Fast food chains have long been under scrutiny for the quality of their ingredients, and Sonic Drive-In is no exception.
With the recent launch of their Signature Slingers, which contain 25% mushrooms, some customers may be wondering if their burgers are even made with real beef.
But fear not, Sonic assures us that their beef patties are made from 100% pure ground beef produced in USDA inspected plants.
However, the addition of mushrooms to their menu raises questions about the environmental impact of beef production and the potential benefits of incorporating more plant-based options.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Sonic’s beef sourcing and explore the growing trend of blended burgers.
Is Sonic Burgers Real Beef?
Yes, Sonic burgers are made with real beef. The fast food chain uses 100% pure ground beef produced exclusively in USDA inspected plants that meet all USDA requirements for 100% Ground Beef Patties.
Sonic’s commitment to using real beef is part of their animal welfare policy, which has been in place since 2010. The policy includes phasing in cage-free eggs, sourcing pork from facilities that don’t use gestation crates, and encouraging their poultry suppliers to adopt more humane methods of slaughtering chickens.
While Sonic’s beef patties are made with real beef, the addition of mushrooms to their menu raises questions about the environmental impact of beef production. Beef production is known to have a significant impact on the environment, producing more greenhouse gases and using more resources than other types of meat.
To address these concerns, Sonic has introduced their Signature Slingers, which contain 25% mushrooms. Blended burgers like the Signature Slingers are a growing trend in the fast food industry, offering a lower calorie and more environmentally friendly option.
Blended burgers typically contain a mix of beef and mushrooms, reducing the amount of beef used in the production process. This not only reduces the environmental impact of beef production but also offers a healthier option for customers.
Sonic’s Signature Slingers offer “all the flavor…with none of the guilt,” according to a company news release. The burger contains three ingredients: 100% pure beef, mushrooms, and seasonings. It starts at under 350 calories and is served on a brioche bun with mayo, onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and melted American cheese.
Sonic’s Beef Sourcing: What You Need To Know
Sonic’s beef patties are made with 100% pure ground beef sourced exclusively from USDA inspected plants that meet all USDA requirements for 100% Ground Beef Patties. The company has a longstanding commitment to using real beef and has implemented an animal welfare policy that includes sourcing from suppliers who prioritize animal welfare.
While Sonic’s beef is real, their recent addition of the Signature Slingers raises questions about the environmental impact of beef production. However, Sonic’s innovative approach to blended burgers offers a more sustainable option for customers concerned about the environment.
The Signature Slingers contain 25% mushrooms, reducing the amount of beef used in the production process. This not only reduces the environmental impact of beef production, but also offers a healthier option for customers. The blended burger contains only three ingredients: 100% pure beef, mushrooms, and seasonings.
Sonic’s commitment to using real beef and their innovative approach to blended burgers demonstrate their dedication to offering high-quality products that meet the needs of their customers.
The Truth About Sonic’s Signature Slingers
Sonic’s Signature Slingers are a new addition to their menu, featuring a beef patty that is made with 100% pure beef, seasonings, and savory mushrooms. The mushrooms are blended into the patty, not placed on top of it. The addition of mushrooms to the patty is part of a growing trend in the fast food industry to offer more environmentally friendly options.
Blended burgers like the Signature Slingers have been shown to reduce the environmental impact of beef production. Beef production is known to produce more greenhouse gases and use more resources than other types of meat. By reducing the amount of beef used in the production process, blended burgers can help to reduce these negative impacts.
In addition to being more environmentally friendly, Sonic’s Signature Slingers offer a healthier option for customers. The burger starts at under 350 calories, significantly less than their regular cheeseburgers, and contains 25% mushrooms. According to Sonic, the mushroom-enhanced patty “gives you all the flavor with none of the guilt.”
While the addition of mushrooms to Sonic’s menu may raise questions about the quality of their beef patties, it is important to note that their beef is 100% pure ground beef produced exclusively in USDA inspected plants that meet all USDA requirements for 100% Ground Beef Patties. Sonic’s commitment to using real beef is part of their animal welfare policy, which includes phasing in cage-free eggs and sourcing pork from facilities that don’t use gestation crates.
The Environmental Impact Of Beef Production
Beef production has a significant impact on the environment, accounting for nearly half of the land use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the food Americans eat. According to a 2014 study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, beef produces five times more of the heat-trapping gases per calorie, puts out six times as much water-polluting nitrogen, uses 11 times more water for irrigation, and requires 28 times more land than producing pork, poultry, eggs, or dairy.
The environmental impact of beef production is especially concerning given that Americans eat about 10 billion burgers each year. However, blended burgers like Sonic’s Signature Slingers offer a solution to this problem by reducing the amount of beef used in the production process.
Replacing 30 percent of the beef in burgers with mushrooms would reduce agricultural production-related greenhouse gas emissions by 10.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year, equivalent to taking 2.3 million cars off the road. It would also reduce irrigation water demand by 83 billion gallons per year and reduce global agricultural land demand by more than 14,000 square miles, an area larger than Maryland.
Mushrooms are a sustainable crop that can be grown almost anywhere and have a much lower environmental impact than beef. According to a study that compared the sustainability of mushrooms and beef, producing a pound of mushrooms creates a carbon footprint of 0.7 pounds while producing a pound of beef creates a carbon footprint of 12.3 pounds.
The Benefits Of Blended Burgers: More Plant-Based Options
Blended burgers like Sonic’s Signature Slingers offer a more plant-based option for customers who want to reduce their meat consumption. By mixing mushrooms into the beef patties, blended burgers offer a lower calorie and more sustainable alternative to traditional beef burgers.
According to the World Resources Institute, if 30% of the beef in every burger in America were replaced by mushrooms, it would reduce greenhouse emissions by the same amount as taking 2.3 million vehicles off of our roads. This is because mushrooms require less resources to produce than beef and also have a lower carbon footprint.
Blended burgers are also a healthier option for customers. Mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and adding them to beef patties increases the burger’s umami taste and adds moisture.
In addition to being a more sustainable and healthier option, blended burgers like Sonic’s Signature Slingers are also delicious. The addition of mushrooms to the beef patty enhances the flavor and juiciness of the burger, making it a satisfying and guilt-free meal option.
What’s Next For Sonic And The Fast Food Industry?
Sonic’s introduction of the Signature Slingers is a step in the right direction for the fast food industry, as it shows a commitment to sustainability and healthier options for customers. The success of the Signature Slingers in test markets will likely determine whether or not Sonic will make them a permanent menu item.
If the Signature Slingers prove to be successful, it could encourage other fast food chains to follow suit and offer blended burgers on their menus. This could lead to a significant reduction in the environmental impact of beef production and offer customers healthier options without sacrificing flavor.
Furthermore, Sonic’s animal welfare policy sets a standard for other fast food chains to follow. As consumers become more aware of the impact of their food choices on the environment and animal welfare, fast food chains will need to adapt and offer more sustainable and ethical options.
