Randy Chandler
McDonald's is a fast-food giant and cultural phenomenon, renowned for its burgers, including the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, and Cheeseburger. A key component of these iconic sandwiches is the cheese, which has sparked curiosity and speculation among consumers. The cheese used by McDonald's is often described as processed, with a distinctive melt factor and uniform texture. While the exact composition is a trade secret, it is known that their cheese slices contain a mix of real cheese and other ingredients, creating a product that is easily mass-produced and consistent across outlets worldwide. This raises the question: what type of cheese does McDonald's use, and is it different from the cheese found in other burgers?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | American Cheese |
| Composition | 60% real cheese and a mixture of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring and colouring |
| Real Cheese Composition | Typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss |
| Texture | Smooth and gooey |
| Melting Properties | Melts due to additives like emulsifying salt and sodium citrate |
| Taste | Salty |
| Colour | Bright yellow |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's uses processed American cheese
American cheese is a type of processed cheese that is typically made from a blend of other cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. It is known for its bright yellow colour, smooth texture, and excellent melting properties. These characteristics are partly due to the addition of sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish.
According to McDonald's website, their proprietary American cheese is made with 60% real cheese, including 51% Cheddar and 9% other cheeses. While some have claimed that the cheese is simply pasteurized processed cheese and not actual cheese, it is important to note that the term "processed cheese" refers to a category of cheese products that have been modified in some way, such as through blending or the addition of ingredients to alter texture or flavour.
To mimic the taste and texture of McDonald's American cheese at home, chef Mike Haracz recommends using a product like Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. He emphasizes that the cheese should be tempered, or brought to room temperature, before being used, as this enhances its melting properties and flavour.
While some may scoff at American cheese due to its processed nature, it is undeniable that it has become an iconic component of McDonald's signature sandwiches, with its distinctive appearance and melt factor contributing to the classic McDonald's cheeseburger experience.
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It's made with 60% real cheese
McDonald's has become synonymous with quick, delicious bites, and its burgers are some of the most iconic menu items. A big part of what has made those burgers so iconic is the sliced cheese that lies between the meat patty and the buns. But, is this slice of soft, oozy goodness actually cheese?
The exact composition of those slices is a closely guarded trade secret. However, it is known that McDonald's cheese is referred to as a processed cheese product in America. The unique blend they use consists of 60% real cheese and a mixture of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring. This blend ensures a uniform texture and melting properties, resulting in the desired gooey and smooth consistency when used in burgers.
McDonald's cheese slices do contain essential nutrients found in natural cheese, such as calcium and protein. Calcium is vital for strong bones and teeth, while protein is essential for various bodily functions, including muscle repair and growth. The specific type of cheese used by McDonald's is American cheese, which is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches.
According to the McDonald's website, their American cheese is made with "51% Cheddar and 9% other cheeses," with the remaining 40% likely consisting of the aforementioned ingredients. While some may scoff at American cheese's processed nature, its bright yellow, ultra-smooth texture is beloved by many and has become an integral part of the McDonald's brand.
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The remaining 40% is a mix of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring and colouring
McDonald's uses a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, in its burgers. While the exact composition is a closely guarded trade secret, it is known that their cheese slices contain a mix of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring, in addition to 60% real cheese.
The remaining 40% of the cheese's composition is designed to maintain a uniform texture and melting properties, ensuring a smooth and gooey consistency when melted on burgers. This blend of additional ingredients is essential to achieving the desired texture and melt factor. Sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt, is one such ingredient that contributes to the uniform finish of the cheese.
The inclusion of these additives is primarily practical, as it allows for easy mass production, storage, and consistent use across McDonald's outlets worldwide. Processed cheese offers advantages such as a longer shelf life and better melting properties, making it a cost-effective choice for a fast-food chain with a high volume of sales.
While some may scoff at the processed nature of American cheese, it is an iconic component of McDonald's signature sandwiches, providing the familiar melty texture and bright yellow colour that has become synonymous with the brand. The cheese slices also contain essential nutrients found in natural cheese, such as calcium and protein, offering some nutritional value to consumers.
The specific combination of ingredients in the remaining 40% of McDonald's cheese blend is a carefully crafted formula that contributes to the unique texture and taste that has come to define their cheeseburgers. While the exact recipe is kept confidential, the blend of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring creates a consistent and recognisable product for customers worldwide.
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The exact composition is a trade secret
McDonald's has become synonymous with quick, delicious bites, and its burgers, such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, and Cheeseburgers, are instantly recognisable. A significant part of what has made those burgers so iconic is the sliced cheese that lies between the meat patty and the buns. The exact composition of those slices is a closely guarded trade secret. However, it is known that McDonald's cheese slices contain essential nutrients found in natural cheese, such as calcium and protein, and have no artificial flavours, preservatives, or added colours from artificial sources.
The cheese used in McDonald's burgers has always been a subject of curiosity and speculation. The slices are referred to as a "processed cheese product" in America. The unique blend they use consists of 60% real cheese and a mixture of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring. This blend ensures a uniform texture and melting properties, resulting in the desired gooey and smooth consistency when used in burgers.
McDonald's requires cheese that can be easily mass-produced, stored, and used consistently across its outlets worldwide. Processed cheese offers these advantages, making it an efficient choice for large-scale operations. While the exact recipe is a secret, it is believed that American cheese, which is used in McDonald's burgers, is typically a blend of cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, and Swiss.
According to McDonald's website, their proprietary American cheese is made with 60% real cheese, specifically "51% Cheddar and 9% Other Cheeses." Chef Mike Haracz, who has been behind the scenes, confirms that Walmart's Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese is the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese.
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The cheese is supplied by Great Lakes Cheese in the USA
McDonald's uses slices of American cheese on its cheeseburgers. This is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. The exact composition of these slices is a trade secret, but it is known that they are made with a mix of real cheese, water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring.
Great Lakes Cheese's processed cheese product consists of 60% real cheese. This is a blend of 51% cheddar and 9% other cheeses. The remaining 40% is made up of water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring.
The emulsifying salt, or sodium citrate, is an essential component of the cheese's iconic melt factor. It ensures a uniform finish, helping the cheese to achieve its desired gooey and smooth consistency when used in burgers. This uniformity also extends to the cheese's texture and melting properties, which is crucial for McDonald's consistent preparation methods and output.
The processed cheese supplied by Great Lakes Cheese allows McDonald's to maintain consistency in the taste and texture of its cheeseburgers across its global outlets.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's uses American cheese on its burgers. This is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss.
The exact composition of the cheese slices is a trade secret. However, it is referred to as a processed cheese product in America, consisting of 60% real cheese and additives like water, salt, whey powder, butter, milk proteins, emulsifying salt, flavouring, and colouring.
Processed cheese is advantageous for large-scale operations like McDonald's as it can be easily mass-produced, stored, and used consistently across outlets worldwide.
