What should I order at McDonald's for high protein?
The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese carries the most protein on the standard menu, 48 g. For a smaller appetite, 3 piece McCrispy Strips is the better pick at 31 g for 400 calories, the best protein-to-calorie ratio on the menu.
Key takeaways
- The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese tops the menu at 48 g of protein, ahead of every sandwich and the 20 piece nuggets.
- McCrispy Strips punch above their size: 4 piece is 41 g of protein for 530 calories, and 3 piece is 31 g for just 400 calories, the best ratio on the whole menu.
- The Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel is a genuine high protein breakfast option that's easy to miss, 34 g for 680 calories.
- The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes matches the Bacon Quarter Pounder on protein but carries more than double the calories, worth weighing before making it a regular order.
McDonald's menu spans burgers, chicken and breakfast, and the protein numbers vary widely between them.
The highest protein items
The multi-patty burgers and the larger nugget orders carry the most protein, along with the Big Breakfast for anyone ordering in the morning.
48 g proteinDouble Quarter Pounder with Cheese1 sandwich, 740 kcal
46 g proteinChicken McNuggets20 piece, 830 kcal
41 g proteinMcCrispy Strips4 piece, 530 kcal
36 g proteinBacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese1 sandwich, 630 kcal
36 g proteinBig Breakfast with Hotcakes1 meal, 1340 kcal
34 g proteinSteak, Egg & Cheese Bagel1 sandwich, 680 kcal
High protein, low calorie: better for a smaller appetite
A lot of people are eating less per sitting, whether that is a GLP-1 medication or just not wanting a 1,000 calorie sandwich. These are the items that hold a reasonable amount of protein in a smaller order.
- 31 g proteinMcCrispy Strips3 piece, 400 kcal
25 g proteinDouble Cheeseburger1 sandwich, 440 kcal- 23 g proteinChicken McNuggets10 piece, 410 kcal
22 g proteinMcDouble1 sandwich, 390 kcal
17 g proteinEgg McMuffin1 sandwich, 310 kcal
15 g proteinCheeseburger1 sandwich, 300 kcal
Four of the six items on that list clear 20 g while staying under 450 calories, led by McCrispy Strips at 31 g for 400 calories, the best ratio on the menu.
Swap this for that
- Swap the Cheeseburger for the Double Cheeseburger: +10 g protein for 140 more calories.
- Swap the McDouble for McCrispy Strips (3 piece): +9 g protein for only 10 more calories.
- Swap the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes for the Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel: nearly the same protein for 660 fewer calories.
If Burger King is more often on your route, the Burger King high protein menu works the same way.
If you're managing a GLP-1 prescription and unsure how a heavier order fits your plan for the day, that is a question for your prescriber or dietitian rather than a menu page.
More questions about Fast food
What's the highest protein item at McDonald's?
The Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, at 48 g of protein for 740 calories. The 20 piece Chicken McNuggets is close behind at 46 g, and 4 piece McCrispy Strips at 41 g. All three are large orders rather than something to have alongside a full meal.
What should I order at McDonald's if I'm on a GLP-1 medication?
3 piece McCrispy Strips is the standout: 31 g of protein for 400 calories, the best ratio on the menu. A Double Cheeseburger is a close second at 25 g for 440 calories. If a full sandwich still feels like too much, order it and eat half rather than skipping the protein entirely. Run a bigger change to how you eat around your prescription past your prescriber or dietitian.
Do these numbers change if I customize the order?
Yes. Removing cheese, sauce or a bun lowers both the calories and the protein, sometimes by a meaningful amount, since a standard order includes every default topping.
