McDonald's McRib Returning in December With Major Surprise

Despite multiple attempts to discontinue it, McDonald's has never been able to keep its iconic McRib off menus for good. The barbecue pork sandwich is being pulled out of retirement yet again next month—and McDonald's is dropping a surprising new item alongside it.

The McRib (520 calories) will make its grand return to participating restaurants on Dec. 3, McDonald's announced this week. Called "gross" by some and "delicious" by others, the divisive offering features a seasoned boneless pork patty dipped in tangy barbecue sauce and served with slivered onions and pickles on a toasted bun.

As a bonus for fans, McDonald's is also selling huge half-gallon jugs of its McRib barbecue sauce for the first time ever. Playfully called "A Whole Lot of McRib Sauce," the limited-edition jugs will only be available for purchase online at www.wholelottamcribsauce.com for $19.99. The sale starts at 10 a.m. ET on Nov. 25 and will continue while supplies last, so interested customers may want to try to claim their McRib sauce ASAP.

McDonald's McRib next to half-gallon jug of McRib sauce — McDonald's

McDonald's first introduced the McRib in 1981 and then brought it back sporadically as a limited-time offering over the following decades. The fast-food giant has technically discontinued the sandwich at least four times over the years, but never permanently. Just a year after holding a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib in late 2022, for example, McDonald's brought it back for a limited time in select markets during the fall of 2023.

During a June 2024 TODAY show appearance, McDonald's U.S. President Joe Erlinger tipped off customers that the famous sandwich would make another comeback "later this year." However, it wasn't until this week that the chain announced an official McRib return date.

"The McRib is more than a sandwich – it's a part of culture, it's a legend, it's an event," Tariq Hassan, McDonald's chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a statement. "McRib SZN is a holiday unto itself, so we wanted to embrace that spirit and give fans an even bigger way to celebrate this year with A Whole Lotta McRib Sauce."

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The McRib isn't the only new exciting McDonald's item that customers should look out for right now. Last month, the chain debuted a never-before-seen Dulce de Leche Frappé (630 calories per medium drink) made with a Caramel Frappé base, a hint of coffee, and a dulce de leche-flavored syrup. McDonald's popular Holiday Pie (260 calories) and Spicy Chicken McNuggets (290 calories per six-piece order) also recently returned to stores in some parts of the country.