The fast-food giant has been expanding its animal-free options in various countries around the world - this is the latest step in its intention to expand plant protein offerings

McDonald's Big Vegan TS (Photo: McDonald's)

McDonald's is launching a vegan burger in Germany, according to reports.

The Big Vegan TS features Nestlé's new plant-based Garden Gourmet patty, as well as mustard, ketchup, onions, tomato, and salad.

A spokesperson for the chain says the burger delivers the 'typical McDonald's taste', and a review by eKitchen.com brands the sandwich the 'best veggie burger so far' created by the eatery.

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Nestlé Garden Gourmet patty

Nestlé will be launching its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger as a standalone product from this month, first coming to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

The patty is made from soy and wheat, and uses plant extracts from beetroot, carrot, and bell pepper to 'help create the look of a beef burger before, during, and after cooking'.

"These new burgers don’t compromise on flavor, texture and cooking experience," Wayne England, Head of Nestlé's Food Business, said in a statement. "They underline Nestlé's increased focus on tasty, authentic plant-based food. We believe this trend is here to stay, as consumers look at different ways to enjoy and balance their protein intake and lower the environmental footprint of their diets."

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McDonald's Spicy Vegetarian Wrap was released in the UK earlier this year (Photo: McDonald's)

Vegan McDonald's

The new release joins a slew of recent vegan options, with McDonald's has acknowledged the growing demand for meat-free options from customers - saying it is 'always open to their suggestions'.

Current animal-free dishes include vegan nuggets in Norway and falafel nuggets in Sweden, as well as the McVegan Burger in Sweden - which McDonald's rolled out across the country at the end of 2017. The burger chain is also trialing the El Veggo in Finland.

In addition, McDonald's launched a vegan Happy Meal in the UK earlier this year - as well as a wrap which is suitable for those on a plant-based diet.

The vegan Happy Meal includes a breaded red pesto goujon wrap. The Spicy Veggie Wrap, on McDonald's main adult menu, also contains a breaded vegetable goujon.The kids' wrap also contains tomato ketchup and shredded lettuce, and the adult option features spicy tomato relish, tomato, lettuce, and red onion. Both are wrapped in a flour tortilla. The items are both certified by The Vegetarian Society.*

Vegan protein

Last year McDonald's revealed it could have more vegan options in the pipeline.

Lucy Brady, a Senior Vice President for the company, said the company is tracking major trends and how to keep up with them while speaking at the recent Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit in California.

Leading vegan media outlet VegNews reported Brady as saying: "Plant-based protein is something we’re keeping our eye on."

The Big Vegan TS will launch at participating restaurants from April 29.

*While all the ingredients in the wraps are suitable for vegans, McDonald's has marked the items as vegetarian because the tortillas pass through the same toaster as the buns that contain milk - and therefore there's a minor risk of cross-contamination. The items are both certified by The Vegetarian Society.