McDonald’s McDouble is two thin 45g beef patties seared from frozen for 2 minutes per side, seasoned with an 86/14 salt to pepper ratio, stacked with one slice of American cheese between the patties, rehydrated onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a buttered toasted bun. Twenty minutes, makes 5.
Freezing the patties on a baking sheet before cooking is the step that makes everything else work. A frozen patty holds its shape when it hits the hot skillet, sears without overcooking the centre, shrinks less than a fresh one, and stays juicier because all the heat concentrates on the crust while the middle thaws slowly. Fresh patties at this size fall apart and overcook in under a minute.
The 86/14 salt to pepper ratio is what McDonald’s reportedly uses, and it translates to roughly 2 and a half tablespoons of sea salt mixed with 1 tablespoon of black pepper. That sounds like a lot, but you are seasoning from a pinch bowl across multiple patties, not dumping it all on one burger. The seasoning goes on after the sear, not before, so the spices toast on contact without burning.
McDonald’s McDouble
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy5
servings20
minutes12
minutes380
kcalTwo thin frozen beef patties seared in a hot skillet, seasoned with McDonald’s 86/14 salt and pepper ratio after the flip, stacked with one slice of American cheese between patties, rehydrated onions, dill pickles, ketchup and mustard on a buttered toasted bun.
Ingredients
- For the patties:
1 lb ground beef, medium grind, very cold
1 tsp beef powder, optional
1/2 tsp MSG, optional
1/4 tsp baking powder, optional
- For the seasoning:
2 1/2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
- For assembly:
5 hamburger buns
Butter, for toasting
2 tsp dehydrated minced onion, rehydrated in 2 tsp water
8 slices dill pickles
Yellow mustard
Ketchup
5 slices American cheese
Directions
- Form and freeze the patties:Gently mix the ground beef with the optional burger mixin. Weigh out 45g portions and press into thin patties. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Toast the buns:Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter the buns, place cut-side down and toast until golden. Set aside on plates.
- Sear the patties:In the same hot skillet, sear the frozen patties for 2 minutes per side. Season the seared side with the salt and pepper mix after flipping. Flip once more to apply heat to the seasoned side. Cook just until juices run clear.
- Build the McDouble:On the top bun, add 5 small squirts of mustard, 5 larger squirts of ketchup, a pinch of squeezed rehydrated onions and 2 pickle slices. Stack the first patty on the bottom bun, add 1 slice of cheese, then the second patty. Close with the dressed top bun. Wrap in wax paper and let sit for a few minutes before serving.
FAQs
What is the difference between a McDouble and a Double Cheeseburger?
One slice of cheese vs two. A McDouble has one slice of American cheese sandwiched between the two patties. A Double Cheeseburger has two slices, one on top of each patty. Same meat, same bun, same toppings, different cheese count.
Why freeze the patties before cooking?
At 45g each these patties are very thin. A fresh patty this size overcooks in seconds and shrinks to nothing. Freezing holds the shape, gives you a proper sear window of 2 minutes per side, and keeps the centre juicy because it thaws slowly while the outside browns.
What is the 86/14 seasoning ratio?
86% salt, 14% pepper by weight. That works out to roughly 2 and a half tablespoons of sea salt to 1 tablespoon of black pepper. Mix it in a small bowl and pinch from it as you season each patty after the flip.
What should you serve alongside McDoubles?
Thin shoestring fries are the obvious pairing. Hash browns work if you are eating these for brunch. Coleslaw or a dill pickle spear on the side adds crunch without competing with the burger. A cold cola or a vanilla milkshake finishes the meal.
How do you store leftover patties?
Freeze the uncooked portioned patties in a ziplock bag with wax paper between each one. They keep for up to 2 months and cook straight from frozen. Cooked patties keep in the fridge for 2 days. Reheat in a hot skillet, not the microwave, so you get the sear back.
