toppings).

Celiac Disease Concerns

1. Cookouts aren’t safe for celiac disease. Cross-contamination happens throughout the kitchen.
2. Gluten particles spread via shared fryers, prep surfaces, serving utensils, and toasting areas.
3. Consider dedicated gluten-free restaurants instead.

Severe Nut Allergies

1. Peanut butter milkshakes create airborne allergen risks. Shared blenders spread nut proteins.
2. If you carry an EpiPen, evaluate whether Cookout’s environment is safe for you.

Common Symptoms

1. Watch for these signs after eating:
2. Skin reactions (hives, redness, itching), swelling (lips, face, throat, tongue), breathing problems (wheezing, shortness of breath), digestive issues (nausea, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea).

Severe Reactions

1. Seek emergency help if you experience:
2. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, throat tightness, rapid swelling, loss of consciousness, severe drop in blood pressure.
3. Use your epinephrine auto-injector immediately. Call 911 even if symptoms improve.

When to Leave

1. If you feel uncomfortable about food safety, leave before ordering. Trust your instincts about cross-contamination risks.

Cookout tracks nine major allergens, with wheat, dairy, and soy appearing in most items. Safest choices include plain grilled proteins without buns, basic condiments, and allergen-free drinks. All milkshakes contain dairy, and many include nuts or gluten.
Cross-contamination happens throughout Cookout’s kitchen via shared fryers, grills, and equipment. Always inform staff about your allergies and verify ingredients at your location before ordering.