View source for McRib

{{short description|Barbecue pork sandwich sold by McDonald's}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Nutritional value
| name = McRib
| image = McRibTransparent.png
| caption = 
| serving_size = 1 sandwich, {{convert|7.4|oz|g|abbr=off}}
| kcal = 480
| opt1n = Energy from fat
| opt1v = {{convert|240|kcal|kJ|abbr=on}}
| fat = 22 g (34%)
| satfat = 7 g (36%)
| transfat = 0{{ref|none|†}}
| opt2n = Cholesterol
| opt2v = 80 mg (27%)
| sodium_mg = 870
| carbs = 45 g (15%)
| fiber = 2 g (10%)
| sugars = 12 g
| protein = 25 g
| vitA_ug = 21 <!-- 2% -->
| vitC_mg = 1 <!-- 2% -->
| calcium_mg = 60  <!-- 6% -->
| iron_mg = 4 <!-- 20% -->
| opt3n = Ingredients
| opt3v = McRib Pork Patty, Homestyle Roll, <br/>Barbecue Sauce, Pickle Slices, <br/>Slivered Onions
| source = https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/product/mcrib.html
| note = May vary outside US market.<br>{{note|none|†}} No significant measurable trace.
| kJ = 2008.32
}}
The '''McRib''' is a barbecue-flavored [[pork]] sandwich periodically sold by the international [[fast food restaurant]] chain [[McDonald's]]. It was first introduced to the McDonald's menu in 1981.<ref name="Moser 2011">{{cite web | last=Moser | first=Whet | title=The Invention of the McRib and Why It Disappears from McDonald's | website=Chicago Magazine | date=October 25, 2011 | url=https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/october-2011/the-invention-of-the-mcrib-and-why-it-disappears-from-mcdonalds/ | access-date=November 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Quick 10: 10 McRib Facts | url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/29134/quick-10-10-mcrib-facts| first=Adrienne | last=Crazo | date=November 1, 2011}}</ref>

After poor sales, it was removed from the menu in 1985. It was reintroduced in 1989, staying on the menu until 2005 in many countries. Since 2006,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tyko |first1=Kelly |title=McDonald's McRib is back for a limited time. How to find it |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2019/10/03/how-to-find-mcdonalds-mcrib-2019/3856789002/ |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=USA TODAY |date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> it has generally been made available for a short time each year in most markets where it is sold, typically during the fall season, although it is a permanent menu item at McDonald's restaurants in [[Germany]]<ref name="Independent Travel Cats">{{cite web|title=The McRib in Germany |date=October 8, 2013|url=http://independenttravelcats.com/2013/10/07/mcrib-germany/|access-date=November 25, 2013}}</ref><ref name="McDonalds Germany">{{cite web|title=McRib product information at mcdonalds.de |url=http://www.mcdonalds.de/produkte/produkt-profil?productName=mcrib|access-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> and [[Luxembourg]].

==Product description==
The McRib consists of a restructured<ref name=chicago>{{cite magazine | title=The Invention of the McRib and Why It Disappears from McDonald's | url=https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/october-2011/the-invention-of-the-mcrib-and-why-it-disappears-from-mcdonalds/ | first=Whet | last=Moser | date=October 25, 2011 | access-date=January 9, 2021 | magazine=Chicago Magazine}}</ref> boneless pork [[patty]] shaped like a miniature rack of ribs, [[barbecue sauce]], [[onion]]s, and pickles, served as a sandwich on a {{convert|5+1/2|in|cm|adj=on}} [[bread roll|roll]]. Meat restructuring was developed by the US Army to deliver low-cost meat to troops in the field.<ref name="vice-army-technology-mcrib">{{cite web |title=How US Army Technology Gave Rise to the McRib | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-us-army-technology-gave-rise-to-the-mcrib-fastfoodweek2017/| first=Anastacia | last=Marx de Salcedo | date=November 24, 2017 | access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> The process was refined by a [[Natick Army Labs]] meat scientist, Dr. Roger Mandigo, leading to the McRib patty.<ref name=chicago /><ref>{{cite news |title=From Nebraska Lab To McDonald's Tray: The McRib's Strange Journey | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2011/11/04/142018151/from-nebraska-lab-to-mcdonalds-tray-the-mcribs-strange-journey| first=Peggy | last=Lowe | newspaper=NPR| date=November 4, 2011 | access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> It is primarily composed of [[Ground meat|ground]] [[pork shoulder]].<ref name=maxim>{{cite magazine|title=The Cult of the McRib |url=http://www.maxim.com/amg/humor/articles/70280/thecultofthemcrib.html |magazine=MAXIM |access-date=October 25, 2011 |date=February 3, 2009 |quote='The pork meat is chopped up, then seasoned, then formed into that shape that looks like a rib back. Then we flash freeze it. The whole process from fresh pork to frozen McRib takes about 45 minutes.'--Rob Cannell, director of McDonald’s U.S. supply chain |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117153600/http://www.maxim.com/amg/humor/articles/70280/thecultofthemcrib.html |archive-date=November 17, 2010 }}</ref>

<blockquote>Government doesn't patent their intellectual property, so anyone can use it. They (the Natick Center) presented material at technical meetings...The military allowed us to use the processes they'd developed. <br>− Roger Mandigo, Natick Center contractor and meat scientist<ref name="vice-army-technology-mcrib" /></blockquote>

<blockquote>In an attempt to give pork "the same stature as beef in the institutional market," the National Pork Producers Council funded Mandigo to show how to apply the new technique. Using his roadmap, McDonald's then developed "a patty of pork made from small flakes of meat taken from the shoulders of a pig"<ref name="vice-army-technology-mcrib" /></blockquote>

The McRib Jr. was available briefly in 2000. This version replaced the roll with a standard hamburger bun, and was served with two pickles and a smaller pork patty.<ref>Ryan, Andrew (November 14, 2013). [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/alleged-photo-of-frozen-mcdonalds-mcrib-not-the-most-appetizing-thing-in-the-world/article15436023/ "Alleged Canadian photo of frozen McDonald’s McRib not the most appetizing thing in the world"]. ''[[The Globe and Mail]]''.</ref>

==History==
===1981–2004===
The McRib was first introduced in 1981 as a limited-time offering, initially [[test marketing|tested]] in the [[Kansas City]] area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Valinsky |first=Jordan |date=October 25, 2022 |title=McDonald's McRib is returning to menus — but it's a farewell tour |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/25/business/mcrib-mcdonalds-return-date/index.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |publisher=[[CNN Business]] |language=en}}</ref>  It was developed by McDonald's first [[Executive Chef]] [[René Arend]], a native of Luxembourg who invented [[Chicken McNuggets]] in 1979.  "The McNuggets were so well received that every franchise wanted them," said Arend in a 2009 interview. "There wasn’t a system to supply enough chicken. We had to come up with something to give the other franchises as a new product. So the McRib came about because of the shortage of chickens." It was his inspiration to shape the McRib patty "like a slab of ribs," despite the fact that a round patty would have been cheaper to [[manufacture]] and serve on standard [[hamburger]] [[buns]].<ref name=maxim/>

After several years, it returned for a promotion. It is more popular in [[Germany]] and [[Luxembourg]], where it remains a permanent item.<ref name="Independent Travel Cats" /><ref name="McDonalds Germany"/>

===2005–present===
On November 1, 2005, McDonald's issued a [[press release]] announcing that the McRib would be permanently removed from the menu following a "McRib Farewell Tour". McRib.com, a [[website]] registered to McDonald's, featured a [[petition]] to "Save the McRib", which was facetiously sponsored by the "Boneless Pig Farmers Association of America".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bonelesspigs.org/|title=Boneless Pig Farmers Association of America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230172317/http://www.bonelesspigs.org/|archive-date=December 30, 2005 }}</ref> On October 16, 2006, the "McRib Farewell Tour II" site appeared.

The McRib reappeared in the United States in October 2007, beginning a third "farewell tour".<ref name=Time-Blog.Com>{{cite magazine|url=http://time-blog.com/curious_capitalist/2007/10/the_mcrib_is_back_bringing_con.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218063954/http://time-blog.com/curious_capitalist/2007/10/the_mcrib_is_back_bringing_con.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 18, 2007|title=''The McRib is back'' Review|first=Justin|last=Fox|date=October 25, 2007|access-date=November 11, 2007|magazine=Time Magazine}}</ref> McDonald's sold 30 million made with over 7 million pounds (3 million kg) of pork in 2007.<ref name=maxim/> Its fourth reintroduction was in the end of October 2008, across the United States, Hong Kong, and Japan, with a promotional website featuring music sponsored by a "McRib DJ Plowman" in tribute to its creator.

Additional limited time regional offerings, in various regions of the United States as well as in Canada, were made throughout 2008 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=McRib is coming back!|url=http://laburgerblog.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/mcrib-is-coming-back/|work=Los Angeles Burger Blog|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=October 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/business/companies/article.jsp?content=20080409_104093_104093|title=Unravelling the mystery of the McRib|first=Chris|last=Selley|work=[[Maclean's]]|date=April 9, 2008|access-date=November 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://twitter.com/McDonalds/status/27043971484| title=Twitter.com| date=October 11, 2010| access-date=October 15, 2010}}</ref>

On November 2, 2010, McDonald's began six weeks of nationwide McRib availability at the ''Legends of the McRib'' event in New York City, honoring three superfans: Joey Erwin, aka Mr. McRib; Alan Klein, founder of the McRib Locator website; and Adam Winer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Legends of McRib Launch Event - NYC, November 2, 2010|url=http://mcdonalds.posterous.com/legends-of-mcrib-launch-event-nyc-november-2|access-date=October 24, 2011|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629184442/http://mcdonalds.posterous.com/legends-of-mcrib-launch-event-nyc-november-2|url-status=dead}}</ref> The promotion ended December 5, 2010.<ref name="online.wsj.com"/> McDonald's credited it with boosting their November 2010 sales by 4.8%.<ref>{{cite web|title=McRib boosts McDonald's November sales|website=[[NBC News]] |date=December 8, 2010 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40566036|access-date=October 24, 2011}}</ref> It was the first national offering of the McRib since 1994.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cato |first=Jason |title=McRib rollout finds fast foodies feverish for the flavor |date=November 4, 2010 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_707667.html |access-date=November 15, 2011 |archive-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111113409/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_707667.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The McRib was offered in [[McDonald's Canada|Canada]] from June 21 to August 1, 2011.<ref name="online.wsj.com">{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704462704575590623011123594 | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=The Return of the McRib | date=November 6, 2010}}</ref> On October 24, 2011, McDonald's once again made the McRib available for three weeks in a promotion ending November 14.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rexrode|first=Christina|title=The McRib makes a McComeback|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-10-24/mcdonalds-mcrib-sandwich/50888872/1|access-date=October 24, 2011|newspaper=USA Today, Associated Press|date=October 24, 2011}}</ref>

In celebration of the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London Olympics 2012]], McDonald's Australia and New Zealand reintroduced the McRib as the Atlanta Pork McRib. The McRib was one of six limited edition McDonald's items named after previous host cities. It was released on May 23 and ran until June 5. Sales of the McRib in New Zealand exceeded expectations, exhausting supplies within days of the release of the burger with restaurants running out of their allocations of stock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burgerbusiness.com/?p=10581|title=McDonald's Putting Olympics on Menu|date=May 8, 2012|publisher=Burger Business}}</ref>

For 2012, McDonald's announced that the McRib's annual release would be delayed until the December 17, as opposed to its traditional autumn release (which would instead be used to debut the Cheddar Bacon Onion Angus Burger, or "CBO"). The move was an effort to boost sales during the December period in an attempt to match 2011's abnormally high restaurant wide sales figures.<ref>Morrison, Maureen (September 17, 2012). [http://adage.com/article/news/mcrib-save-christmas/237233/ Can the McRib save Christmas?]. ''Advertising Age''. Retrieved September 19, 2012.</ref>

The McRib wasn't released nationally and was sold only in a few cities in a few states in the United States (a la the 2005 "McRib Farewell Tour" promotion) in 2013 due to the company introducing several new products (such as the Mighty Wings). The McRib was sold again starting on October 20, 2014, and ending on January 4, 2015, but only in a few cities in a few states in the United States (a la the 2006 "McRib Farewell Tour II" promotion).

The McRib made a return in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2014, until February 3, 2015. The McRib was sold again starting in October 2015 and ending in January 2016, but only in a few cities in a few states in the United States (55 percent of McDonald's locations). It became available again in November 2016, but at a limited number of McDonald's locations; and once more since October 2017, but in most areas. Local McDonald's Twitter accounts announced in Southern California and Hawaii that the McRib would be returning to these locations on November 2 and 9, 2017 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-mcrib-returns-november-at-certain-locations-2017-10|title=McDonald's is bringing back the McRib|date=October 31, 2017|website=Business Insider}}</ref> The McRib once again made a limited return in the United States and Australia at participating locations starting in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-brings-back-mcrib-2018-10|title=McDonald's is bringing back the McRib at thousands of locations|date=October 25, 2018|website=Business Insider|last=Taylor |first=Kate | access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> The McRibs rolled out once again for a limited time beginning October 7, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |title=McDonald's McRib is back for a limited time. How to find it |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2019/10/03/how-to-find-mcdonalds-mcrib-2019/3856789002/ |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

For 2020, McDonald's announced that the McRib would be made available nationwide in the United States for the first time since 2012, beginning on December 2. It was dubbed as "the most important sandwich of the year."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wait is Over — McDonald's® Takes McRib Season Nationwide in 2020 |url=https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/.McRib-nationwide-20.html |website=McDonald’s |access-date=December 3, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref> It also returned for a limited run, along with the "El Maco Burger", in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=McDonald's Is Bringing The McRib And The El Maco Back To Australia|url=https://www.ladbible.com/news/latest-mcdonalds-is-bringing-the-mcrib-and-the-el-maco-back-to-australia-20201208|access-date=December 9, 2020|website=www.ladbible.com|date=December 8, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2022}}

On September 30, 2021, McDonald's announced on [[Twitter]] that the McRib was returning on November 1 for a limited time. The previous day on September 29, the company tweeted that there was important news coming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The McRib is back. Here's when you can get one|url=https://www.today.com/food/mcdonald-s-mcrib-returning-restaurants-november-1-t232744|access-date=December 10, 2021|website=TODAY.com|date=September 30, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The McRib was available at some locations before November 1.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tyko|first=Kelly|title=McDonald's McRib returns Monday, but you might be able to get the barbecue sandwich early|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/10/28/mcdonalds-mcrib-2021-barbecue-sandwich-returns-nft-contest/8576352002/|access-date=December 10, 2021|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref>

On October 23, 2022, McDonald's announced that the McRib would return on October 31, 2022, for a "McRib Farewell Tour", the fourth such after the 2005 and the 2007 ones. The McRib was available until November 20.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Addy Bink |first=Michael Bartiromo |date=October 23, 2022 |title=The McRib is back, but possibly for the last time, McDonald's hints |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/3700379-the-mcrib-is-back-but-mcdonalds-hints-its-your-last-chance-to-enjoy-it/ |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The McRib is back (again) for what McDonald's is calling its 'Farewell Tour' |url=https://www.today.com/food/news/mcrib-returns-mcdonalds-farewell-tour-rcna53705 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=TODAY.com |date=October 24, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Despite the farewell tour promotion, in September 2023, McDonald's announced that the McRib would return in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2023 |title=McDonald's McRib had a 'Farewell Tour' last year. Is it returning? |url=https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/mcdonalds-mcrib-return-2023-rcna118129 |access-date=October 1, 2023 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}</ref>

On January 30, 2024, McDonald's McRib sandwiches returned to [[McDonald's Canada|Canadian locations]] for the first time since February 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Butterfield |first1=Michelle |title=McDonald's McRib is coming back to Canada after a 10-year hiatus |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10257746/mcrib-mcdonalds-canada-2024/ |website=Global News |access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref>

On October 4, 2024, McDonald's announced that the McRib would be available in the United Kingdom for the first time since 2015, with a limited supply.<ref>{{cite web |title=McRib Press Release |url=https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/newsroom/article/mcrib-press-release.html |website=mcdonalds.com |access-date=October 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pochin |first1=Courtney |title=McDonald's brings back iconic menu item Brits have been craving for a decade |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/10/04/mcdonalds-finally-bringing-mcrib-back-uk-9-years-a-catch-21730608/ |website=Metro |access-date=October 8, 2024 |language=en |date=October 4, 2024}}</ref>

====HSUS lawsuit====
{{update section|date=December 2020}}
In November 2011, the [[Humane Society of the United States]] filed a complaint with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] against the producer of McRib meat, [[Smithfield Foods]], alleging cruel and unusual treatment of the animals used in the McRib patty production.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/04/mcrib-lawsuit-humane-society-smithfield-farms_n_1075992.html | work=The Huffington Post | title=McRib Lawsuit Pits Humane Society Against Smithfield Farms, McDonald's Over Animal Welfare| date=November 4, 2011| first=Joe| last=Satran}}</ref> The complaint cites the use of [[gestation crate]]s and poor and unsanitary living conditions, as well as a lack of proper animal welfare.

McDonald's responded by requiring its U.S. pork suppliers to eliminate the use of gestation crates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spector |first=Dina |title=McDonald's Requires Pork Suppliers To Get Rid Of 2-By-7-Foot Metal Pig Crates |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-pork-pig-crates-2012-2 |access-date=November 26, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Limited availability==
Speculation on the limited availability of the McRib includes theories concerning the fluctuating price and unreliable supply chains of bulk pork, manipulation of availability windows to turn the product into a better [[loss leader]] for the company, and the generation of renewed enthusiasm and higher sales as a result of scarcity.<ref>{{cite news|title=The McRib's suspiciously 'limited' availability: 4 theories |date=November 11, 2011 |magazine=[[The Week]] |url=http://theweek.com/article/index/221366/the-mcribs-suspiciously-limited-availability-4-theories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112043942/http://theweek.com/article/index/221366/the-mcribs-suspiciously-limited-availability-4-theories |archive-date=November 12, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

An informal study from 2011 entitled "A Conspiracy of Hogs: The McRib as [[Arbitrage]]" illustrates a correlation between the price of pork and the timing of McDonald's offering the sandwich; all five of the US McRib offerings between 2005 and 2011 occurred during low points in the price of bulk pork.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theawl.com/2011/11/a-conspiracy-of-hogs-the-mcrib-as-arbitrage | work =The Awl | title=A Conspiracy of Hogs: The McRib as Arbitrage | date=November 8, 2011 | first=Willy | last=Staley}}</ref>

According to McDonald's, the sandwich's limited availability is due to their desire to provide a varied menu throughout the year.<ref>[http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/your_questions/our_food/why-isnt-the-mcrib-sold-year-round.html Why isn't the McRib sold year-round?]. Retrieved November 6, 2014.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country !! Availability !! Last Year Available
|-
| '''United States''' || Available periodically, typically during the fall season. || 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snider |first=Mike |title=McRib is coming back to McDonald's. Plus, you can buy some McRib sauce too. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/11/20/mcrib-mcdonalds-returns-2024/76425594007/ |access-date=December 4, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| '''Germany''' || Permanent menu item. || Permanent Item
|-
| '''Luxembourg''' || Permanent menu item. || Permanent Item
|-
| '''Canada''' || Returned in 2024 after a 10-year hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10257746/mcrib-mcdonalds-canada-2024/|title=McDonald’s McRib is coming back to Canada after a 10-year hiatus|website=Global News}}</ref> || 2024
|-
| '''Australia''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2023
|-
| '''United Kingdom''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2024
|-
| '''Japan''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2019
|-
| '''France''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2013
|-
| '''Austria''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2020
|-
| '''Sweden''' || Available periodically as a limited-time offer. || 2020
|}

==See also==	
{{portal|Food}}	
* [[List of sandwiches]] 
* [[List of McDonald's products]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|McRib}}
*[http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/product_nutrition.sandwiches.292.McRib-.html McRib] menu item at McDonald's
*[http://www.mcdonalds.de/produkte/produkt-profil?productName=mcrib McRib] menu item at McDonald's Germany, with in-depth product description
*[https://mcriblocator.com McRib Locator] by Alan Klein

{{McDonald's}}

[[Category:American sandwiches]]
[[Category:McDonald's foods]]
[[Category:Food and drink introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1981]]