In 2022, McDonald’s ended the US test of its McPlant burger before it ever got the chance to tempt customers with a nationwide launch. But luckily, vegan sandwiches at fast-food chains are no longer difficult to come by. If you’re craving a juicy fast-food burger, McDonald’s might not have your back, but we do. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite vegan burgers that are way better than a Big Mac.
Why did McDonald’s get rid of the McPlant?
In early 2022, McDonald’s McPlant trial was well underway in several locations across the US. While not 100 percent vegan, the burger was entirely meat-free and featured a Beyond Meat patty served with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and American cheese.
But after the testing period ended, instead of a nationwide launch, the McPlant completely disappeared from menus.
McDonald’s
Later on in the year, McDonald’s confirmed that no further expansions of the McPlant were planned, and this was due to “underwhelming” sales performance. There are a few theories as to why this happened, but according to Restaurant Business Online, one potential barrier to a successful trial was the McPlant’s placement in rural locations, where demand for meat-free options is historically not as high.
As of yet, there have been no further announcements regarding vegan burgers or any other plant-based options at McDonald’s locations in the US. That said, it’s worth noting that the McPlant has witnessed success in other markets, including the UK.
In September 2025, McDonald’s also launched the McVeggie in Canadian locations. So keep your eyes peeled to see if it heads to the US anytime soon.
“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. She added: “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.”
Craving a vegan Big Mac? These meat-free burgers do it better
Opt for one of these meat-free burgers (listed in no particular order) the next time you’re craving a Big Mac.
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Veggie Grill By Next Level
1The Beyond Classic Chzburger at Veggie Grill By Next Level
Multiple locations
Vegan chain and haven Veggie Grill, which recently joined forces with Next Level Burger to form Veggie Grill By Next Level, has been slinging plant-based favorites since 2006. The simple classic cheeseburger is a can’t-miss. Order this Beyond patty topped with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce for a Big Mac taste that’s better than the Mickey D’s original.
FIND IT HERE
Mr. Charlie’s
2Mr. Chuck at Mr. Charlie’s
Multiple locations
The TikTok sensation dubbed “the vegan McDonald’s” provides mouthwatering plant-based fast food at three US locations in Brentwood, Hollywood, and San Francisco, while also uplifting communities in need. Mr. Charlie’s partners with the Dream Center—a nationwide organization that helps unhoused and formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet by providing them with housing, training, and additional resources—to staff its restaurant. Grab a Mr. Chuck for a tasty burger that gives back.
FIND IT HERE
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
3 O.G. Betr at Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
New York, NY & Hoboken, NJ
If you’re in New York City or New Jersey and you’re craving a late-night juicy burger, head to Jerrell’s Betr Brgr. There, you can wash down an O.G. Betr burger—which is loaded with two Impossible patties, vegan cheese, and salad—with an oat milk shake. Depending on your appetite, you can also opt for Crispy Waffle Fries or a Hearty Chili Bowl or a Supr Betr (which is like the O.G., but with even more toppings).
Find it here
Monty’s Good Burger
4 Double Cheeseburger at Monty’s Good Burger
Multiple locations, Southern California
Coined the “vegan In-N-Out,” Monty’s aptly mimics this Southern California burger chain right down to the secret sauce. This signature sandwich is stacked with two Impossible patties, melty cheese, house spread, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and grilled onions on a soft brioche bun. Pair with a side of crispy yet tender fries and a dairy-free strawberry shake.
FIND IT HERE
@blackfoodiefinder | Instagram
5 Fussy Hussy at Slutty Vegan
Multiple locations
What began as a local food truck has become a popular vegan chain in Georgia, New York, and beyond. Each menu item is a solid choice, but if you’re looking for a McDonald’s replica, Slutty Vegan’s Fussy Hussy is where it’s at. Dive into a plant-based patty topped with vegan cheese, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Slut Sauce. What makes this burger even better than the Big Mac? It comes sandwiched between two vegan Hawaiian buns. Aisha “Pinky” Cole, you’re making our dreams come true.
FIND IT HERE
Plant Power Fast Food
6 Big Zac at Plant Power Fast Food
Multiple locations
This vegan fast-food chain is giving Mickey D’s a run for its money. In this signature burger, two beefy vegan patties are topped with secret burger sauce, American cheese, lettuce, and onions for an epic handheld that’ll have you saying, “Big Mac, who?!” Complete your order with a creamy milkshake, and you’ve got yourself an unparalleled burger experience.
FIND IT HERE
Burger King
7 Impossible Whopper at Burger King
Nationwide
In 2019, fast-food giant Burger King followed White Castle’s lead and launched Impossible Burgers nationwide, in the form of the Impossible Whopper. And to this day, it is by far the biggest fast-food company in the US to offer a vegan burger. The menu item comes with mayonnaise, which isn’t vegan, but you can make your order plant-based by requesting it without the condiment. And don’t worry, you won’t end up with a dry, boring burger, because it also comes packed with ketchup, pickles, tomato, lettuce, and sliced onions.
Find it here
8 The Veggie Shack Shake Shack
Nationwide
If you’re not a fan of meaty plant-based burgers, some chains, like Shake Shack, offer vegetable patties instead. The Veggie Shack comes with a mushroom, vegetable, and quinoa patty and a selection of salad ingredients. But you will have to make some customizations: ask for no cheese, fried onions, and ShackSauce, and request a gluten-free bun to make this menu offering totally vegan.
Find it here
White Castle
9 Impossible Slider at White Castle
Nationwide
Yep, the chain that gave us the original fast-food burger is still going. In 2018, after a successful trial period, it rolled out Impossible Sliders (made, of course, with the Impossible Burger) to all of its restaurants across 13 states. Today, the Impossible Slider is still on the menu—just order without cheese to ensure it’s vegan.
Find it here
Bareburger
10 Impossible Standard at Bareburger
Nationwide
Bareburger added the Beyond Burger to its menu back in 2018. At the time, CEO Euripides Pelekanos said the chain was “committed to offering consumers their favorite food while being mindful about the sustainability and origin of these products.” Since then, it has stayed true to that commitment. It still offers the Impossible Standard, which comes complete with an Impossible Burger with oat milk cheese, caramelized onions, dill pickles, garlic aioli, and organic ketchup. There are also three vegetable-based options: My Sunshine, which features a sweet potato, kale, and wild rice patty; the Cilantro Black Bean; and the Falafelwraptor.
Find it here
@platefulofgoodness | Instagram
11 Smokehouse Burger at HipCityVeg
Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC
You can’t go wrong at HipCityVeg. The fan-favorite Smokehouse Burger is sure to satisfy even the biggest cravings. Made with a grilled vegan patty and topped with crispy onion rings, tangy barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda, this veg handheld pairs perfectly with sweet potato fries and a chocolate milkshake for a meal you won’t soon forget.
FIND IT HERE
PLNT Burger
12 DBL PLNT Cheeseburger at PLNT Burger
Multiple locations
Founded by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, most PLNT Burger locations can be found inside Whole Foods Markets, serving everything from Mushroom BBQ Bacon Burgers to Crispy Chik’n Sandwiches to Save The Bay fillets (a vegan nod to McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish). But if it’s a Big Mac-style meal you’re after, don’t miss the DBL Plnt Cheeseburger, which comes loaded with two plant-based patties, caramelized onions, pickles, dairy-free American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and PLNT Sauce.
Find it here
@frankybananas | Instagram
13
Truffle Burger at Freesoulcaffe
Tustin, CA
In full transparency, the size of this burger is a bit underwhelming. However, for what it lacks in volume, it makes up for in flavor. Made with a beefy vegetable-based patty and topped with caramelized onions, sauteéd mushrooms, and truffle aioli on a flaxseed bun, this handheld from Freesoulcaffe is the most gourmet burger on our list.
FIND IT HERE
@christineelisemccarthy | Instagram
14 The Big D at Doomie’s Home Cookin’
Los Angeles, CA
Though there are plenty of bombastic burgers to choose from at this Hollywood institution (from a pulled pork-topped Memphis stack to a gotta-try-it-to-believe-it Peanut Butter & Bacon Cheeseburger), this Big Mac copycat at Doomie’s Home Cookin’ hits all the nostalgic spots just right. Piled high with two vegan patties and three buns—in addition to all the standard Big Mac toppings—you would never guess this burger didn’t come through the drive-thru.
FIND IT HERE
Next Level Burger
15 The Maverick at Next Level Burger
Multiple locations
Next Level Burger has long been focused on redefining fast food. It’s currently in the middle of merging with Veggie Grill, but its original menu can still be found at a few of its locations, including in Brooklyn, NY; Austin, TX; Concord, MA; and its Hawthorne outpost in Portland, OR. We recommend ordering The Maverick, which is made with a house-seasoned Beyond patty slathered with special sauce, your choice of vegan cheese, crispy onion rings, tempeh bacon, hickory barbecue sauce, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato between a buttery, toasted pretzel bun.
FIND IT HERE
Green New American Vegetarian
16Big WAC at Green New American
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix’s favorite casual vegan eatery, Green New American, has a burger on its menu to rival all other fast-food contenders: the Big WAC. There’s nothing fancy about it—just a double patty served with special sauce, pickles, cheese, lettuce, and onions on a traditional sesame seed bun. But trust us, this sandwich is perfect in its simplicity.
FIND IT HERE
J Selby’s
17The Dirty Double at J Selby’s
St. Paul, MN
J Selby’s is a solid contributor to Minnesota’s burgeoning vegan food scene. Known for its plant-based renditions of fast food, bar, and diner dishes, you can bet the menu includes a stellar Big Mac-style burger. The kitchen relies on two beefy vegan patties to mimic this McDonald’s icon.
FIND IT HERE
Veggie Galaxy
18Kendall Square at Veggie Galaxy
Cambridge, MA
Veggie Galaxy grabbed the attention of Food Network star Guy Fieri and was featured on the popular Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives primetime show. While the menu offers several standout burgers to choose from, the one that most resembles the Big Mac is the Kendall Square. Made with a sweet potato and black bean burger, roasted red pepper purée, onion rings, roasted garlic mayo, and baby arugula, this sandwich beats anything we’ve ordered from a drive-thru window.
FIND IT HERE
19 Double Cheeseburger at Native Foods
Multiple locations
Whatever you’re craving, you’ll likely find it at Native Foods’ locations in Palm Springs, CA; Chicago, IL; and Glendale, CO. The menu has something for everyone—from vegan fried shrimp salads to cookies to hearty meatball subs. And if a big, juicy Big Mac-style burger sounds good, you’re in luck. The chain’s double cheeseburger features two plant-based patties stacked with vegan cheese, pickles, red onions, lettuce, thousand island dressing, and barbecue sauce.
Find it here
Editor’s note: This list is by no means exhaustive. Vegan restaurants across the country are making exceptional plant-based versions of fast-food classics like the Big Mac. As always, we encourage you to get out there and support your local vegan restaurants so they can keep on feeding the community.
For more on vegan fast food, read:
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
