Which sandwich at McDonald's has the least amount of sodium?

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Heart Association, most adults in the U.S. consume more than the recommended 2,300 mg of sodium daily. If you're watching your intake, you might wonder which sandwich at McDonald's has the least amount of sodium. The answer, surprisingly, can change with a simple request, offering a path to a more balanced meal.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the McDonald's sandwich with the lowest sodium content and provides strategies for reducing salt in your order. It breaks down menu options, explains ingredient impacts, and details simple modifications for a healthier fast-food experience.

Key Points

Classic Hamburger: The plain hamburger is the McDonald's sandwich with the least amount of sodium before any customization.
Customize Your Order: Removing high-sodium condiments like pickles, ketchup, and cheese is the most effective way to lower salt content in any sandwich.
Filet-O-Fish Customization: Ordering the Filet-O-Fish without tartar sauce and cheese dramatically decreases its sodium level.
Avoid Hidden Sodium: Be aware of sodium in processed meats, cheese, and most sauces, which are major contributors to high salt levels.
Pair with Low-Sodium Sides: Opt for low-sodium sides like apple slices (0mg sodium) or unsalted fries to complete your meal without adding excess salt.

Understanding Sodium in Fast Food

Fast food is often criticized for its high sodium content, and McDonald's is no exception. Salt is used not only for flavor but also as a preservative, which is why many menu items contain a significant portion of your daily recommended intake. For those managing blood pressure or simply striving for a healthier diet, identifying lower-sodium choices is essential.

The Lowest Sodium Contenders

While the exact item with the lowest sodium can depend on regional menu variations, a few standard sandwiches consistently rank as better options. The classic Hamburger and the Filet-O-Fish are typically the top contenders before any modifications are made.

Classic Hamburger: The standard hamburger is one of the most basic sandwiches on the menu, and its simplicity is its biggest advantage in terms of sodium. It contains a single beef patty, a bun, pickles, onions, mustard, and ketchup. While the pickles and sauces add sodium, they can be removed.
Filet-O-Fish: This fish sandwich contains a fried fish patty, tartar sauce, and a half-slice of cheese on a steamed bun. The key to reducing its sodium is to remove the cheese and tartar sauce, which significantly reduces the overall saltiness.

How to Customize for Lower Sodium

The real power lies in customization. By making simple requests when you order, you can drastically reduce the sodium in almost any McDonald's sandwich. The following are proven strategies:

Hold the Salt: Ask for items with no added salt. While this is most common for fries, it can also be requested for sandwiches, though the flavor will be less intense.
Skip the Sauces: Ketchup, mustard, and tartar sauce are significant sources of sodium. Asking for no sauce or getting it on the side allows you to control the amount you add. A single packet of ketchup can contain around 90 mg of sodium.
Lose the Pickles and Cheese: Pickles are brined in a high-salt solution. Similarly, processed American cheese is packed with sodium. Removing both can have a major impact. For example, a cheeseburger has significantly more sodium than a regular hamburger.

Comparison Table: Sodium Content of Common Sandwiches

Below is a comparison of the approximate sodium content for some popular McDonald's sandwiches. These values can vary based on restaurant location and menu changes, so checking the official nutrition information is always recommended. This table reflects standard menu items without customization.


Sandwich	Sodium (mg)	Notes
Hamburger	510	One of the lowest sodium options.
McChicken®	560	Significantly less than other chicken sandwiches.
Filet-O-Fish®	590	Can be reduced by removing sauce and cheese.
Quarter Pounder® w/ Cheese	1360	High sodium due to size and toppings.
Big Mac®	1010	Multiple patties, sauce, and cheese contribute to high sodium.
Double Quarter Pounder® w/ Cheese	1370	One of the highest sodium sandwiches on the menu.

The Ultimate Low-Sodium Meal Strategy

For those needing the lowest possible sodium, the ideal strategy involves a combination of smart ordering and menu selection. Start with the classic Hamburger. Then, ask for no pickles, no ketchup, and no mustard. This simple combination will result in a beef patty and bun with very little added salt. Pair this with a side of apple slices, which contain zero sodium, and a glass of water, and you have the most sodium-conscious meal McDonald's can offer.

Hidden Sources of Sodium

Be aware of hidden sodium in other menu items. Breaded chicken, like that found in the McChicken or McNuggets, and breakfast meats like Canadian bacon, have high sodium levels baked in during processing. The Filet-O-Fish patty itself also contains sodium from its preparation. Sides like fries are heavily salted, and even the fruit and maple oatmeal, while relatively low in sodium, has added sugar to consider.

Conclusion

While almost any item at McDonald's can be high in sodium, smart choices can significantly reduce your intake. For the lowest sodium sandwich, the classic Hamburger is your best starting point. Customizing your order by holding the cheese, pickles, and sauces provides the most control over sodium levels. By being mindful of these simple tricks and choosing sides like apple slices over fries, you can enjoy a McDonald's meal that aligns better with your health goals. With a little effort, navigating the fast-food menu for a lower-sodium meal is entirely possible.

Check out the official McDonald's nutrition calculator for the most up-to-date and specific nutritional information on their menu items.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Fruit and Maple Oatmeal contains significantly less sodium than other breakfast sandwiches, with just 150mg. The Egg McMuffin can also be a lower-sodium choice if ordered without the Canadian bacon and cheese.

To reduce the sodium in a Filet-O-Fish sandwich, ask for it without the tartar sauce and the half-slice of cheese. This can lower the sodium from 590 mg to around 340 mg.

A 4-piece order of Chicken McNuggets contains 330mg of sodium, making it a lower-sodium protein option than many of the burgers. However, larger portions or certain sauces will increase the sodium.

Yes, you can request that the crew prepare a fresh batch of fries with no salt added. You can then add a small, controlled amount of salt yourself if desired.

The highest-sodium sandwiches are often those with multiple patties, bacon, and cheese, such as the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Some regional or promotional items can be even higher.

Yes, the fresh apple slices contain 0mg of sodium. Plain water is also a zero-sodium beverage option.

No, the Sausage McMuffin with Egg is relatively high in sodium, starting at 830mg. The sodium content can be reduced by omitting the sausage and cheese, but it is not a low-sodium choice by default.