Does McDonald’s Have Vegan Or Vegetarian Options?

Last Updated: May 14, 2022

For vegans, office lunch orders and grabbing fast food for the family require thought and calculation. It has only been recently that chains seem to finally be trying to meet the needs of vegetarians and vegans.

McDonald’s continues to make changes and additions to its menu to appeal to a broader and more conscious audience.

Let’s look at Mickey D’s menu and see what sparks your tastebuds.

McDonald’s Vegan Breakfast
What is Vegan at McDonalds?
FAQs

“McDonald’s introduced the McPlant in November 2020. The fast-food chain paired up with Beyond Meat® to develop a plant-based patty that appeals to vegetarians and vegans.”

McDonalds Vegan Breakfast

When you think about a vegan breakfast, McDonald’s is likely not the first place that comes to mind. But, their overall vegan offerings are growing slowly, but at least it is growing.

Are McDonalds pancakes vegan?

As much as we wish it were true, McDonald’s pancakes have eggs and milk. But nothing says you can’t make your own. The super sweet maple syrup is vegan friendly and can sweeten up other fast food treats.

Is McDonalds oatmeal vegan?

The McDonald’s Fruit & Maple Oatmeal has light cream if you order it straight from the menu. But, you can ask for it without cream. It is well worth a try if you’re looking for a nutrition-filled breakfast than fills you up and keeps you going until at least lunch.

McDonalds Vegetarian Options

Vegetarian options are far easier to find than vegan. McDonald’s breakfast menu is an excellent example of that fact.

Biscuits and batter at McDonald’s are non-vegan. But are entirely safe and acceptable for those on a vegetarian diet.

Pancakes
Vegetarian McMuffin
Egg and cheese biscuit
Egg and cheese McGriddle
Smoothies

Are McDonalds Burgers Vegan?

It may feel like a weird question, but the answer is yes. McDonald’s introduced the McPlant in November 2020. The fast-food chain paired up with Beyond Meat® to develop a plant-based patty that appeals to vegetarians and vegans.

McDonald’s still doesn’t have vegan-friendly cheese, but we can still hope.

What is vegan at McDonalds?

The McDonald’s breakfast menu for a vegan is nowhere near as broad as for vegetarians. But, you will have options.

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (remember to request without cream)
Apple Slices
Maple Syrup
Filter Black Coffee
Americano Coffee
Minute Maid Orange Juice
English Muffin (plain)
Jelly

Are McDonalds cookies vegan?

The McDonald’s sweets menu is lacking when it comes to vegan options. The chocolate chip cookies contain dairy and eggs.

Are McDonald’s McFlurries vegan?

All of the frozen goodies McDonald’s offer has dairy. The shakes have milk, and the smoothies have yogurt. With that said, there are whispers that McDonald’s in Germany has added a vegan Kit Kat McFlurry to the menu.

Vegan Pancake Recipe

McDonald’s pancakes might not be vegan-friendly, but you can whip some up in the kitchen super quick.

1 cup of all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
Two teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
1 cup of your choice of dairy-free milk
Three tablespoons of olive oil
(optional) Pure vanilla extract

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt together in a medium-sized bowl.
Whisk together the milk, oil, and extract until they blend together and combine.
Carefully form a well in the middle of the flour mixture with your fingers.
Pour the milk mixture into the center and stir with a fork until you do not see clumps. If it has a few, that’s fine. You don’t want to overmix the blend, either.
Use medium heat to warm the skillet.
Brush the pan lightly with oil.
Pour in batter until you reach the wanted pancake size.
It takes about 2 minutes to cook each side.

FAQs

Are McDonald’s hashbrowns vegan?

For whatever reason, McDonald’s hashbrowns are fried using beef fat, and they contain milk as a binder.

Are McDonald’s french fries vegan?

Just like hashbrowns, McDonald’s french fries are fried in beef fat. They also contain natural beef flavoring, a wheat and milk derivative.

What are vegan lunch and dinner options at McDonald’s?

Lunch and dinner opinions at Micky D’s are slim pickings, but we know with the introduction of the McPlant, at least they are attempting.

Baked Apple Pie
Apple Slices
Side Salad
Southwest Chicken Salad (Specify no chicken)
Create Your Own Vegan Sandwich (customize any sandwich by specifying no meat or cheese, and add tons of veggies.

Which salad dressings and dipping sauces are vegan at McDonald’s?

Different regions have different sauces and dressings. But, you should not have any issue finding a vegan-friendly one for your McDonald’s side salad.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Newman’s Own Classic Oil & Vinegar Dressing
Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
Tangy BBQ Sauce
Spicy Buffalo Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce

Q&A With McDonalds Franchisee

Hi everyone! I’m here with three McDonald’s franchisees to discuss the lesser-known vegan options at the popular fast food chain. Joining me today are Angela from Southern California, Robert from New York, and Claire from Texas. Welcome!

Angela: Thanks for having us, Jason!

Robert: Pleasure to be here.

Claire: Excited to chat about the McDonald’s vegetarian options!

Jason: Great! Let’s jump right in. So, what can you tell our viewers about McDonald’s vegan and plant-based offerings?

Angela: McDonald’s has been making efforts to diversify the menu with plant-based items. We have our new “make plant burger” which uses the Beyond Meat patty. We’ve also got vegan burger options, dairy-free cheese, and even a spicy veggie sandwich.

Robert: And don’t forget the vegan sandwich sauce and sun-dried tomato pesto that can be added for a unique flavor!

Jason: That’s a great start. And what about drinks? Are there vegan drinks available?

Claire: Absolutely! We’ve got organic juice drinks like apple juice, fruit smoothies without any animal products, and even a unique Honest Kids Apple Why drink. Of course, Coca Cola products like Diet Coke and Fanta Orange are vegan-friendly too.

Robert: The Honest Kids Vegan items have been a hit, especially among families looking for a healthy, plant-based drink option for their children.

Jason: What about McDonald’s fries? I’ve heard a lot of confusion around them.

Angela: Ah, yes, the McDonald’s fries. In some parts of the world, McDonald’s fries are considered vegan as they’re fried in vegetable oil. However, in the U.S., the fries are flavored with beef, so they aren’t vegan here. However, our hash browns use canola oil and soybean oil and are considered vegan.

Claire: It’s always a good idea to check regional ingredients. For instance, in my Texas locations, even the French fries are vegan, as they’re made with potato product, wheat flour, and fried separately from animal ingredients.

Jason: That’s interesting. With other fast-food chains, like Burger King, introducing vegan products, how does McDonald’s plan on staying competitive?

Robert: While we respect what other chains are doing, McDonald’s is focusing on quality and taste. Our Beyond Meat patty has undergone a successful trial run and is now a permanent fixture on the McDonald’s menu in many locations.

Jason: Apple pies have been a classic favorite. Are they vegan?

Claire: Unfortunately, our classic apple pies contain animal products. But we’re always experimenting with new menu items, so who knows what the future holds?

Jason: What about other items like the Big Mac or Egg McMuffin?

Angela: The standard Big Mac isn’t vegan due to the sauce and patty, but with a few modifications, it can be made plant-based. The Egg McMuffin can’t be made vegan currently, but there are other breakfast options, like the McDonald’s hash browns, that are.

Jason: Before we wrap up, are there any lesser-known vegan items we should be aware of?

Robert: Well, we have carrot sticks as a side, which are a nice fresh option. And don’t forget the Red Onion, which can add a spicy kick to your vegan burger.

Claire: And for those avoiding high fructose corn syrup, our Honest Kids drink options don’t have it, making them a healthier choice.

Jason: That’s good to know. Thank you all for joining me today and shedding light on the vegan options at McDonald’s. It’s important for consumers to know what’s available to them.

Angela: Thanks, Jason. McDonald’s offers something for everyone, and we’re proud to be making strides in the plant-based space.

Robert: We’re just getting started. Thanks for having us!

Claire: Always happy to share. Thanks!

Jason: To all our viewers, be sure to check your local McDonald’s menu for the vegan options we discussed. Thanks for tuning in!

About the author

Jason Hughes

"Hey there, I'm Jason, and you've just landed on the most exhilarating spot on the web - my VL universe! Here's the deal: I'm wildly obsessed (in the best way possible!) with all things diet, strength training, fitness, health, and wellness. It's not just a passion; it's a lifestyle!

View All Posts