Andy Montoya
McDonald's uses American cheese on its burgers, according to the company's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz. This is not a typical American cheese, however, as it is made especially for McDonald's. It is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, with an iconic melt factor that can be attributed to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt. To achieve the perfect texture and flavour, Haracz recommends tempering the cheese to room temperature before using it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | American Cheese |
| Colour | Bright Yellow |
| Texture | Ultra-smooth |
| Composition | Blend of Cheddar, Colby, and Swiss |
| Melt Factor | High, due to the presence of sodium citrate |
| Cheddar Content | 51% |
| Other Cheeses Content | 9% |
| Similar Store-bought Cheese | Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart |
| Tempering Time | 1 hour |
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What You'll Learn
McDonald's uses American cheese
Haracz explains that most large brands of American cheese have their own recipes, but co-manufacturers will make a variety of cheeses for store brands. He strongly advises against pre-sliced, individually wrapped American cheese, as this is not how McDonald's cheese is made. Instead, McDonald's cheese comes in a big loaf or is pre-sliced but shingled, not wrapped individually.
The former chef also reveals that tempering the cheese is essential to achieving the signature McDonald's taste. Tempering involves gradually raising the temperature of the cheese to match the temperature of the dish it will be added to. This helps to prevent the cheese from becoming grainy or separating when exposed to high heat, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
While the exact recipe for McDonald's American cheese is a closely guarded secret, it is believed to be a blend of cheeses, typically including cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. The iconic melt factor of McDonald's cheese can be attributed to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish.
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It's a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss
McDonald's uses American cheese on its burgers. However, it is not just any American cheese—it is a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses. This blend is what gives McDonald's cheese its iconic melt and uniform finish. According to the McDonald's website, their American cheese is made with 60% real cheese, including 51% cheddar and 9% other cheeses.
While the exact brand of cheese that McDonald's uses is not known, former corporate chef Mike Haracz has revealed that the closest substitute is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. Haracz explains that most large brands of American cheese have their own recipes, but co-manufacturers will make a variety of cheeses for store brands.
To get the signature McDonald's taste, Haracz recommends tempering the cheese before using it. This involves letting the cheese sit out on the counter for at least an hour to reach room temperature. This helps to enhance the flavor and texture of the cheese, making it taste even more like McDonald's American cheese.
In addition to the type of cheese, McDonald's also has specific processes for preparing their cheeseburgers. For example, they temper their cheese before adding it to their burgers. This involves gradually raising the temperature of the cheese to match the temperature of the dish it will be added to. This ensures that the cheese melts evenly and consistently.
So, while the exact blend of cheeses that McDonald's uses may be a closely guarded secret, it is known that their American cheese is a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, with a unique melting quality that has become a signature component of their sandwiches.
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The cheese is tempered
McDonald's uses American cheese in its burgers. While the exact recipe is proprietary, it is believed to be a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, with added sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt that ensures a uniform finish.
To achieve the signature taste and texture of McDonald's cheese, tempering is essential. Tempering is the process of gradually bringing the cheese to room temperature before using it. This involves leaving the cheese unrefrigerated for at least an hour, allowing it to reach the desired temperature.
Tempering has several benefits for the final dish. Firstly, it helps prevent the cheese from becoming grainy or separating when exposed to high heat during cooking. This is because tempering slows down the melting process, resulting in a smoother and creamier texture. Secondly, tempering ensures that the cheese melts uniformly. Without tempering, the cheese may melt unevenly, leading to a gritty or clumpy consistency.
According to Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, tempering is one of the key processes that the fast-food chain employs to ensure consistent results. By tempering their cheese, McDonald's achieves the signature melt and texture that has become synonymous with their cheeseburgers.
Therefore, for anyone attempting to recreate the McDonald's cheeseburger experience at home, tempering the cheese is a crucial step. By allowing the cheese to reach room temperature before cooking, one can get a step closer to replicating the iconic taste and texture of McDonald's cheeseburgers.
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It's not actual cheese, but a pasteurized processed cheese product
McDonald's uses American cheese on its burgers. However, it's not just any American cheese—it's a pasteurized processed cheese product made to a specific recipe for the company. In fact, McDonald's cheese is made especially for them by their suppliers. While the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, it is known that the cheese is tempered as part of the burger-making process. Tempering involves gradually raising the temperature of the cheese to match the temperature of the dish it will be added to. This ensures a smooth and creamy texture in the final dish.
Former McDonald's corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, Mike Haracz, has revealed that the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese that consumers can buy is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. According to Haracz, the Walmart store brand has "almost identical" ingredients to McDonald's cheese, with minor differences in preservatives. He recommends allowing the cheese to temper before cooking with it to achieve the signature McDonald's taste.
Haracz also notes that McDonald's cheese is not pre-sliced or individually wrapped. Instead, it is likely supplied in a large loaf or pre-sliced in a "shingled" format. The cheese is also probably made from a blend of cheeses, typically including cheddar, Colby, and Swiss, with sodium citrate contributing to its iconic melt factor.
While the exact recipe for McDonald's cheese remains a secret, it is clear that the company uses a pasteurized processed cheese product made to specific requirements. This cheese product is an essential component of the chain's signature sandwiches, contributing to the familiar taste and texture that customers know and love.
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The closest substitute is Walmart's Great Value Deluxe American Cheese
McDonald's uses American cheese, 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.
While you can't get the exact cheese McDonald's uses, as their suppliers make a specific recipe for them, there is a very good chance that the dairy supplier Schreiber Foods provides McDonald's with American cheese. However, neither McDonald's nor Schreiber Foods has made their partnership public, so it is still speculative.
According to Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef and Manager of Culinary Innovation, the closest substitute for McDonald's American cheese is Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart. Haracz notes that the ingredients listed for McDonald's cheese and Great Value Deluxe cheese are "almost identical," with differences in the preservatives and emulsifiers. Great Value Deluxe cheese uses sunflower lecithin, while McDonald's cheese uses soy lecithin.
To get the ideal texture and flavor, Haracz recommends tempering the cheese, allowing it to reach room temperature before using it. Simply let the cheese sit out on the counter for at least an hour, improving the taste and texture and making it taste even more like McDonald's cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's uses American cheese on its burgers.
American cheese is a blend of cheeses, typically cheddar, Colby, and Swiss. Its melt factor can be attributed to sodium citrate, an emulsifying salt.
According to Mike Haracz, McDonald's former corporate chef, Great Value Deluxe Pasteurized Process Sliced American Cheese from Walmart tastes very similar to McDonald's cheese.
Haracz recommends tempering your cheese, which means allowing it to reach room temperature before using it.
According to Haracz, McDonald's also seasons their burgers with the melted cheese after cooking, rather than seasoning the patties beforehand.
