McDonald’s is rolling out a new and improved beef patty among other changes to their burgers, and Big Macs for a total of 50 overall modifications that promise a juicer beef burger with more flavor, and meltier cheese.
First tested in Australia, the new patties are expected for a 2024, debut initially in the West, and Midwest of the United States before moving to a nationwide rollout.
McDonald’s made changes to their burgers last spring which involved how they cook their onions, making the buns softer, and the cheese…meltier. Reactions have been all over the place with diehard customers preferring that the chain not mess with a good thing. Others have welcomed the changes, seeing an improvement in the overall taste.
Now they’re at it again, or rather, have been at it for a while to improve upon the beef patties (which they say are currently “dry”), the Big Mac (will trade a sesame bun for a buttery brioche bun), and other facets of their food.
Chef, Chad Shafer has been working on the new beef patties, for 7 years perfecting the recipe.
He compared the new beef patty to the “old” current one: “One is hotter. It looks meltier. Look at how my fingers sink into the bun. Smell it and you smell a big difference. This one, it’s kind of dry. It cracks. And this is the best-case example at headquarters.”
Other changes to be incorporated include:
- The Big Mac will be cooked in smaller batches for a uniform sear
- Fresher lettuce, cheese, and pickles
- More secret special sauce on the Big Mac
- The Big Mac’s sesame seed bun will be traded for a buttery brioche bun
- 6 patties will be grilled in place of the current 8 at one time for a juicer burger
- Cheese will be taken out of refrigerators earlier
- Onions will be rehydrated
- Lettuce and pickles will be stored in smaller containers
Chris Young, McDonald’s senior director of global menu strategy, told the Journal:
“We can do it quick, fast and safe, but it doesn’t necessarily taste great. So, we want to incorporate quality into where we’re at.”
It will be interesting to see where McDonald’s is taking this burger overhaul, and if the changes being made will result in a better burger experience or just…different.
“This isn’t one of those ‘hello and you are done’ kind of rollouts,” McDonald’s said in an internal training video.
