McDonald’s McRib® Price, Nutrition, Allergen
The McRib is a boneless pork sandwich with BBQ sauce, onions and pickles on a homestyle bun. It has 520 calories and contains wheat. Late 2025 listings ranged from $5.49 to $6.99. Pork rules it out for vegetarians.
This guide covers the current price, full nutrition, ingredient lists, allergen details and official menu pairings. McDonald’s currently lists the sandwich as taking a break, so check the app before you go. Local restaurants decide whether to carry it.
McRib Price
Prices vary by restaurant, so the McRib costs different amounts across the country. In November 2025, Axios found it at $5.49 in Atlanta and $6.99 in Seattle. A San Francisco location listed it at $6.89.
| Location | Price | Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $5.49 | Nov 2025 |
| Los Angeles | $6.29 | Nov 2025 |
| San Francisco | $6.89 | Nov 2025 |
| Seattle | $6.99 | Nov 2025 |
| Los Angeles combo | $11.29 | Nov 2025 |
A combo includes medium fries and a medium drink. One Los Angeles report from November 2025 listed the sandwich at $6.29 and the combo at $11.29. That puts the meal upgrade near $5 at that restaurant.
McDonald’s states that delivery prices may be higher than restaurant prices and that fees may apply. Ordering through the app lets you see the exact total before you pay. Always confirm the McRib price itself before checkout.
When Is the McRib Available?
The McRib is a limited-time item, and McDonald’s product page currently says it is taking a break. Restaurants decide whether to carry it, and the company has called it a local option based on consumer demand.
The sandwich returned on December 3, 2024 and again on November 11, 2025, both times at participating restaurants. McDonald’s has not confirmed a 2026 return date at the time of writing, so watch the app for news.
Nutritional Information
One McRib sandwich has 520 calories, 28 grams of fat, 46 grams of carbohydrates and 24 grams of protein. About 47% of the calories come from fat and 35% from carbohydrates, based on the figures McDonald’s published for the sandwich.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 520 | None listed |
| Total fat | 28 g | 43% |
| Saturated fat | 9 g | 45% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | None listed |
| Cholesterol | 75 mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 890 mg | 37% |
| Total carbohydrates | 46 g | 15% |
| Fiber | 2 g | 8% |
| Sugars | 13 g | None listed |
| Protein | 24 g | None listed |
Sodium, Sugar and Saturated Fat
The sodium figure stands out. At 890 milligrams, one sandwich supplies 37% of the daily value on a 2,000 calorie diet. Saturated fat is also high at 45%. Those two numbers matter most if you watch blood pressure.
Sugar is worth a look too. The sandwich has 13 grams of sugar, and the sauce lists high fructose corn syrup as its second ingredient. Fiber is low at 2 grams. Protein at 24 grams is decent for a sandwich.
How It Fits Into a Day
At 520 calories, the sandwich covers 26% of a 2,000 calorie day before fries or a drink. A combo with medium fries and a medium drink adds more, so check each item in the McDonald’s Nutrition Calculator.
McDonald’s says its nutrition data reflects standard formulations and can shift with region or preparation. Its site notes the information is correct as of January 2022 unless stated otherwise. Recheck the official calculator if you track numbers closely.
Ingredients in McRib®
The McRib has five components: a pork patty, a homestyle bun, McRib sauce, pickle slices and slivered onions. McDonald’s data lists each part separately. The table below shows every ingredient in the order listed for each part.
| Component | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Pork patty | Pork, water, salt, dextrose, rosemary extract |
| Homestyle bun | Enriched flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, sugar, yeast. Contains 2% or less of corn meal, salt, soybean oil, wheat gluten, mono and diglycerides, enzymes, ascorbic acid, vinegar |
| McRib sauce | Water, high fructose corn syrup, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor, modified food starch, salt, sugar, spices, soybean oil, xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, chili pepper, sodium benzoate (preservative), caramel color, beet powder |
| Pickle slices | Cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, alum, potassium sorbate (preservative), natural flavors, polysorbate 80, extractives of turmeric (color) |
| Onions | Onions |
The patty is short and simple: pork, water, salt, dextrose and rosemary extract. Dextrose is a plain sugar, and rosemary extract is commonly used to slow spoilage in meat. Neither adds a major allergen to the patty.
In a statement after a December 2025 class-action complaint, McDonald’s said the sandwich contains no actual pork rib meat. The patty is minced pork shaped like a rack of ribs, and the list names only pork, not a specific cut.
The homestyle bun uses enriched wheat flour, malted barley flour, yeast and corn meal. It also carries wheat gluten and soybean oil. McDonald’s states it contains wheat and may contain sesame, making the bun the main allergen source.
The sauce is sweet and tangy. Water comes first, followed by high fructose corn syrup and tomato paste. Molasses and natural smoke flavor add depth. Caramel color and beet powder are both colorants. Sodium benzoate serves as the preservative.
The pickle slices use cucumbers, vinegar, salt and calcium chloride, plus alum, potassium sorbate, polysorbate 80 and turmeric extract for color. The onions are plain slivered onions with no added ingredients, so they add no allergens.
Is It Vegetarian or Vegan?
No. The McRib is neither vegetarian nor vegan because the patty is made of pork. Nothing about the bun, sauce or toppings changes that. McDonald’s USA also says it does not promote any U.S. menu item as vegetarian or vegan.
The bun, sauce, pickles and onions show no meat ingredients on the published lists. Even so, a patty-free order is not a dependable vegetarian meal, since McDonald’s says kitchens can share preparation areas and utensils.
Gluten-Free
No. The McRib is not gluten-free. The homestyle bun is built on enriched wheat flour and also contains added wheat gluten. Nutrition data that cites McDonald’s lists the sandwich as containing both gluten and wheat.
The patty and sauce list no wheat ingredients, so the bun is the clear source of gluten. The sauce also lists modified food starch without naming its source. Ask McDonald’s through its contact form if you need confirmation.
People with celiac disease should not treat a bunless order as safe. McDonald’s notes that kitchens can share preparation areas and utensils, so cross-contact with wheat is possible. It also does not label any U.S. menu item as gluten-free.
Allergen Information
McDonald’s tracks the nine major U.S. allergens: eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame. For the McRib, the ingredient lists name wheat as contained and sesame as possible in the bun.
| Allergen | Status on ingredient lists |
|---|---|
| Wheat | Contains (bun) |
| Sesame | May contain (bun) |
| Soy | Soybean oil in bun and sauce; sources differ |
| Milk | Not listed |
| Egg | Not listed |
| Peanuts | Not listed |
| Tree nuts | Not listed |
| Fish | Not listed |
| Shellfish | Not listed |
Soy needs care. Both the bun and the sauce list soybean oil. Some third-party sources mark the sandwich as soy-free, while others flag soy, so the sources disagree. If you have a soy allergy, confirm it with McDonald’s allergen information.
The ingredient lists show no milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish or shellfish. McDonald’s also warns that normal kitchen operations may involve shared cooking areas and equipment, so any menu item can contact other allergens.
Guests with severe allergies should ask restaurant staff, use McDonald’s online allergen information and speak with a doctor. Because the McRib returns seasonally, formulations can change between releases, so recheck the current ingredients each time.
Top 10 Pairings from Official McDonald’s Menu
These pairings use items from McDonald’s official U.S. menu and suit the sweet, smoky sauce. Availability can vary by restaurant, so confirm in the app. Each item’s nutrition appears in McDonald’s online calculator before you order.
- World Famous Fries®: Salty crunch balances the sweet sauce.
- Chicken McNuggets®: A second protein with a different texture.
- Apple Slices: A crisp, cold side that cuts the richness.
- Coca-Cola®: Classic fizz that resets your palate.
- Sprite®: Lemon-lime brightness against the smoky flavor.
- Sweet Tea: A familiar match for barbecue flavors.
- Unsweetened Iced Tea: A lower sugar drink option.
- Vanilla Shake: A cool, creamy contrast to the warm sandwich.
- Baked Apple Pie: A warm, cinnamon finish.
- OREO® McFlurry®: A crunchy, chilled dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of meat is in the McRib?
Pork. The official ingredient list names pork, water, salt, dextrose and rosemary extract, and McDonald’s has said the sandwich contains no actual rib meat.
Is the McRib available all year?
No. It is a limited-time sandwich that returns at participating restaurants, and McDonald’s site currently lists it as taking a break.
Does the McRib contain gluten?
Yes. The bun is made with wheat flour and wheat gluten, so the sandwich is not gluten-free.
Can I customize the McRib?
Options depend on your restaurant. Check the customize screen in the McDonald’s app when the sandwich is available near you.
Is the McRib spicy?
No. McDonald’s describes the sauce as tangy BBQ, though chili pepper does appear on the ingredient list.
How many calories are in the McRib?
One McRib has 520 calories, according to nutrition data that cites McDonald’s. Fries and a drink add more.
Can I order it through delivery?
Yes, where your restaurant carries it. Order through the McDonald’s app or a delivery partner, and note that delivery prices may be higher.
Does it contain dairy or eggs?
The published ingredient lists show no milk or egg. Shared kitchen equipment still allows cross-contact, so confirm with McDonald’s allergen information.
Is the McRib safe for people with nut allergies?
It has no nut ingredients on the published lists, but McDonald’s cannot rule out cross-contact. People with severe allergies should confirm with staff.
Can I get the McRib in a meal combo?
Yes, where the sandwich is sold. A combo typically includes medium fries and a medium drink.
What is the bun made of?
A toasted homestyle bun made with enriched wheat flour, water, sugar and yeast, plus corn meal and soybean oil. It contains wheat and may contain sesame.
Is the McRib sauce the same as BBQ sauce?
It is a BBQ style sauce with its own McRib recipe. Key ingredients include tomato paste, molasses, vinegar and natural smoke flavor.
Does McRib have artificial coloring?
The sauce lists caramel color and beet powder, and the pickles list turmeric extract. No numbered dyes such as Red 40 appear on the published lists.
Can I freeze and reheat a McRib?
McDonald’s gives no official guidance. Refrigerate leftovers promptly, reheat to 165°F as USDA advises, and expect the bun to soften.
Why does the McRib come and go?
McDonald’s has called it a local option based on consumer demand. Analysts also point to swings in pork shoulder costs.
Conclusion
The McRib is a 520 calorie pork sandwich with a wheat bun and a sweet BBQ sauce. It is not vegan or gluten-free, and late 2025 prices ranged from $5.49 to $6.99 depending on the city. Check the McDonald’s app for availability and the official allergen tool before ordering, especially with a wheat or sesame allergy. Numbers can change between releases, so treat this guide as a starting point and confirm current details.
