McDonald's got rid of salads in the U.S. in 2020 to simplify operations during the pandemic, focusing on core items, but a major factor was also a 2018 E. coli outbreak linked to their salads, making them a liability. While they briefly removed lettuce from other items like McChickens in mid-2025 due to temporary, massive lettuce shortages caused by the popular return of the Snack Wrap, they haven't brought salads back to the main menu, as they found customers prefer burgers and fries.
McDonald's removed salads from national menus in 2020 to help simplify restaurant operations, the company said. In 2022, the chain gave its franchise operators the option of serving pre-made salads but many decided not to, the Wall Street Journal reported. The strategy paid off.
McDonald's completely dropped salads from the American menu in recent years and has no plans of bringing them back.
We aim to answer these questions and dispel any rumours about our lettuce. First things first, the question is McDonald's lettuce real? Of course, it is real.
This is because abnormal weather in major domestic lettuce-producing regions this year has hindered growth, leading to supply shortages. As a result, some parts of the food and distribution industry have begun experiencing lettuce shortages.
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.
The countries with the most saturated fat
11 Things to Never Order at McDonald's
1. Processed Meats Like Bacon, Hot Dogs, and Cold Cuts. Processed meats like bologna, ham, and bacon are high in calories and salt and are linked to increased risk of heart disease due to their impact on cholesterol and blood pressure, says Julia Zumpano, RD, registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
Every person has different food preferences, of course, but most will agree that seven of the most addictive foods are:
The Mc10:35 is a popular McDonald's "secret menu" item, a mashup of an {!nav}Egg McMuffin and a {!nav}McDouble, combining burger patties with the egg, ham, and cheese on a muffin, originally ordered during the breakfast-to-lunch transition time (around 10:30-10:35 AM) before all-day breakfast became common, though it's still a fun, custom order combining both menus. Variations include adding hash browns or using different buns like {!nav}McGriddles, and it's created by ordering the items separately and assembling them.
Here are the seven healthiest snacks on McDonald's menu, according to our trusty nutritionist.
McDonald's most popular item globally is its French Fries, selling millions of pounds daily and often ordered with other favorites like the iconic Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets, though regional tastes vary with items like Hash Browns and McChickens also topping charts.
McDonald's has become the universal symbol of American fast food, with over 38,000 locations across more than 100 countries. But if you've visited Iceland, you probably noticed something strange: there's not a single McDonald's restaurant in the entire country.
The document lists the top 10 countries with the highest daily consumption of junk food, with the United States ranked first. The other countries included are France, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Hamilton B. Urglar, better known as the Hamburglar, is the main antagonist of the McDonald's franchise. As one of McDonald's most prominent mascots, the Hamburglar frequently tries to steal hamburgers from Ronald McDonald and his friends.
Last year, an E. coli outbreak tied to—you guessed it—romaine sent 36 people to the hospital across 15 states. Perhaps ironically, the bags of shredded lettuce that promise to be pre-washed and ready to eat are riskier than whole heads of romaine. Eating romaine lettuce is especially a gamble right now.
Romaine lettuce is one of the most affordable leafy greens. The USDA recommends you eat at least a half cup of green leafy plants every day. While iceberg lettuce is a veggie option that's light on your pocketbook, as a dark leafy green, romaine lettuce is better for you.
Rain and floors have led to many growers losing whole crops, and the drop in temperatures has meant growing the next crop is more difficult than usual. The soil on many farms is oversaturated and can't dry out in cold, wet conditions. It's not just lettuce, either.
McDonald's Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Deluxe is a fresh take on a Quarter Pounder® classic burger. Crisp shredded lettuce and three Roma tomato slices top a ¼ lb.* of 100% McDonald's fresh beef that's hot, deliciously juicy and cooked when you order.
Asking for more shredded lettuce or slivered onions, for example, will cost you an additional 40 cents per serving, whether or not they already come on your burger.
It's a classic for a reason. Savor the satisfying crunch of our juicy chicken patty, topped with shredded lettuce and just the right amount of creamy mayonnaise, all served on a perfectly toasted bun. The McChicken has 390 calories.
The McDonald's Big Mac is a 100% beef burger with a taste like no other. The mouthwatering perfection starts with two 100% pure all beef patties and Big Mac Sauce sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. It's topped off with pickles, crisp shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion and a slice of American cheese.