Is McDonald’s meat real? (beef, chicken, fish, etc.)
McDonald’s is the second largest fast food restaurant in the world, but have you ever wondered if McDonald’s meat is real?
It’s a question that comes up often, and we have all the details on McDonald’s meat, so read on to find out the truth!
Is McDonald’s meat real?
McDonald’s meat is real, and the burgers are made with 100 percent ground beef with no preservatives or artificial ingredients. In addition, McDonald’s also uses 100% real meat for chicken nuggets and sandwiches, and real pork for McRib. In most cases, McDonald’s flash freezes most meats to lock in the flavor.
We know you have more questions about McDonald’s meat, read on for more facts!
What is McDonald’s meat made of?
McDonald’s burgers are made from 100% beef, which is then ground up to make the burger patty. Sirloin, rounds, and chuck scraps are the ingredients used to make burgers.
Plus, McDonald’s freezes the burger patty, which helps lock the flavor into the meat before it’s shipped to restaurants.
Best of all, once the burgers arrive at the restaurant, salt and pepper are added to the burgers and cooked for each order.
How much real meat is in McDonald’s?
All meat at McDonald’s is 100% real meat, whether it’s beef, chicken, or even Filet-O-Fish.
Specifically, the ground beef uses no additives, fillers or preservatives to ensure the burgers are fresh and have that signature McDonald’s flavor.
Is McDonald’s beef fresh?
McDonald’s switched from frozen to fresh beef in the spring of 2018, which means all quarter pound burgers are now completely fresh!
If you’ve eaten a McDonald’s burger lately, you’ve probably noticed that it definitely tastes a lot better, and the switch to fresh beef is the reason for the better flavor and juiciness.
Before 2018, McDonald’s did use frozen beef, which made the ground beef less flavorful and not nearly as fresh to eat.
Are McRibs made with real pork?
McRibs are made from real pork, more specifically, pork shoulder.
Plus, pork shoulder is ground up and turned into McRib patties for their famous limited-time sandwiches.
Interestingly, a rib press rack is used to give the McRib a rib shape, similar to how a burger press forms a burger shape.
What Are McDonald’s Nuggets Made Of?
McDonald’s uses 100% all-white meat chicken in its famous chicken nuggets, which are then marinated to preserve the juices and flavor.
Additionally, chicken nuggets are made from breast, tenderloin, and rib meat. The company uses three ore nugget suppliers located in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
Finally, McDonald’s chicken nuggets don’t use any artificial flavors or preservatives.
Is McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish real fish?
McDonald’s uses Alaskan pollock in their Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, which is wild-caught and comes from sustainable fisheries.
Also, using sustainable fish is environmentally friendly and protects the ocean, which is an important issue for McDonald’s Corporation.
Does McDonald’s use antibiotic-treated chicken?
McDonald’s does not use any chicken that has been treated with antibiotics, a policy that began in 2015.
In addition, the chicken used by McDonald’s does not contain any antibiotics that are important for human medicine. All chicken is inspected by the USDA before being used in any capacity.
However, chicken farmers do use ionophores to keep their chickens healthy, but this is a class of antibiotics not used in humans.
How about the all-time-crazy McDonald’s pink slime photo?
When it came to the pink slime shown in the viral photo purportedly from McDonald’s, the company said it was 100% false!
Additionally, McDonald’s has denied that the photo has anything to do with McDonald’s, and that it doesn’t represent how the company produces any food items, including chicken nuggets.
Finally, a McDonald’s employee seemingly debunked the pink goo claim once and for all in a late-2020 TikTok video that showed nuggets being removed from a freezer and placed in a deep fryer.
Unfortunately, the pink slime claim still plagues McDonald’s even 10 years after the claim surfaced and was denied by the company multiple times.
Does McDonald’s use seaweed for its burger called the McLean Deluxe?
McDonald’s did experiment with a healthy burger option in the 1990s called the McLean Deluxe.
Interestingly, the burger is made with seaweed and is advertised as being less fattening than a traditional Big Mac.
Unfortunately, this McLean Deluxe burger is only 90% meat, and the rest is seaweed extract, which is nothing more than water. Also, this extract is called carrageenan, and its use in the food world is fairly common.
Sadly, the seaweed burger lacked the flavor to appeal to those looking for a healthier option, and customers simply weren’t buying the product.
Thankfully, this menu item appeared as fast as it disappeared, and it is considered the iconic failure of McDonald’s menu items.
How much does a McDonald’s hamburger weigh?
McDonald’s weighs an uncooked 100% beef patty at 4 oz. part. The burgers did shrink a bit when cooked.
Thankfully, each burger patty weighs 4 oz. Allow for one size fits all McDonald’s restaurants so customers know what to expect when they order.
To learn more, you might also be interested in reading Is McDonald’s Apple Pie Vegan, Do McDonald’s Smoothies Have Caffeine, and Where Does McDonald’s Meat Come From?
in conclusion
Reassuringly, we can report that whether you order a Big Mac, chicken nuggets, or McRib, McDonald’s meat is real.
Plus, when it comes to McRibs and nuggets, various parts of the animal are ground up and shaped to create the delicious creations we’ve come to know and love at McDonald’s.
While some fast food restaurants might be hesitant to let you know the ingredients in their products, McDonald’s is transparent about how its famous burgers and chicken nuggets are made.
