Bushra Griffith
Burger King, a fast-food chain with a wide range of products, has sparked curiosity among its customers about the ingredients in its food, particularly its cheese. The cheese in Burger King's products, such as the Rodeo Cheeseburger, Spicy Bean Burger, and Yumbo, has prompted questions about its origin and composition. Some sources indicate that the cheese may be similar to Kraft American singles, while others suggest it could be a unique formula. With a variety of burgers and sandwiches on their menu, including beef, chicken, and vegetarian options, it is worth exploring what exactly goes into the cheese that tops these popular items.
Burger King Cheese Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, beta carotene, paprika oleoresin |
| Cheese Type | American Cheese |
| Source | Kraft or McCabe's distributor |
| Price | $0.30 per slice, $1.50 per block |
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What You'll Learn
Burger King's cheese ingredients
Burger King uses a variety of cheeses in its products, including American cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cheese sauce. While the company has not disclosed the exact ingredients or suppliers of their cheese, some sources suggest that it may be similar to Kraft American singles.
According to an ingredients list on a box shared by a Reddit user, the cheese used by Burger King appears to contain milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and colouring from beta carotene and paprika oleoresin. However, it is unclear if this list is comprehensive or applies to all cheese varieties used by the company.
The Yumbo, a hot ham and Black Forest ham sandwich with American cheese, mayonnaise, and lettuce, was reintroduced to the Burger King menu in December 2014 for a limited time. The original Yumbo was served on a hamburger roll without any toppings, but the newer version was offered on the sub roll used for the Original Chicken Sandwich.
The Spicy Bean Burger, another Burger King product, features a deep-fried and breaded bean-based patty, ketchup, tomato, and American cheese on a 7-inch sesame seed bun. Additionally, the Rodeo Cheeseburger, which was nationally discontinued but remained available in some locations, included cheese alongside a beef patty, barbecue sauce, and onion rings.
The Italian Crispy Chicken sandwich, a variation of the Chicken Jr., includes mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce on a sesame seed roll. Burger King has also offered Chili Cheese dogs as part of their Grilled Dogs menu item, which was made from 100% beef.
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Burger King's cheese suppliers
One source indicates that Burger King has used Kraft cheese in the past, with a former employee recalling seeing Kraft boxes when they worked at the company in 2018. However, they noted that the cheese was not the same as the Kraft American singles available in stores. Additionally, Burger King likely uses different suppliers to meet its specific requirements and secure the lowest possible prices.
In the United States, Burger King has introduced various menu items featuring natural cheeses such as cheddar and pepper jack. These higher-quality ingredients were part of a menu restructuring effort initiated by 3G, which purchased the company in 2010. This restructuring aimed to move away from the male-oriented menu of the previous ownership.
In the United Kingdom, Burger King introduced vegan options, including vegan cheese, for its Vegan Royale Bakon King sandwich in 2023. The company tested these vegan products at temporary meat-free restaurants in Leicester Square and Bristol before adding them to the menu.
Internationally, Burger King adapts its menu to local preferences, offering ingredients such as teriyaki or beetroot and fried egg in the Whopper in some countries. Additionally, it offers halal or kosher products in the Middle East and Israel, further indicating that the company sources ingredients, including cheese, from suppliers that meet these specific requirements.
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Burger King's cheese cost
Burger King is known for its variety of cheeseburgers and cheese-based products, such as the Rodeo Cheeseburger, which was originally introduced as a promotional product for the film Small Soldiers in 1998. The Rodeo Cheeseburger was discontinued nationally in the US but remained available in some regions as a value menu item. In 2013, it was reintroduced with an additional cost of up to 50 cents for the cheeseburger option.
The fast-food chain also offers other cheese-based products, such as the Yumbo, a ham and American cheese sandwich that was reintroduced in 2014 for a limited time. The Italian Crispy Chicken sandwich, another offering, features parmigiana-style mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. Burger King also introduced Grilled Dogs in 2016, which included a Chili Cheese Dog variety.
While the exact details of Burger King's cheese suppliers and costs may not be publicly available, it is known that they prioritize cost-effectiveness. The company has been reported to use acquisition companies to source cheese at the lowest possible price when contracts expire. This strategy ensures that they can maintain profitability while offering cheese as a staple ingredient across their menu items.
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Burger King's cheese consistency
Burger King's cheese has a consistent texture and taste, which is achieved through a specific formula and manufacturing process. The cheese used by the company is typically American cheese, which has a distinct flavour and meltability that makes it ideal for burgers.
The ingredients in Burger King's cheese include milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and colourings like beta carotene and paprika oleoresin. This combination of ingredients gives the cheese its characteristic orange hue and creamy texture.
The cheese is sourced from suppliers who can provide it at the lowest possible price, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising consistency. The cheese is pre-sliced to ensure uniformity, and its paper-thin slices melt easily when grilled, providing a desirable texture and taste for consumers.
Burger King has utilised cheese in various menu items, including the Yumbo sandwich, the Rodeo Cheeseburger, the Italian Crispy Chicken sandwich, and the Spicy Bean Burger. The consistency of their cheese's texture and flavour contributes to maintaining a standard taste across different burger options.
While the exact details of Burger King's cheese manufacturing process are not publicly available, the company prioritises consistency and cost-effectiveness in its cheese selection, ensuring that customers receive the same familiar taste with every bite.
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Burger King's cheese in veggie burgers
Burger King offers a variety of cheese options for its burgers, including American cheese, which is a popular choice for many of its sandwiches and burgers. The company has not disclosed the exact type of enzymes used in their cheese production. However, it is known that Burger King's American cheese typically contains milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and colouring from beta carotene and paprika oleoresin.
While Burger King is primarily known for its beef burgers, it has expanded its menu to include vegetarian options such as the Impossible Whopper, a 100% vegetarian burger with a patty manufactured by Impossible Foods of Oakland, California. Introduced in 2019, this veggie burger is served with a sesame seed bun, just like its meaty counterparts.
The Spicy Bean Burger is another vegetarian option on the Burger King menu. It consists of a deep-fried, breaded bean-based patty, ketchup, tomato, and American cheese, all served on a 7-inch sesame seed bun. This option provides a satisfying combination of textures and flavours, with the creamy cheese complementing the spicy and crispy patty.
Outside of the United States, Burger King offers additional veggie burgers, including the Rebel Whopper, Veggie Whopper, and Vegetal Whopper. These options cater to the preferences and dietary needs of a diverse range of customers. While the specific cheese varieties used in these veggie burgers may vary, they contribute to the taste and texture profiles that Burger King aims to deliver.
While Burger King has not disclosed the exact details of its cheese sourcing, some sources indicate that the company uses pre-sliced cheese, which is likely supplied by major distributors such as McCabe's. The consistency and thinness of the cheese slices suggest a standardised cutting process. Additionally, there are speculations that the cheese may be similar to Kraft American singles, although Burger King has its own specific formula and recipe.
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Frequently asked questions
Burger King's cheese typically includes milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, citric acid, enzymes, soy lecithin, and colouring.
Burger King uses American cheese in its products.
Burger King offers a range of cheese-based products, including the Rodeo Cheeseburger, Yumbo (a hot ham and cheese sandwich), the Italian Crispy Chicken sandwich (with mozzarella cheese), and the Chili Cheese dog.
It is unclear whether the cheese used in Burger King products is certified halal or kosher. The ingredients list suggests that the cheese may contain animal-based rennet, which would not be suitable for those following a halal or kosher diet.
Yes, Burger King offers the Impossible Whopper, a 100% vegetarian burger with a patty manufactured by Impossible Foods. It is served with cheese and other toppings.
