A process is described for preparing acylglycinates of the formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched, saturated alkanoyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, or is a linear or branched, singly or multiply unsaturated alkenoyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and Q+ is a cation selected from the alkali metals Na+ and K+, the process being characterized in that glycine is reacted with fatty acid chloride R1Cl, wherein R1 possesses the definition stated in formula (I), in water and in the presence of a basic alkali metal compound which yields cations Q+ selected from Na+ and K+, but in the absence of organic solvents, at 25-50° C., and the fraction of fatty acid chloride R1Cl containing unsaturated acyl groups R1 having 18 carbon atoms, based on the total amount of fatty acid chloride used, is greater than or equal to 2.0% by weight, and at the same time the fraction of fatty acid chloride containing saturated acyl groups having 8 and 10 carbon atoms, based on the total amount of fatty acid chloride used, is greater than, or equal to in each case 3.0% by weight. Also described are compositions comprising acylglycinates of the formula (I).