What Allergens Are Common in a Burger?

The patty is usually the least of anyone's allergen concerns — beef itself rarely causes issues. The parts of a burger most likely to contain an allergen are actually everything built around it.

Where allergens usually hide in a burger

• Gluten — in the standard bun, and sometimes in thickened sauces.
• Dairy — in cheese, and in creamy sauces or dressings.
• Egg — most commonly in mayonnaise-based sauces.
• Sesame — in sesame-topped buns.
• Soy — occasionally in sauces or seasoning blends.

What to do about it

The simplest approach is to say so up front: tell the team your allergy or dietary requirement when you order, whichever way you're ordering. A good kitchen can usually adjust — swap the bun, skip a sauce, or confirm what's actually in a dish — rather than leaving you to guess from a menu description.