McDonald’s Quarter Pounder stands as one of the most beloved burgers in fast food history, and for good reason. This iconic burger lets the beef take center stage with its superior meat-to-bun ratio and carefully selected toppings that enhance rather than mask the flavor. Now you can recreate this American classic in your kitchen with ingredients that deliver the same satisfying taste and texture.
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What Makes This Recipe Special
Unlike many fast food burgers that rely heavily on sauces and toppings, the Quarter Pounder’s genius lies in its simplicity. The focus remains squarely on the beef patty, with just enough complementary flavors to create the perfect bite. This copycat recipe captures that essence by using the right beef blend, proper cooking technique, and authentic McDonald ‘s-style toppings.
Recipe Ingredients
For the Burgers:
- Ground beef chuck – Provides the rich, beefy flavor and juicy texture essential to the Quarter Pounder experience
- Salt – Applied during cooking to season without drawing moisture from the meat
- Sesame seed buns – Create the classic McDonald’s foundation and texture
- American cheese slices – Delivers the creamy, mild flavor that complements the beef perfectly
For the Toppings:
- Sliced white onions – Adds a sharp bite and authentic McDonald’s flavor when properly prepared
- Dill pickle slices – Provides a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness
- Tomato ketchup – Brings sweetness and acidity to balance the savory elements
- Yellow mustard – Adds vinegary sharpness that enhances the overall flavor profile
How to Make McDonald’s Quarter Pounder
- If using dried (dehydrated) onions, rehydrate them with warm water for 15 minutes, then drain off the excess water.
- Toast the buns in a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat for about a minute or until browned.
- Form the beef into 4 equal balls and place each ball between waxed paper or plastic wrap and gently press the meat into discs.
- Cook the patties in the skillet for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Season the patties with salt before and after you flip them over in the skillet.
- Place a bottom bun on a plate.
- Place a slice of cheese on the bun, then a burger patty, and finally another slice of cheese.
- Top with pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard.
- Cover the burger with the top bun.
- Repeat the process of building the burgers with the remaining ingredients.
Tips For Making a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder
Cook the burgers on the right surface. A heavy cast-iron skillet or griddle is ideal since it holds a constant temperature. But any flat cooking surface will work. Allow it to come up to temperature before cooking.
Don’t forget to toast those buns. For an extra-crispy bun, spread a thin, even layer of mayonnaise and place it cut-side down in a pan.
Do you want a low-carb version?
You can swap out the buns with large leaves of lettuce. Changing out the lettuce leaves is a significant way to reduce the net carbs.
Check out our other McDonald’s-inspired recipes on YouTube!
Love McDonald’s? Try these copycat recipes!
- Big Mac
- Egg McMuffin
- Fried Apple Pie
- How to Make Big Mac Sauce
- Oreo McFlurry
- Shamrock Shake
- Sweet Iced Tea
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Check out my homemade burger recipes and the best McDonalds recipes here on CopyKat!
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sliced white onions
- 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
- 1 1/3 pounds ground beef chuck this allows for some shrinkage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 slices American cheese
- 8 dill pickle slices
- 1 1/3 tablespoons mustard
- 3 1/3 to 4 tablespoons ketchup
Instructions
- Toast the buns in a cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute, or until they brown. Set aside.
- Form the ground beef into 4 equal balls. Place each ball of meat between two sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap and gently press the meat into disc shapes. Do not press too hard, as the patties may fall apart.
- In the same skillet you used to toast the buns, cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Season each side with salt while cooking.
- Place the bottom buns on a plate. To each bun add: a slice of American cheese, 1 burger patty, another slice of American cheese, 2 pickle slices, several sliced white onions, 1 teaspoon of mustard, and 2 to 3 teaspoons of ketchup. Cover the burger with the top bun.
It works I just like cheese on my 🍔.
You’ve got this wrong. The Quarter Pounder with Cheese is the one burger at McDonald’s that has fresh slivered onions. It’s been that way since they started offering the sandwich in 1973 and it’s still the same. That’s what sets it apart from the other offerings at McDonald’s (besides size). I do love the rehydrated onions on the regular hamburger and the Big Mac but also love the Quarter Pounder with Cheese with the slivered onions. Great recipe otherwise.
The Quarter Pounder does not use rehydrated diced onions. It uses pieces of real onion.
Very true!