McDonald’s Changes Big Mac And It’s For The Better
McDonald’s is set to overhaul its iconic Big Mac in response to consumer feedback about the burger being dry. The company also strives to elevate its flavors and appeal to a market increasingly drawn to so-called “higher-end” fast-food alternatives such as Five Guys and Shake Shack. Dubbed the most extensive menu modification in decades, McDonald’s pulled out all the stops to revamp its signature meal.
Big Mac Smaller Batches
Per The Wall Street Journal, McDonald’s will now cook Big Mac patties in smaller batches to ensure maximum flavor and a uniform sear.
The cheese, pickles, and lettuce have all been reimagined for a “meltier” experience. Notably, the cheese transitioned from a frozen stock to a room-temperature slice, offering a smoother texture.
Better Big Mac Bun
The bun, now a “buttery brioche,” is thicker, fresher, and retains heat better, enhancing the overall taste.
To achieve a “homemade” appearance, McDonald’s will use fewer sesame seeds that are more randomly dispersed. Rehydrated onions cooked atop the burger aim to deliver a more flavorful taste experience.
Pickles and lettuce will be stored in smaller facilities, requiring more frequent “refreshing,” the special sauce has been increased from one-third of an ounce to a half-ounce.
McDonald’s Making Changes
Behind this culinary transformation is a dedicated team of McDonald’s chefs who have worked since 2016 to deconstruct and rebuild every component of the iconic sandwich.
Feeling the heat from more flavorful competitors, McDonald’s executives have even revisited cooking techniques abandoned years ago in favor of mass production.
In a nod to nostalgia, the company has brought back the Hamburglar for a new advertising campaign and reintroduced an iconic ’90s toy in their new adult Happy Meals.
Tested Elsewhere First
Chris Young, McDonald’s senior director of global menu strategy, emphasized the importance of incorporating quality into their offerings.
He said, “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.”
The revamped Big Mac underwent testing in Australia before making its way to the United States earlier this year.
Different Locations
Currently available at 13,460 locations across America, the enhanced Big Mac is set to be rolled out nationwide by early 2024. If successful, McDonald’s plans to apply its improved cooking methods to the rest of its sandwich lineup.
Despite these extensive changes, the fast-food giant says it will not impact overall menu prices. Franchisees will ultimately make those decisions.
The old McDonald’s Big Mac was an iconic fast-food staple that became synonymous with the brand. Introduced in 1967 by franchisee Jim Delligatti, the Big Mac quickly gained popularity for its distinctive taste and unique three-layer construction. The burger boasted two 1.6-ounce all-beef patties with a secret sauce featuring a blend of ingredients.
The Big Mac Is A Classic
Crisp, shredded lettuce was placed on the patties, adding a fresh and crunchy texture to the McDonald’s burger with two slices of American cheese.
Sliced dill pickles were carefully placed on the cheese to add a contrasting, salty flavor to the savory components of the burger. Finely chopped onions were added to impart a mild and aromatic onion flavor.
The entire ensemble was sandwiched between a three-part sesame seed bun, giving the Big Mac its distinctive look. But as McDonald’s evolves to meet the tastes of its customer base, the Golden Arches are not just keeping up with the times – they are setting a new standard for the fast-food industry.
