McDonald's reveals a behind-the-scenes look at how it makes its new fresh-beef burgers

Advertisement

The first step to the new burger is fresh — not frozen — patties.

The first step to the new burger is fresh — not frozen — patties.

McDonald's workers are able to distinguish between the two due to the fresh-beef patties being stored in a blue box, in contrast to the standard white box used for frozen patties.

Advertisement

McDonald's had to address major food-safety concerns that come with adding fresh beef to the menu. Workers have special blue gloves that they immediately discard after handling the patties.

McDonald's had to address major food-safety concerns that come with adding fresh beef to the menu. Workers have special blue gloves that they immediately discard after handling the patties.
Advertisement

Beyond the gloves, however, the burger preparation is pretty much identical.

Beyond the gloves, however, the burger preparation is pretty much identical.

Fresh patties are slapped on the grill and flattened, allowed both sides of the burger to swiftly cook.

Fresh patties are slapped on the grill and flattened, allowed both sides of the burger to swiftly cook.
Advertisement

While one fast-food employee mans the grill, another worker has already put the buns in the toaster oven, where they are toasted golden brown in roughly 22 seconds.

While one fast-food employee mans the grill, another worker has already put the buns in the toaster oven, where they are toasted golden brown in roughly 22 seconds.

The buns are topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and more — all in accordance to handy cheat sheets hanging by the prep station.

The buns are topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and more — all in accordance to handy cheat sheets hanging by the prep station.
Advertisement

Like all McDonald's burgers, the patty is seasoned only with a sprinkle of pepper.

Like all McDonald's burgers, the patty is seasoned only with a sprinkle of pepper.

One positive of the new burger is that fresh beef cooks faster than frozen patties — something that is crucial to making sure that service doesn't slow down with the new menu item.

One positive of the new burger is that fresh beef cooks faster than frozen patties — something that is crucial to making sure that service doesn't slow down with the new menu item.
Advertisement

The patty meets the toppings, and the burger is complete — a process that, if all goes well, should take less than two minutes.

The patty meets the toppings, and the burger is complete — a process that, if all goes well, should take less than two minutes.

The result: a hotter, juicier burger than the frozen-beef variety, something that McDonald's hopes to use to win over customers seeking more upscale options.

The result: a hotter, juicier burger than the frozen-beef variety, something that McDonald's hopes to use to win over customers seeking more upscale options.

"The fresh beef is noticeably juicier than the frozen alternative," Business Insider found in a taste test. "This allows for the entire burger to have more depth of flavor."

Advertisement