It's a pretty big deal!
McDonald’s Makes a Big Change to Their 7 Classic Burgers
Updated on Dec. 15, 2023
If you’ve been staying on top of food news lately, you’re probably aware of the large amount of recalls announced so far this year. Between ground beef recalls, chicken recalls, and even beef jerky recalls, it’s been one heck of a year for meat. Customers and businesses are now paying more attention to the health of the products they are consuming, including McDonald’s. So in an effort to make things healthier at this popular chain, McDonald’s has switched around the ingredients in their seven classic burgers.
Don’t worry, the specific ingredient list will stay the same. Onions, pickles, cheese, ground beef, and that signature sesame bun, are all still staples for this classic McDonald’s grub. But what’s inside these products will be switched around for good, all in an effort to make an even more authentic burger.
McDonald’s is ditching artificial sources.
McDonald’s Corporation has announced the elimination of artificial preservatives, flavors and added colors from artificial sources in their seven classic burgers. All of the ingredients (except for a small artificial preservative in the pickle) will be made from natural ingredients.
The seven burgers with these changes include:
- hamburger
- cheeseburger
- double cheeseburger
- McDouble
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Big Mac
These changes will take place in all 14,000 restaurants across the United States.
22 Copycat McDonald’s Recipes
Inspired By: Chicken McNuggetsI like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Inspired By: McDonald's French FriesIt's a fact that McDonald's fries are one of their best-selling items, so we've created an even tastier way to eat their fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic is optional, but they make this side dish simply irresistible. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Egg McMuffinOn a busy morning, this McDonald's copycat recipe save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste Recipes Senior Editor
Best HamburgerThis is the only hamburger recipe you need! We'll walk you through how to make hamburger patties that grill up to juicy perfection.
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese BiscuitI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Inspired By: Honey Mustard SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Fried Chicken SandwichThere's something about a fried chicken sandwich that just hits the spot. When paired with a basket of french fries, some coleslaw and a refreshing beer or lemonade, it's hard to resist this fried fare.
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry ShakeCool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this McDonald’s copycat strawberry shake recipe. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Inspired By: HotcakesI found this fluffy and easy pancake recipe among our old family favorites and adapted it to make a small amount. It's quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider it a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Inspired By: Chicken SelectsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Inspired By: Cinnamon MeltsA slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Inspired By: McRibPerfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this McDonald's copycat recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple OatmealI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Inspired By: Filet-O-FishThe seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Inspired By: Tartar SauceYou'll never buy the jarred stuff again once you've tried this homemade tartar sauce recipe! —Michelle Stromko, Darlington, Maryland
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggetsBoth adults and adventurous kids will love these spicy chicken nuggets. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Inspired By: Sausage BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon BurgerEvery family has a burger of choice, and this McDonald's copycat recipe is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt ParfaitThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Fish McBitesMy husband and I love fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it's a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Inspired By: Eggnog Shake
Enjoy the flavors of Christmas all-year-round with this McDonald's Eggnog Shake recipe. Simply add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, rum extract and nutmeg to a blender and blend it all together for that perfect milkshake. Don't forget the cherry on top! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen Also. discover these fast food conspiracy theories.The new ingredient list
Let’s take a closer look at the products that will now be used in these seven burgers:
- The American cheese is made with a blend of cheddar and Colby cheese. It includes salt, cream and color, but no oil, starch, or fillers. The cheese will no longer have artificial sources, sorbic acid, or artificial preservatives.
- Big Mac Special Sauce will be removing artificial preservatives such as potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and calcium disodium EDTA. (Make Big Mac Sauce at home!)
- The buns will be free of calcium propionate, which is found in the regular, Quarter Pounder and Big Mac buns.
- The beef patties are now made with 100-percent pure beef! This means no more additives, preservatives or fillers in the mix. The beef is seasoned with salt and pepper.
The burgers aren’t the only product to make the switch.
McDonald’s has been making quite the effort to take a natural approach with all of their food products. They are transitioning to cage-free eggs in the U.S. and Canada by 2025 (and yes, this specific McDonald’s breakfast sandwich uses real eggs), removing artificial preservatives in the Chicken McNuggets, and even plan on sustainably sourcing all McCafé coffee by 2020.
“This development demonstrates our commitment to leading with the customer and building a better McDonald’s,” said Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s USA President, in a press release. “We know quality choices are important to our customers. From switching to 100 percent fresh beef in our quarter-pound burgers, cooked right when ordered in a majority of our restaurants, to removing artificial preservatives in our Chicken McNuggets, we’ve made significant strides in evolving the quality of our food—and this latest positive change to our classic burgers is an exciting part of that story.”
Now if only they would bring back some of these surprising McDonald’s menu items you won’t find today! We would really be lovin’ it.
