Wake up, veggie burger fans: a new McDonald’s burger has just dropped, and it’s made entirely from plants. Starting today, customers across Canada can get their hands on the McVeggie.
According to McDonald’s, the new plant-based burger—made with carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn—was tested earlier this year in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick, where the response was “tremendously positive.” Now, it’s rolling out nationwide to all participating locations.
“Canadians asked for more options to meet modern lifestyles, and we listened,” Francesca Cardarelli, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s Canada, said in a statement.
Research shows that Canadians are shifting their eating habits. Statistics Canada data revealed that Canadians are consuming less meat, with diets increasingly resembling those in Mediterranean countries, where meat consumption has traditionally been lower. In 2023, a poll by Ipsos also found that nearly half of all meat-eaters were planning to cut back.
“The McVeggie isn’t just a sandwich, it’s a celebration of bold flavor and our commitment to serving all guests and their evolving tastes,” Cardarelli added. This launch reflects McDonald’s dedication to creating iconic moments with crave-worthy menu items, for every Canadian.”
The McVeggie joins two other new meat-free options on the McDonald’s Canada menu: a grilled cheese Happy Meal and a lettuce and tomato Snack Wrap.
Is the new McDonald’s McVeggie burger vegan?
Served in a toasted sesame bun with shredded lettuce, the McVeggie is completely meat-free. To make it vegan, simply order without mayo or Habanero sauce, as both contain egg. And unlike in the US, McDonald’s fries in Canada are vegan, too (in the US, they’re seasoned with beef flavoring, which contains milk).
Important note: While the McVeggie is vegan, it is cooked in the same fryer as the Filet-O-Fish and the Fish McWrap. “They will be cooked in separate baskets,” confirms McDonald’s. “During busy times, it may be cooked in the same fryer vat and at the same time as the fish patty, but they will be cooked in separate baskets.”
The fast-food giant also confirms that during testing, there was no flavor or allergen transfer as a result of the shared fryer. However, it warns that there is still potential for cross-contamination. “Despite taking precautions, the possibility exists for your food items, including the McVeggie burger, to come in contact with other food products, including other allergens,” reads the McDonald’s website. “This is due to normal kitchen operations in McDonald’s restaurants.”
McDonald’s
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Around the world, McDonald’s offers a growing range of vegan-friendly options. In Germany, for example, there are three McPlant items made with Beyond: the classic McPlant, the McPlant Sweet Chili, and McPlant Nuggets. The McPlant burger is also available in France and the UK, where it’s served alongside Veggie Dippers.
While the McPlant was recently pulled from Austria due to declining demand, Canada’s McVeggie may have better luck.
“When we introduced the McVeggie during the test earlier this year, the response from guests was incredible,” said Kathy Damrell, an Ontario franchisee. “They appreciated having a veggie patty that delivered on both flavor and quality. It’s so rewarding to see how excited our guests were to have new menu options, and I’m thrilled that McDonald’s Canada is now making it available across the country.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
