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These indicators can help you discern when a burger is filled with additives rather than being purely beef.
Have you ever wondered if the burgers you’re eating are less than genuine beef? There’s a significant possibility that your patties fall short of being pure beef. Fortunately, identifying these imposters is possible. We reached out to Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, for insights on spotting burgers that aren’t 100% beef. Here are seven telltale signs your burger might not be the real deal.
The first clue is straightforward: if the menu or website doesn’t explicitly state “100% beef,” there’s a good chance it’s not. “Restaurants love to highlight this fact when it’s true,” explains Collingwood. Be cautious of ambiguous descriptions like “beef patty,” “grilled patty,” or “seasoned beef,” as these often suggest the presence of additives, fillers, or mixed meats, she advises.
They Aren’t Labeled “100% Beef”
A lengthy ingredient list is another warning sign. “Authentic beef patties should list only beef, possibly with salt and pepper,” Collingwood notes. Ingredients that should raise concern include:
There Is a Long Ingredient List
Another red flag? There is a long ingredient list. “Real beef patties should contain beef and maybe salt/pepper,” she says. Red-flag ingredients include:
Soy protein, textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Modified food starch
Maltodextrin
Carrageenan
Sodium phosphates
“Natural flavors”
The Burger Is Uniform, Rubbery, or Spongy Texture
If your burger is a uniform, rubbery, or spongy texture, it is a signthat there is something other than beef in it. “Real ground beef has visible grain and fat variation,” says Collingwood. “Fillers create a smooth, bouncy, almost hot dog-like bite. If it feels springy instead of crumbly, that’s a clue.”
There Is Excessive Shrinkage or Water Loss
Excessive shrinkage or water loss is another sign. “Patty shrinks dramatically or releases lots of liquid,” says Collingwood. “Beef and binders often contain added water. Real beef shrinks mostly from fat rendering, not water flooding.”
Gray or Oddly Consistent Interior
Gray or oddly consistent interior is another sign. “Real beef cooks with color variation,” Collingwood points out. “Heavily processed patties may look: Uniform gray, pasty, too smooth inside,” she says.
There Is a Weak Beef Flavor or Heavy Saltiness
The sixth sign? “Weak beef flavor, heavy saltiness,” Collingwood says. “Real beef tastes meaty, not just salty. Fillers dilute natural beef flavor, and sodium compensates.”
An Unaturally Lingering Aftertaste
The last sign is an “aftertaste that lingers unnaturally,” says Collingwood. “This can be from flavor enhancers, phosphates, or hydrolyzed proteins.”
