It’s 2026, and McDonald’s still doesn’t offer a vegan version of one of its most iconic menu items: the Big Mac.
The burger first hit the menu in the 1960s, quickly becoming a firm favorite thanks to its combination of two patties, cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and Big Mac sauce.
In 2022, the fast food giant came close to offering a meatless version when it tested its McPlant burger, complete with a Beyond Meat patty, tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and American cheese (which could be removed).
But after the testing period ended, instead of a nationwide launch, the McPlant completely disappeared from menus.
Later in the year, McDonald’s confirmed that no further McPlant expansions were planned, citing “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 has historically been lower.
Luckily, though, McDonald’s isn’t your only option for a vegan fast-food burger.
If you’re craving a juicy burger, the Golden Arches might not have your back, but plenty of other chains do. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite vegan burgers that, quite frankly, are way better than a Big Mac anyway. We said what we said.
Next Level Veggie Grill
1Next Level Veggie Grill’s classic cheeseburger is just like the McPlant
Multiple locations
Forget the McPlant. Next Level Veggie Grill’s 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.
Mr. Charlie’s
2Mr. Charlie’s offers a vegan Big Mac-style burger with heart
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.
@blackfoodiefinder | Instagram
3Slutty Vegan’s Fussy Hussy will easily satisfy your fast food cravings
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.
Monty’s Good Burger
4Monty’s Good Burger is the vegan In-N-Out equivalent
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.
Plant Power Fast Food
5Plant Power Fast Food’s signature burger is piled high and slathered with secret sauce
Multiple locations
This vegan fast-food chain is also giving Mickey D’s a run for its money. Aptly called the Big Zac, this signature burger boasts two beefy vegan patties, topped with secret burger sauce, American cheese, lettuce, and onions. It’s 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.
PLNT Burger
6Finish up your grocery shopping with a PLNT Burger
Multiple locations
Founded by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, PLNT Burger has most locations 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.
@platefulofgoodness | Instagram
7For juicy burgers, HipCityVeg is always a good idea
Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC
You can’t go wrong at HipCityVeg. The Rosetta Burger is sure to satisfy even the biggest cravings. Made with a grilled vegan patty and topped with smoked gouda, avocado, tostada, pickled onions, and garlic aioli, this veg handheld pairs perfectly with sweet potato fries and a chocolate milkshake for a meal you won’t soon forget.
8Native Foods
Palm Springs, CA and Denver, CO
Whatever you’re craving, you’ll likely find it at Native Foods’ locations in Palm Springs, CA, and Denver, 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.
Jerrell’s Betr Brgr
9Jerrell’s Betr Brgr is best served with a creamy oat shake
New York, NY & Hoboken, NJ
If you’re in New York City or New Jersey and craving a juicy late-night burger, head to Jerrell’s Betr Brgr. There, you can wash down an O.G. Betr burger—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, a Hearty Chili Bowl, or a Supr Betr (which is like the O.G., but with even more toppings).
@christineelisemccarthy | Instagram
10Doomie’s Big D is full of nostalgic flavor
Los Angeles, CA
Though there are plenty of bombastic burgers to choose from at this LA institution (from a pulled pork-topped Memphis stack to a gotta-try-it-to-believe-it Peanut Butter & Bacon Cheeseburger), the Big Mac copycat Big D at Doomie’s Home Cookin’ hits all the nostalgic spots just right. Piled high with two vegan patties and three buns—along with all the standard Big Mac toppings—you would never guess this burger didn’t come through the drive-thru.
@frankybananas | Instagram
11
Go gourmet with a truffle burger at Freesoulcaffe
Tustin, CA
To be fully transparent, 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.
Green New American Vegetarian
12Get a Big Wac at Green New American
Phoenix and Tempe, AZ
Arizona’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.
J Selby’s
13J Selby’s nails the comfort food classics
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. In its Dirty Double, the kitchen relies on two beefy vegan patties to mimic this McDonald’s icon.
Veggie Galaxy
14Veggie Galaxy is Triple D-approved
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, the one that most closely 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.
Burger King
15Long drive? Burger King has got you covered
Multiple locations
In 2019, fast-food giant Burger King became a pioneer of plant-based options in mainstream fast food by launching the Impossible Whopper. And to this day, it is by far the biggest fast-food chain 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.
16Shake Shack’s Veggie Shack is a reliable meat-free option
Multiple locations
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, along with 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.
Bareburger
17Bareburger’s Impossible Standard comes complete with oat milk cheese and organic ketchup
Multiple locations
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. In fact, it now also 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 vegetable-based options, including My Sunshine, which features a sweet potato, kale, and wild rice patty.
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 VegNews writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
