Vegan McDonald's UK: What Can You Actually Order in 2026?

McDonald’s UK has made progress on vegan options, but the menu is still a minefield. Here is exactly what you can and cannot order in 2026.

Vegan options at McDonald’s UK

• McPlant — the Beyond Meat-based burger in a sesame bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and vegan sandwich sauce. Cooked on a separate grill area. This is your main option.
• Fries — McDonald’s UK fries are vegan. They are cooked in vegetable oil and contain no animal-derived flavouring. (Note: US McDonald’s fries are NOT vegan as they contain beef flavouring — UK fries are different.)
• Hash Browns — vegan in the UK. Cooked in vegetable oil.
• Apple Slices (Happy Meal) — just apple.
• Carrot Sticks (Happy Meal) — just carrot.
• Fruit Bags — vegan.

Vegan drinks

• All soft drinks — Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, water, orange juice.
• Black coffee and tea — without milk.
• Fruit Shoot — vegan.

Note: McDonald’s UK does not currently offer plant milk for hot drinks at most branches. This means no vegan lattes or cappuccinos.

Vegan sauces and dips

• Ketchup — vegan.
• BBQ Sauce — vegan.
• Sweet Curry Sauce — vegan.
• Sweet Chilli Sauce — vegan.
• Spicy Tomato Salsa — vegan.

What is NOT vegan at McDonald’s UK

• All standard burgers — beef, chicken, or fish plus dairy cheese and egg-based mayo.
• Chicken McNuggets and Selects — chicken with egg and milk in the coating.
• Filet-O-Fish — fish with dairy cheese.
• All breakfast items except hash browns — the Sausage & Egg McMuffin, pancakes, and breakfast wraps all contain animal products.
• McFlurry and ice cream — dairy.
• Milkshakes — dairy.
• Garlic Mayo and Sour Cream dips — contain egg and dairy respectively.
• Mozzarella Dippers — dairy cheese.

The McPlant — is it properly vegan?

The McPlant is cooked on a separate section of the grill from meat products and assembled with dedicated utensils. McDonald’s states it is suitable for vegans. The bun, sauce, and all toppings are vegan. The patty is made by Beyond Meat specifically for McDonald’s.

However, it is made in the same kitchen as all other McDonald’s products, so there is potential for cross-contamination. For most vegans this is acceptable since it is a contamination issue rather than an ingredient issue.

Tips for ordering vegan at McDonald’s

Your simplest vegan meal is a McPlant with fries. Add ketchup, BBQ sauce, or sweet chilli for dipping. For breakfast, you are limited to hash browns and a black coffee or juice. The menu is limited for vegans, but the McPlant itself is a solid option.

Use the McDonald’s app to check allergen information for any item. Or search for any McDonald’s product on Is It Vegan?.