Here's Why McDonald's Doesn't Sell Salads Anymore

If you were looking for a healthier option to order at McDonald's, you may be surprised to know that salads are no longer on the menu, as the company stopped offering them in 2020. The official word is that low demand for salads did not warrant a continued place on the McDonald's slate. Despite having only one type of freshly cooked burger on the menu, McDonald's decision-makers felt that customers simply weren't demonstrating enough interest in fresh salads, as opposed to burgers and fries.

Another part of the decision to discontinue salads was an outbreak of intestinal illnesses in 2018 that was likely caused by salads at McDonald's. Similar to the 2024 outbreak of E. coli, which was traced in part to raw onions used on Quarter Pounders, this incident prompted McDonald's to temporarily remove the offending foods from its menu. As with other forms of prepackaged salads, fresh salads from McDonald's were more prone contamination than the cooked foods on the menu.

The effects of the pandemic are also partly to blame for the disappearance of McDonald's salads. As restaurants of all kinds struggled (and continue to struggle) with challenges such as finding employees and overcoming supply chain issues, McDonald's found itself facing difficult decisions. In a statement to CNN Business in April 2020, McDonald's said that its subsequent decision to streamline the menu "helped simplify operations for our restaurant crew while also improving our customers' experience."

Restaurants often reduce menu options as an alternative to raising prices. In 2020, McDonald's discontinued not only salads but also Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and Buttermilk Chicken Tenders. Customers said goodbye to the All-Day Breakfast that year, as well.

Despite claims of increased customer satisfaction, one group likely stopped patronizing McDonald's after salads were removed: vegetarians. Discontinuing the only meal option they had — even McDonald's fries are cooked with added beef extract for flavor — shows that the corporation isn't keeping up with the trend of offering choices for those who eschew meat. Burger King serves the Impossible Whopper, while Carl's Jr. has a burger made with Beyond vegan meat (though some of these offerings may be prepped on shared cooking surfaces with meat items). McDonald's restaurants in other parts of the world (which now come out to over 40,000 locations) offer more vegetarian options than those stateside.