I compared McDonald's McPlant with Burger King's plant-based Whopper. They were similar — but one was much smaller than the other.

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I compared McDonald's McPlant with Burger King's plant-based Whopper. They were similar — but one was much smaller than the other.
  • McDonald's has rolled out a new vegan burger with a Beyond Meat patty.
  • I compared it with Burger King's plant-based Whopper.
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McDonald's rolled out sales of its new plant-based burger, the McPlant, in the UK a few weeks ago. It's now trialling it at eight restaurants in the US.

McDonald's rolled out sales of its new plant-based burger, the McPlant, in the UK a few weeks ago. It's now trialling it at eight restaurants in the US.
McDonald's is testing the McPlant in the US.McDonald's

Source: Insider, Insider

But Burger King UK started selling the Rebel Whopper, a meat-free version of its flagship burger, in early 2020. It's since rebranded it as the Plant-Based Whopper, and Burger King seems to have doubled down on advertising since the McPlant was launched.

But Burger King UK started selling the Rebel Whopper, a meat-free version of its flagship burger, in early 2020. It's since rebranded it as the Plant-Based Whopper, and Burger King seems to have doubled down on advertising since the McPlant was launched.
Burger King has been heavily promoting its Plant-Based Whopper.Grace Dean/Insider
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I ordered a McPlant and a plant-based Whopper to see how they compare.

I ordered a McPlant and a plant-based Whopper to see how they compare.
I compared the two plant-based burgers to see which came out top.Grace Dean/Insider

The first thing that struck me was the difference in size. The Whopper (on the right) seemed huge compared with the McPlant. Burger King says the plant-based Whopper weighs in at 10 ounces, the same weight as a meat-based Whopper.

The first thing that struck me was the difference in size. The Whopper (on the right) seemed huge compared with the McPlant. Burger King says the plant-based Whopper weighs in at 10 ounces, the same weight as a meat-based Whopper.
I compared the two plant-based burgers to see which came out top.Grace Dean/Insider
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Both burgers had generic burger toppings – lettuce, onion, ketchup, tomato, and pickles – but there were some differences.

Both burgers had generic burger toppings – lettuce, onion, ketchup, tomato, and pickles – but there were some differences.
I compared the two plant-based burgers to see which came out top.Grace Dean/Insider

The McPlant came with a vegan cheese alternative, and also had mustard and a vegan sandwich sauce.

The McPlant came with a vegan cheese alternative, and also had mustard and a vegan sandwich sauce.
I tried McDonald's McPlant.Grace Dean/Insider.
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The plant-based Whopper, on the other hand, came with vegan mayo and no cheese.

The plant-based Whopper, on the other hand, came with vegan mayo and no cheese.
I tried Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper.Grace Dean/Insider

Like when you order a meat-based Whopper, you could pay an extra £0.50 ($0.67) to add cheese to the burger. However, this would render the burger non-plant-based because the chain doesn't have dairy-free cheese.

Like when you order a meat-based Whopper, you could pay an extra £0.50 ($0.67) to add cheese to the burger. However, this would render the burger non-plant-based because the chain doesn't have dairy-free cheese.
You could pay to add cheese to the burger.Grace Dean/Insider
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Interestingly, Burger King classes its meat-free Whopper as plant-based but not vegan. This is because, while the patty is plant-based, it's cooked on the same broiler as its meat namesake.

Interestingly, Burger King classes its meat-free Whopper as plant-based but not vegan. This is because, while the patty is plant-based, it's cooked on the same broiler as its meat namesake.
Burger King doesn't class its meat-free Whopper as vegan.Grace Dean/Insider

Source: Insider

The McPlant, on the other hand, is approved as vegan by the UK Vegetarian Society.

The McPlant, on the other hand, is approved as vegan by the UK Vegetarian Society.
Grace Dean/Insider
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Both patties looked very similar ...

Both patties looked very similar ...
I tried McDonald's McPlant.Grace Dean/Insider.

... although the Whopper patty was much bigger. Burger King also offered the option to double up by adding an extra plant-based patty, while I didn't notice this being available at McDonald's.

... although the Whopper patty was much bigger. Burger King also offered the option to double up by adding an extra plant-based patty, while I didn't notice this being available at McDonald's.
I tried Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper.Grace Dean/Insider
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The McPlant tasted delicious. I really like it with the vegan cheese, though it didn't melt at all, unlike the dairy-based cheese slices in McDonald's other burgers. The pea-protein patty, developed with fake-meat giant Beyond Meat, was much sweeter than the patty in the Whopper.

The McPlant tasted delicious. I really like it with the vegan cheese, though it didn't melt at all, unlike the dairy-based cheese slices in McDonald's other burgers. The pea-protein patty, developed with fake-meat giant Beyond Meat, was much sweeter than the patty in the Whopper.
I tried McDonald's McPlant.Grace Dean/Insider.

Source: Insider

The plant-based Whopper was also delicious. Its patty tasted a little more meaty and barbecue-y.

The plant-based Whopper was also delicious. Its patty tasted a little more meaty and barbecue-y.
I tried Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper.Grace Dean/Insider
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The McPlant cost £3.79 ($5.07) on its own, rising to £5.29 ($7.08) as a medium meal and £5.69 ($7.62) as a large meal. This is the same as a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

The McPlant cost £3.79 ($5.07) on its own, rising to £5.29 ($7.08) as a medium meal and £5.69 ($7.62) as a large meal. This is the same as a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
I tried McDonald's new plant-based burger.Grace Dean/Insider

Source: Insider

The plant-based Whopper cost the same as its meat-based namesake — £4.99 ($6.68) on its own, £6.99 ($9.36) as a regular meal, and £7.49 ($10.03) as a large meal.

The plant-based Whopper cost the same as its meat-based namesake — £4.99 ($6.68) on its own, £6.99 ($9.36) as a regular meal, and £7.49 ($10.03) as a large meal.
I tried Burger King's Plant-Based Whopper.Grace Dean/Insider
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Both burgers were delicious, and as someone who's trying to reduce their meat consumption, I'd rather have them instead of the chains' burgers that contain real meat ...

Both burgers were delicious, and as someone who's trying to reduce their meat consumption, I'd rather have them instead of the chains' burgers that contain real meat ...
I'd happily order both burgers again.Grace Dean/Insider

... though for me, I think the McPlant wins, purely because I love cheese.

... though for me, I think the McPlant wins, purely because I love cheese.
I compared the two plant-based burgers to see which came out top.Grace Dean/Insider
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