McDonald’s is going fowl-free, introducing plant-based McNuggets launching next week in Germany, where the fast-food giant will test the new creation at 1,400 restaurants.
McPlant Nuggets – made from peas, corn and wheat with a tempura batter – are the second product McDonald’s has co-developed with Beyond Meat, an El Segundo, California-based maker of plant-based meats. McDonald’s has been selling a McPlant burger since 2021.
European customers have been more receptive to plant-based meat products more than those in the U.S. The McPlant burger is now a permanent menu item in several European countries, however McDonald’s pulled it from menus in the U.S. last summer without announcing any future plans of its return.
The future of the McPlant nuggets in the U.S. will depend on customer demand in Germany during the trial period.
In the U.S., McDonald’s is scheduled to bring back its seasonal Shamrock Shake and OREO Shamrock McFlurry to menus on Feb. 20.
