Homemade McRib Recipe

If you love the McRib but hate waiting for McDonald’s to bring it back, this homemade version gives you the same sweet, smoky, tangy flavor whenever the craving hits. The pork patties are seasoned, baked until juicy, and coated in a sticky homemade BBQ sauce, then piled onto soft rolls with thin-sliced onions and dill pickles. It’s an easy McRib copycat that comes together in about 40 minutes and tastes better than the original.

Why You'll Love This McDonald's McRib

I’ve developed a bit of a knack for making McDonald’s copycat recipes, and some of those recipes have become favorites on the site. So when I started thinking about another one to recreate, the McRib was an easy choice.

The original has such a specific combination of flavors: a saucy pork patty, tangy pickles, thin-sliced onions, and a soft roll. I wanted my homemade version to keep all of that, but make it easy enough to pull off with basic ingredients at home.

The patties are made from ground pork, shaped to look like the classic McRib, and brushed with a homemade BBQ sauce that gets sticky in the oven. Add the pickles and onions and you get a sandwich that satisfies any McRib cravings without having to wait for McDonald’s to bring it back.

McRib Ingredients You'll Need

For the patties:

• 1 pound ground pork
• BBQ seasoning of choice
• 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
• 4 soft hoagie or sub rolls
• Pickle slices

For the BBQ sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Ingredient Notes

• Ground pork: Use plain ground pork so you can control the seasoning. An 80/20 or 85/15 blend gives the patties enough fat to stay juicy.
• BBQ seasoning: Use your favorite smoky BBQ rub. Since the sauce is already sweet, I’d choose one that leans more savory than sugary.
• White onion: Slice it very thin so you get the sharp onion flavor without overpowering the sandwich.
• Dill pickles: Use classic dill pickle chips for the closest McRib-style flavor.
• Hoagie rolls: Soft sub or hoagie rolls work best. Avoid anything too crusty since the original McRib has a soft bun.
• Homemade BBQ sauce: The ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, and spices give you a sweet, tangy sauce that thickens enough to cling to the pork patties.

How to Make Homemade McRib

Step 1: Make the BBQ Sauce

Add the ketchup, water, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 2: Shape the Pork Patties

Divide the ground pork into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a log, then flatten it into an oval or rounded rectangle about the size of your rolls. Season both sides with BBQ seasoning.

Step 3: Add the Ribbed Look

Place the patties on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Use the edge of a spatula to press 3 shallow grooves across the top of each patty.

Step 4: Bake the Patties

Bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through.

Step 5: Sauce and Finish

Brush the patties generously with the homemade BBQ sauce, then return them to the oven for another 4–5 minutes until the sauce is hot and sticky.

Step 6: Assemble the McRib

Toast the rolls, then add a pork patty to each bottom bun. Top with thinly sliced white onion, dill pickle slices, and an extra spoonful of BBQ sauce. Add the top bun and serve right away.

My Tips for the Best Homemade McRib

• Don’t overwork the pork. Shape the patties just until they hold together. Packing the meat too tightly can make them dense.
• Shape them a little larger than the rolls. The pork will shrink as it cooks, so making the patties slightly oversized helps them fit the buns better after baking.
• Use a wire rack if you have one. It lets the fat drip away while the patties cook and helps them brown more evenly.
• Sauce at the end. Brush on the BBQ sauce during the last few minutes so it gets sticky without burning.
• Toast the rolls lightly. A quick toast gives the bun enough structure to hold the saucy pork, pickles, and onions without getting soggy

How to Store McDonald's McRib

• In the fridge: Store the cooked pork patties in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the buns, pickles, onions, and extra BBQ sauce separate so the sandwiches don’t get soggy.
• To reheat: Warm the patties in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes, or in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. Brush on a little extra BBQ sauce before reheating to keep them moist.
• In the microwave: Microwave individual patties in 30-second intervals until hot, then assemble the sandwich with fresh toppings.
• In the freezer: Freeze the cooked patties for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely first, wrap them well, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

McDonald's McRib FAQs

What is a McRib made of?

A McRib is made with a seasoned pork patty shaped to resemble ribs, barbecue sauce, sliced onions, and dill pickles on a soft sandwich roll. This homemade version uses ground pork so you can recreate the same style of sandwich at home.

What kind of pork should I use for a homemade McRib?

Plain ground pork works best. Look for an 80/20 or 85/15 blend so the patties have enough fat to stay juicy while they bake.

Can I make McRib patties ahead of time?

Yes. Shape and season the pork patties up to a day ahead, cover them tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. You can also make the BBQ sauce ahead and keep it refrigerated separately.

Can I cook the McRib patties on the grill?

Yes. Grill the patties over medium heat until cooked through, then brush them with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes. Keep a close eye on the sauce because the sugar can burn over direct heat.

What can I use instead of hoagie rolls?

Soft sub rolls, sandwich rolls, or elongated hamburger buns all work. The main thing is to use a soft bread that can hold the pork patty and sauce without being too crusty.

Can I use bottled BBQ sauce?

Absolutely. The homemade sauce gives you more control over the sweetness and tang, but your favorite bottled BBQ sauce works if you want to save time.

How do I know when the pork patties are done?

Cook the pork until the center reaches 160°F on an instant-read thermometer. The patties should be fully cooked but still juicy before you brush them with sauce and finish them in the oven.

More Copycat McDonald's Recipes to Try

• McDonald's McChicken Sandwich
• Homemade McGriddle
• Homemade Big Mac
• McDonald's Chicken Nuggets