Questions answered
There are 85 questions about “Burgers” in the “How do you make...” topic.
Click on a question to read our answer.
- 1. I've heard that McDonald's adds a pinch of salt and pepper to a burger after cooking, is that true?
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Yes this is true. The burgers themselves are made of 100 percent beef, prepared from whole cuts of forequarter and flank (similar to the mince you'd buy in the supermarket).
(September 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 2. Why does your burgers comes with tomato sauce and gherkin, i don't like them and therfore don't want to eat them.
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McDonald's has been making its Hamburgers in the same way for many years, because that's how the majority of customers like them. However, you can have your food prepared exactly how you want! If you want your burger without tomato sauce or gherkin, that's fine, just let the crew member know and they will have a fresh burger prepared for you.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 3. I have already asked you this but you never answered - so much for your promise not to avoid the 'difficult'questions! What I want to know is: Do you stop the meat processing machinery at your plants if one of the workers falls in and gets crushed? I read that you don't stop production if this happens as it would cost too much to halt the line and half of your factory workers are illegal aliens so no one would notice if they go missing. An answer please this time!
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This is another urban myth: McDonald's UK has no record of it happening in its supply chain.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 4. Why do you put pickles on everything when most people seem to pick them off? Wouldn't it save you a fortune in pickles to not include them in the first place? Or offer fresh onion or something as an alternative?
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The gherkins (pickles) have been part of McDonald's hamburgers from the beginning. They add an extra something that helps give them their unique taste. Onions are already used in the hamburgers, but like the gherkins, you can choose to have your burger without them. Just let the crew member know and they will see to it that your burger is freshly made to your preferences.
(May 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 5. I recently asked a question about your hamburgers having 100% meat in them and your answer said that Mcdonalds “hamburgers are made of high quality beef and chicken meat, sourced from the best suppliers working to the highest standards.” Why would a hamburger have chicken and beef in it? What are the actual percentages of ham in these burgers? What other meats are in there that we should know of?? I find this VERY worrying!
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Apologies for any confusion that seems to have been caused. The answer to your question was meant to convey that the hamburgers are made from 100 per cent beef, and the chicken burgers and nuggets are made from 100 per cent chicken breast meat. Rest assured that there are no other meats in the respective patties. Despite its name, there is never any ham in a hamburger. The name hamburger is thought to have been derived from the 'Hamburg Steak' popular in the late 1800s. This was a beef product made from seasoned ground or minced beef.
(May 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 6. As most of your burgers contain some kind of sauce which usually contain high levels of salt (such as ketchup) why do you need to 'season' the beef patty as well. Wouldn't leaving the salt out be better for the health of your customers. And how do know how much extra salt is being put on, some staff may use more than others. Also can you not sell fries without salt and then offer a sachet so you can put your own on?
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McDonald’s apologises for the delay in answering your question. As the site went through some technical updates and changes, some of the questions slipped through. However, everything is functioning better and your question has now been answered – Thank you for you patience. The salt added to patties after cooking is controlled by a bespoke shaker that is used on the grill so that the same amount is added to each burger. Research has shown that the current preparation and taste of McDonald’s burgers is preferred by the majority of customers. However, if you specifically do not want any salt added to your burger, just let a Crew Member know and they will have a fresh burger prepared for you. Along with the French Fries, McDonald’s has actively been reducing the salt content of many products: Nuggets have had their salt reduced by 30 per cent, fries 24 per cent, buns 20 per cent and mayonnaise by 75 per cent. McDonalds recently carried out trials in its restaurants to offer fries that were unsalted but served with a salt sachet; however customers preferred the salted option. Like the burger, if you want a portion of unsalted fries this can be arranged for you, just make it aware to the crew member who is serving you that you would like a fresh portion of fries unsalted.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 7. Beef Deluxe...Over-rated. The bun was like cardboard, and the burger was like roadkill. Is there a chance you could of sent a trainee out with a shovel on the busy roads for a few rabbits?
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McDonald's is sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the Beef Deluxe sandwich; it was available as a special promotion and was generally well received by most customers. Regarding the ingredients of the beef patty, McDonald's can reassure you that the Beef Deluxe, like all other McDonald's hamburger patties is made from 100 per cent beef. No fillers, binders, additives or road kill.
(April 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 8. I have heard that the burgers are delivered to each branch in liquid form - they are then poured out and solidify into patty's - is this true?
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No this is not true, check out the Independent Quality Scout report by Mhairi Geddes on this site to get a behind the scenes look at how the burger patties reach the restaurant.
(May 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 9. Now whenever I someone asks the question,whats in my hamburger,the response is:Our burgers are made of 100% beef with a pinch of salt and pepper.But does that mean that the only things in that patty would be beef,salt and pepper?
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Correct.
(April 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 10. How thick is the average McDonalds Hamburger and what diameter is it. Also the same question for your quarterpounder. Thanks
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Baring specific promotional sandwiches, McDonald's Hamburgers are usually prepared with two types of patty, the Hamburger patty which is used in the Hamburger, Cheeseburger and Big Mac, or the Quarter Pounder patty. The dimension for the hamburger patty are Target = 0.71cm high, 9.75cm diameter, and the Quarter Pounder – Target = 1.5cm high, 11.4cm diameter.
(March 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 11. Why is McBacon sandwich now served in a 'round' bun? The sandwich was better when it was served in the longer type bun.
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The new Bacon Roll that was launched in January 2008 should be served in a longer type bun or roll. If you were served a Bacon Roll in a round bun it could have been due to a shortage of the longer buns, or an error by the restaurant.
The new Bacon Roll uses back bacon instead of streaky bacon and the roll/bun shape was changed so it was a better fit for the new bacon. In line with McDonald’s new food strategy the bread recipe was also changed at this time.
(March 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 12. Does the meat in the normal hamburger come from the same source as the meat in the quarter pounder?
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Yes it does. To get a better idea on how McDonald's source and prepare the meat for its burgers, check out the Quality Scout reports on this site.
(February 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 13. wat kind of oil is the food made with like the burgers and stuff
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McDonald's UK is now using new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products. The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald's restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald's to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers. Note that oil is not used when preparing or cooking hamburgers. The beef patties are cooked between hot plates that cook the patties from both sides - a similar cooking process to the grilling machines that are sold in a variety of kitchenware stores. Its lower cooking surface reaches 177 degrees centigrade, and the top plate reaches 218 degrees centigrade. The clamshell design allows for the burger patty to cook evenly and quickly from both sides.
(December 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 14. Why does your food taste so bad.? do you actually train staff how to cook, or is your training focused on re-heating food and maximising profits.? any plans in the future to sell edible food products for those of us who want to actually enjoy our burgers rather than feel im eating cardboard
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Firstly apologies for the delay in answering your question, the team has been very busy with all the questions that are pouring in and everybody is working hard to answer them all.
Sorry to hear that you don't enjoy the taste of McDonald's food. The crew members that work in the restaurant kitchens are trained to high standards in not only cooking, but also in food preparation and hygiene. This dedicated training, combined with quality ingredients, is what makes the classic burgers that millions of people enjoy every day around the world. If you're ever dissatisfied with the food you have received, McDonald's would encourage you to inform the restaurant manager or call Customer Services on 08705 244 622.
(July 2007)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 15. There was a question asked earlier on in the thread about why American McDonalds tastes better than McDonalds in the UK. The answer you gave told us that you try to source your beef locally whenever possible etc. To be honest, I thought you answer was vague and it seemed like just another load of spin. If I'd asked the question, I'd be dissapointed with the answer. So, while I'm here, why does McDonalds in America taste better than McDonalds in the UK?
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Sorry that you felt the answer was vague - and that it has taken us a while to answer it. The Make Up Your Own Mind team and McDonald's work hard to read and answer all valid questions in as much detail as possible. The taste issue could be put down to a personal choice. To some people, food bought from a McDonald's restaurant in the USA may taste better than when bought in the UK, while others would take the complete opposite opinion. As you have already noted, McDonald's UK source high quality ingredients for all its food from the most reputable suppliers, locally wherever possible. These ingredients are then prepared to the highest standards to produce the food that approximately two million customers enjoy everyday. Still not convinced? Take a look at the 'Quality Scouts' page on this site to read and see reports, visits and interviews from independent Quality Scouts who go behind the barn doors to see for themselves what goes into McDonald's food. And if you are up for the challenge, you can become a Quality Scout yourself! Just click on the 'Become a Scout' link and fill out the form and you may get the chance to Make Up Your Own Mind.
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