McDonald’s Cheeseburger

McDonald's cheeseburger with text listing ingredients.

McDonald’s Cheeseburger is a simple, yet highly popular menu item. It’s made with a single patty from 100% beef and a slice of American cheese.

One serving (before adding any condiments) has 300 calories, 13 grams fat, 31 grams carbohydrates, and 15 grams protein.

Read this fast food guide for more detailed information about the calories, nutrition, ingredients, and allergens in McDonald’s classic cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger Nutritional Information

Daily Value

Daily value indicates how much of a specific nutrient is in the cheeseburger, relative to the recommended daily limit. Use the %DV to compare foods and select the best menu item for your dietary goals.

As shown in the chart below, McDonald’s cheeseburger is high in saturated fat and sodium.

Serving size: 1 cheeseburger

% DAILY VALUE

Use %DV to determine if the level of nutrients in a food is low (5% or less) or high (20% or more).

%DV

Level

Saturated Fat

30%

Sodium

31%

Added Sugars

10%

MED

%DV based on 2,000 calories

Calories

There are 300 calories in a single cheeseburger.

Here is a summary of calories per macronutrient in one serving:

  • 115 calories from fat
  • 125 calories from total carbs
  • 60 calories from protein

Carbohydrates contribute the highest percentage (42%) of the total calories. Fat makes up another 38% and the remaining 20% is from protein.

McDonald’s Cheeseburger

% calories from fat, carbs and protein
Calories
CALORIES FROM fat
38%
CALORIES FROM CARBS
42%
CALORIES FROM Protein
20%

The breakout of calories by nutrient is a rounded estimate based on the nutrition facts label provided by McDonald’s. Calories may vary by location, as a result of how it’s prepared, or due to topping choices.

ESTIMATED FITNESS TIME TO BURN 300 CALORIES

  • Swim 40 minutes
  • Play Racquetball 40 minutes
  • Play Golf (with cart) 1 hour 10 minutes

Compare the nutrition facts to McDonald’s classic hamburger and the bacon & cheese steakburger from Steak ‘n Shake. Check the amount of saturated fat and sodium to make an informed decision on which foods are the best option for your diet.

Sodium

One cheeseburger contains 720 milligrams of sodium. That is high.

The amount of sodium is 31% of the recommended daily limit of 2,300 milligrams.

Dietary Cholesterol

There are 40 milligrams of dietary cholesterol in a single McDonald’s cheeseburger. That’s a medium level with a 14% daily value.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 Cheeseburger

Amount per serving

Calories

300

% Daily Value

Red indicates a high %DV.

Total Fat

13g

17%

Saturated Fat

6g

Trans Fat

0.5g

Cholesterol

40mg

13%

Sodium

720mg

Carbohydrates

31g

11%

Dietary Fiber

2g

7%

Total Sugars

6g

Added Sugars

5g

10%

Protein

15g

%DV based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Calorie needs vary and your %DV may be higher or lower. Provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.

  • High in saturated fat
  • High in sodium
  • Medium level of added sugars

FAST FOOD HAMBURGER NUTRITION REVIEW

What is on a McDonald’s Cheeseburger?

The classic cheeseburger at McDonald’s is made with a 100% pure beef patty seasoned with salt and pepper.  The sandwich includes a tangy pickle, chopped onions, ketchup, mustard and a slice of American cheese.

McDonald's cheeseburger with text listing ingredients.
Learn more about the ingredients in a single cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger Ingredients and Allergens

  • McDonald’s pickles contain an artificial preservative (potassium sorbate).

Ingredients

Here are the lists of ingredients in McDonald’s Cheeseburger, broken out for the beef patty, hamburger bun, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles.

Ingredients in Mcdonald’s Cheeseburger

Beef Patty

100% Pure USDA inspected beef prepared with Salt and Black Pepper.

Bun

Enriched Flour, Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Salt, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Modified, Food Starch, Wheat Gluten, Vinegar, Vegetable Proteins (pea, potato, rice, and/or faba), Sunflower and/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, and Dough Conditioners.

American Cheese

Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, and Color Added.

Ketchup

Tomato Concentrate From Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, and Natural Flavors.

Mustard

Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Paprika, and Spice Extractive.

Pickles

Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, and Extractives Of Turmeric (color).

  • Enriched Flour includes wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid.
  • Dough Conditioners include enzymes, ascorbic acid, and monoglycerides.

What is Potassium Sorbate?

Potassium Sorbate – used in the pickles served on a McDonald’s cheeseburger – is an inorganic, chemical additive used to preserve foods and drinks as well as other products in the marketplace.

The additive inhibits the growth of molds, yeast, and fungi and increases the shelf life of processed foods.

This additive is used in the production of juices, cheese, pickles, ice cream, wine, and yogurt, as well as many other food items.

Allergens

The cheeseburger is made with ingredients that contain milk, soy, and wheat.

If you have a food allergy, check the full allergen guide for McDonald’s menu and consult with your physician before deciding which food is right for you.

McDonald's hamburger with summary list of nutrients.
Another favorite: McDonald’s Hamburger

Nutrition facts, prices, and ingredients are based on available information as of the date of publication. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. All reports and reviews published on this site are for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, %DV is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.

Nutrition facts and ingredients source: McDonald’s

  • Burger images courtesy of McDonald’s.
  • Original designs by Nutrition & Ingredients for purposes of research and commentary related to fast food nutrition.

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