$11.29
~1,050 Cal
30g
¼ lb Fresh
A ¼ lb. of 100% fresh beef — never frozen — cooked to order on a flat iron grill, topped with two slices of melty American cheese, slivered onions, tangy pickles, ketchup, and mustard on a toasted sesame seed bun.
| Quick Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sandwich Price | $5.99 (national average) |
| Combo Meal Price | $11.29 (burger + medium fries + medium drink) |
| Double QPC® Price | $8.49 |
| Calories (Sandwich) | 520 Cal |
| Calories (Meal) | ~1,050 Cal (with Coca-Cola®) |
| Protein | 30g |
| Patty Weight | ¼ lb (4 oz) before cooking |
| Beef Type | 100% fresh, never frozen, USDA-inspected |
| Key Allergens | Wheat, Sesame, Milk, Soy |
| Cheese | Two slices of American cheese |
| Fresh Beef Since | 2018 (nationwide rollout across U.S.) |
The McDonald’s Quarter Pounder® with Cheese — often shortened to QPC® — is one of the most important burgers in fast-food history. Originally introduced in 1971 by Al Bernardin at a McDonald’s franchise in Fremont, California, it was designed as a premium, meatier alternative to the standard hamburger. What sets it apart today? Since 2018, every Quarter Pounder sold at most U.S. McDonald’s locations is made with 100% fresh beef — never frozen — cooked to order on a flat iron grill. That’s a major distinction from other McDonald’s burgers like the Big Mac® and McDouble®, which still use frozen patties.
This guide covers the current Quarter Pounder with Cheese price, full nutrition facts, complete ingredient breakdown, allergen information, all available variations, and ordering tips through the McDonald’s App and MyMcDonald’s Rewards.
👉 View Full: McDonald’s Menu with Prices
Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Meal Price & Calories
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese Meal costs approximately $11.29 and includes the burger, medium World Famous Fries®, and a medium soft drink. The full meal totals about 1,050 calories — making it one of the heartier combo options at McDonald’s. If you’re wondering how much does a Quarter Pounder cost by itself, the sandwich alone is $5.99.
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter Pounder® with Cheese | $5.99 | 520 Cal |
| QPC® Meal (Medium) | $11.29 | ~1,050 Cal |
| QPC® Meal (Large) | $12.49 | ~1,250 Cal |
| Double Quarter Pounder® with Cheese | $8.49 | 740 Cal |
| Double QPC® Meal | $13.29 | ~1,270 Cal |
| Quarter Pounder® Deluxe | $6.79 | 600 Cal |
| Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Bacon | $7.29 | 620 Cal |
What’s in the Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Meal?
- Quarter Pounder® with Cheese: A ¼ lb fresh beef patty (4 oz pre-cooked), two slices of melty American cheese, ketchup, mustard, slivered onions, tangy pickles, on a toasted sesame seed bun.
- Medium World Famous Fries®: Crispy, golden fries made from premium Russet Burbank and Shepody potatoes.
- Medium Soft Drink: Choose from Coca-Cola®, Sprite®, Dr Pepper®, Fanta®, or other fountain options via the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.
Prices are national averages as of April 2026. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) operates on a franchise model — over 93% of U.S. restaurants are independently owned, so the Quarter Pounder price varies by location.
Ingredients in the Quarter Pounder® with Cheese
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese has one of the simplest ingredient lists on the McDonald’s menu. The star is the ¼ lb fresh beef patty — 100% pure USDA-inspected beef with absolutely no fillers, extenders, or preservatives. The patty is seasoned with just salt and black pepper and cooked on a flat iron grill — not a clam-shell press — which gives it that classic seared crust.
| Component | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Beef Patty | 100% pure USDA-inspected fresh beef (4 oz pre-cooked weight). Seasoned with salt and black pepper. No fillers, no extenders |
| Bun | Sesame seed bun — enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, yeast, soybean oil, sesame seeds, wheat gluten. Contains: Wheat, Sesame |
| Cheese (×2) | Two slices pasteurized process American cheese — milk, cream, sodium citrate, cheese cultures, soy lecithin. Contains: Milk, Soy |
| Ketchup | Tomato concentrate, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, salt, natural flavors |
| Mustard | Distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika |
| Pickles | Cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, potassium sorbate (preservative), turmeric |
| Onions | Slivered white onions |
Fresh Beef vs. Frozen: Why It Matters
In March 2018, McDonald’s completed the nationwide rollout of fresh beef for all Quarter Pounder burgers across the contiguous United States. This was a major supply chain shift — the fresh beef is sourced from suppliers like Cargill and JBS USA and delivered to restaurants under strict cold-chain logistics, never frozen at any point. The result is a noticeably juicier, thicker patty with better texture than frozen alternatives. The fresh beef program covers the Quarter Pounder line only — Big Macs, McDoubles, and other burgers still use frozen patties.
🍽 Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Nutrition Facts
At 520 calories and 30g of protein, the Quarter Pounder delivers the highest protein-per-calorie ratio of any standard McDonald’s burger. The 30g of protein comes primarily from the ¼ lb beef patty plus the two slices of American cheese. The main nutritional flag is sodium at 1,140 mg (50% of the daily recommended limit) and saturated fat at 12g (62% DV).
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 Cal | — |
| Total Fat | 26g | 33% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 62% |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g | — |
| Cholesterol | 95 mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1,140 mg | 50% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 9% |
| Total Sugars | 10g | — |
| Added Sugars | 8g | 16% |
| Protein | 30g | — |
| Calcium | 190 mg | 15% |
| Iron | 4 mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 420 mg | 8% |
| Vitamin D | 0 mcg | 0% |
How Does the Quarter Pounder Compare?
| Burger | Calories | Protein | Fat | Sodium | Fresh Beef? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Pounder® w/ Cheese | 520 | 30g | 26g | 1,140 mg | ✅ Yes |
| Big Mac® (McDonald’s) | 590 | 25g | 34g | 1,050 mg | ❌ Frozen |
| Whopper® (Burger King) | 660 | 28g | 40g | 980 mg | ✅ Flame-grilled |
| Dave’s Single® (Wendy’s) | 590 | 30g | 34g | 1,180 mg | ✅ Fresh |
| Double-Double® (In-N-Out) | 670 | 37g | 41g | 1,440 mg | ✅ Fresh |
| Double QPC® (McDonald’s) | 740 | 48g | 42g | 1,360 mg | ✅ Fresh |
Allergen Information: Quarter Pounder® with Cheese
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese contains four major allergens. The beef patty itself is allergen-free (just pure beef + salt + pepper), but the bun, cheese, and condiments introduce wheat, sesame, milk, and soy.
| Allergen | Present? | Found In |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Wheat | ✅ Yes | Sesame seed bun (wheat flour, wheat gluten) |
| 🌿 Sesame | ✅ Yes | Sesame seed bun |
| 🥛 Milk | ✅ Yes | American cheese (milk, cream) |
| 🫘 Soy | ✅ Yes | Cheese (soy lecithin), bun (soybean oil) |
| 🥚 Egg | ❌ No | — |
| 🥜 Peanuts | ❌ No | — |
| 🌰 Tree Nuts | ❌ No | — |
| 🐟 Fish | ❌ No | — (shared kitchen with Filet-O-Fish®) |
Quarter Pounder® Customization Guide
| Modification | Effect | How to Order |
|---|---|---|
| No cheese | Saves ~120 cal, removes milk/soy allergens | “No cheese, please” |
| No bun (protein-style) | Saves ~150 cal, removes wheat/sesame | “No bun” — served in a container |
| Add bacon | +60 cal, extra smoky flavor | “Add bacon” (+$1.00–$1.50) |
| Add lettuce & tomato | Makes it a “Deluxe” — +80 cal | Order “Quarter Pounder Deluxe” |
| Extra pickles / extra onions | Free — no extra charge | Just ask or customize in the app |
| No ketchup, no mustard | Slightly fewer calories and sugar | “Plain with cheese only” |
| Swap to Diet Coke in meal | Saves 200+ cal in the combo | Choose diet or water |
Quarter Pounder® Variations
| Variation | Price | Calories | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Pounder® with Cheese | $5.99 | 520 | Classic — 2 cheese slices, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard |
| Double Quarter Pounder® with Cheese | $8.49 | 740 | Two ¼ lb patties, 3 cheese slices — 48g protein |
| Quarter Pounder® Deluxe | $6.79 | 600 | Adds shredded lettuce, roma tomato, mayo |
| Quarter Pounder® with Cheese Bacon | $7.29 | 620 | Adds Applewood-smoked bacon strips |
🍔 Quarter Pounder® with Cheese FAQ
What comes on a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
Is the Quarter Pounder made with fresh beef?
How many calories are in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
How much protein is in the Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
How much fat is in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
Is the Quarter Pounder gluten-free?
Does the Quarter Pounder contain artificial preservatives?
Can I customize the Quarter Pounder?
Is the Quarter Pounder spicy?
Is there a bigger version?
Is the Quarter Pounder suitable for vegetarians?
Does the Quarter Pounder contain nuts?
Can I get the Quarter Pounder delivered?
Does the Quarter Pounder have two slices of cheese?
How much does the Quarter Pounder Meal cost?
Final Thoughts
The Quarter Pounder® with Cheese has earned its place as one of the most respected fast-food burgers available. At $5.99 for the sandwich and $11.29 for the meal, it offers something no other standard McDonald’s burger can: 100% fresh, never-frozen beef cooked to order. That distinction, combined with 30g of protein, a simple ingredient list, and a flavor profile built on quality beef, melty American cheese, and classic condiments, makes it a go-to for customers who want something that tastes closer to a homemade burger than typical fast food.
Whether you stick with the classic QPC, upgrade to the Double Quarter Pounder for 48g of protein, or customize it your way through the McDonald’s App, this is a burger that has earned its five-decade legacy. Order through the app to earn MyMcDonald’s Rewards points — a free Quarter Pounder costs 6,000 points.