A McDonald’s Hash Brown contains 150 calories. This is based on the standard McDonald’s Hash Brown that is served as a side item on their breakfast menu.
Calories in a McDonald’s Hash Brown
Here are the key details on the calories and nutrition info for a McDonald’s Hash Brown:
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
As you can see, a single McDonald’s Hash Brown contains 150 calories, which comes from 8g of total fat. It also contains 290mg of sodium, which is 12% of the recommended daily value. The Hash Brown gets most of its calories from fat, but also contains 17g of carbohydrates and 2g of protein.
McDonald’s Hash Brown Ingredients
McDonald’s Hash Browns are made with simple ingredients like potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, and dehydrated potato.
Here are the ingredients in a McDonald’s Hash Brown:
- Potatoes
- Vegetable oil (canola oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative])
- Salt
- Dextrose
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color)
- Extractives of black pepper
- Dried potato
- Corn flour
- Natural flavor (animal source)
- Dimethylpolysiloxane (anti-foaming agent)
The main ingredients are potatoes, oil, and salt. The Hash Browns are fried in a vegetable oil blend. The dehydrated potato and corn flour help give the hash browns their crispy texture.
How McDonald’s Hash Browns Are Made
McDonald’s Hash Browns start with real potatoes. The potatoes are peeled, shredded, then formed into the iconic rectangular shape and deep fried. Here is an overview of how McDonald’s makes their Hash Browns:
- Potatoes are peeled, washed, and shredded. The shreds allow more surface area for getting crispy.
- The shredded potatoes are pressed to remove excess moisture.
- A small amount of vegetable oil is added to help the potatoes brown evenly.
- The potato shreds are formed into a rectangular patty shape.
- The patties are par-fried in vegetable oil to partially cook them.
- The par-fried patties are frozen and shipped to McDonald’s locations.
- In the restaurant, the patties are fried in vegetable oil again until crispy and golden brown.
- The Hash Browns are salted immediately after frying to boost flavor.
- Hash Browns are held in a warming drawer until served.
The double frying method helps achieve the signature crispy exterior and fluffy interior of a McDonald’s Hash Brown.
McDonald’s Hash Brown Nutrition Facts
Here is the full nutrition facts breakdown for a McDonald’s Hash Brown (based on a 77g serving):
| Nutrition Facts | 1 Hash Brown | Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150 | |
| Total Fat 8g | 8g | 10% |
| Saturated Fat 2.5g | 2.5g | 13% |
| Trans Fat 0g | 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 290mg | 290mg | 12% |
| Total Carbohydrate 17g | 17g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 2g | 8% |
| Sugars 0g | 0g | |
| Protein 2g | 2g |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
As you can see from the nutrition label, a McDonald’s Hash Brown is high in fat, sodium and carbohydrates. It provides 10% of the recommended daily intake of total fat and 12% for sodium, mostly coming from the vegetable oils and salt used to cook and season them.
McDonald’s Hash Brown Calories in Context
At 150 calories, a McDonald’s Hash Brown is considered a low-calorie menu item compared to other McDonald’s offerings.
Here’s how the 150 calories in a McDonald’s Hash Brown compare:
- A McDonald’s hamburger has 250 calories
- A small order of McDonald’s fries has 230 calories
- A McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin with Egg has 370 calories
- A McDonald’s Big Mac has 540 calories
The Hash Brown has fewer calories than many other McDonald’s menu items. However, it’s still a fried and salty food that should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
Hash Brown Calorie Range
McDonald’s Hash Browns can range slightly in calories depending on size:
- Standard 2.4 oz Hash Brown: 150 calories
- Large 3.2 oz Hash Brown: 200 calories
When ordering, keep in mind that a larger Hash Brown portion will contain more calories, fat, and sodium.
Strategies to Reduce Hash Brown Calories
If you want to enjoy Hash Browns as part of your breakfast while limiting calories, here are some tips:
- Order a small Hash Brown instead of a large
- Skip high-calorie sauces and dips
- Pair your Hash Brown with lower calorie items like egg whites, yogurt, or fruit
- Split your Hash Brown in half and share it or save half for later
- Substitute a Hash Brown for french fries in a meal combo to save approx. 80 calories
Making adjustments like these can allow you to savor McDonald’s Hash Browns while maintaining your daily calorie goals.
Healthier Hash Brown Alternatives
For an even healthier breakfast, you can make hash browns at home. Homemade hash browns give you more control over the ingredients and cooking methods.
Healthy hash brown options include:
- Oven baked instead of fried
- Minimal or no added oil
- Herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor
- Sweet potatoes or cauliflower instead of white potatoes
- Added veggies like onions, peppers, kale
With some simple substitutions and cooking adjustments, you can enjoy hash browns as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
A McDonald’s Hash Brown contains 150 calories and provides 10% of the daily recommended value for fat and 12% for sodium. While it has fewer calories than many other McDonald’s menu items, it is still a high-fat, salty food. Enjoying Hash Browns in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet is key. Making adjustments to your order and cooking healthier versions at home can allow you to satisfy your hash brown craving while maintaining a nutritious diet.
