Minnesota State Fair 2021: The best vegetarian and vegan options
There are SO MANY options at the Minnesota State Fair for people sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet.
To start, some of the most popular foods at the Minnesota State Fair are vegetarian or vegan:
- Cheese curds
- Fried pickles, olives, green peppers, etc.
- Roasted sweet corn
But if you’re looking to try something new – to go beyond the basics and explore new vegan or vegetarian foods at the fair – here's what we suggest.
Fried Green Tomatoes – Fried Green Tomatoes and Corn Fritters booth
Haley Nelson
Location: South side of Dan Patch Ave. between Underwood & Cooper streets.
My all-time favorite fair food is the fried green tomatoes, which just happen to be vegan. They are breaded and always perfectly fried. Sort of like a less sour version of a fried pickle.
ChoriPops – Midtown Global Market, Andy’s Garage
Haley Nelson
Location: Midtown Global Market Andy’s Garage at the International Bazaar
The ChoriPop at the Midtown Global Market stand is one of the official new foods of the fair for 2021.
It’s fried fair food at its finest – featuring chorizo from the Herbivorous Butcher which is battered and fried and topped with your choice of two sauces (or try both). I recommend the green sauce.
Grilled Sota Sandwich – Brim
Haley Nelson
Location: At the North End, northwest section.
If you’re in the mood for a fancier take on a PB&J, be sure to stop at Brim.
Their Grilled Sota Sandwich is on gluten-free cinnamon bread and is filled with nut butter and Minnesota blueberry marmalade and grilled to perfection. This one surprised me in a great way.
French Toast Bites – The Blue Barn
Haley Nelson
Location: West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center.
I welcome any over-the-top French toast, and these French toast bites from The Blue Barn don’t disappoint.
The crispy pieces of French toast are topped with a berry sauce, whipped cream, and Pop Rocks. Yes, this French toast crackles in your mouth.
Potato and Cheese Pierogis - iPierogi
Haley Nelson
Location: Food Building, south wall.
For vegetarians seeking some comfort food at the fair, check out the potato and cheese pierogis at iPierogi. They’re the perfect size for a snack.
Typically, they’re garnished with bacon, caramelized onions, and served with sour cream on the side.
Don’t forget to ask for it without the bacon garnish!
Falafelicious Hummus Bowl – Baba’s
Haley Nelson
Location: East side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues just south of Little Farm Hands.
My favorite new food of the fair was the falafelicious bowl from new food vendor Baba’s. But they have many fun bowl flavors – like chili baba, dill and curd – and many of their options are vegan or vegetarian.
This bowl had a base of creamy hummus, topped with fried eggplant, Arabic pickles, pickled cabbage, tahini, and falafel. The bowl was topped with a skewer of fried pita bread rounds.
