The Big King XL is a signature sandwich offered by the fast food restaurant Burger King. With its multiple layers and special sauce, it has often been compared to the iconic Big Mac sandwich sold by McDonald’s, Burger King’s main competitor. But how similar are these two giant burgers really? Let’s take a close look at the ingredients, size, taste, and nutritional value of the Big King XL versus the Big Mac to see how they stack up.
Ingredients
While both sandwiches are made up of the standard burger components like bun, beef patties, sauce, onions, pickles, and lettuce, they have some notable differences when it comes to ingredients:
- Bun: The Big King XL uses a sesame seed bun while the Big Mac uses a plain bun.
- Beef: The Big King XL uses 1 flame-grilled 1/4 lb beef patty while the Big Mac uses 2 smaller 1/10 lb patties.
- Sauce: The Big King XL uses “sauce” as Burger King calls it, while the Big Mac uses McDonald’s signature Big Mac sauce.
- Onions: The Big King XL includes chopped onions while the Big Mac does not.
- Pickle: The Big King XL includes 4 pickle slices while the Big Mac includes 2 pickle slices.
- Lettuce: Both sandwiches use shredded lettuce.
- Cheese: The Big King XL does not include cheese while the Big Mac includes a slice of American cheese between the patties.
So while the basic ingredients are similar, the specifics of each ingredient vary between the two burgers. The Big King XL uses larger beef patties, more pickles, and a unique sauce.
Size
When it comes to size, the Big King XL is noticeably larger than the Big Mac:
| Sandwich | Weight | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Big King XL | 339g | 1,020 |
| Big Mac | 216g | 563 |
The Big King XL weighs in at 339g with 1020 calories while the Big Mac is lighter at 216g with 563 calories. So the Big King XL is about 1.5 times larger than the Big Mac. That size difference is noticeable when holding each burger.
Taste
When it comes to taste, there are some notable differences between the Big King XL and Big Mac:
- Beef: The flame-grilled beef patties of the Big King XL have a smokier, charbroiled taste compared to the griddled beef patties of the Big Mac.
- Sauce: Burger King’s “sauce” has a tangy, sweet flavor while the special Big Mac sauce has a more mellow, Thousand Island-like flavor.
- Onions: The added crunch of onions gives the Big King XL a textural difference.
- Bun: The sesame seed bun of the Big King XL provides a nuttier, heartier taste and texture compared to the plain Big Mac bun.
Overall the Big King XL produces a bolder, smokier, crunchier taste profile thanks to ingredients like the charbroiled beef, zesty sauce, onions, and sesame bun. The Big Mac has a slightly more mellow taste likely more palatable to a wider demographic.
Nutrition
When comparing nutrition, there are some key differences between these hefty burgers:
| Nutrition Facts | Big King XL | Big Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1020 | 563 |
| Fat | 60g | 28g |
| Carbs | 49g | 45g |
| Protein | 48g | 25g |
As you can see, the Big King XL contains nearly double the calories, fat, and protein compared to the Big Mac based on their standard configurations. The Big King XL’s larger size and flame-grilled beef patty accounts for much of these differences. For consumers watching their calorie intake, the Big Mac provides a somewhat lighter option.
Price
Pricing on these two burgers can vary by location, but on average:
- Big King XL: $6.99
- Big Mac: $5.99
The Big King XL costs about $1 more than the Big Mac. Again, the larger size of the Big King accounts for the bump in price. But overall the difference is minimal.
Availability
The Big King XL and Big Mac differ significantly when it comes to availability:
- Big King XL: Only available at Burger King locations in select regions
- Big Mac: Available globally at any McDonald’s location
The widespread availability and tried-and-true reputation of the Big Mac gives it a major advantage over the niche Big King XL. Burger King positions the Big King XL as a specialty regional item only available for limited times rather than a permanent nationwide staple like the Big Mac.
Branding
As signature sandwiches for the competing fast food chains, the Big King XL and Big Mac both utilize distinctive branding:
- Big King XL: Marketed as the “King” of burgers at BK, fits their “Have It Your Way” customization branding
- Big Mac: McDonald’s has made the Big Mac part of their branding for over 50 years, even using it to name their “Big Mac Index”
The Big Mac’s long history as a pop culture icon gives it a leg up over the newer Big King XL when it comes to brand recognition and nostalgia.
Customization
Both burgers allow for customization based on each chain’s signature approach:
- Big King XL: Can customize beef patty cooking temperature and add/remove toppings per Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” model
- Big Mac: More limited customization with focus on the signature Mac sauce and layered construction
The Big King XL is ultimately more customizable to consumer preferences thanks to Burger King’s flexibility compared to McDonald’s adherence to the classic Big Mac formula.
Conclusion
While the Big King XL shares some similarities with the Big Mac, when looking closely at ingredients, size, taste, price, availability, branding, and customization there are notable differences between these famous fast food burgers:
- The Big King XL has a larger size, bolder flavor profile, and more flexibility for customization.
- The Big Mac has wider availability, greater brand recognition, and a more classic formula.
The Big King XL offers big beefy indulgence tailored to customer cravings. The Big Mac provides familiarity and consistency across all McDonald’s locations worldwide. So while these sandwiches may seem comparable at first glance, the Big King XL ultimately sets itself apart from the iconic Big Mac.
So in summary:
- The Big King XL is a larger, more customizable burger with big beefy flavor.
- The Big Mac is smaller with a mellower taste, but enjoys greater brand awareness globally.
- The sandwiches share similarities but have distinct differences in ingredients, size, taste, price, availability, branding, and customization.
When craving a honking huge charbroiled burger, the Big King XL rules. But for many, the familiar classic taste of a Big Mac is here to stay. Both sandwiches have their loyal fans and satisfy burger cravings in their own way.
