A file photo from March 13, 2025, shows McDonald’s new Spicy Habanero McVeggie sandwich. Toronto Star
After years of testing, McDonald’s Canada will finally add a permanent veggie burger to its menu. The McVeggie officially launches across the country on September 16, following a limited test earlier this spring. While McDonald’s restaurants in other countries have long offered plant-based options, it has taken Canada longer to introduce a permanent meatless item.
Early Trials and High Demand
McDonald’s previously tested a Beyond Meat burger called the PLT in 2019. However, customers wanted a patty that tasted more like vegetables than meat, so it never moved beyond the trial phase. In March 2025, the McVeggie was tested in select locations, including Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area, and met “unprecedented demand,” says Jeff Anderson, culinary innovation lead at McDonald’s Canada.
“We ran out of the product in the first eight days of the four-week test run,” Anderson said. “Guest relations received 200 inquiries, including from 50 locations outside of the test markets.” Staff approval was also required to ensure kitchens could easily handle the new burger alongside existing menu items.
What the McVeggie Offers
The McVeggie is a fried vegetable croquette served on a sesame bun with shredded lettuce and mayonnaise. Its patty is made from carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, soybeans, broccoli, and corn, giving it a crispy, golden crust and a soft mashed potato-like centre. There is also a Spicy Habanero McVeggie version, featuring creamy Habanero sauce.
Customers can finally enjoy a proper veggie combo, replacing the old “meatless Quarter Pounder hack.” McDonald’s fries have been vegetarian-friendly since 1990, using canola and soybean oil instead of beef tallow. The McVeggie patties cook in the same fryer as the Filet-O-Fish but in separate baskets to prevent cross-contact.
Vegetarian Happy Meals Added
The McVeggie launch coincides with new vegetarian Happy Meal options, including a grilled cheese sandwich and a lettuce-and-tomato wrap. This update reflects McDonald’s ongoing commitment to offer menu choices for vegetarians and families looking for plant-based options.
A Step Forward for Canadian Fans
The McVeggie represents a significant step for McDonald’s Canada, responding to growing demand for plant-based foods. Anderson says the burger will remain on menus permanently after the successful test runs.
