The Cheese That's In McDonald's Egg McMuffin And Why It Works So Well

For over six decades, McDonald's has stood as the quintessential fast food spot. It's a place where many of the ingredients are as American as the iconic menu items, right down to the cheese. As fans of McDonald's Egg McMuffin are well aware, a melty slice of American cheese fits perfectly with an egg and a slice of Canadian bacon, sandwiched between two halves of an English muffin. American cheese can be found on other McDonald's staples as well, including the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and the Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles. It's no wonder that this creamy cheese has been an essential ingredient in the Egg McMuffin since its inception.

The iconic sandwich was invented by McDonald's franchisee Herb Peterson in 1971 and was originally an attempt to create a portable version of eggs Benedict. Peterson was dissatisfied with packaged Hollandaise sauce and replaced it with a piece of cheese instead. Originally an open-faced sandwich, it became available on the McDonald's breakfast menu nationwide by 1975. Here at Tasting Table, we ranked the breakfast staple in the upper half of our ultimate ranking of McDonald's food items and fifth on our list of iconic fast food breakfast sandwiches. No doubt, that delicious American cheese factored in.

While a slice of American cheese may not be able to replace the sweet tang of Hollandaise sauce, on its own, it works well on the iconic breakfast sandwich because it melts easily. Emulsifiers like sodium citrate help this cheese to melt evenly without clumping, creating that legendary cheese pull often coveted in hot breakfast sandwiches. Much like Hollandaise adds creaminess to eggs Benedict, a slice of American cheese instantly adds a delectable texture to McDonald's Egg McMuffin.

The creaminess of the cheese blends well with a buttery English muffin, and its satisfying flavors melds expertly with the Canadian bacon and egg. American cheese also delivers a bit of tangy flavor to the sandwich, helping to balance the bacon's saltiness and the egg's richness. For on-the-go travelers, McDonald's Egg McMuffin is a reliable, if not perfect, breakfast sandwich, one where all the ingredients are harmonious. Even if a slice of American cheese isn't the star of this breakfast favorite, its creamy, melty texture is the glue that brings all of the ingredients together for a satisfying breakfast experience.