McDonald's just made a massive change to its burgers - here's the verdict

Kate Taylor

McDonald's new fresh-beef Quarter Pounder

• McDonald's announced on Tuesday that it will start making quarter-pounder burgers with fresh - not frozen - beef.
• Business Insider tried the new fresh-beef burger and found it to be an impressive improvement on the old-school Quarter Pounder.
• The fresh beef burger is juicier and has more depth of flavor, giving McDonald's a distinct leg up on the competition.

McDonald's just took a huge step to boost its reputation.

On Tuesday, the fast-food giant announced plans to start making quarter-pound burgers with fresh - not frozen - beef across the US by early May. Roughly 3,500 locations in the US are already serving fresh-beef Quarter Pounders, which are prepared to order for each customer.

Fresh beef has long been the calling card of McDonald's fast-food rival, Wendy's. It took years of effort for McDonald's find a way to add a fresh-beef burger to the menu without sacrificing on speed and improving upon flavor.

This week, Business Insider had the opportunity to taste test the new fresh-beef burger. Here's how the new Quarter Pounder matches up to its predecessor - and why the fresh beef swap is the best idea McDonald's has had in years.

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