Hands holding McDonald’s Big Macs on the table, next to fries and drinks – Eliz A/Shutterstock
Since the introduction of the McDonald’s Big Mac in 1967, the ingredients for the iconic burger — two slices of cooked, all-beef patties slathered in a special sauce and topped with lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions, all piled between two sesame buns with another sesame bun in the middle — have become ingrained in the American psyche, thanks in large part to an iconic jingle. However, as time goes by, it gradually becomes more and more expensive. Consider that when this bulky handheld device first came on the market, it cost just 45 cents.
Current prices vary by location, but these days, a Big Mac typically costs between $4.67 and $7.06. As a result, costs have increased by 141.4% since 2020 alone. Luckily, there are some clever tricks to help you spend less on fast food, and one of the cleverest comes courtesy of a former McDonald’s chef. “Don’t order the Big Mac,” Mike Haracz asserted in a viral TikTok video. “[Order] McDouble like a Mac [instead]”.
According to this former employee, you can save about $2 with this clever alternative. However, you’ll be sacrificing the bun in the center so there’s a higher meat ratio, and you’ll also have lettuce and Big Mac sauce instead of ketchup and mustard. At least both sandwiches have two beef patties and a slice of cheese, so that remains the same. If you always find yourself craving more dairy when enjoying your Big Mac, use a Double Cheeseburger as a base instead of a Double McDonald’s, which comes with two slices of cheese.
Read more: The secrets Wendy doesn’t want you to know
Why have Big Macs become so expensive?
Close-up of a McDonald’s Big Mac – Lauren Decicca/Getty Images
Inflation is a key reason why Big Mac prices have risen dramatically in the decades since their introduction. For example, beef costs will rise 9.6% in 2022 alone, and the USDA predicts beef prices will rise a further 9.4% in 2026. Frustrated consumers across the country are taking notice, too. “No matter how bad the price, service or food quality is, the lines are still crazy,” one Reddit user decried. No wonder former chef Mike Haracz’s secrets are blowing up online. Outrage over claims that the price of a Big Mac had increased by 100% was so great that Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, wrote an open letter assuring the public that they were not being ripped off. Citing factors such as inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, rising wages and supply chain issues, Erlinger claimed the average cost of a Big Mac has only increased 21% in five years.
It’s worth noting that the price increase hasn’t deterred diners. In fact, as of this writing, McDonald’s is the most profitable restaurant chain in the world, with its brand value rising to a staggering $42.6 billion after years of steady growth post-COVID-19. “The challenge with McDonald’s is that I will never consider them a quality meal. If the price is right, I’ll buy it, but if they push it too hard, I’ll go elsewhere,” noted one Reddit user, who provided some insight into why the cost hasn’t put fans off. Haratz’s clever trick is a way to make prices more reasonable, but the cheapest Big Macs are still homemade. Our copycat Big Mac recipe is an incredible substitute, right down to the third bun in the middle.
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Read the original article about Mashed.
