16 Juicy Vegan Burgers That Are Way Better Than a Big Mac

Last summer, McDonald’s ended testing its McPlant burger before it had a chance to lure customers with a nationwide launch. But that doesn’t mean they’re gone forever.

Fortunately, vegan sandwiches are no longer difficult to find at fast-food chains, but before Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat infiltrated drive-thru culture, plant-based restaurants were making their own super-stacked veggie burgers. The following 16 vegan burgers prove that meat-free joints do it best.

Why did McDonald’s get rid of McPlant?

As of early 2022, McDonald’s McPlant trials are well underway in several locations across the United States. While not 100 percent vegan, the burger was completely meat-free and consisted of a Beyond Meat patty served with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and American cheese.

But after the testing period ended, instead of a nationwide launch, McPlant disappeared from the menu entirely. Later in the year, McDonald’s confirmed that no further expansion of McPlant was planned, and that this was due to “underwhelming” sales performance. There are a few theories as to why this happened, but according to Restaurant Business Online, one potential obstacle to a successful trial was McPlant’s placement in rural locations, where demand for meat-free options has historically not been as high.

So far, there have been no further announcements about vegan burgers or any other options at McDonald’s locations in the US. That said, it’s worth noting that MacPlant has seen success in other markets, including the UK, where Double MacPlant recently launched nationwide.

Craving a vegetarian Big Mac? These meat-free burgers do it even better

Vegans and omnivores rave about Burger King’s Impossible Whopper, Carl’s Jr. Beyond Famous Star and UK McDonald’s McPlant. But as far as we’re concerned, vegan restaurants will always be king of the hill. From Los Angeles to New York City, and all the local gems in between, these vegan handholds put the Big Mac to shame.

Best place to get a juicy vegan burger

Vergara Guys

1 Deluxe Verger at Verger Guys in Los Angeles, CA

A favorite of Angelenos and Hollywood celebrities alike, Verger Guys is a can’t-miss when in the City of Angels. The food truck’s Deluxe Verger features a plant-based patty slathered in a secret Verger sauce before being topped with vegan American cheese, lettuce, raw onions, pickles, tomatoes and caramelized grilled onions. Make it a double for an extra meaty burger.
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Monty’s Good Burgers

2 Double at Monty’s Good Burger, multiple locations, CA

Coined “Vegan In-N-Out,” Monty’s accurately mimics this Southern California burger chain’s secret sauce. This signature sandwich is stacked with two impossible patties, melty follow your heart cheese, house spread, lettuce, tomato, pickles and fried onions on an artisan bun from a local bakery. Pair with crispy-yet-tender fries and a dairy-free strawberry shake.
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3
Truffle Burger at Freesoulcaffe in Tustin, CA

In full transparency, this burger is a bit on the small side. However, what it lacks in volume it makes up for in flavor. Made with a beefy vegetable-based patty and topped with caramelized onions, roasted mushrooms, and truffle aioli on a flax seed bun, this handheld from FrisolCafe is the most gourmet burger on our list.
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Burgerlords

4 Burgerlords Cheeseburger at Burgerlords in Los Angeles, CA

Choose the signature Burgerlord’s cheeseburger featuring a house-made patty and follow your heart cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and Burgerlord’s signature 2,000 Island sauce. Pair with animal-style Lord of the Fries and a tahini milkshake for a real treat. (Note: The Chinatown location is no longer completely vegetarian.)

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5 Laughter at Slutty Vegan, multiple locations

What started as a local food truck has grown into a popular vegan micro-chain in Georgia and beyond.

Every menu item is a tough choice, but if you’re looking for a McDonald’s replica, Slutty Vegan’s Fusy Hussy is where it’s at. Dive into a plant-based patty with vegan cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato and slaw sauce.

What makes this burger better than the Big Mac? It comes sandwiched between two vegan Hawaiian buns. Ayesha “Pinky” Cole, you make our dreams come true!
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6 Big D at Dummy’s Home Cookin’ in Los Angeles, CA

You have to ask for the secret menu to order this Big Mac copycat at Doomie’s Home Cookin’ in LA. With two vegan patties and three buns—all piled high with the standard Big Mac toppings—no one would ever guess this burger didn’t come from a drive-thru.
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Next level burgers

7 Maverick at Next Level Burgers, multiple locations

With locations in California, Oregon, Washington, New York and Texas, Next Level Burger is redefining fast food one state at a time.

Many of its eleven locations can be found at Whole Foods Market. Skip the hot bar and head to the next level register to order Maverick. This burger is made with a house-seasoned Beyond patty topped with special sauce, your choice of vegan cheese, crispy onion rings, tempeh bacon, smoky barbecue sauce, dill pickles, lettuce and tomato on an organic wheat bun.
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Green is the new American vegetarian

8Big WAC at Green New American Vegetarian in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix’s favorite casual eatery, Green New American Vegetarian, has a burger on its menu to rival all other fast-food competitors—the Big WAC. There’s nothing fancy about it – just a double patty served with special sauce, pickles, cheese, lettuce and onion on a traditional sesame seed bun – but this sandwich is perfect in its simplicity.
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modern love

9 Modern Cheeseburgers at Modern Love in Omaha, NE and Brooklyn, NY

Rest assured, none of the ingredients in Modern Love Cheeseburgers are commercially produced. Bite into this scratch-made bad boy made with a seitan bean patty, cashew cheddar, tomato, lettuce, red onion, pickles and fancy sauce and you’re on your way to burger bliss.
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By Jay Selby

10Jay Selby’s Dirty Secret in Minneapolis, MN

Jay Selby’s is a strong contributor to Minneapolis’ growing vegan food scene. Known for its plant-based renditions of fast-food, bar and diner dishes, you can bet the menu includes a Big Mac-style burger. The kitchen relies on two beefy vegan patties to emulate this McDonald’s icon.
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11 Smokehouse Burgers at HipcityVege in Pennsylvania, PA and Washington, DC

You can’t go wrong with HipCityVeg, which now has locations in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, DC. The fan-favorite Smokehouse Burger can satisfy even the biggest cravings. Made with a Beyond Meat patty and topped with crispy onions, tangy barbecue sauce and smoked gouda, pair this veggie handheld with sweet potato fries and a chocolate milkshake for a meal you won’t soon forget.
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Veggie Galaxy

12Kendall Square at Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge, MA

Veggie Galaxy has attracted the attention of Food Network star Guy Fieri and is popular Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives primetime show.

While the menu offers several standout burgers to choose from, the one that most closely resembles the Big Mac is the Kendall Square. Made with a sweet potato and black bean burger, roasted red pepper sauce, onion rings, roasted garlic mayo and baby arugula, this sandwich we ordered from the drive-thru window beats anything.
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Veggie Grill

13Veggie Grill’s Veggie Classic, in multiple locations

The veggie chain and Safe Haven Veggie Grill have been slinging plant-based favorites since 2006. Simple VG classics are not to be missed. Order this Beyond patty topped with lettuce, tomato, American cheese and special sauce for a Big Mac taste that’s even better than Mickey D’s original.
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Vegetation

14 McDaddy Burger at Vegenation in Las Vegas, NV

Hometown representative, this burger is nothing short of “extra”. The Big Mac’s Southern spin on veganism features a vegan patty topped with mac and cheese, collard greens, barbecue sauce, cole slaw and a secret burger sauce. It comes with fries, but the loaded sweet potato tots shouldn’t be overlooked.
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Plant energy fast food

15 Plant Power Fast Food’s iconic burger, multiple locations

This vegan fast-food chain is giving Mickey D’s a run for its money. In this signature burger, a beefy vegan patty is topped with secret burger sauce, American cheese, lettuce, grilled onions and an epic handheld pickle that will have you saying, “Big Mac, who?!” Complete your order with a creamy milkshake and you’ve got yourself an unparalleled burger experience.
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Mr. Charlies

16No Double Double at Mr. Charlie’s in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA

The TikTok sensation known as the “Vegan McDonald’s” offers mouth-watering plant-based fast food as well. Mr. Charlie’s partners with the Dream Center, a nationwide organization that helps homeless and formerly incarcerated people get back on their feet by providing housing, training and additional resources to their restaurant staff. Grab its Frenchie meal with a cheeseburger or chicken sandwich, four-piece nuggets, fries and a drink, or go a la carte and grab any main item on your own. All smiles here!
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Editor’s Note: This list is by no means exhaustive. Vegan restaurants across the country are specializing in plant-based versions of fast-food classics like the Big Mac. As always, we encourage you to get out there and support your local vegan restaurants so they can continue to feed the community.