THE first vegan McDonald's burger offering is finally here, and it lives up to expectations.
It's been a long time coming – the burger has been in development for three years.
Meanwhile rivals like Greggs and KFC have already been selling plant-based versions of their popular menu items.
McDonalds fans have slammed the chain for its previous attempts at veggie food, including its veggie dippers.
So I was very excited to try out the new menu item ahead of its official launch.
On opening the box, I got the waft of that familiar, mouth-watering Maccies burger smell.
It looked the part, with a juicy patty topped with gherkins, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and a vegan burger sauce in a classic sesame seed bun.
Anyone who's tried vegan cheese knows it can be disappointing, so I was interested to see whether McDonald's had managed to perfect that all important element.
The burger cheese – which took the McDonald's team three years to get right – is a great imitation of the classic American cheese slice, even if it isn't quite as melty as the diary version.
The McPlant is served up in a special cardboard box.
The patty – designed in partnership with US firm Beyond Meat – is a bit thicker than you'd get in a Big Mac and slightly thinner than a traditional quarter pounder.
But it passes the all important taste test, it's meaty and salty and has that specific McDonald's flavour that just can't be imitated.
Where can you get a McPlant?
THE McPlant will be available in these 10 Coventry restaurants before rolling out across the UK next month…
- Cross Cheaping
- Coventry Alvis
- Coventry Canley
- West Orchards
- Gallagher Retail Park
- Coventry-Binley
- Nuneaton
- Nuneaton Asda
- Coventry Walsgrave
- Nuneaton DT
Meat-eaters will be able to tell its not a beef burger as it's slightly drier than the real deal – but that doesn't make it unpleasant, just a bit different.
In fact, I think it will be popular with vegans, veggies, people trying to cut back on their meat intake and those that want a slightly healthier fast food option.
It comes in at 429 calories, compared to 518 for a beef quarter pounder with cheese.
The McPlant will launch in 10 McDonald's sites in Coventry from September 29, before rolling out to a further 250 UK restaurants in October.
It will be available in all McDonald's restaurants from the beginning of 2022, just in time for Veganuary.
The burger will cost £3.49 or £4.89 as part of a meal with chips and a drink, in line with other McDonald's products. But prices will vary between restaurants.
It's Vegetarian Society vegan approved – meaning there will be no cross contamination with animal products in the supply chain or the kitchen.
So vegans can order a McPlant without having to worry.
It's been a long time coming, but I think it's worth the wait.
And as for whether we should be eagerly anticipating other meat-free attempts at other Maccies menu items, such as its popular chicken nuggets, in the near future, I was told "watch this space".
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