John Miller
Sonic, the fast-food chain, has blended mushrooms into its burgers to create healthier and more environmentally friendly patties. The new burger, which is 70% beef, is available in two variations: The Classic Sonic Signature Slinger and the Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger. While Sonic's new blended burger includes mushrooms, there is no indication that they serve fried mushrooms as a side or as an ingredient in other menu items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Blended Mushrooms | Yes |
| Type of Mushroom | Not mentioned |
| Burger Name | SONIC Signature Slinger |
| Variations | Classic, Bacon Melt |
| Burger Patty | Beef |
| Calories | Lower than regular beef patties |
| Carbon Emissions | Lower than regular beef patties |
| Taste | Better than regular beef patties, according to some |
| Availability | Nationwide |
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What You'll Learn
Sonic's blended burger contains beef and mushrooms
The fast-food chain Sonic has introduced blended burgers to its menu, which contain a mixture of beef and mushrooms. The new addition to the menu is part of an initiative to offer more sustainable and healthier food options to customers. The blended burgers contain 25% mushrooms, which makes them lower in calories and better for the environment.
The idea behind blending beef with mushrooms is to boost the umami taste, add moisture, and reduce the amount of beef needed in the patty. The mushrooms add depth to the flavour of the burger, making the patty thicker and juicier. The blended burgers are also marketed as being healthier, with fewer calories and less fat than traditional beef burgers.
Sonic's blended burgers are the result of a partnership with the Mushroom Council, an industry trade group that promotes the use of mushrooms in food. The Mushroom Council has been running the Blended Burger project, challenging chefs to create recipes for patties that include at least 25% mushrooms. The project aims to encourage the creation of more sustainable and environmentally friendly burger options.
By blending mushrooms with beef, Sonic is able to offer a burger that still has broad appeal to meat-eaters, while also providing a more sustainable and healthier option. The company's vice president of product innovation and development, Scott Uehlein, stated that the blended burger offers "all the flavor [of a traditional burger]... with none of the guilt."
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The burger is available in two variations
Sonic has introduced a new burger that blends beef and mushrooms to create a healthier and more environmentally friendly patty. The burger is available in two variations:
The first is the Classic Sonic Signature Slinger, which includes fresh lettuce and tomato, diced onions, crinkle-cut dill pickles, mayonnaise, and melted American cheese on a brioche bun. This option offers a traditional take on a burger with the added twist of the mushroom-blended patty, appealing to those who prefer a classic combination of toppings.
The second variation is the Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger, which includes crispy bacon, melted cheese, and mayonnaise on a brioche bun. This option caters to those who enjoy the taste of bacon and a more generous helping of cheese. The addition of bacon provides a salty, savory element that pairs well with the mushroom-blended patty.
Both burgers provide a unique twist on the traditional burger by incorporating mushrooms into the patty itself, enhancing the flavor and texture while also reducing the environmental impact of meat consumption. The Classic Sonic Signature Slinger emphasizes the freshness of vegetables with its toppings, while the Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger indulges in the savory, meaty flavors that many burger enthusiasts crave.
The introduction of these burgers showcases Sonic's innovation in responding to the growing trend of blending mushrooms into burger patties, offering a more sustainable and healthier option without compromising on taste. With these two variations, Sonic caters to a range of customer preferences while also contributing to the effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the meat industry.
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The blended burger is healthier and more environmentally friendly
Sonic, the fast-food chain, has blended mushrooms into its burgers to create healthier and more environmentally friendly patties. The blended burger, also known as the Sonic Signature Slinger, comes in two variations: Classic and Bacon Melt. The Classic Sonic Signature Slinger is topped with lettuce, tomato, diced onions, crinkle-cut dill chips, mayonnaise, and melted American cheese on a brioche bun. On the other hand, the Bacon Melt variation includes bacon along with the cheese and mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
The blended burger concept was first proposed by the Mushroom Council, the trade body of cultivated mushroom growers, in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America's Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative. It has been praised for enhancing the flavor of the beef and seasonings in each bite, thus providing a delicious option for those seeking healthier and more sustainable food choices.
The introduction of the blended burger by Sonic represents a step towards meeting environmental goals and addressing the meat industry's carbon footprint. It also demonstrates the company's efforts to adapt to emerging trends and meet the evolving preferences of its customers. By blending mushrooms into their burger patties, Sonic has created a unique offering that not only tastes great but also contributes to a more sustainable future.
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The Mushroom Council developed the blended burger concept
The concept of the Blended Burger was first introduced in 2011 by the Mushroom Council, in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America's Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative. The initiative aimed to create a more sustainable and nutritious burger option by blending ground meat with finely chopped mushrooms. The Mushroom Council, as the trade body representing cultivated mushroom growers, recognised the environmental benefits of mushrooms, which require minimal water, electricity, and space to grow, producing fewer greenhouse gases than beef.
The Blended Burger Project, now in its second year, encourages chefs to create their own interpretations of the blended burger, with the opportunity to showcase their creations at the James Beard House in New York City. The project celebrates the enhanced flavour, nutrition, and sustainability that mushrooms bring to burgers. By blending mushrooms with meat, the patty gains a juicy texture and savoury umami taste while incorporating vegetables and reducing the overall fat and cholesterol content.
Sonic Drive-In, an Oklahoma City-based quick-service chain, embraced the concept and launched its version of a mushroom-blended burger, the Sonic Signature Slinger. The burger, priced at $1.99, contains 75% beef and 25% cooked mushrooms, offering a lower-calorie option without compromising on taste. This innovation marked a significant step forward in fast food, providing a more sustainable and healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers.
The development of the Blended Burger concept by the Mushroom Council and its subsequent adoption by Sonic Drive-In highlights a growing trend towards more sustainable and nutritious food options. By blending mushrooms with meat, the concept strikes a balance between taste and health, demonstrating that it is possible to enjoy a delicious burger while also making a more environmentally conscious choice. The initiative has sparked a movement, with chefs across the nation experimenting with their renditions and elevating the simple burger into a culinary experience that satisfies both taste buds and nutritional needs.
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The burger is available at all Sonic restaurants nationwide
Sonic Drive-In has expanded its menu by adding a unique burger to all its restaurants across the nation. The burger, which contains a blend of mushrooms and beef, is now available at all Sonic outlets. The fast-food chain's new offering promises to be both healthier and more environmentally friendly. The burger was first trialled at select stores, but it has now been added to the menu at all Sonic restaurants nationwide.
The burger, which is 70% beef, comes in two variations. The first is the Classic Sonic Signature Slinger, which is topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, diced onions, crinkle-cut dill pickles, mayonnaise, and melted American cheese, all served on a brioche bun. The second option is the Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger, which includes crispy bacon, melted cheese, and mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
Sonic's vice president of product innovation and development, Scott Uehlein, stated, "Adding mushrooms right into the burger patty amps up the incredible flavors of the 100% pure beef and seasonings you get in each bite. This burger truly raises the bar for every other restaurant." The trend of blending mushrooms into burger patties has been popular this year, and Sonic has created its own delicious take on this concept.
The blended burger concept was first introduced in 2011 by the Mushroom Council, the trade body representing cultivated mushroom growers, in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America's Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative. With the addition of this new burger to its menu, Sonic is not only offering a tasty treat to its customers but also contributing to a more sustainable food industry by reducing the carbon footprint associated with meat production.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sonic does not have fried mushrooms. However, they do offer burgers that are a blend of beef and mushrooms.
The Sonic burgers that contain mushrooms are called the Classic Sonic Signature Slinger and the Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger.
The Classic Sonic Signature Slinger consists of a beef and mushroom patty, lettuce, tomato, diced onions, crinkle-cut dill pickles, mayonnaise, and melted American cheese on a brioche bun.
The Bacon Melt Sonic Signature Slinger consists of a beef and mushroom patty, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
Yes, the mushroom-blended burgers are available nationwide at all Sonic Drive-In locations.
