Guide · McDonald's · Updated 11 September 2026
The highest protein orders at McDonald's Australia
The best protein order at Maccas is a Double Quarter Pounder. 54.2 grams of protein for 844 calories, and it's the best protein per calorie of any burger on the menu. If that's too much food, a Quarter Pounder is 31.1 grams for 545 calories, which is still better than anything with chicken in the name.
If it's before 10:30am, the Mighty McMuffin is the best thing McDonald's sells for this. 29.7 grams for 442 calories. I'd take that over any burger on the menu.
How I judge a protein order
I don't rank by protein alone. A Big Arch has 58.8 grams of protein, which sounds great until you see it costs 1,102 calories to get it. That's not a high protein meal, that's a day of eating with some protein in it.
The number I care about is protein per 100 calories. Anything over 5 is good for fast food, and over 6 is excellent. The Double Quarter Pounder is 6.4. The Quarter Pounder is 5.7. The Mighty McMuffin is 6.7. The Big Arch is 5.3, which is why it doesn't make my list even though it's got more protein in it than almost anything else.
Here's the whole menu ranked that way, for anything with at least 25 grams of protein.
| Item | kcal | Protein g | Per 100 kcal | Fat g | Carbs g |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Mighty McMuffin | 442 | 29.7 | A6.7 | 21.7 | 30.8 |
| 2Double Quarter Pounder BBQ Bacon | 882 | 58.0 | A6.6 | 53.4 | 39.4 |
| 3Double Quarter Pounder | 844 | 54.2 | A6.4 | 51.6 | 37.9 |
| 4Deluxe Mighty McMuffin | 485 | 30.2 | A6.2 | 26.4 | 30.1 |
| 5Double Sausage & Egg McMuffin | 521 | 32.3 | A6.2 | 31.7 | 26.3 |
| 6Double Quarter Pounder Deluxe | 887 | 54.8 | A6.2 | 55.0 | 39.3 |
| 7Quarter Pounder BBQ Bacon | 581 | 34.8 | B6.0 | 31.0 | 38.5 |
| 8Double Sausage McMuffin | 449 | 26.5 | B5.9 | 26.2 | 25.9 |
| 9Triple Cheeseburger | 688 | 40.5 | B5.9 | 41.0 | 37.8 |
| 10McWings (3 Pack) | 480 | 27.5 | B5.7 | 30.2 | 20.6 |
The burgers that get you to 50 grams
Sometimes you just need a big hit of protein and you're happy to spend the calories. Three burgers get you past 50 grams in one go.
| Item | kcal | kJ | Protein g | Fat g | Carbs g | Sugars g | Sodium mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Quarter Pounder McDonald's | 844 | 3,531 | 54.2 | 51.6 | 37.9 | 12.3 | 1,827 |
| Double Quarter Pounder BBQ Bacon McDonald's | 882 | 3,690 | 58.0 | 53.4 | 39.4 | 13.8 | 2,016 |
| Double Quarter Pounder Deluxe McDonald's | 887 | 3,711 | 54.8 | 55.0 | 39.3 | 13.2 | 1,962 |
The plain Double Quarter Pounder is the one to get. The Deluxe and BBQ Bacon versions add 43 and 38 calories for almost no extra protein. If you're eating this after training, the plain one does the job and leaves room for something else.
Two orders I'd actually get
For a proper high protein lunch that stays under 800 calories, a Quarter Pounder and a 6 pack of nuggets. 774 calories, 44.0 grams of protein. It comes in under a Double Quarter Pounder on calories, and it feels like a proper feed because it's two things to eat instead of one.
For breakfast, a Mighty McMuffin and a Bacon & Egg McMuffin. It sounds greedy. It's 724 calories and 47.3 grams of protein, and it'll hold you until mid afternoon.
The orders that look like protein orders and aren't
The Double McChicken gets searched a lot as a macro order. It's 621 calories for 27.5 grams. That's the same calories as a Big Mac with less protein, and 76 more calories than a Quarter Pounder for 3.6 grams less protein. It's fine as a burger. It's not a protein order.
Same story with the McChicken on its own. 430 calories, 16.2 grams, 3.8 grams per 100 calories. A Cheeseburger has the same protein density for 112 fewer calories.
The wraps are the other trap. The Classic Chicken McWrap is 696 calories for 23.1 grams. People pick it because it isn't a burger, and it's the worst protein deal in the chicken section.
Nuggets are better than you think
A 10 pack of nuggets is 382 calories for 21.5 grams, which puts it at 5.6 grams per 100. That's better than every chicken burger and every wrap. A 6 pack is 229 calories and 12.9 grams, and it's the easiest thing to add to any order when you're a bit short on protein for the day. Skip the sauce if you're counting, or count the sauce.
FAQ
What has the most protein at McDonald's?
The Cheesy Double Quarter Pounder has 68.9 grams, but it's 1,185 calories. The most protein for a sane number of calories is the Double Quarter Pounder at 54.2 grams for 844, or the Mighty McMuffin at 29.7 grams for 442 if it's breakfast time.
What are the macros of a Double McChicken?
621 calories, 27.5 grams of protein, 29.5 grams of fat and 58.8 grams of carbs. A Quarter Pounder beats it on protein for fewer calories.
Is McDonald's good for protein after the gym?
It can be. A Quarter Pounder and a 6 pack of nuggets gives you 44.0 grams. The thing to watch is that most Maccas protein comes with a lot of sodium, so drink water with it and don't make it every session.