# Salad-Style QSR Sandwiches The McDonald's Salad Burger is Available in New Zealand By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2023-11-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-salad-burger References: [brandeating](https://www.brandeating.com/2023/11/mcdonalds-new-zealands-salad-burger-is-literally-a-burger-minus-the-beef-patty.html) & [mcdonalds.co.nz](https://mcdonalds.co.nz)  The McDonald's Salad Burger is a new vegetarian sandwich option being launched in the New Zealand market to provide patrons with a meat-free menu item perfect for lunch or dinner. The sandwich starts off with a sesame seed bun topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, two slices of pickles, American cheese and McChicken sauce. The final result is a fresh, flavorful sandwich that's suitable for vegetarian consumers to enjoy. The McDonald's Salad Burger takes a more direct approach to meat-free QSR fare by eliminating meat-like patties or replacements altogether in place of a veggies-only recipe. The sandwich is suited for consumers who practice a plant-based diet, but could also be a gateway item for consumers to try out as a lighter alternative to meat-based sandwiches. Image Credit: McDonald's New Zealand ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 80% | Freshness: 19% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Vegetarian QSR Options:** The McDonald's Salad Burger is part of a trend towards offering more vegetarian options in the quick-service restaurant industry. - **Meat-free Sandwiches:** The McDonald's Salad Burger demonstrates a trend towards creating sandwiches that eliminate meat patties and focus on fresh vegetable ingredients. - **Plant-based Alternatives:** The McDonald's Salad Burger is an example of the growing trend of offering plant-based alternatives that cater to vegetarian consumers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Quick-service Restaurants:** The McDonald's Salad Burger is a response to the demand for more vegetarian options in the quick-service restaurant industry. - **Food and Beverage:** The trend of offering meat-free sandwiches is an opportunity for the food and beverage industry to cater to vegetarian consumers. - **Health and Wellness:** The growing trend of plant-based alternatives provides opportunities for the health and wellness industry to offer more nutritious options to consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Delicious QSR Veggie Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcveggie.md) - [Noodle Soup-Inspired Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-singapore-laksa-burger.md) - [Savory QSR Jackfruit Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-meatless-mckroket.md) - [Local Produce QSR Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jindo-green-onion-cream-croquette-burger.md) - [Spicy Chicken Thigh Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mighty-hot-mcspicy-sandwiches.md) - [Ranch-Covered Chicken Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacon-ranch-mccrispy.md) - [Elevated QSR Chicken Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-mccrispy.md) - [Meaty Chili-Topped Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-beef-meat-chili-burger.md) - [Combat-Themed QSR Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-japan-street-burgers.md)