White Castle is an iconic fast-food chain known for its small, square-shaped sliders. Over the years, a variety of rumors and misconceptions have circulated about the ingredients used in White Castle burgers.
One particularly persistent rumor suggests that White Castle burgers are made with horse meat instead of beef. Scandals, such as the 2013 European horse meat scandal, help fuel these rumors.
In this article, we’ll set the record straight and explore the real ingredients that go into making those beloved sliders.
White Castle burgers are not made with horse meat. The consumption of horse meat goes against cultural norms in America. Furthermore, horse meat is unregulated in the U.S. and there are potential safety concerns if it were actually used for fast food burgers.
White Castle and other U.S. fast food chains have no desire to ruin their reputations and sales by using horse meat in their burgers. We can look back to Burger King’s association to the 2013 Europe horse meat scandal and the backlash they received for confirmation on why fast food wants nothing to do with horse meat.
USDA Beef: The Foundation of White Castle Burgers
White Castle burgers made from 100% USDA beef. This means that the beef used in White Castle sliders adheres to the strict standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for quality and safety. The use of USDA beef is a testament to White Castle’s commitment to providing customers with a high-quality burger experience.
You can see how the burgers are made and the use of 100% beef in the video below:
In addition to beef, White Castle burgers are made with the following ingredients:
Seasoning
White Castle prides itself on simplicity when it comes to seasoning its sliders. The beef patties are seasoned with just salt and pepper. This minimalistic approach allows the natural flavors of the beef to shine, creating a distinctive and familiar taste that fans have come to love over the years.
Grilled Onions
One of the signature characteristics of White Castle burgers is the way they are cooked. The beef patties are grilled on a flat-top grill, giving them that quintessential “smashed” and slightly crispy texture. Alongside the patties, sliced onions are also cooked on the same grill. These onions caramelize as they cook, infusing the burgers with their sweet and savory flavors. The combination of the grilled beef and onions is what gives White Castle burgers their distinctive taste.
Hamburger Buns
While the focus of this article is primarily on the meat aspect of White Castle burgers, it’s important to note that the buns used for these sliders contain wheat. Wheat-based buns are a staple in the fast-food industry and provide the necessary structure to hold the beef patty and other toppings together.
Cheese
The popular choice of cheese at White Castle is American. It is essentially made with cow’s milk, water, cream, and preservatives. No horse meat is involved in making the cheese.
In Conclusion: Debunking the Myth
In the world of fast food, rumors and myths often circulate, and White Castle hasn’t been immune to such speculation. However, it’s crucial to rely on credible sources and facts when assessing the ingredients of any food product.
White Castle uses 100% USDA beef seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled with onions, and served on wheat-based buns with optional cheese and condiments. There is no horse meat or other unusual ingredients involved in the creation of their iconic sliders.
As consumers, it’s essential to be informed about the food we eat and to base our judgments on facts rather than unfounded rumors. So the next time you enjoy a White Castle burger, you can do so with the knowledge that it is indeed made with high-quality beef and prepared using time-tested methods that have delighted customers for over 100 years.
