McDonald's fries are not vegan in the U.S. due to "natural beef flavor" containing hydrolyzed milk and wheat, but they are generally considered vegan in Australia, made with vegetable oil and no animal ingredients, though cross-contamination is a risk. The difference lies in the U.S. adding a beef flavoring to the oil and fries, while Australian chips are fried in vegetable oil, making them suitable for vegans if allergy concerns aren't an issue, according to Plant Based News and McDonald's Australia.
Australia McDonald's fries in Australia are vegan because they don't contain animal ingredients and are cooked in vegetable oils. However, there's a risk of cross- contamination with egg and dairy products, so they might not be suitable for people with allergies.
(Both restaurants acknowledge that their fries are cooked in the same oil as other meat or fish products.) McDonald's fries, however, are made with a flavoring that includes hydrolyzed milk — a non-vegan ingredient.
The swap began in 1990 when the company ditched beef fat due to health concerns about saturated fats. For years, this compromise allowed vegetarians to enjoy McDonald's fries while vegans still had to steer clear. However, this delicate balance ended in February 2025 when McDonald's announced its return to beef tallow.
McDonald's offers limited vegan options, with availability varying significantly by country, but generally, items like plain fries and some beverages are vegan; however, due to cross-contamination risks and dairy/egg in some core ingredients (like US fries), many items aren't certified vegan, though international markets (like the UK with the McPlant) have introduced more dedicated plant-based choices, reports VegNews.com and McDonald's Australia.
McPlant® A vegan burger made with a juicy plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® featuring vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a vegan alternative to cheese in a sesame seed bun. Vegan certified.
McDonald's offers limited vegan options, with availability varying significantly by country, but generally, items like plain fries and some beverages are vegan; however, due to cross-contamination risks and dairy/egg in some core ingredients (like US fries), many items aren't certified vegan, though international markets (like the UK with the McPlant) have introduced more dedicated plant-based choices, reports VegNews.com and McDonald's Australia.
This decision sparked debate, leaving many to wonder why the McPlant struggled to find its niche in the US market. McDonald's attributed the McPlant's demise to lackluster sales. Joe Erlinger, McDonald's USA President, stated that the burger "was not successful in either market" during a food forum.
Who won? McDonald's got into hot water with vegetarians when it advertised that its fries were cooked in vegetable oil, but didn't readily disclose that the fries were flavored with beef tallow. McDonald's was sued by several vegetarians and Hindus who do not eat meat for ethical and/or religious reasons.
McDonald's Hash Browns are not vegan or vegetarian. If you'd like more information, check out the Hash Browns ingredients page.
The suppliers we work with first peel, cut and blanche the potatoes. They then dry, partially fry and quickly freeze the fries for our restaurants. Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them.
Ask your server about the ingredients if you're visiting a smaller chain or a local fast-food establishment.
A potato is vegan until you make it NOT vegan🤦🏽. Chandrika Ervin Cooper ... if you fry the vegetable in a "vegetable" oil than it would still be "vegan". It would no longer be "raw" As long as a "non-meat based" fat is used, all veggies, tofu/soy would still be considered "vegan".
KFC Australia has launched its first ever plant-based option — Wicked Popcorn. The meat-free bites are made with pea protein and feature the same spice mix as the chain's Wicked Wings.
Despite numerous protests—and lawsuits—McDonald's fries aren't and never have been, vegan or vegetarian. "But how can that be?" you may ask. "French fries are made from potatoes and fried in oil, so where's the harm?" (Surprise: there's beef in the oil.)
Now that the sting of miracle french fries has passed, you may be wondering, “But what about the fries?” As we mentioned before dimethylpolysiloxane (or PDMS) is the silicone compound McDonald's uses in its french fries to prevent the oil from foaming.
In a usual McDonald's McAloo Tikki Burger, one can expect a filling of a veggie patty made from potatoes, peas and samosa seasoning topped with slices of tomatoes and red onion between two toasted buns. There is, however, an eggless but non-vegan tomato mayonnaise included as a condiment.
Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. *Natural Beef Flavor Contains Hydrolyzed Wheat And Hydrolyzed Milk As Starting Ingredients.
Are Chick-fil-A fries vegan? Yes! Chick-fil-A's Waffle Potato Fries are vegan!
Miley Cyrus stopped being strictly vegan because she experienced health issues, feeling malnourished and that her brain wasn't functioning properly after six years on the diet, leading her to reintroduce fish and omegas for better brain function, though she still values animal welfare. She noted feeling "much sharper" and healthier after adding animal products like fish back into her diet, which was a difficult transition emotionally, but a necessary one for her body.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
In 2025, McDonald's isn't heavily discontinuing core items but rather tweaking menus globally, with Australia removing some wraps/salads for focus, while the U.S. relaunches the popular Snack Wrap (July 2025), tests chicken strips, and integrates some CosMc's beverage flavors, all part of a push for chicken dominance and beverage innovation, despite paused Krispy Kreme donut expansion.
What's in a McDonald's McFlurry? A typical (non-vegan) McDonald's McFlurry contains dairy ice cream, milk power, whey powder, glucose syrup, and other flavoring.
The McPlant also launched in numerous other international markets in 2022 including Australia, being offered in 270 restaurants across Victoria.
McDonald's Australia uses vegetable-based oil, making their fries a safe and tasty option for vegans.