Emma Wilson
In 2018, Sonic Drive-In, a fast-food chain, introduced blended beef-and-mushroom burgers to its menu. The burger, called the Slinger, contains a patty made from roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms, with the remaining 70% being beef. The addition of mushrooms makes the burger healthier, with less fat and fewer calories, and more environmentally friendly, with a reduced carbon footprint. The burger has been marketed as uniquely delicious, with the mushrooms enhancing the beef's flavour and adding moisture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burger Name | Slinger |
| Burger Type | Blended Burger |
| Ingredients | Beef, Mushrooms |
| Percentage of Mushrooms | 25-30% |
| Taste | Savory, Umami, Juicier |
| Nutritional Benefits | Less Fat, Fewer Calories |
| Environmental Impact | Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Lower Carbon Footprint |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sonic's blended burgers are marketed as healthier
Sonic's blended burgers, also known as the Slinger, are marketed as healthier alternatives to traditional beef burgers. The fast-food chain introduced blended burgers to its menu in 2018, making it the first large fast-food chain to do so. The Slinger is made with a blend of beef and mushrooms, with the patty containing roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms.
The addition of mushrooms to the beef patty not only reduces the amount of beef consumed but also enhances the flavor and juiciness of the burger. According to Sonic's vice president of product innovation and development, Scott Uehlein, "Adding mushrooms right into the burger patty amps up the incredible flavors of the 100-percent pure beef and seasonings you get in each bite."
The blended burgers have also been touted as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option compared to traditional beef patties. The reduction in beef content leads to a smaller carbon footprint, with lower carbon dioxide emissions, water usage, and farmland requirements. Richard Waite, an associate at the World Resources Institute, a nonprofit working towards sustainable food options, has praised the initiative, stating that blended burgers could become one of America's most-served menu items.
While Sonic initially focused on marketing the taste and health benefits of the blended burgers, the environmental advantages have also gained traction. The company has conducted tests and focus groups, with consumers approving of the reduced fat and calorie content of the burgers. The blended burgers have been positioned as a "cheeseburger that lets you get away with it," emphasizing the combination of flavor and reduced guilt.
In conclusion, Sonic's blended burgers are marketed as healthier options that deliver the taste of a traditional beef burger while incorporating the benefits of mushrooms. This initiative addresses consumer concerns about sustainability and provides a more environmentally conscious choice without compromising on flavor.
Magic Mushrooms: Can They Mold?
You may want to see also
The addition of mushrooms makes the burgers more environmentally friendly
In a bid to address consumer concerns about sustainability, Sonic, the fast-food chain, has introduced a new burger called the Slinger, which blends beef with mushrooms. The addition of mushrooms to burgers is an attempt to make them more environmentally friendly.
The Slinger patty is made up of roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms, which reduces the amount of beef used. This has a positive environmental impact as beef is one of the most carbon-intensive foods. A pound of beef has a carbon dioxide footprint of 12.3 pounds, whereas a pound of mushrooms has a footprint of only 0.7 pounds. By reducing the amount of beef in each burger, Sonic is lowering its carbon footprint and reducing the resources needed to produce each burger.
The blended burger concept is not new, with school and corporate cafeterias, as well as niche burger makers, already adopting blended burger recipes. However, Sonic is the first large fast-food chain to introduce it on a large scale, which could have a significant impact on the environment. The World Resources Institute has praised the initiative, claiming that if all 10 billion burgers Americans consume annually used blended patties with 30% mushrooms, it would cut 10.5 million tons of annual CO2 emissions, save 83 billion gallons of water, and reduce the amount of global farmland needed.
The addition of mushrooms also has health benefits, as the burgers have less fat and fewer calories than traditional beef patties. The mushrooms add savoury flavour and make the patty thicker and juicier. This blend of beef and mushrooms boosts the umami taste and adds moisture, making the burgers appealing to consumers who are not ready to switch to completely plant-based options but are conscious of the environmental impact of their food choices.
Mushrooms: A Rich Source of Biotin
You may want to see also
The blended burgers are called the 'Slinger'
The blended burgers at Sonic are called the Slinger. The fast-food chain introduced mushrooms to their burgers to create healthier, more environmentally friendly patties. The Slinger is a blend of beef and mushrooms, with the patty containing roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms. This blend reduces the amount of beef used in each burger, lowering the environmental impact of beef production.
The Slinger was created in collaboration with the Mushroom Council and the James Beard Foundation as part of their Blended Burger project. This initiative challenges chefs to create recipes for patties that include at least 25% mushrooms. The addition of mushrooms to the beef patty not only makes it healthier but also enhances the flavor and juiciness of the burger. With a broader appeal than a completely vegetarian patty, the Slinger offers a familiar taste with added health and environmental benefits.
Sonic's decision to blend mushrooms into their burgers was driven by a desire to offer a sustainable option without compromising on taste. The company wanted to provide a flavorful and juicy burger that reduced beef consumption and its associated environmental impact. By blending mushrooms into the patty, Sonic created a unique and delicious option for consumers seeking a more sustainable alternative.
The Slinger is marketed as a "steakhouse-style" burger, emphasizing its taste and texture rather than solely its environmental or health benefits. With a focus on flavor and a subtle blend of mushrooms, the Slinger appeals to consumers who may be hesitant to fully embrace plant-based alternatives. This approach allows Sonic to cater to a wider range of customers while still offering a more sustainable option.
The introduction of the Slinger burger by Sonic represents a significant step towards more sustainable fast-food options. By blending mushrooms into their burgers, Sonic has created a delicious and environmentally conscious choice for consumers. The Slinger's unique blend of beef and mushrooms offers a familiar taste with added health benefits, making it a popular and innovative option in the fast-food industry.
Unveiling the Depth of Mushroom Mycelium Networks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The burgers contain 25-30% mushrooms
Sonic's Slinger burger contains a blend of beef and mushrooms, with the patties comprising roughly 25-30% mushrooms. This addition of mushrooms is intended to make the burgers healthier and more environmentally friendly. The fast-food chain is addressing consumer concerns about sustainability and reducing meat consumption by adding mushrooms to their burgers.
The Slinger burger is Sonic's attempt at creating a more sustainable menu item. By blending mushrooms into the beef patty, Sonic has created a burger with less fat and fewer calories than a traditional beef burger. The mushrooms add savoury flavour and depth to the burger, making the patty thicker and juicier. This unique combination has been described as "uniquely delicious" by Sonic.
The environmental benefits of the mushroom-blended burgers are significant. Beef is a resource-intensive food with a large carbon footprint. By replacing some of the beef in the patty with mushrooms, Sonic has reduced the environmental impact of their burgers. According to the World Resources Institute, if all 10 billion burgers consumed by Americans each year used blended patties with 30% mushrooms, it would cut annual CO2 emissions by 10.5 million tons, save 83 billion gallons of water, and reduce the amount of global farmland needed.
While some consumers may be concerned that the addition of mushrooms reduces the taste or appeal of the burger, focus groups have approved of the flavour. In fact, in an earlier study of another blended recipe, consumers preferred a beef-mushroom mix in tacos to 100% beef. The mushrooms enhance the beefy flavour and juiciness of the burger, making it a tasty option for those looking for a more sustainable meal.
Mushrooms: Why Do They Attract Flies?
You may want to see also
The burgers are said to have a broader appeal than vegetarian options
Sonic's blended burgers, which contain a mix of beef and mushrooms, are said to have a broader appeal than vegetarian options. The fast-food chain, which has over 3,500 locations, is the first large chain to test a "blended burger" at scale. The burger, marketed as the Slinger, contains roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms, with the remaining 70% being beef.
The addition of mushrooms is intended to reduce beef consumption and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional beef patties. By blending in mushrooms, Sonic aims to lower the environmental impact of its burgers without compromising taste. The company claims that the mushrooms enhance the flavor and juiciness of the burger, making it a more appealing option for consumers who may be hesitant to try completely vegetarian patties.
In an earlier study of another blended recipe, consumers preferred a beef-mushroom mix in tacos over 100% beef. This indicates that blended burgers may have a wider appeal than strictly vegetarian options. Scott Uehlein, Sonic's vice president of product innovation and development, supports this idea, stating that the blended burger has a "broader appeal versus a completely vegetarian burger patty." He attributes this to the fact that it is still mostly beef, while also offering improved taste and sustainability.
The blended burgers are marketed as "steakhouse-style" burgers, emphasizing taste rather than environmental or health benefits. This strategy may help attract consumers who are not specifically seeking vegetarian options but are open to trying new and innovative flavors. By focusing on taste, Sonic's blended burgers may bridge the gap between traditional meat-eaters and those exploring more sustainable and plant-based options.
Portabella Mushrooms: Are They Iron-Rich?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sonic burgers do have mushrooms. The fast-food chain introduced mushrooms to their burgers to create healthier and more environmentally friendly patties.
The Sonic burger that contains mushrooms is called the Slinger.
The Slinger patty is made up of roughly 25% to 30% mushrooms, with the remaining 70% being beef.
Sonic added mushrooms to their burgers to address consumer concerns about sustainability and to reduce the amount of beef used in each burger.
Yes, in addition to being more environmentally friendly, the mushrooms add depth of flavor, making the patty thicker and juicier. The blended burgers also have fewer calories and less fat than traditional beef patties.
