Filet-O-Fish® $4.99 | 390 Cal
Before ordering the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, most people want straightforward answers how many calories it has, what ingredients are inside, how much it costs, and whether it’s actually worth it. This guide provides a complete breakdown of Filet-O-Fish calories, nutrition facts, ingredients, price, and allergens, giving you clear, factual information so you can decide quickly without marketing fluff.
Filet-O-Fish®
$4.99 | 390 Cal
Filet-O-Fish Price
Current pricing for the Filet-O-Fish in the United States:
- Sandwich only: approximately $5.50
- Combo Meal (sandwich + medium fries + medium drink): approximately $14.19
Prices vary by location, city, and market. McDonald’s in higher cost-of-living areas such as New York City or San Francisco typically charge more than locations in the Midwest or South. Ordering through third-party delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub will add service fees and delivery charges on top of menu prices.
What’s Actually in a Filet-O-Fish?
The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is made up of four main components: a fish filet patty, a steamed bun, tartar sauce, and a half-slice of American cheese. Each ingredient plays a role in the sandwich’s taste, texture, and nutritional profile especially important for anyone checking calories or managing food allergies.
- Fish Filet Patty: Made from wild-caught Alaska Pollock, the filet is coated in a seasoned wheat-flour batter and fried. Key ingredients include pollock, vegetable oils (canola, corn, soybean), wheat flour, modified food starch, whey (milk), and natural flavors.
- Steamed Bun: The bun is soft and lightly sweet, made from enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, and soybean oil. Unlike other McDonald’s sandwiches, it’s steamed instead of toasted, giving it a softer texture. It may contain sesame due to shared processing.
- Tartar Sauce: A creamy, tangy sauce made from soybean oil, pickle relish, egg yolks, vinegar, onions, sugar, and xanthan gum. It adds most of the sandwich’s flavor.
- American Cheese (Half Slice): A signature half-slice of pasteurized American cheese made from milk, cream, and emulsifiers like sodium citrate and soy lecithin. It adds mild creaminess without overpowering the fish.
What Fish Is Used in the Filet-O-Fish?
McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish uses wild-caught Alaska Pollock, a mild, flaky whitefish commonly used in seafood products. It is sourced from fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), meaning it comes from sustainably managed stocks. Its neutral flavor pairs well with tartar sauce, making it ideal for a balanced fast-food fish sandwich.
Filet-O-Fish Calories and Nutrition Facts
The Filet-O-Fish contains 380 calories per sandwich. Here is the complete nutrition panel:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 380 | — |
| Total Fat | 19g | 24% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 19% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 580mg | 25% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 38g | 14% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 5% |
| Total Sugars | 4g | — |
| Added Sugars | 4g | 7% |
| Protein | 16g | — |
| Calcium | 60mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 280mg | 6% |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% |
Filet-O-Fish Allergen Information
This is one of the most searched aspects of the Filet-O-Fish, particularly among people with food allergies or dietary restrictions. The sandwich contains the following confirmed allergens:
- Fish (Pollock): present in the fish filet patty
- Wheat: present in both the breaded fish filet and the steamed bun
- Milk: present in the fish coating (whey) and the American cheese
- Egg: present in the tartar sauce (egg yolks)
- Soy: present in the American cheese (soy lecithin) and potentially in the bun
The regular bun may contain sesame due to shared equipment and bakery processing, which is relevant for anyone with a sesame allergy following the FASTER Act labeling requirements introduced in the United States in 2023.
How the Filet-O-Fish is made
The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is a popular fast-food fish sandwich known for its soft texture and mild flavor. It is assembled using pre-prepared ingredients to maintain consistent taste and quality across all locations.
- Fish Filet Patty Preparation: The sandwich starts with a wild-caught Alaska Pollock fillet that is coated in a seasoned wheat-flour batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy, creating its signature crunchy texture.
- Steamed Bun Assembly: A soft, steamed bun is used as the base instead of a toasted one, giving the sandwich a light, fluffy texture that complements the crispy fish filet.
- Tartar Sauce Addition: Creamy tartar sauce made with ingredients like pickle relish, egg yolk, and vinegar is added to bring a tangy and slightly acidic flavor that balances the richness of the fried fish.
- American Cheese Layering: A half-slice of American cheese is placed over the hot fish filet, lightly melting and adding a smooth, creamy dairy note that completes the sandwich profile.
Is the Filet-O-Fish gluten-free?
No. Both the fish patty breading and the bun contain wheat. McDonald’s does not currently offer a gluten-free bun or an unbreaded fish option.
Is the Filet-O-Fish vegetarian or vegan?
No on both counts. It contains fish, dairy, and egg. It is also prepared in shared kitchen environments alongside other meat products.
Is the Filet-O-Fish Worth Ordering?
The McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish is a simple, reliable fast food option that offers a mild fish flavor, lower saturated fat than beef burgers, and a consistent taste experience. However, it is high in sodium and includes fried fish and processed cheese, so it’s not a health-focused choice. Overall, it’s worth ordering if you want a quick, non-beef alternative, but not ideal if you’re looking for a nutritious or grilled seafood option.
How to Customize Your Filet-O-Fish
The Filet-O-Fish has more customization potential than most people realize. These are the modifications worth trying, ranked from simplest to most involved:
- Swap tartar sauce for Big Mac sauce: Ask for two pumps of Big Mac sauce instead of tartar. The pump dispenser for Big Mac sauce releases less per press than the tartar sauce dispenser, so two pumps roughly equals the standard tartar portion. This swap adds a savory, mustard-forward complexity. Must be ordered at the counter or drive-through not available through the app.
- Add pickles and mustard: Orderable directly through the McDonald’s app at no extra charge. The pickles add crunch and brine; the mustard introduces a pungent sharpness that makes the sandwich taste noticeably similar to a classic McDonald’s cheeseburger. Useful if you want familiar fast food flavor with a fish base.
- BLT upgrade: Add bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Order in person. The smokiness of the bacon is subtle enough not to overwhelm the fish, the lettuce adds textural crunch, and the tomato introduces freshness that the standard build lacks entirely. Of all reported customizations, this produces the most complete, restaurant-style result.
- Fish and chips style: Order fries separately and place them inside the sandwich. The tartar sauce acts as a natural adhesive for the fries. This works best with fresh, hot fries. Add ketchup if you want acidity to balance the richness.
- No cheese: Removing the half-slice of American cheese eliminates the soy lecithin allergen, reduces calories slightly, and produces a cleaner fish flavor. Worth trying if you find the processed cheese distracting rather than complementary.
- Double fish patty: Request two fish filet patties. The sandwich becomes significantly more filling and the fish flavor intensifies. The steamed bun struggles slightly with the additional height, so eat it quickly after assembly.
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I am Daniel Brooks, a Chief and Food Specialist with strong experience in food blogging. I write expert articles about McDonald’s to provide accurate updates, reviews, and insights.
