When it comes to fries, nothing beats McDonald’s. You can almost taste the crunchy deliciousness when you see the Golden Arches. You don’t have to take our word on this, either—there’s a scientific reason McDonald’s fries are so good!
But if you started eating the golden potato sticks before 1990, we suspect you’ve noticed that something’s different now. It’s not your imagination. McDonald’s made some major changes to its recipe that year.
What Made McDonald’s Fries Famous?
To know how McDonald’s fries became the phenomenon they are today, we need to take a quick dive into the fast-food chain’s backstory. For founder Ray Kroc, the standout at the original McDonald’s drive-in was their crisp, golden fries. Kroc loved the fries so much that he wrote about ’em in his memoir: “The French fry would become almost sacrosanct for me, its preparation a ritual to be followed religiously.”
Kroc contributed an essential ingredient to that ritual. Taking inspiration from his favorite Chicago hot dog stand, Sam’s, he decided that McDonald’s fries should be made using beef tallow, which gave them a delicious meaty flavor that millions came to love.
However, all good things must come to an end. (Remember the McLobster?)
How Are the Fries Different Today?
Beef tallow was initially used because the supplier for McDonald’s couldn’t afford vegetable oil. In the 1990s, as health concerns over saturated fat reached an all-time high, McDonald’s faced a backlash against the use of beef tallow, and worried about losing customers, the chain switched to vegetable oil. Unfortunately, many customers said the new texture and taste weren’t up to the mark.
The fast-food giant tried to win customers back by adding natural beef flavoring to their ingredients. It used vegetarian hydrolyzed wheat and milk proteins, and not surprisingly, this was a poor replacement for the original flavor. To make matters worse, vegetable oil was later found to be unhealthy, too, and McDonald’s changed its oil twice more—first to a soy-corn oil in 2002, then to a trans-fat-free oil in 2007, which is still in use today.
Nothing achieved the crisp skin and perfectly fluffy inside of the original, though we won’t be giving up our fries anytime soon. If this has you wondering what cooking oils to use at home, check out this handy Test Kitchen guide.
Will McDonald’s ever return to its original french fry recipe? Only time will tell. Luckily, the Coke at McDonald’s still tastes better than anywhere else!
Inspired by: Shake Shack's Cheese Fries
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Inspired by: McDonald's French Fries
An even tastier way to eat fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic makes this side dish simple irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Arby's Curly Fries
These copycat Arby's curly fries from Domestic Superhero get that signature kick from a blend of six spices.
Inspired by: Applebee's Basket of Fries
Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Dunkin' Donuts Donut Fries
The Dunkin' version of donut fries is only available for a limited time, but this delicious recipe from Kirbie's Cravings will quickly become a lasting staple in your kitchen. Try them plain or dunked in chocolate glaze.
Inspired by: Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries
The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Inspired by: Burger King's Chicken Fries
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Inspired by: In-N-Out's Animal-Style Fries
Don't worry if you're not on the West Coast. These copycat In-N-Out animal-style fries from Dinner Then Dessert taste just like the real deal.
Inspired by: Wendy’s French Fries
These fries are always popular with my meat-and-potatoes bunch. The cheesy seasoning can easily double as a flavorful baked potato topper, too.—Maribeth Edwards, Follansbee, West Virginia
Inspired by: SONIC's Chili Cheese Tots
Playing with food is loads of fun when you have Tater Tots and taco toppings. Let kids build their own for smiles all around. —Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota
Inspired by: Five Guys' Fries
Five Guys is known for their massive servings, and this simple recipe from Wildflour's Cottage Kitchen can be tailored to fit any appetite.
Inspired by: Red Robin's Bottomless Steak Fries®
With fewer than five ingredients and in less than 30 minutes, you can whip up tasty homemade fries for an anytime side. —Pat Fredericks, Oak Creek, WisconsinThe post Here’s Why McDonald’s Fries Don’t Taste the Way They Used To appeared first on Taste of Home.
Amrita Thakkar