McDonald's french fries are not vegan in the U.S. and, surprisingly, they are not even vegetarian. McDonald’s French Fries are made with natural beef flavor, wheat and milk products, and are fried in beef fat. Hash browns are also not vegan, as they contain milk and are fried in beef fat. Previously, it was suggested that the fries be cooked in animal fat to give them their iconic taste. The fast food chain eventually switched to using vegetable oil instead, but then made another change to start adding a beef flavor to the fries.
McDonald's received complaints that the french fries no longer tasted the same after they swapped out animal fat for vegetable oil. That's why they use a beef flavor, making McDonald’s best-selling item neither vegan nor vegetarian.
The website states that the fries are made with superior potatoes like the Russet Burbank and the Shepody. These fries contain zero grams of trans fat per labeled serving, which makes them crisp and golden on the exterior and give it a soft interior.
What are McDonald’s fries made of?
McDonald’s fries are made of potatoes, vegetable oils such as canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor with wheat and milk derivatives, dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate to maintain color, and salt. The natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.
Can you eat vegan at McDonald’s?
Customers preferring a vegan diet can feel comfortable at McDonald's as their fruit and maple oatmeal, apple slices, and side salad are all vegan. As we previously reported, McDonald's was planning to roll out the McPlant Burger sometime in 2021, and they carried out the plan, launching the product in February 2022, across the US.
While there aren't many plant-based options in McDonald's, the company is starting to integrate them and vegan patrons will be able to enjoy these products in the near future.
How many calories are in a small McDonald's fry?
A small McDonald’s fries has about 230 calories according to the McDonald’s website.
How many calories are in a medium McDonald's fry?
A medium McDonald’s fries has about 320 calories according to the McDonald’s website.
How many calories are in a large McDonald's fry?
A large McDonald’s fries has about 480 calories according to the McDonald’s website.
FAQs
Q. How much does a McDonald’s large fries cost?
A. A McDonald’s large fries costs $1.89.
Q. How many calories are in a small McDonald's fry?
A. A small McDonald’s fries has about 230 calories according to the McDonald’s website.
Q. How much does a McDonald’s small fries cost?
A. A McDonald’s small fries costs $1.39.
Q. How much does a McDonald’s medium fries cost?
A. A McDonald’s medium fries costs $1.79.
