Does Popeyes Use MSG? Here’s What You Need to Know | 2025

If you are the one who fell in love with Popeyes chicken and had thoughts like, “Why is this so good”? Well, you are certainly not alone. It is hard to resist that juicy meat, a burst of flavor, and crispy coating, and that makes people wonder, “Does Popeyes use MSG in their food”? Let’s burst this bubble here – no diploma required, trust me!

Check also: Does Popeyes take EBT?

MSG, which stands for Monosodium Glutamate, is a flavor booster based on salt but doesn’t taste like it. On the contrary, it enriches the food with depth and the savory taste of umami, which makes the experience satisfying. Many things like instant noodles, chips, frozen meals, canned soups, and even some seasonings have MSG. It’s been more than 100 years since its usage in cooking.  Health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the FDA declared it safe to consume. Many people use it most of the time without any issues. However, some people worry about it. Exceptions are always there!  

Yes, they do use MSG in their main course items, including people’s favorites, like:

• Chicken Tenders
• Mild and Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
• Their Signature Chicken
• Ghost Pepper Wings
• Fries and Side (some options)

You can look for MSG in these items as they share ingredient lists on their website. Now you know where that delicious taste comes from? Yeah, right, it’s MSG.

That is a good point to ponder. The reason Popeyes and other fast food chains use MSG is as many as follows:

1. Flavor Booster: It makes chicken feel more chicken-y; oh, I meant Yummy!
2. Consistency: No matter which subcontinent you are in, the food tastes the same around the clock.
3. Affordable: The lesser quantity of MSG is more than enough; this is way cheaper than other spices.

Read also: Popeyes Wraps Menu

Absolutely. If you’re sensitive or allergic to MSG or want to skip it for any other reason, you still have some options that do not use MSG. These include:

• Blackened Chicken Tenders (these are grilled-style and seasoned without MSG).
• Some of the sides like applesauce and coleslaw.
• The biscuits are usually MSG-free, too.

Satisfied? Here’s the twist, then. Due to the use of shared kitchens and fryers, your food was likely in contact with MSG because other food was cooked in the same fryer with MSG.

You’ve got a good memory, yes. In 2022, Popeye promised its customers that by 2025, it would eliminate preservatives, artificial flavors, and MSG from its menu in the US. However, we’re now halfway through June 2025, and they’re still using MSG in many products. It indicates that they’ve skipped the idea, or it might happen later in the year. Bold changes like this take guts and time when a food chain is this popular and is physically available in so many locations. If it matters to you, it’s recommended that you visit their website from time to time and notice if their ingredients list changes.

This question confuses people more than the menu list. Hehe. Some customers reported getting headaches and feeling tired after eating it. However, as per the latest research, no correlation was found between the use of MSG and these reported reactions unless the customer ate it considerably. Many health organizations agree that consuming MSG in normal amounts is safe.

Another perspective is that, as each body is different, this could be one reason for these different results. The best tip is to listen to your Gut. Yes, you read right. If something makes you feel bloated, tired, or numb, it’s time to listen to your body and avoid it.  

Check also: Popeyes Family Feast

If you want to skip MSG while still enjoying Popeyes occasionally, note these tips:

1. Explore the ingredient list: Staff may have a printed version, or you can check online before you order. It’s available on their website.
2. Order Blackened Tenders: These are grilled and usually don’t contain MSG, so if you’re short on time, just order them.
3. Stick to the sides-only menu: Try biscuits or coleslaw instead of red beans or Cajun Fries (due to using MSG in seasoning).
4. Say no to creamy sauces: Sometimes, there is hidden MSG, or dipping sauces might have hidden MSG or ingredients like “yeast extract,” which act similarly.
5. Watch out for “flavor packets”: Sometimes, the MSG isn’t in the chicken but in the seasoning or coating.

So, Popeyes uses MSG in many of its menu items to make them taste savory, bold, and super flavorful. But that doesn’t mean you have to avoid Popeyes altogether. If MSG isn’t your choice, you can still enjoy a tasty meal at Popeyes while making wise choices (like going for blackened tenders or asking about ingredients). Remember one thing, at the end of the day, it’s all about balance. Whether you eat MSG or avoid it, the goal is to eat in a way that makes you feel good, both in your belly and mind. And sometimes a little spicy chicken sandwich hits the spot — MSG or not!