From March of this year through April 14th as long as supplies lasted McDonald’s did a test run of their McVeggie that’s popular in their European markets like Finland and Denmark.

The test run was done at select restaurants in British Columbia, Ontario and the New Brunswick provinces of Canada. The test run was clearly a success as McDonald’s has moved forward with a nationwide release of the sandwich in Canada.

Made with a blend of vegetables that include; carrots, soybeans, corn, broccoli, zucchini, peas, and green beans the fried patty is seasoned and served on a toasted sesame seed bun (like the Big Mac) along with a “creamy mayo style sauce” and shredded lettuce.

There is also a Spicy Habanero McVeggie available topped with a creamy habanero sauce.

“We received such a positive guest response when we tested the McVeggie in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick earlier this year,” chef and culinary innovation lead Jeff Anderson said in a statement. 

“Now, we’re excited to introduce the McVeggie across Canada, bringing more variety and the bold, iconic McDonald’s flavor to even more guests across Canada.”

To make it vegan just subtract the sauce, though reportedly it shares the same fryer and their other offerings like their fish and chicken nuggets. So if cross contamination is something you avoid take note.

We have reported previously on all the testing McDonald’s has been doing around the world including in Canada in 2019 of the PLT (Plant Lettuce Tomato) that expanded from its initial test restaurant into 52 other locations.

The PLT was done in collaboration with Beyond Meat and seemed to be a success but was discontinued in June of 2020 while it still continues to be served in some European countries today.

McDonald’s in the U.S. has also tested the McPlant in a limited run but the McPlant was discontinued due to lack of demand.

According to the Wall Street Journal in their Global Food Forum Joe Erlinger the current U.S. McDonald’s president told them:

“I don’t think the U.S. consumer is coming to McDonald’s looking for the McPlant or other plant based proteins.”

In recent surveys Canadians slightly outnumbered Americans in the number who identify as vegan or vegetarian based on a 2020 survey. 

4.6% of Canadians are vegan and 7.6% are vegetarian. In comparison 5% of Americans are vegetarian with 1% identifying as vegan according to a Gallup poll done in 2023.

Earlier this year McDonald’s launched McCafe Oat beverage options in Canada that have been available in Australia since 2021.