Yes, McDonald's burgers are made from 100% beef, with only salt and pepper added after cooking, and contain no artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers in the patties themselves, though some toppings like pickles might have preservatives. They source their beef locally (e.g., Aussie beef in Australia, British/Irish beef in the UK) and have faced past rumors about "pink slime" but state those practices ceased years ago.
Here are the facts: All of our burger patties in the U.S. are always made with 100% USDA-inspected beef. That's the only ingredient: 100% real beef. Our patties contain no preservatives or fillers, and the only thing we ever add is a touch of salt and pepper when the patties are sizzling hot on the grill.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
Each of our signature hamburger patties is made using only 100% beef. All patties are grilled on a proprietary broiler developed for BURGER KING restaurants, then cooked over real flames. The grilling process last between 2 and 3 minutes, depending on size and thickness of the burger patty.
Maccas in the US uses Aussie beef apparently so I don't think they'll switch over here. Maybe if it's significantly cheaper they might.
We use a blend including canola and sunflower oils to cook with. Like all vegetable oils, it's cholesterol free. We use only 100% Aussie grown beef to serve you the best beef burgers, sourced from farmers across the country. Our Angus beef is 100% Aussie grown.
With Australia reopening market access for U.S. beef in July 2025, some shoppers are wondering whether imported American beef will now be the smarter buy. The short answer: for Australian households, Australian beef remains the better choice.
Steak 'n Shake
Founded in 1934, this iconic fast food joint has done so much right that it inspired one of today's most popular burger chains. While Steak 'n Shake hits the requirements to make this list — using 100% pure beef — it's how it treats its animals that really has us obsessed.
Five Guys has the unhealthiest cheeseburger, with a 50-point unhealthiness score. This chain also offers the least healthy fries (28 points). The unhealthiest chicken burger is the Chicken Sandwich Classic at Popeyes (39 points), and McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are the least unhealthy chicken nuggets (18 points).
Burger King, which had more than 500 fast food outlets in Ireland and the UK at the time, dropped Silvercrest as a supplier, using suppliers in Germany and Italy instead, after horse meat was found in their supply chain.
The countries with the most saturated fat
11 Things to Never Order at McDonald's
1. Processed Meats Like Bacon, Hot Dogs, and Cold Cuts. Processed meats like bologna, ham, and bacon are high in calories and salt and are linked to increased risk of heart disease due to their impact on cholesterol and blood pressure, says Julia Zumpano, RD, registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Plain Hamburger
Made with 100% chicken breast meat
Do you prefer Chicken Selects® or a Grilled Chicken Salad? We only use chicken breast meat across our entire chicken range.
Our food vision, Fast Food Done Right, is focused on delivering a quality meal to every customer, every time. Square beef patties make it easy to know you're enjoying the very best hamburger for your buck: fresh, never frozen and made from 100% real beef.
CDC also confirmed there were no new illnesses associated with consumers eating at McDonald's following our swift and decisive action on October 22, 2024. This reinforces the importance of our values, particularly in moving quickly to do the right thing and to always put people first.
Shake Shack Single Hamburger
Featuring a juicy Angus beef patty on a toasted potato bun, it's one of the most delicious and healthiest fast food burgers out there. Unlike many fast food options, Shake Shack uses high-quality, fresh ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives.
The 5-6-7 burger rule is a simple guideline for grilling hamburgers, suggesting you cook the first side for 5 minutes, flip and cook the second side for 6 minutes, then let the burger rest for 7 minutes off the heat for a juicy, medium-done result, though timings can be adjusted for different preferences like rare (5 min/side) or well-done (7 min/side), notes this guide and this one. It emphasizes a single flip and a crucial resting period to redistribute juices for better flavor, according to Food Republic and this article.
From the Big Mac® to the Classic Angus, enjoy 100% Australian beef for the juiciest, freshest flavours.
Do Five Guys burger patties feature additives? The beef for our burger patties is 80/20 lean ground chuck that has no additives or fillers!
That burger is the Quarter Pounder, and the reason why is that it's the only McDonald's burger cooked fresh, rather than frozen. When you order this beloved McDonald's staple, you can expect a freshly cooked patty made from 100% beef.
For overall satisfaction and value, ALDI often wins for chicken, lamb, fish, and seafood, while Costco generally leads for beef and pork, according to recent Australian consumer surveys (2024-2025) by Canstar Blue and other retail reports. However, quality can vary, and many suggest checking the meat's appearance (freshness, colour) rather than relying solely on the brand name for the best cuts.
While trade occurred only occasionally in the distant past, US beef was suspended from importation to Australia in 2003, following the discovery of BSE in the US beef herd. After a lengthy process, the Federal Government formally announced the renewed trade access back on 25 July – for both US and Canadian beef.
“Australia experiences a mortality advantage from circulatory and respiratory diseases, cancer and perinatal and congenital conditions, which are linked to superior health care system performance,” the researchers wrote.