McDonald's Big Mac® : The Iconic Beef Burger

Big Mac® Price – $6.72 | 590 Cal.

There’s something special about craving those iconic two all-beef patties – it means it’s Big Mac® time. Stop wondering what makes a Big Mac® so irresistible and just dive in. This legendary McDonald’s burger delivers a flavor experience that stands in a class of its own. The magic begins with two 100% pure beef patties paired with the famous Big Mac Sauce, all nestled in a soft sesame seed bun. Then comes the finishing touches: tangy pickles, crispy shredded lettuce, finely diced onion, and a slice of melty American cheese. You’ll be happy to know it’s made without artificial flavors, preservatives, or synthetic colors. The only exception? The pickles contain an artificial preservative, so feel free to skip them if that’s a concern.

A single Big Mac from McDonald’s packs 580 calories of pure satisfaction. You can enjoy it with any beverage you like, or go all-in with a Big Mac Combo Meal featuring those legendary World Famous Fries® alongside an ice-cold Coca-Cola® or your preferred fountain drink. Getting your hands on one is easy – just order through the McDonald’s app using Mobile Order & Pay for convenient pickup or McDelivery®*, and you’ll rack up points with MyMcDonald’s Rewards that you can cash in for a complimentary Big Mac down the road.^

*Available at participating McDonald’s locations. McDelivery prices may be higher than at restaurants. Delivery/other fees may apply.

^Program available at participating McDonald’s. Refer to MyMcDonald’s Program Terms for details. Excludes delivery.

Order your Big Mac® today via McDelivery®.

Big Mac® Meal Price & Calories

You’ll find the Big Mac® Combo Meal priced at around $11.39 |1170 Cal, though this varies depending on where you’re located. The combo comes complete with a Big Mac® sandwich, a medium order of fries, and a medium soft drink. Calorie-wise, you’re looking at somewhere between 1,080 and 1,160 calories for the entire meal, with the exact number depending on your beverage selection. Go with a classic Coca-Cola®, and you’re at approximately 1,170 calories total.

Mcdonald’s Big Mac Ingredients

Like their other signature burgers, the Big Mac is built with high-quality ingredients. You’re getting a sesame seed bun, single legal pickles, crisp shredded lettuce, two generous portions of that special sauce, and a slice of cheddar cheese all working together.

Component	Ingredients
Beef Patties	Two 100% pure beef patties, seasoned with just salt and pepper
Bun	Three-part sesame seed bun (top, middle, bottom)
Big Mac Sauce	Creamy special sauce blend (mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, spices, etc.)
Lettuce	Shredded iceberg lettuce
Pickles	Sliced dill pickles
Onions	Finely chopped onions
Cheese	One slice of American cheese

🍽 Big Mac® Nutrition Facts (Per Sandwich)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value
Calories	590 Cal	–
Total Fat	34 g	44%
Saturated Fat	11 g	56%
Trans Fat	1 g	–
Cholesterol	85 mg	28%
Sodium	1050 mg	46%
Total Carbohydrates	46 g	17%
Dietary Fiber	3 g	11%
Total Sugars	9 g	–
Added Sugars	7 g	14%
Protein	25 g	–
Calcium	120 mg	10%
Iron	4.5 mg	25%
Potassium	390 mg	8%
Vitamin D	0 mcg	0%

Allergen Information: Big Mac®

Big Mac Bun

Ingredients: Enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% Or Less: Sesame Seeds, Potato Starch, Salt, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Vinegar, Vegetable Proteins (pea, Potato, Rice And/or Faba Bean), Sunflower And/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Wheat Gluten, Natural Flavors, Dough Conditioners (enzymes, Ascorbic Acid).

Contains:

Wheat

Sesame

100% Beef Patty

Ingredients: 100% Pure Usda Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared With Grill Seasoning (salt, Black Pepper).

Shredded Lettuce

Ingredients: Lettuce.

Big Mac Sauce

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, Soy And Wheat), Sugar, Caramel Color, Turmeric, Extractives Of Paprika, Soy Lecithin.

Contains:

Egg

Soy

Wheat

Pasteurized Process American Cheese

Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Color Added.

Contains: Milk, Soy.

Contains:

Milk

Soy

Pickle Slices

Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives Of Turmeric (color).

Onions

Ingredients: Onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The famed Big Mac special sauce gives this iconic burger its identity. Mostly made from soybean oil and sweet pickle relish, it also contains egg yolks, vinegar, onion powder, and various spices that create that distinctive flavor. I’ve tried numerous copycat recipes at home, but nothing quite captures the tangy, creamy sauce that makes the taste so unique. The perfect balance of sweet and savory keeps fans returning decade after decade.

A standard Big Mac sandwich from McDonald’s contains approximately 563 calories, which makes it a substantial meal option. The burger also provides 30 grams of fat and 969 milligrams of sodium. When I know I’m having a Big Mac for lunch, I generally plan my day around this, adjusting my breakfast and dinner accordingly to maintain balance in my diet.

Yes, the two burger patties in every Big Mac are made with 100% pure beef, with no fillers, additives, or preservatives added. The meat is USDA-inspected ground beef, ensuring quality and safety. Having toured a McDonald’s supplier facility years ago, I can confirm their commitment to quality control in beef production, which gives me confidence when enjoying their signature sandwich.

The Big Mac sandwich contains no artificial flavors or added colors, which aligns with McDonald’s commitment to ingredient transparency. However, the pickle slices contain some artificial preservatives and turmeric for color. I don’t mind this, as the pickles add that necessary tang that balances the richness of the beef patties and special sauce.

Yes, the Big Mac is available at McDonald’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is not a limited-time offering but rather a permanent menu staple. I recommend you check with your local restaurant for exact hours of availability, especially if you’re visiting during unusual hours. I once had a craving at 5:30 AM and was pleasantly surprised to find my 24-hour location was already serving them!

Several customization options include removing the middle bun (often called a “Little Mac”), substituting quarter pound beef patties for an even heartier meal, or adding extra sauce or toppings for more flavor. You can also request removing pickles or onions if those aren’t to your taste, or even try substituting grilled chicken patties for a lighter option. There are more possibilities, too – ask for specific changes when placing your order. My personal favorite modification is extra special sauce and no onions, which the staff at my local McDonald’s now recognizes as “the usual.”

🍔 Big Mac® Ingredients & Customization FAQs

The Big Mac® stands out with its distinctive construction featuring two beef patties, that iconic middle bun (creating the club-style layer), shredded lettuce, pickles, onions, a single slice of American cheese, and of course, the signature Big Mac® sauce that sets it apart. The Double Cheeseburger takes a simpler approach with two beef patties, two slices of cheese, pickles, diced onions, ketchup, and mustard all on one bun. That extra bun layer and the special sauce are what give the Big Mac® its unmistakable flavor profile.

You can at certain locations – they’ll swap out the regular patties for Quarter Pounder patties, creating a beefier “Grand Mac” experience. While this customization isn’t listed on the official menu, many locations will accommodate the request based on their local policies.

Big Mac® sauce brings together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and a blend of spices. Think Thousand Island dressing, but with McDonald’s own special spin that makes it uniquely delicious.

Absolutely – some folks call this a “Little Mac,” where you ditch the middle bun to cut down on carbs and make it a bit lighter. It’s an easy customization to request in-store or through the app.

Currently, there’s no official vegetarian Big Mac® available in the United States, though some international markets have experimented with plant-based patties. You could technically ask for it without the beef patties and just keep the bun, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and sauce, but it’s not really a complete vegetarian substitute.

🗂️ Big Mac® Variations, Availability & Sizing FAQs

The ingredients can shift depending on where you are in the world due to local ingredient sourcing, food regulations, or regional taste preferences. The beef, buns, and sauces might get small adjustments to match local flavor expectations or comply with food safety standards.

Yes – the Chicken Big Mac® has made appearances as a limited-time offering in various countries and select U.S. test markets. It replaces the beef patties with crispy chicken patties while keeping all the classic toppings and that signature triple bun. Some locations might even create a custom version using McChicken® patties if you ask nicely.

Of course. If the Big Mac® sauce isn’t your thing, you can have it removed or swap it out for ketchup or mustard instead. This is simple to do through the McDonald’s app or by asking when you order at the counter or drive-thru.

Yes – the Big Mac® is pretty much always available as part of combo meals that come with fries and a drink. Keep an eye out for limited-time promotions too, like “2 for $6” specials or buy-one-get-one offers.

There are a few reasons this can happen – beef patties shrink naturally when they’re grilled, buns can vary slightly depending on the supplier, or the sandwich might not have been put together consistently. If your Big Mac seems off, don’t hesitate to politely request a fresh one.

Technically yes, but it’s really not the best idea. Freezing wreaks havoc on the bun, lettuce, sauce, and pickles. The end result won’t taste nearly as good, so it’s much better to enjoy your Big Mac fresh.

Not as a standard item, but McDonald’s does roll out special limited editions like the Bacon Big Mac® from time to time. Some locations might also let you add bacon for an additional charge.

💡 Big Mac® Rewards, Diet & Special Requests FAQs

Yes it is. Every time you purchase a Big Mac® through the app, you’re earning points that add up toward free menu items down the line. It’s a nice perk for satisfying those burger cravings.

Generally, you’ll need around 6000 MyMcDonald’s Rewards points to redeem a free Big Mac®, though this can change depending on your location and any ongoing promotions.

Not really – the Big Mac® comes with a three-part bun, the special sauce has sugar in it, and even the pickles add carbs. If you’re serious about cutting carbs, you could request it without the buns and sauce, but at that point, it’s not really the classic Big Mac® experience anymore.

Yes. Any qualifying Big Mac® order placed through the McDonald’s app will earn you points, regardless of whether you customize it with extra pickles, hold the sauce, or make any other modifications.