Earlier this week it was announced that the price of the classic McDonald’s 99p cheeseburger would see a price hike for the first time in 14 years. McDonald's Chief Executive Office Alistair Macrow confirmed the price increase, which saw the save menu item rise to £1.19.
It just goes to show that no-one is immune to the pressure of rising costs of living and soaring inflation rates - not even fast food giants like McDonald’s.
However, meal kit comparison site Meal Delivery Experts have worked out a way that you can make your own McDonald’s style cheeseburger for less than the original 99p price, meaning you won’t necessarily need to hit the Drive-Thru for your favourite convenient snack.
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Using ingredients sourced from Aldi, the price of the individual components that make up the famous burger have been calculated, and all together works out at 68p per burger. That’s 31p less than the original 99p price and 51p less than the new price, which came into effect in most stores on Wednesday, July 27.
Here’s everything you’d need to buy from Aldi to recreate the taste of McDonald’s at home.
Ingredients list:
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Ashfields British Beef Burger – Price for a single burger £0.44
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Village Bakery Seeded Burger Bun – Price for a single bun £0.17
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Everyday Essentials Cheesy Singles – Price for a single slice £0.04
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The Deli Pickled Gherkins – Price for 10g is less than £0.01
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Bramwell’s Tomato Ketchup – Price for 10g is less than £0.01
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Bramwell’s American Style Mustard - Price for 10g is less than £0.01
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Nature's Pick Onions - Price for 10g is less than £0.01
But how do you make the McDonald’s style cheeseburger if you’ve never worked in the kitchen at the fast food restaurant? Meal Delivery Experts have got your back.
How to make a McDonald's style cheeseburger
1. Place an optional teaspoon of oil (5ml) into your pan on medium heat. Add your burger patty to the pan and cook for three minutes on each side, sprinkling a pinch of salt on both sides as well.
2. Brown each of the burger buns in a pan and set aside.
3. On each top bun place 10g of ketchup and 10g of mustard.
4. Finely dice one small onion and cut a gherkin into slices. Add 10g of onion onto the top bun as well as three gherkin slices.
5. Add one cheese slice onto each burger patty in the pan. Add one teaspoon of water to the pan and cover with a lid for 30 seconds to allow the steam to melt the cheese.
6. Add your burger to the bottom bun, add your top bun on top and you’re done.
McDonald's Chief Executive Office Alistair Macrow has explained the reasoning behind why some menu item prices are increasing at the restaurant. He said "We know things are tough right now. We’re living through incredibly challenging times and we’re all seeing the cost of everyday items, such as food and energy, increase in a way many of us have never experienced. Just like you, our company, our franchisees who own and operate our restaurants, and our suppliers are all feeling the impact of rising inflation.
"Since we opened in the UK in 1974, we’ve committed to offering great tasting food at affordable prices, and that commitment will not change. But, today’s pressures mean, like many, we’re having to make some tough choices about our prices.
"This summer, our restaurants will be adding between 10p and 20p to a number of the menu items impacted most by inflation. From today, we’ll be increasing the price of our cheeseburger for the first time in over 14 years, taking it from 99p to £1.19.
"Some prices remain unaffected, and some will continue to vary across our restaurants. We understand that any price increases are not good news, but we have delayed and minimised these changes for as long as we could. Thank you for being a McDonald’s customer and for your patience with our people as these changes are introduced."
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