McDonald's Is Testing The 'McVeggie'

Written by the VEGPRENEUR team

Starting on March 18, McDonald's will be testing its latest sandwich, the McVeggie, at select locations across Canada.

Starting on March 18, McDonald's Canada will be testing its latest sandwich, the McVeggie, at select locations across British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick. This limited-time test will run until April 14, with guest feedback determining whether the veggie burger will expand to restaurants nationwide.

The McVeggie is McDonald’s latest attempt to offer a vegetarian option that maintains its signature flavors while catering to a broader audience. The burger features a breaded veggie patty made with a blend of vegetables such as carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn, with added seasoning. It’s served on a toasted sesame bun and topped with shredded lettuce and a mayo-style sauce. For those seeking a spicy kick, the Spicy Habanero McVeggie offers the same veggie patty topped with creamy habanero sauce, resembling the spicy McCrispy chicken burger.

Jeff Anderson, McDonald’s Canada's senior manager of culinary innovation, described the McVeggie as a "uniquely Canadian" creation. "While our guests may have tried similar sandwiches at McDonald’s globally, our McVeggie is uniquely Canadian," said Anderson. "We’re always looking for new opportunities to innovate and build on our menu, and the McVeggie will give even more guests the opportunity to enjoy that delicious McDonald’s flavour Canadians know and love."

The introduction of the McVeggie reflects McDonald’s ongoing exploration of plant-based options in response to rising consumer demand for sustainable and meat-free alternatives. While other fast-food chains have tested meatless burger options, McDonald’s has been slower to adopt fully plant-based offerings in North America.

How Does It Taste?

The McVeggie patty combines a crispy exterior with a mashed-potato-like centre, featuring visible bits of carrots and edamame for texture. The familiar McChicken-style mayo complements the patty’s flavor, while the shredded lettuce provides that signature McDonald's touch. This combination is designed to ensure the McVeggie fits seamlessly with the chain’s traditional menu.

"The market is evolving, and we’re listening to what our guests are telling us," Anderson explained. "So you’ll see this as a veggie-first patty. It’s one of the things we’re exploring to learn what our guests expect from us."

Locations To Try The McVeggie

McDonald's fans eager to try the McVeggie can visit select restaurants in the following Canadian cities:

Langley, B.C.
Richmond, B.C.
Surrey, B.C.
Brampton, Ont.
Windsor, Ont.
Dieppe, N.B.
Moncton, N.B.
Riverview, N.B.
Sussex, N.B.

What’s Next?

The McVeggie test run will gather customer feedback to determine whether the new burger is worthy of a nationwide rollout. McDonald’s aims to provide a veggie-focused alternative that stays true to its iconic flavor profile, offering both traditional and spicy options to satisfy diverse tastes.

With the growing demand for meatless alternatives, this move could place McDonald’s Canada in a stronger position to appeal to the increasing number of flexitarian and vegetarian diners. Whether the McVeggie becomes a staple on Canadian menus remains to be seen, but for now, it's an exciting opportunity for Canadians to enjoy a new twist on the classic McDonald’s burger experience.