MCDONALD’S has become the latest fast-food chain to offer its customers an alternative to meat – and will launch a brand new veggie burger made of pea protein on Monday.
The PLT – plant, lettuce and tomato – burger will be available for a 12-week test period in 28 locations in Canada from September 30.
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The patties in the meal are made by Beyond Meat, which makes its burgers from chemically processed pea, mung bean and rice protein.
It also adds various oils to give a meaty aroma, and different textures and seasoning to make it taste just like a beef burger.
They also ooze “blood” made of beetroot juice.
The PLT is dressed with McDonald’s classic toppings, including lettuce and pickles, and served on a warm toasted bun.
McDonald’s did warn that the burger isn’t suitable for strict vegans, as it comes topped with cheese and is cooked on the same grill as meat and eggs.
But those looking for a tasty alternative to meat will be happy to chow down on the new treat.
There is no news yet on how much the PLT will cost.
Where to enjoy the best plant-based fast food
Loads of fast-food chains now offer a vegan alternative. Here are some of the most popular.
- Burger King’s Impossible Whopper – made with an Impossible Burger which contains a blend of soy and potato products
- Chipotle’s Sofritas, made with organic tofu braised with roasted peppers and spices
- Carl’s Jr’s Beyond Famous Star – a Beyond Meat burger topped with pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, and special sauce
- Domino’s already sells a vegan cheese pizze in the UK, but if you’re in the US, try ordering the Pacific Veggie Pizza without cheese
- Del Taco’s Beyond Avocado Taco – a crunchy taco shell, filled with seasoned Beyond Meat, lettuce, and tomatoes and topped with avocado
- KFC’s Beyond Fried Chicken might be coming soon – a trial last month in Atlanta proved very popular
McDonald’s said it is testing the PLT because of customers’ growing interest in meat-free eating.
According to GlobalData, there has been a 600 per cent increase in the number of vegans in the US since 2014.
And even Disney is going vegan – the company announced this week that plant-based food options will be added to every dining location in its US theme parks.
McDonald’s said it’s still in “learning mode” with its vegan offer and would see how the PLT test goes before adding the Beyond Meat burger to its menus elsewhere.
Ann Wahlgren of McDonald’s said: “As customer interest in plant-based options accelerated rapidly, our curiosity piqued, too. We’ve kept an eye on this emerging trend and now we’re ready to learn more by running a test in one of our markets.”
Beyond Meat has already partnered with Dunkin’ Donuts on a Beyond Sausage Breakfast Sandwich, Subway on its Beyond Meatball Marinara sub, KFC on its Beyond Chicken, and a variety of burritos and tacos at Del Taco.
This is not McDonald’s first foray into vegan food. Earlier this year, it launched a vegan nugget in Norway.
The bites look like chicken nuggets, but are made with a mixture of mashed potato, chickpea and carrots.
In the UK, KFC’s new vegan burger sold out just four days after it was introduced in what was meant to be a month-long trial.
And British high street favourite Greggs is working on vegan versions of all its top-selling pastries, after the runaway success of its vegan sausage roll.
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