I’m visiting popular restaurants to find out (and try!) what Gluten-Free menu items are available. There should be choices everywhere we go, and we should know what’s in a restaurant’s food before we go in. There are times when my family wants to eat out at places like McDonald’s, so I’m writing down each one to see what gluten-free options they have. Here is my guide for what is Gluten Free at McDonald’s.
In terms of fast food chains, McDonald’s probably isn’t the best choice if you want to stay away from gluten. Should you happen to be close to a Jersey Mike’s or Wendy’s, I think they will have a wider range of gluten-free fast food options. Still, I’ve found that the Golden Arches is the only choice or the only restaurant open very late or very early some nights. Here is a guide to help you stay away from menu items that contain wheat if you find yourself in this situation.
Cross-contamination from shared tools and work surfaces is a risk at McDonald’s, as it is at many other fast food chains (see below for more on the restaurant’s official allergen statement). People who need to avoid the risk of any accidental gluten contamination should probably avoid eating at McDonald’s. It’s also worth noting that I reviewed the McDonald’s U. S. menu while I was writing this article, but the ingredients might be different if you go to a restaurant in a different country. Also, the menu items might change based on the season and where you live.
Discover what to order at the world’s largest fast food chain, McDonald’s, when you’re gluten-free. Read our full guide here.
McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast food chains, with restaurants all over the world. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating at McDonald’s can be tricky. One common question is – are McDonald’s breakfast sausages gluten-free?
This is not a straightforward yes or no answer. While McDonald’s sausage patties do not contain gluten ingredients they are cooked in shared fryers and grills meaning cross-contamination is likely.
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the gluten status of McDonald’s sausage, safety precautions, and tips for ordering.
Do McDonald’s Sausages Contain Gluten?
According to McDonald’s their sausage patties do not contain wheat barley, rye or malt – the grains that contain gluten.
The main ingredients are pork, water, salt, corn syrup solids, sugar, spices, and natural flavorings.
However, the seasoning used on the sausage patties does contain dextrose and glucose syrup derived from wheat. The levels of gluten from these ingredients should be under 20ppm.
So while the sausage meat itself is gluten-free the seasonings are not. Those who are highly sensitive should exercise caution.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even if a McDonald’s menu item doesn’t contain gluten ingredients, cross-contamination is still a major concern.
All food at McDonald’s is prepared in shared fryers, grills, and prep areas. The same equipment and utensils are used for both glutinous and gluten-free foods.
For example, sausage patties may be cooked on a grill right after pancakes or biscuits containing gluten. Or they could be cooked in oil used to fry hash browns coated in wheat-based batter.
Even a microscopic amount of gluten can make those with celiac disease or wheat allergy seriously ill. For this reason, no food at McDonald’s can be considered 100% gluten-free or safe for those with celiac.
Tips for Ordering McDonald’s Sausage Gluten-Free
If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, it’s safest to avoid McDonald’s sausage and other menu items altogether. Even seasoned fries contain wheat.
However, some with minor gluten sensitivities may be able to tolerate small amounts of cross-contact. Here are some tips to minimize exposure when ordering McDonald’s sausage:
-
Request that your sausage be cooked in fresh oil in a clean part of the grill, away from glutinous items. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
-
Opt for sausage only, without a biscuit or English muffin. Avoid hash browns as well.
-
Choose plain sausage instead of sausage with gravy, which likely contains wheat flour.
-
Ask for sausage to be served without ketchup or sauce, as these often have hidden gluten. Use your own gluten-free sauce or condiments instead.
-
Make it an egg & sausage only breakfast sandwich, served between lettuce leaves instead of an English muffin.
-
Let the staff know you have an allergy and politely ask them to change gloves, wash hands, and use clean utensils.
-
Check ingredient labels each time you visit. Recipes and suppliers vary over time. Don’t make assumptions.
Other “Gluten-Free” McDonald’s Options
While no food at McDonald’s is certified gluten-free, some items may be safer bets if you read labels and take precautions.
In addition to plain hamburgers and sausage without a bun, fries in dedicated fryers are your best gluten-free fast food bet. Other possibly “safe” items include:
-
Salads without croutons or tortilla strips
-
Plain slices of fruit like apple slices
-
Hot coffee and tea
-
Soft serve ice cream and shakes made with dedicated equipment
-
Bottled juice and soda
As always, confirm ingredients and preparation methods before ordering if you have celiac disease or are highly sensitive.
The Bottom Line
McDonald’s sausage patties themselves do not contain gluten, but the seasonings have trace amounts. Plus, cross-contamination is likely during cooking and prep.
While some minor accommodation is possible, McDonald’s menu is not ideal for those with celiac disease or wheat allergies. Always exercise extreme caution.
For true gluten-free fast food, your best bet is finding restaurants with dedicated prep areas and menus certified gluten-free. These measures greatly reduce any risk of cross-contact.
At the end of the day, consume McDonald’s sausage and other menu items at your own discretion based on your sensitivity levels. When in doubt, avoid it or stick with simple, unbreaded items. Stay safe!
k
Easy Modifications To Make McDonald’s Menu Items Gluten Free
You can’t get gluten-free bread or buns at McDonald’s, but you can order some of their sandwiches without a bun or bread, like most of their hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and still have a meal that doesn’t contain wheat. When I recently went to McDonald’s, I had to tell the person taking my order why I didn’t want to take off the bun myself on my Big Mac. However, the kitchen had no trouble making me a wheat-free meal in the end. I could also tell from my receipt that the McDonald’s Point Of Sale system lets you choose “no bun.”
Here is a list of McDonald’s menu items that are easy to make gluten-free, along with instructions on how to ask for them.
Burgers
- Hamburger without the bun
- Big Mac without the bun
- Quarter pounder without the bun
- Quarter pounder with cheese deluxe without the bun
- Quarter pounder with cheese, bacon without the bun
- McDouble without the bun
- Cheeseburger without the bun
- Double cheeseburger without the bun
Breakfast Sandwiches
- Bacon, egg and cheese without the biscuit/McGriddle
- Egg McMuffin without the the muffin
- Sausage McMuffin without the muffin
- Sausage McMuffin with egg, no muffin
Top Gluten Free Menu Items At McDonald’s
I learned that very few McDonald’s menu items don’t list wheat as an allergen after carefully reading through the ingredients in every dish on the menu right now. The wheat free food items currently at McDonald’s are:
- Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
- Apple Slices
- McFlurry with M&M’s Candies
- Chocolate Shake
- Vanilla Shake
- Strawberry Shake
- Hot Fudge Sundae
- Hot Caramel Sundae
- Shamrock Shake (seasonal)
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie
- Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry
- Frozen Coca-Cola Classic
From the above list, the oatmeal is my favorite. However, keep in mind that different restaurants serve breakfast at different times. At the time of this writing, all McCafe drinks, including coffee drinks (which you can usually order all day), sodas, teas, and juices, are gluten-free.
When I was younger, McDonald’s had salads that were free of wheat. But during the pandemic, they stopped making them, along with grilled chicken.
How To Make Sausages. Rusk-less Sausages Also Gluten Free.#SRP
FAQ
Is there anything gluten-free on McDonald’s menu?
Are McDonald’s eggs and sausage gluten-free?
Is liver sausage gluten-free?
What sausage does not have gluten?
Is McDonald’s savory chili wcdonald’s sauce gluten free?
Currently, the “limited time only” Savory Chili WcDonald’s sauce also lists wheat as an ingredient, and is not gluten free. If you are very concerned about avoiding food that might have been prepared on the same work surfaces or equipment as foods containing gluten, you should probably skip eating at McDonald’s.
Is mustard gluten free?
Naturally, mustard does not contain gluten, but it may contain it due to cross-contamination, that is, when it comes into contact with materials and utensils that are also used for foods that contain gluten. Always read food labels to be sure if they contain gluten or not.
Are bass farms sausages gluten-free?
According to the company, Bass Farms “bulk sausage packages are the only ones on your grocer’s shelf not made with sugar!” Jalapeño Pepperjack Li’l Bites. Debbie and Andrew’s sausages are labeled gluten-free. All varieties of Glampig sausages are labeled gluten-free, and available for delivery. Hillshire farms? Johnsonville – luv em.