Why aren't McDonald's fries vegan?

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite a common misconception, McDonald's fries in the U.S. are not vegan due to a 'natural beef flavoring' containing milk derivatives. This fact, often surprising to many, reveals a key difference in the preparation process compared to other regions.

Quick Summary

McDonald's U.S. fries are not vegan because they contain a 'natural beef flavoring' with hydrolyzed milk and wheat derivatives, added during the par-frying stage at the factory to mimic a historic taste profile.

Key Points

Hidden Milk Ingredients: McDonald's U.S. fries contain a 'natural beef flavoring' with milk derivatives, making them non-vegan.
Flavor Retention: The flavoring was added to replicate the taste from when fries were cooked in beef tallow.
Country-Specific Difference: Fries are vegan in many countries, including the UK and Canada, where the beef flavoring isn't used.
Cross-Contamination Risk: Even in vegan-friendly countries, shared fryers can pose a risk of cross-contamination with non-vegan items.
No Longer Vegetarian: Following a recent change in 2025, some sources now claim McDonald's fries in the US are no longer vegetarian either, due to a switch back to beef tallow in the US, but the official ingredient list from McDonald's website still lists milk derivatives in the flavoring. The primary reason for not being vegan remains the milk derivative.
Vegetable Oil Only Part of the Story: While cooked in vegetable oil at the restaurant, the pre-frying process with the beef flavoring is the critical factor for U.S. fries.

The Legacy of Beef Tallow

For decades, McDonald's cooked its iconic french fries in beef tallow, giving them a distinct and beloved flavor. When health concerns emerged about animal fats in the late 1980s, the company switched to vegetable oil. However, to preserve the familiar, savory taste that customers craved, they needed a replacement for the beef tallow. This led to the creation and inclusion of what is now known as "natural beef flavoring".

The 'Natural Beef Flavoring' Explained

The ingredient list for McDonald's fries in the U.S. clearly states the inclusion of 'Natural Beef Flavor'. This flavoring, which is added during the initial par-frying stage at the supplier facility, contains milk derivatives. Specifically, McDonald's confirms that the flavoring contains hydrolyzed milk and wheat. Since veganism strictly prohibits all animal products, including dairy, the presence of milk makes these fries unsuitable for a vegan diet. While the fries are cooked in vegetable oil at the restaurant, the process before they arrive already compromises their vegan status. The ambiguity surrounding the full composition of 'natural beef flavor'—which U.S. law doesn't require companies to disclose completely—further adds to the complexity.

The International Difference: Where the Fries ARE Vegan

Crucially, the non-vegan status of McDonald's fries is not universal. The ingredients and preparation methods differ significantly by country, with the UK and Canada being prominent examples where the fries are indeed suitable for vegans.

In the UK, the fries are simply cooked in a non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil and are confirmed by the company to be vegan-friendly. Similarly, in Canada, the fries are also fried exclusively in vegetable oil and do not contain the beef flavoring found in the U.S.. This geographical distinction means that a vegan can confidently order fries from McDonald's in one country but must avoid them in another.

Comparison: U.S. vs. U.K. Fries


Feature	McDonald's U.S. Fries	McDonald's U.K. Fries
Vegan Status	No	Yes
Preparation	Par-fried at factory with natural beef flavoring, then cooked in vegetable oil at restaurant.	Prepared with vegetables oils only (rapeseed, sunflower).
Key Animal-Derived Ingredient	Milk derivatives (in the beef flavoring).	None.
Oil Used	Blend of canola, corn, soybean, hydrogenated soybean oils.	Blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil.
Official Stance	Not promoted as vegan.	Confirmed 100% suitable for vegans.

Potential for Cross-Contamination

Even in locations where the base ingredients of the fries are vegan, such as the UK or Canada, a potential risk for cross-contamination exists. McDonald's often uses shared fryers to cook different menu items, including chicken nuggets and fish. In some restaurants, particularly smaller ones or those with older equipment, the oil from different frying vats might be filtered through the same system. This could lead to traces of animal products mixing with the fries' oil. While this is generally not an issue for most vegetarians, strict vegans often avoid items with any possibility of cross-contamination. Customers can inquire about a specific restaurant's frying process to be certain, though guaranteed separation is not standard practice everywhere.

Vegan Alternatives to McDonald's Fries

For those seeking a fast-food fix, there are several alternatives to McDonald's fries that are reliably vegan. Many other chains offer fries cooked in dedicated fryers with vegan-safe oil. For example, some Shake Shack locations offer fries cooked separately. Beyond fast food, numerous restaurants and diners offer fries cooked in pure vegetable oil. Of course, the most guaranteed option is to make them at home, where you have complete control over the ingredients and preparation. By using fresh potatoes and plant-based oils, you can easily replicate a version of the classic fast-food favorite without any animal products. For those who want to recreate the specific McDonald's flavor, some vegan food bloggers have even developed recipes that use ingredients like vegan beef broth to mimic the iconic taste.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

The reason why aren't McDonald's fries vegan is rooted in a company decision to maintain a specific, savory flavor profile inherited from the days of beef tallow. The addition of a 'natural beef flavoring' containing milk derivatives during the par-frying process in the U.S. makes them unsuitable for a vegan diet. This differs significantly from many international locations, including the UK and Canada, where the fries are considered vegan. While the U.S. version is likely vegetarian (for those who consume dairy), it firmly remains non-vegan. For strict vegans, awareness of this country-specific variation is essential when making fast-food choices.

Visit McDonald's official U.S. website for their World Famous Fries ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the U.S., McDonald's fries are not strictly vegetarian for all definitions, but contain milk derivatives in the 'natural beef flavoring'. While this is not meat, those who avoid all animal products will still consider them off-limits. However, in many other countries, like the UK and Canada, they are vegetarian.

The 'natural beef flavoring' is an additive used to replicate the taste of fries originally cooked in beef tallow. It contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as its starting ingredients, which is why it is not vegan.

Yes, according to McDonald's UK, their fries are 100% suitable for vegans. They are simply cooked in dedicated frying vats using a non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil.

McDonald's switched from cooking its fries in beef tallow to vegetable oil in the late 1980s due to growing public health concerns regarding animal fats.

Yes, even in countries where the fries are made with vegan ingredients, some restaurants use shared fryers or filtration systems with animal products like chicken nuggets or fish, which can lead to cross-contamination.

In the U.S., like the fries, the hash browns are also not vegan. They are prepared with the same 'natural beef flavoring' that contains milk derivatives.

No. The beef flavoring is added to the fries during the par-frying process at the factory, long before they arrive at the restaurant. It is an intrinsic part of the pre-prepared product.