McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish® Meal Price & Calories — Nutrition, Allergen & Sustainability Guide (2026)

The Filet-O-Fish® Meal is McDonald’s only seafood combo — and one of the most unique items on the entire menu. For ~$10.49, you get the Filet-O-Fish sandwich, Medium World Famous Fries®, and a Medium Sprite®. At 950 calories, it’s the second-lightest combo meal after the McCrispy Strips 3-Piece (920 Cal).

What makes the Filet-O-Fish special goes beyond flavor. The fish is wild-caught Alaskan Pollock from sustainably managed fisheries — sourced from the cold waters of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. It’s one of the healthiest fast-food fish options, with the lowest sodium (960 mg / 41% DV) and lowest cholesterol (30 mg / 10% DV) of any McDonald’s combo meal.

The sandwich dates back to 1962, when franchise owner Lou Groen in Cincinnati, Ohio created it to serve Catholic customers who avoided meat on Fridays during Lent. Over 60 years later, it remains a fan favorite — especially during the Lenten season (February–April), when Filet-O-Fish sales spike dramatically.

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How Much Is a Filet-O-Fish Meal? — Price

The Filet-O-Fish Meal costs approximately $10.49. The sandwich alone is about $5.49. For a fish sandwich, this is competitive — but it’s worth noting it costs the same as some chicken combos that deliver more protein.

Filet-O-Fish Meal — Nutrition Facts

At 950 calories, the Filet-O-Fish Meal is one of the lightest combos — 50 Cal lighter than the McNuggets Meal. But the real nutritional story is sodium and cholesterol: at just 960 mg sodium (41% DV) and 30 mg cholesterol (10% DV), this is the healthiest combo by both measures. The saturated fat is 6g (29% DV) — among the lowest — and trans fat is zero.

The trade-off is protein: 21g is the lowest protein of any combo meal. If you’re watching sodium or cholesterol, this is the best choice. If you’re prioritizing protein, look at the McCrispy Strips or Quarter Pounder meals instead.

How to Reduce Calories

What’s in a Filet-O-Fish? — Ingredients

The Filet-O-Fish is a simple sandwich with four components: a crispy fish filet patty, tartar sauce, a half-slice of American cheese, and a steamed regular bun. The fish is wild-caught Alaskan Pollock — a lean, white-fleshed fish harvested from the Bering Sea by fisheries certified under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability standards.

The Sustainability Story

McDonald’s sources its Alaskan Pollock from fisheries managed under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification program. The MSC blue fish label confirms the fish comes from wild stocks that are not overfished, with minimal environmental impact. The pollock is harvested primarily from the Eastern Bering Sea — the largest pollock fishery in the world — managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under strict federal quotas.

Allergen Information — Filet-O-Fish Meal

The Filet-O-Fish has the most allergens of any single McDonald’s sandwich — five major allergens across its components:

The History — A McDonald’s Icon Since 1962

The Filet-O-Fish was invented by Lou Groen, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Cincinnati, Ohio. His restaurant was located in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood where customers avoided meat on Fridays during Lent. Groen pitched the fish sandwich to Ray Kroc, McDonald’s CEO, in 1962. Kroc was skeptical and had his own idea — a “Hula Burger” (grilled pineapple with cheese). They held a sales contest: the Filet-O-Fish outsold the Hula Burger on its first Friday, and the rest is history.

The half-slice of cheese is an original design choice from 1962 that has never changed. A full slice was deemed too overpowering for the delicate fish flavor.

Filet-O-Fish vs Other Combos — Comparison

Lent & the Filet-O-Fish

The Filet-O-Fish is the most popular fast-food item during Lent — the 40-day period before Easter when many Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays. During Lent, McDonald’s typically sees Filet-O-Fish sales increase by 25–30%. Many locations run 2-for deals and app promotions. It remains the only non-meat, non-vegetarian protein at McDonald’s (fish-based).

How to Customize

• Extra Tartar Sauce — more tangy creaminess (adds ~70 Cal)
• No Tartar Sauce — removes egg allergen, saves ~70 Cal
• Full Cheese Slice — upgrade from half to full (ask at register)
• No Cheese — removes soy and milk allergens from sandwich
• Double Filet — add a second fish patty (~$1.50 extra)
• Swap Sprite → Water — saves ~210 Cal

When Can You Order?

• Available: 10:30 AM – Close (lunch/dinner)
• Not available: During breakfast hours
• Peak Season: Lent (February–April)

Frequently Asked Questions — Filet-O-Fish® Meal

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