McDonald’s is stirring up excitement once again as it welcomes back the beloved McRib sandwich, and this time, it’s spicing things up with a new twist. Alongside the return of the legendary sandwich, fans can also score a half-gallon jug of its signature tangy barbecue sauce—an offering McDonald’s has aptly dubbed “A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce.”
This culinary event, slated to kick off on Tuesday, marks yet another chapter in the McRib’s storied history. First introduced in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1981, the sandwich has been a perennial crowd favorite despite its on-again, off-again availability. After being pulled from the menu in 1985, the McRib has become a recurring phenomenon, making surprise comebacks that never fail to spark enthusiasm.
“The McRib is more than a sandwich – it’s a part of culture, it’s a legend, it’s an event,” said Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s chief marketing and customer experience officer, in a press release.
And this year, the company is leaning into that legacy, giving fans an extra reason to celebrate McRib season, or “McRib SZN,” as they’ve coined it.
The half-gallon jug of sauce, which was priced at $19.99, was available online starting Nov. 25 but sold out almost immediately—proof of the sandwich’s enduring allure.
For the uninitiated, the McRib is a 520-calorie powerhouse featuring seasoned boneless pork smothered in its signature barbecue sauce, complemented by slivered onions and tangy pickles on a toasted homestyle bun. It’s a sandwich that has garnered an almost mythical reputation, not just for its flavor but also for its fleeting appearances.
McDonald’s hasn’t revealed exactly how long the McRib will be available this time around, only teasing fans with the promise of a “limited time” run. That’s par for the course; scarcity has long been part of the McRib’s mystique.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the McRib has defied a so-called “farewell.” In 2022, McDonald’s dubbed its re-release the “Farewell Tour,” encouraging fans to savor what was framed as the last hurrah.
Yet here we are, just a year later, with the McRib back on the menu. Whether or not this will be the final encore remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: McRib fans are more than happy to keep the reunion going.
So, McRib enthusiasts, take note: the saucy sensation is here for a limited time only. Whether it’s nostalgia, the unique flavor, or the sheer joy of indulging in a legend, the McRib continues to prove that some farewells are just too good to last.
