Frederic Melton
McDonald's uses American cheese, a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses, on its burgers. The cheese is unbranded and made and packaged specifically for the fast-food chain. It is tempered, left to set at room temperature for at least an hour, to achieve the ideal texture and flavour, and to ensure it melts better. According to Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart is the closest substitute for McDonald's cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | American cheese |
| Texture | Smooth |
| Colour | Bright yellow |
| Composition | Blend of Cheddar, Colby, and Swiss |
| Composition percentage | Cheddar (51%), Other Cheeses (9%) |
| Melting property | Melts easily |
| Taste | Salty |
| Ingredients | Sodium citrate |
| Storage | Stored at room temperature |
| Brand | Unbranded, made specifically for McDonald's |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's cheese is unbranded and made specifically for the chain
Former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz, has revealed that the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Processed Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. According to Haracz, most big brands of American cheese have their own recipe, but co-manufacturers will make a variety of cheeses for store brands. He recommends avoiding pre-sliced, individually wrapped American cheese, as this is not how McDonald's cheese is made. Instead, he suggests opting for American cheese sold in blocks.
McDonald's cheese is also tempered, meaning it is allowed to reach room temperature before being used. This helps it melt onto the sandwiches better and gives it that signature McDonald's taste. The practice of tempering cheese is recommended by Haracz in his TikTok videos, where he shares insider information about the chain's menu and practices.
While the exact recipe for McDonald's cheese may remain a secret, it is clear that it is a unique product made specifically for the chain. The combination of different cheeses, the tempering process, and the lack of branding all contribute to creating a signature taste and texture that has become an essential component of McDonald's sandwiches.
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It's a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses
McDonald's uses American cheese, which is a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses. While it is unbranded, it is made and packaged specifically for McDonald's. According to the McDonald's website, their American cheese is made with 60% real cheese, comprising 51% cheddar and 9% other cheeses.
Former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz, has revealed that the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese is the Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. He attributes the iconic melt factor of McDonald's cheese to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish.
Haracz also emphasizes the importance of tempering the cheese, allowing it to reach room temperature before use. This technique enhances the flavor and texture, making it taste even more like McDonald's cheese.
While the exact brand of cheese used by McDonald's remains proprietary information, the blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses creates the distinctive American cheese flavor that has become synonymous with McDonald's cheeseburgers.
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It's pasteurized processed cheese
McDonald's uses pasteurized processed cheese on its burgers. While the company doesn't reveal the exact brand, former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz, has provided some insights. In a TikTok video, Haracz revealed that the closest substitute for McDonald's cheese that customers can buy is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart.
Haracz explained that most big brands of American cheese have their own recipes, but co-manufacturers produce a variety of cheese for store brands. He also advised against pre-sliced, individually wrapped American cheese, as it's not how McDonald's cheese is made. Instead, the cheese is likely purchased in bulk and allowed to temper, or reach room temperature, before being used. This helps it melt onto the sandwiches better and gives it that signature McDonald's taste.
According to McDonald's website, their proprietary American cheese is made with 60% real cheese, specifically 51% Cheddar and 9% other cheeses, with the remaining 40% likely a blend of emulsifying salts and other ingredients. This blend of cheeses, typically including cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, contributes to the iconic melt factor and ultra-smooth texture of McDonald's cheese.
While the exact brand of cheese McDonald's uses remains a closely guarded secret, the information provided by Haracz and the company's website offers valuable insights into the type and characteristics of the cheese used in their beloved sandwiches and burgers.
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It's tempered to reach room temperature
McDonald's uses American cheese, which is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. The cheese is made and packaged specifically for the fast-food chain, and it is sourced in bulk without any branding. It has been described as an "ultra-smooth" and "bright yellow" fromage with a high melt factor.
To achieve the ideal texture and flavor, McDonald's tempers their cheese, allowing it to reach room temperature before using it. This process involves letting the cheese sit out on the counter for at least an hour. By bringing the cheese to room temperature, it melts more easily and uniformly when added to a sandwich, creating the signature melt that McDonald's is known for. This technique is particularly important for achieving the desired taste and consistency of the cheese in McDonald's sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and burgers.
The tempering process is a crucial step in ensuring the cheese is at its optimal condition for use in McDonald's menu items. It helps enhance the flavor and texture of the cheese, making it more pliable and easier to work with. By letting the cheese come to room temperature, McDonald's ensures that it melts evenly and consistently, contributing to the overall sensory experience of their food.
In addition to tempering, the unique characteristics of McDonald's cheese can also be attributed to its proprietary blend and specific manufacturing processes. The cheese is designed to have a high melt factor, which is partially achieved through the use of sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish. This blend of cheeses and additives creates a product that is distinct from other American cheeses on the market.
While McDonald's cheese is made specifically for the company, those seeking a similar product can opt for store-brand American cheeses, such as Walmart's Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Processed Sliced American Cheese. This variety has been recommended by Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, as the closest substitute available to consumers.
In summary, the process of tempering cheese to reach room temperature is an essential step in the preparation of McDonald's sandwiches and burgers. By allowing the cheese to temper, the chain ensures that it melts uniformly and enhances the overall taste and sensory experience of their signature menu items. This technique, combined with their proprietary cheese blend, contributes to the unique appeal of McDonald's cheese.
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Great Value Deluxe American Cheese from Walmart is the closest substitute
McDonald's uses American cheese, which is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. Its supplier has developed a proprietary American cheese made with 60% real cheese ("51% Cheddar and 9% Other Cheeses," according to the McDonald's website). While the cheese used by McDonald's is unbranded, former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz, has revealed that the closest substitute is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart.
Haracz explains that most big brands of American cheese make their own recipe, but co-manufacturers will make a variety of cheese for store brands. He strongly advises against pre-sliced, individually wrapped American cheese, as this is not how McDonald's cheese is made. Instead, he suggests purchasing cheese sold in blocks and allowing it to temper, or reach room temperature, before using it. This can be done by letting the cheese sit on the counter for at least an hour, which will enhance its flavour and texture, making it taste even more like McDonald's cheese.
Great Value Deluxe American Cheese from Walmart is a store brand cheese, specifically developed to mimic the taste and texture of McDonald's cheese. While it may not be identical to the cheese used by McDonald's, it is likely the closest substitute available to the public. For those looking to recreate the classic McDonald's cheeseburger at home, this cheese is a must-have ingredient.
In addition to the type of cheese, the melt factor of McDonald's cheese can be attributed to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish. This contributes to the signature smoothness and meltiness of the cheese, making it an essential component of the chain's sandwiches.
Overall, while the exact brand of cheese used by McDonald's remains a closely guarded secret, Great Value Deluxe American Cheese from Walmart is the closest substitute that the public can access. With its similar taste, texture, and melt factor, this store brand cheese is the key to recreating the iconic McDonald's cheeseburger at home.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's uses American cheese, which is a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses.
Yes, American cheese is a processed cheese. It is made from 60% real cheese, with 51% of that being cheddar.
According to Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, the closest substitute is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Processed Sliced American Cheese from Walmart.
McDonald's tempers its cheese, allowing it to sit at room temperature for at least an hour before using it. This helps the cheese melt better onto the sandwiches.
