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Original poster

McDonald’s Vegan Options

131 replies

SunnySideDeepDown · 28/01/2026 18:07

McDonalds are axing the only vegan happy meal option, now only McPlant burger will be available. Due to poor sales.

AIBU to think it’s a no brainer that kids don’t want curry vegetable sticks?! My kids HATE them. Did they really think kids would eat them?

There are loads of good vegan options available now, including fantastic veggie nugget options. But instead of trying those, vegetarian and vegan children (or those who need halal or kosher meat etc), now need to order off the main menu and not have a happy meal.

Why, in a world full of vegan options, has McDonalds got this all wrong?

OP posts:
Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:22

@TheWytch I agree, bean burgers would be my preference. I enjoy the taste of the McPlant but would choose a bean burger over it.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:21

EllenWest · 30/01/2026 19:13

Well I’m not really cultured, but obvs you were being sarcastic, what about a lovely vegetarian take away or delivery pizza as a treat (not sure if you’re vegan - sorry) or maybe buy some nice buns and salad and some oven chips and the meat style vegan burgers to cook at home, it’s pretty quick and easy and actually so much nicer.

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I could and do all of that, but this thread isn’t about that. We enjoy our monthly McDonald’s trip and enjoyed having a happy meal option (even though it was rubbish).

Im just hoping they’re ending the dippers with a view to introduce vegan nuggets soon!

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LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 30/01/2026 19:21

TheWytch · 29/01/2026 13:46

One can only hope that the swing against UPFS will kill off the McPlant. I am totally sick of having to make to with a token vegan option. I don't eat fake meat nor do I want to.

What is wrong with a good old bean burger. I used to really enjoy the Burger King one occasionally.

The Burger King bean burger was so good, I wish they would bring it back

gototogo · 30/01/2026 19:19

They are a commercial business, if they sold plenty of vegetarian or vegan happy meals they would not be axing them. My colleague has a second job at McDonald’s, he’s yet (after 4 months) to sell a veggie burger or anything veggie, we were talking earlier today, I’m guessing it’s not a popular place to visit for veggie families

Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:19

WhamBamThankU · 30/01/2026 19:06

A few decades ago? My youngest is 12 and vegetarian happy meals weren’t a thing when he was little. Burger King is much better for veggies. Just go there instead

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Why should I travel 40mins to a Burger King when I live 10 mins from McDonald’s? Again, it’s awful your child didn’t have a vegetarian happy meal option. Mine did, but now doesn’t so I’m moaning about it. If that makes you feel resentful, feel free to skip.

OP posts:
LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 30/01/2026 19:17

ilovepixie · 28/01/2026 20:04

Why would a vegan or vegetarian go to a burger joint?

Why would they not???

ridl14 · 30/01/2026 19:15

SunnySideDeepDown · 28/01/2026 18:15

That sucks. I’m not very clued up on allergens - what options would you hope McDonalds would stock for you? I’m assuming nothing that looks too much like anything that contains gluten in case of mix ups?

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Wouldn't they fry it all in the same oil anyway? I thought that's why it was debatable how vegan the options really are (I don't eat meat either)

EllenWest · 30/01/2026 19:13

SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:03

@EllenWest oh, if only we were as sophisticated and cultured as you 🤪

Well I’m not really cultured, but obvs you were being sarcastic, what about a lovely vegetarian take away or delivery pizza as a treat (not sure if you’re vegan - sorry) or maybe buy some nice buns and salad and some oven chips and the meat style vegan burgers to cook at home, it’s pretty quick and easy and actually so much nicer.

Theunamedcat · 30/01/2026 19:12

I thought they were announcing different items not just removing options?

I still miss the chicken salad that was gluten free (it wasn't cooked instore) then they decided it should be "coated" and boom bye bye gluten free option

Theunamedcat · 30/01/2026 19:10

Lmnop22 · 28/01/2026 20:30

It’s good to know you’ve had no cross contamination issues - I’m always nervous about bun free burgers prepared where the normal burgers are! Maybe I’ll risk it next time ❤️

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Just watch the sauce on the big mac if your intolerant to mustard its not suitable (i am intolerant to mustard i eat a bunless big mac rarely....or if im constipated tbh it will resolve the issue 😬)

WhamBamThankU · 30/01/2026 19:06

SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:02

@WhamBamThankU of course they’ll manage. Everyone would manage if McDonalds closed their doors. But why should vegetarian kids have no happy meal options just because yours did? There are a lot more vegetarian households now than there were a few decades ago, but even so, it’s not a race to the bottom.

A few decades ago? My youngest is 12 and vegetarian happy meals weren’t a thing when he was little. Burger King is much better for veggies. Just go there instead

Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:03

@EllenWest oh, if only we were as sophisticated and cultured as you 🤪

OP posts:
Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:02

@WhamBamThankU of course they’ll manage. Everyone would manage if McDonalds closed their doors. But why should vegetarian kids have no happy meal options just because yours did? There are a lot more vegetarian households now than there were a few decades ago, but even so, it’s not a race to the bottom.

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Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 19:00

JambonetFromage · 29/01/2026 14:41

I find the shortage of veggie/vegan options on kids menus in general a bit of a problem - it’s not entirely uncommon to find a kids menu with nothing veggie at all.

Me too. When out and about, my kids eat a lot of chips, sadly.

A toasted cheese sandwich would be a great option.

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WhamBamThankU · 30/01/2026 19:00

When my kids were little there was no vegetarian happy meal. They got 2 lots of chips instead 🙄 so I’m sure today’s kids will manage until they bring something new out.

EllenWest · 30/01/2026 18:59

I’m just stunned at the statement that a meal there is considered ‘a treat’

Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 18:54

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 29/01/2026 16:20

I am not veggie or vegan, I am a farmer. I don't go to McDonalds because the animal welfare standards are so poor. I can't understand why you go there. There are so many other options with high welfare standards. I appreciate you don't eat meat so would have a veggie item but if you choose not to eat animals, I can't understand eating somewhere that profits off treating them as poorly as is legally allowed.

I don’t think you have the moral high ground here. Yes, once I month I contribute £40 to an unethical organisation.

How much meat do you slaughter or eat? You may think you do it ethically, but raising animals to kill them, with profit as a priority, is hardly something you can win a peace prize for. And certainly isn’t something you can use to shame a long term vegetarian who has eat significantly less animal product than you.

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Original poster
SunnySideDeepDown · 30/01/2026 18:51

MasterBeth · 28/01/2026 21:15

I bet McDonald's make these decisions lightly and give no thought to the commercial outcome and what is "likely to sell".

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Well, name a child who eats curry flavoured breaded vegetable sticks.

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LordofMisrule1 · 29/01/2026 18:24

I love the McPlant. Absolutely gorgeous. I often just take the patty out and eat it on its own with the cheese. Nicest burger I think I've ever had.

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 29/01/2026 16:21

IWantToHibernate · 28/01/2026 18:19

I’m sad they’re axing the vegetable deluxe burger. Probably because it’s veggie but not vegan, so the Mcplant will be the only veggie/vegan option now. It’s very poor. Not every veggie wants to eat vegan mayo, vegan cheese etc

I've found that in lots of places. They just lump vegan and veggie together and think it suits all.

In reality, I'm vegetarian but I can't stand vegan cheese etc., which cuts down the menu choices even further for me.

upstairsdownstairscardboardbox · 29/01/2026 16:20

I am not veggie or vegan, I am a farmer. I don't go to McDonalds because the animal welfare standards are so poor. I can't understand why you go there. There are so many other options with high welfare standards. I appreciate you don't eat meat so would have a veggie item but if you choose not to eat animals, I can't understand eating somewhere that profits off treating them as poorly as is legally allowed.

RainbowBagels · 29/01/2026 16:11

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 28/01/2026 18:36

Vegan options have decimated vegetarian options, all over, not just at McDonald’s.

Agree. And the worst thing is, when they ditch the vegan option because there arent enough people buying them, they dont bring back vegetarian options even though there are 10x the number of veggies than there are vegans, they just get rid of everything decent. As said above, id like a vegetarian meal made with actual vegetables, lentils etc and proper cheese, Mayo, butter etc not UPF crap or some cashew nuts squeezed together and passed off as cheese.

mcmuffin22 · 29/01/2026 16:04

Onceuponasunflower · 28/01/2026 18:23

Oh no, my DC love a veggie dipper happy meal, it's a holiday tradition for them. We don't eat fake meat vegetarian food so the Mcplant is no good. Grr!

Mine too! McPlant is horrible. Who actually likes fake meat?

Sartre · 29/01/2026 15:24

Never understood why they didn’t do a mini Mcplant for kids to be honest. My DS is a pescatarian by choice so happy with the fish fingers but if they ever don’t have those in for some reason, he will not have veg sticks (hates them) so has to have a burger without the meat.

Anyway, we don’t really bother with McDonald’s anymore because they always make you park up and leave you waiting 20 mins in the car park where I live, then usually bring the wrong order out.