Bushra Griffith
McDonald's uses American cheese in its breakfast sandwiches, including the Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin, and Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuit. This type of cheese is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches due to its iconic melt factor, creaminess, and tangy flavor. It is made specifically for McDonald's and is sourced in bulk without any branding. While it is challenging to find the exact same cheese for homemade breakfast sandwiches, some alternatives, such as Walmart's Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese, are recommended by chefs as the closest substitute.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | American Cheese |
| Composition | 60% real cheese (51% Cheddar and 9% other cheeses) |
| Texture | Melty, ultra-smooth |
| Flavour | Tangy |
| Colour | Bright yellow |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's uses American cheese
American cheese is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. Its iconic melt factor can be attributed to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish. This helps the cheese melt evenly without clumping, creating the legendary cheese pull often sought after in hot breakfast sandwiches.
McDonald's sources its American cheese from a supplier that has developed a proprietary blend specifically for the company. The cheese is unbranded and comes in bulk packaging without any markings. It is designed to melt easily and provide a creamy texture to the breakfast sandwiches.
While some people may scoff at American cheese due to its processed nature, it is an essential component of McDonald's signature sandwiches. The cheese delivers a tangy flavor that helps balance the saltiness of the bacon and the richness of the egg in the Egg McMuffin. It also adds a creamy texture to the sandwich, similar to Hollandaise sauce in eggs Benedict.
For those looking to recreate the McDonald's breakfast experience at home, it is recommended to purchase American cheese from Walmart. The store's brand, Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Processed Sliced American Cheese, is considered the closest substitute to the McDonald's variety.
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It's made and packaged specifically for McDonald's
McDonald's uses American cheese in its breakfast sandwiches, including the Egg McMuffin, Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, and Sausage McMuffin. This cheese is typically made from a blend of cheeses, most commonly cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. It is designed to melt easily, with emulsifiers like sodium citrate ensuring a smooth and uniform finish.
The American cheese used by McDonald's is made and packaged specifically for the company. It is sourced in bulk and arrives in unbranded cases. While it is not publicly available for purchase, it is believed to be produced by a large food company. In Australia, for example, the boxes are labelled with the McDonald's logo and labelled as "McDonald's American Cheese".
The cheese is designed to meet the specific requirements of McDonald's breakfast menu items. It is formulated to melt smoothly and evenly, creating the desired "cheese pull" effect in hot breakfast sandwiches. This melt factor is partially attributed to the use of emulsifying salts, such as sodium citrate, which prevent clumping and ensure a consistent texture.
The American cheese used by McDonald's is tailored to complement the flavours of other ingredients in their breakfast sandwiches. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour blend well with the saltiness of bacon, the richness of eggs, and the buttery flavour of English muffins. This balance of flavours and textures has made American cheese a staple in McDonald's breakfast offerings, such as the iconic Egg McMuffin.
While the exact supplier and recipe of McDonald's American cheese remain proprietary, former corporate chef Mike Haracz has revealed that the closest substitute is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Processed Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. This suggests that McDonald's cheese is also a processed variety, designed specifically for the chain's unique needs and flavour profiles.
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It's a blend of cheeses, including cheddar
McDonald's uses a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, in its breakfast menu. The cheese is typically American cheese, which is a blend of cheeses, including cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. The American cheese used by McDonald's is made specifically for the company and is not branded. It is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches, providing a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that helps to balance the saltiness of the bacon and the richness of the egg.
The American cheese used by McDonald's is designed to melt easily, thanks to emulsifiers like sodium citrate, which help it melt evenly without clumping. This creates the legendary cheese pull often sought after in hot breakfast sandwiches. The cheese is also said to be made with 60% real cheese, with 51% of that being cheddar and 9% other cheeses.
McDonald's sources its food from various large companies, and it is likely that its cheese is also sourced from a similar company. In Australia, for example, the packaging is labelled with the McDonald's logo and states "McDonald's American Cheese" or something similar.
While the exact blend of cheeses in McDonald's American cheese may vary, it is clear that cheddar is a significant component, contributing to the iconic taste and texture that customers have come to expect from the fast-food chain's breakfast menu.
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It's sourced from a large company
McDonald's uses American cheese in its breakfast sandwiches, including the Egg McMuffin and the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuit. This type of cheese is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches, known for its bright yellow colour and ultra-smooth texture.
While the exact source of the cheese is not publicly known, it is likely sourced from a large company. This assumption is based on the fact that McDonald's sources other food items, such as fish, soup, oatmeal, and condiments, from well-known brands. It is also confirmed by McDonald's that their cheese slice used in burgers like the Big Mac, Cheeseburger, and Quarter Pounder contains approximately 60% real cheese, with 51% Cheddar and 9% other cheeses.
In Australia, McDonald's cheese boxes are labelled with the McDonald's logo and indicate "McDonald's American Cheese". This suggests that the cheese is made specifically for the company and may be produced by a large-scale manufacturer capable of meeting McDonald's extensive supply needs.
While the specific supplier remains undisclosed, it is clear that McDonald's sources its cheese from a company capable of providing a consistent and tailored product. This ensures that the cheese meets the specific requirements, such as melt factor and taste, needed for their breakfast sandwiches and other menu items.
Although the exact supplier of McDonald's cheese remains a trade secret, the assumption that it is sourced from a large company is supported by the company's sourcing practices for other food items and the specialised nature of their cheese product.
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It's similar to Great Value Deluxe Sliced American Cheese
McDonald's uses slices of American cheese in its breakfast sandwiches, including the Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin, and Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuit or bagel. This cheese is made and packaged specifically for McDonald's and is not available for public purchase. It is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches, adding a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that blends well with the other ingredients.
While the exact cheese used by McDonald's is not available for retail, 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. This cheese is similar to the one used by McDonald's as it is not pre-sliced or individually wrapped, and it likely has a similar melt factor due to emulsifying salts like sodium citrate.
Great Value Deluxe Sliced American Cheese, as the name suggests, is a type of American cheese that is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and breakfast sandwiches. It is a processed cheese product that is designed to melt easily and provide a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. This type of cheese is often made from a blend of different cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, and can include emulsifying salts like sodium citrate to enhance meltability and provide a uniform finish.
While some may prefer traditional, natural cheeses, American cheese has its own unique benefits. Its smooth, creamy texture and mild flavor make it versatile and appealing to a wide range of consumers, especially when paired with other breakfast sandwich ingredients like eggs, bacon, and English muffins. Additionally, its meltability contributes to the iconic "cheese pull" often desired in hot breakfast sandwiches.
For those seeking to recreate the McDonald's breakfast experience at home, using Great Value Deluxe Sliced American Cheese is a recommended option. Its similarity in taste and texture to the cheese used by McDonald's can enhance the overall flavor and enjoyment of homemade breakfast sandwiches, bringing the familiar comfort of McDonald's breakfasts to your kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's uses American cheese in its breakfast sandwiches.
Yes, McDonald's cheese is processed. It is made from 60% real cheese, with 51% of that being cheddar and the remaining 9% made up of other cheeses.
According to McDonald's former corporate chef, Mike Haracz, the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart.
The Egg McMuffin contains a slice of American cheese, which adds a creamy texture and tangy flavour to the sandwich.
McDonald's serves a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel, which contains two slices of American cheese.
