The Best Vegan Options at McDonald's
Your ultimate guide to building a plant-based meal at McDonald's.
Eating Vegan at McDonald's
In the US, McDonald's is notoriously difficult for vegans due to beef flavoring in the fries. However, there are a few safe menu hacks available, and international McDonald's locations have massive plant-based menus.
The Tastiest Plant-Based Dishes
If you're pulling into the drive-thru, these are the top plant-based menu items you must try:
- Apple Slices
- Fruit & Maple Oatmeal (modified without cream)
- Black Coffee or Sweet Tea
- McPlant Burger (Available in UK, Europe, and select trial markets)
Menu Hacks and Custom Orders
Get the most out of McDonald's's menu by modifying these classic dishes to remove hidden animal ingredients:
- Avoid the fries in the US—they contain beef flavoring (derived from milk/wheat). If you're outside the US, the fries are typically vegan.
- Order the oatmeal but explicitly ask for "no light cream." It is cooked with water.
- Most bread items contain L-cysteine or dairy, so making a custom veggie sandwich is incredibly difficult.
Cross-Contamination Warnings
McDonald's operates highly efficient, non-separated kitchens. Cross-contamination is practically inevitable in stores operating at high volumes.
Scan Restaurant Menus Instantly
Tired of analyzing fast-food menus to figure out what sauces are safe? Scan any menu with our app, and the AI will highlight vegan dishes in green immediately.