Additional Coverage:
- I tried the McPlant, McDonald’s meat-free burger, and I don’t understand why American diners snubbed it (newsbreak.com)
McDonald’s has introduced a vegan burger called the McPlant in the UK, but don’t expect to see it on menus in the US anytime soon. Despite being available in several countries, including Germany and Portugal, the meat-free burger didn’t resonate with American diners during trials in 2021 and 2022, leading to its discontinuation in the states.
Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s US, remarked at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum in late June that the McPlant didn’t meet the expectations of US consumers who typically don’t seek plant-based proteins at McDonald’s. However, he noted that the company would keep an eye on the trend.
The McPlant, developed collaboratively with Beyond Meat, features a blend of pea and rice proteins. It’s typically served with cheese, either American or cheddar, and comes with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mustard, ketchup, and a sandwich sauce. Notably, in the Netherlands, McDonald’s markets the burger as suitable for flexitarians due to potential meat contamination.
In the UK, the McPlant is entirely vegan, certified and served with vegan cheese and sauce. I did a taste test comparing the McPlant and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese at a London McDonald’s to gauge their similarities and differences. Both burgers were presented in distinct packaging that reflected their contents: the McPlant in a box adorned with natural colors and plant motifs, and the Quarter Pounder in brighter-colored packaging.
Each burger weighed about 14.4 ounces and featured standard fillings, although the McPlant included additional lettuce and tomato and vegan sandwich sauce. It also had one slice of vegan cheese compared to two slices of processed cheese in the Quarter Pounder. Visually, the McPlant’s patty appeared smoother and more uniform than the rougher texture of the meaty patty.
As for the taste, the McPlant delivered a pleasing flavor, particularly for someone accustomed to the taste of vegan burgers, and was comparable to standard meat burgers when covered with the bun. Both burgers were served in sesame seed buns and came loaded with sauces, although the vegetable-based ingredients in the McPlant offered a distinct experience. The regular cheese melted more appealingly than the vegan cheese, but overall, the differences in taste were minimal.
While I generally support indie eateries, the McPlant offers a satisfying vegan alternative at McDonald’s for both strict vegans and those like myself who enjoy plant-based meals occasionally. Both the McPlant and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese were priced the same, offering an accessible option for those looking to enjoy a meat-free meal without additional costs.